niagara falls erie canal cruise

Erie Canal Boat Cruise With Lunch

Duration:  3-4 Hours Tour Times:   Upon Request Availability:   April – November   

Take a cruise down the historic Erie Canal and through the Lockport Locks. Be mesmorized as you elevate 49ft to the top of the Niagara Escarpment with a Coast Guard Licensed captain. After your cruise, enjoy a tasty buffet canal side that included a variety of foods from roast beef and turkey to salads and pasta.

Tour Prices

Special Group Pricing for Groups of 10 or more!

Duration:  3 – 4 Hours Tour Times:   Upon Request Availability:     April –  November

Tour Itinerary

• Take a cruise down the historic Erie Canal and through the Lockport Locks and Experience a unique 2-hour cruise which includes “locking through” and being raised the 49 ft. elevation of the Niagara Escarpment (the same one that creates Niagara Falls) in the only double set of locks on the Erie Canal. You will pass under bridges that raise straight up, see water cascade over Lockport’s famous “Flight of Five” 1840’s locks, and travel through the solid walls of the “rock cut” as your Coast Guard licensed captain describes the architecture, sights, and folklore along the way.
• Enjoy a delicious Buffet Luncheon Canal side after your boat cruise. Includes: Salad, mashed potatoes, Pasta Station, Roast Beef, Turkey, Corn Beef, gravy, apple sauce, cranberry sauce, hot buttered bread sticks, tea, coffee and dessert.
• Transportation to and from Niagara Falls to Lockport
• Erie Canal Cruise with Luncheon All Inclusive of taxes and gratuity
• All Tolls/Bridge Tolls/Parking Fees

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Tour Itinerary

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1 PENNSYLVANIA

Today we travel through the mountains of Virginia and Pennsylvania as we make our way to overnight near Somerset, PA.

2 FLIGHT-93 MEMORIAL/NIAGARA FALLS

This morning we visit the flight 93 National Memorial which is located at the crash site of United Airlines Flight 93 which was hijacked in the September 11 attacks. After some time at the memorial we make our way north traveling through Pittsburgh and on to Buffalo, NY for the next two nights.

3 NIAGARA FALLS USA

Today we spend the day enjoying the classic North American landmark – Niagara Falls, USA. We arrive at America’s Oldest State Park, Niagara Falls State Park where we start exploring the area by taking the elevator to the top of the U.S. Observation Tower. Extending out dramatically over Niagara Gorge, this architectural wonder affords unobstructed views of the wild cascades of Niagara Falls. Next we take the elevator to the base of the gorge to experience the raging whitewater as we board the world famous Maid of the Mist for an up-close view of the American and Canadian Falls. We will literally be covered in the mist. Don’t worry you will be furnished with a raincoat! While we’re a little wet, we’ll take a journey behind the American Falls at the unique Cave of the Winds giving us a very up-close view of the Bridal Veil Falls. Dinner is provided this evening.

4 LOCKPORT LOCKS:

This morning we travel to Lockport, NY where we treat you to lunch before boarding the Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruise This is a unique 2-hour cruise past many of the historic sites and five original locks. The cruise includesbeing raised and lowered 50 feet in the only double set of locks on the Erie Canal. We overnight south of Pittsburgh.

We depart our hotel this morning making our way home with great memories of one of the United States’ greatest landmarks, Niagara Falls!

Lodging & Tour

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$75 Per Person (Area 6)

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Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises

Experience this AAA GEM attraction featured on the History Channel. Enjoy a unique narrated 2-hour cruise on the Erie Canal, under lift bridges and being raised and lowered 50 feet in Locks 34 & 35. Special pre-arranged group cruise times available. Located 30 minutes from Niagara Falls and Buffalo, NY.

Contact info

210 Market St, Lockport, NY 14094, USA

(716) 433-6155

https://lockportlocks.com/

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Taking a Historic Lockport Locks and Erie Canal Cruise in Niagara County

The Erie Canal cuts its way across New York from the Hudson River to Lake Erie, and there are many fascinating places to visit along it, including the Erie Canal Museum in Syracuse . However, none quite encapsulate the combination being both educational and relaxing as much as the Lockport Locks and Erie Canal Cruises in Niagara County .

Located approximately 40 minutes from both Niagara Falls and downtown Buffalo (home to the excellent Buffalo River boat tours ). Lockport, New York is a community that was built around the Erie Canal and the community’s famous Flight of Five Locks that raised boats over the 49-foot Niagara Escarpment in five steps.

While the historic locks are closed to boat traffic, two modern locks still raise and lower boats up this hillside in the heart of downtown Lockport.

Wanting to experience riding through this historic double lock, my family and I were invited aboard the Lockport Locks and Erie Canal Cruises for their two-hour tour along the Erie Canal.

The tour leaves from their visitor center and boat dock just downstream on the Erie Canal from the locks. There are three different boats in their fleet, and I assume that the boat picked for each day depends on the expected size of the crowds.

While the smallest boat only features one deck and would seem to have somewhat limited views and ability to move around, the two largest boats offer both a covered lower deck and an upper deck. All three boats also have restrooms and a small snack bar serving a somewhat limited selection of drinks and snacks.

Since the boat dock is near the locks, it’s only a few short minutes from the start of the tour before the boat reaches the locks.

I had never been inside of a working lock before, so it was a really neat experience watching the boat get lifted 25 feet up through the power of water. All told, it takes 3 million gallons of water to raise the boat through each of the two locks.

After ascending the two levels of the Lockport Locks, the cruise continued west along the Erie Canal. As I learned at the nearby Erie Canal Discovery Center , this portion of the canal was blasted out of solid rock to keep it level for the rest of the trip to Lake Erie.

Of course, the Lockport Locks and Erie Canal Cruises trip doesn’t go all the way to the lake. Instead, it travels around 1.5 miles west of the locks, turning around near the Route 93 bridge.

As you travel along the canal, the boat’s driver offers narration about the history of the canal, the community of Lockport, and how locks work. I found the narration to be really well done and quite educational. In fact, there were a few times that questions popped into my head that were soon answered by the narrator.

When the guide wasn’t talking, the boat’s loudspeakers played authentic canal music, much of which was written by people riding on the canal or about the Erie Canal. These songs really added a lot to the experience, and I’m glad they opted to play this type of music instead of more modern selections.

The cruise sails back into Lockport, and, of course, must once again ride through the locks. Probably my favorite part of the entire cruise was pulling up to the top lock as it was full of water. From here, you can see the main channel of the Erie Canal far below. It’s almost a bit intimidating seeing how high above the water you are currently sitting.

Once back at the bottom of the locks, you might think your cruise is over. However, the ship doesn’t return directly to the dock. Instead, it continues further east on the Erie Canal.

This section of the canal is interesting for a few reasons.

The first is because the boat passes underneath several small bridges. However, these bridges are unique in that the entire surface of the bridge raises and lowers to allow passing boats through. Definitely something that you don’t see every day.

I also enjoyed this part of the cruise because the narrator offered some really interesting information on both the buildings along the canal as well as how the canal is used today. Did you know that you can still take a boat from Lake Erie all the way to the Hudson River in Albany?

The tour boat travels a mile east on the Erie Canal before turning around again for the trip back to the dock. All told, the ride takes roughly two hours, though the length of the tour can vary a bit depending on if there is any other traffic on the locks.

Overall, I thought the Lockport Locks and Erie Canal Cruises trip was a ton of fun. I not only learned a lot about the Erie Canal, but it also gave me the chance to experience how a lock works, which I thought was really neat.

If you are looking for something fun and unique to while visiting the Great Niagara region , I’d definitely recommend taking a ride out to Lockport to experience this great boat tour.

Also worth noting is that you can walk up to and explore the locks themselves in downtown Lockport. It was a really fun experience to not only see the giant locks up-close from the shore but also to look out over the historic Flight of Five locks that helped the Erie Canal conquer New York State.

Note: My ride on the Lockport Locks and Erie Canal Cruise was hosted by the site. However, the opinions expressed are my own.

Looking for more to do in the area? Check out the Old Fort Niagara , Glen Falls , Medina Falls , the Jell-O Museum , and Holley Canal Falls .

Lockport Locks and Erie Canal Cruises

See map below for other area attractions., more nearby places worth exploring.

Visiting the Millard Fillmore House Near Buffalo, NY

Seeing Buffalo from the Water on a Buffalo River History Tour

What It’s Like to Visit the Buffalo Naval Park

How to Get to Medina Falls in Orleans County, New York

Find more things to do in greater niagara.

Jim Cheney is the creator of Uncovering New York. After spending 5.5 years exploring Pennsylvania, Jim discovered a love for New York and is excited to spend time exploring this great state and uncovering the best things to do here.

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NIAGARA RIVER CRUISES

Cruises on upper niagara river & erie canal, ny.

Where history is learned & fun-filled memories are made.

We at Niagara River Cruises love to provide a fun-filled, memorable experience coupled with the high-quality professionalism of our staff, compelling our passengers to recommend our Niagara River cruises to others. Leaving our guests with wonderful lasting memories is a large part of how we measure our success.

Charters are available for any type of gatherings … company outings, weddings, showers, birthday parties, anniversaries on the Upper Niagara River and/or the historic Erie Canal.

Remember you can bring your own food and beverages.

• User All ages
• Hour Glass 2 hours

Joe Bolognese Music Cruise

Come enjoy live music by local performer Joe Bolognese as the sun sets over the Niagara River and Erie Canal. Reserve your spot online.

• Hour Glass 2.0 hours

Psychic Cruise

Join WNY’s leading Psychic Reverends for their “Gallery Style” Psychic Cruise on the Niagara River to connect with your loved ones and hear inspirational messages.

• Special Available
• Hour Glass 1.5 hours

History Cruise

Come join us for a narrated history boat tour along the New York State Canal System which has been named a National Historic Landmark.

SPECIAL: Buy one, get second ticket at 50% OFF

Grace Lougen Music Cruise

Grace Lougen is an award-winning guitar player and songwriter from Buffalo, NY. Known for her tasteful solos and versatility, she performs regularly with a variety of touring artists, but focuses mainly on her current project: Grosh.

Live Blues Cruise

Come join us for some great live blues music with a 3-piece band on this Niagara River live music cruise with Barry Arbogast and other talented performers.

Civiletto Sings Sinatra Co-starring April Mazzone

Jack Civiletto and April Mazzone are a wonderful blend of two exceptional talents……Jack Civiletto shows off his award winning smooth and stylish vocals  ……April Mazzone displays a passionate, heartfelt vocal style

Comedy Cruise

Enjoy a wonderful evening cruise on the upper Niagara River and watch the sun set as you laugh to a group of Buffalo’s best Comics.

Buffalo Bills Tailgate Cruise

Come dressed in your favorite Buffalo Bills attire and join the fun as we look forward to a fantastic season. You can bring your own food & beverages.

Stay tuned as da tes for 2024   are being developed.

DJ Trivia of WNY Cruise

With DJ Trivia of WNY, a live DJ hosts a fun-filled, interactive on-screen trivia game! You and your team play “Live” trivia against other onsite teams.

Poker Run Cruise

Cruise the upper Niagara River under sunset skies while collecting your 5-card poker hand. Includes cruise, tournament and prizes!

Tim Britt Sunset Music Cruise

Enjoy Tim’s engaging personality, and vocals that range from a soft vibrato to a raspy rocker, from an operatic falsetto to a mellow baritone.

Sunday Funday Music Cruise with Brian Beaudry from Nerds Gone Wild performing his Acoustic Solo

Get out on a Sunday with friends and family. Come join us for a great late morning Cruise enjoying the beautiful sites on the water while listening to Brian Beaudry from Nerds Gone Wild as he performs solo, singing hits from the 70s, 80s and 90s.

Independence Day Fireworks Cruise

The date for the fireworks is July 5th

Celebrate Independence Day on the Niagara River! This boat cruise boasts wonderful views of the fireworks from the water.

Sunday Funday Music Cruise with Leslie Zagotti from the Boogie Monsters singing Acoustic Solo

Get out on a Sunday with friends and family enjoying the beautiful sites on the water while listening to Leslie Zagotti Lead Guitar & Vocals for the Boogie Monsters singing Acoustic Solo. Leslie has won several “Top Guitarist” awards at the Buffalo Music Awards.

OUR MISSION

To provide a fun-filled, memorable experience coupled with the high-quality professionalism of our staff, compelling our passengers to recommend our Niagara River cruises to others. Leaving our guests with wonderful lasting memories is a large part of how we measure our success.

5-STAR NIAGARA RIVER CRUISES

The cruise with the psychic readings was interest in and lots of fun. Captains Tom and Erica were so kind and helpful. I would highly recommend and hope to take another cruise soon.

We had a great time on the BBQ n Blues cruise. Great food great music! This was our first but certainly not our last! Thanks to all for a nice night!

We went on The Queen of Peace the other nite with Robin Hoch as our captain! What a great time we had with everyone while Tom Bender played some of our favorite tunes! I highly recommend this!!

Fabulous !!!! The crew was awesome. It's a great venue to enjoy both strangers and friends company. Can't wait to do this again!

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Lockport Cave & Underground Boat Ride

Lockport's Downtown Attraction

Just a 30 minute drive from Niagara Falls or Buffalo, the Lockport Cave & Underground Boat Ride along the Erie Canal is an exciting 75-minute historic guided walking tour through America’s past. Your tour guide will take you on one of the most unique tours on the Erie Canal or in all America.

Begin With The Walking Tour

You will explore the historic and newly rehabilitated “Flight of Five” Erie Canal Locks 67-71, constructed in 1838 and Locks 34 & 35 which allow boats to travel “uphill” 60 feet through the Niagara Escarpment ridge of rock. View the Historic Engineering Marvels on the Erie Canal from the 1800’s Read More and examine industrial ruins, allowing a glimpse into America’s industrial revolution and the fortitude it took to build the Erie Canal. Once inside you’ll view stalactites, flow stone, various geological formations in their early stages of development and artifacts left behind by the workmen who built the tunnel and factories.

Ride The Boat Underground

Experience an underground boat ride that is both Unique and Mysterious: The next part of your journey is a one-of-a-kind underground boat ride. Embark on one of America’s longest underground boat rides along the Erie Canal and experience a trip of wonders. Read More Visitors are awestruck as they take a ride that has been described as both “peaceful and eerie” as the boat glides through the lifeless water, illuminated only by small, sporadically placed electric lights.

Let History Surround You

Walk through a 2100 foot water power tunnel blasted out of solid rock. The Hydraulic Tunnel provided water power to several industries. The tunnel was the invention of Birdsill Holly, a mechanical genius, whose inventions might never have been realized without the water power provided by this tunnel. Read More Holly’s inventions include the life-saving fire hydrant, central steam heat and the rotary pump. During his lifetime, Holly held over 150 patents.

This was an awesome tour, the kids and I really loved it. I never knew it existed. It’s worth the trip! A real must see when visiting Lockport, NY!!!

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Erie Canal Cruise Tour

The Erie Canal is a historic canal in upstate New York that runs east-west between the Hudson River and Lake Erie. Completed in 1825, the canal was the first navigable waterway connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes, vastly reducing the costs of transporting people and goods across the Appalachians. On this tour, we will be taking three different canal cruises traveling from east to west, while enjoying beautiful views and visiting historical and interesting sites.

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National Baseball Hall of Fame

Lil Diamond II Erie Canal Cruise

The Stanley Theatre

New York Kitchen Dinner with Chef Demonstration

George Eastman Museum

Artisan Works

Colonial Belle Erie Canal Boat Tour

Vidler’s Five & Dime

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Martin House

Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruise

Niagara Falls Illumination

Seneca Spirit Cruise on Seneca Lake

10 Meals Included

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Hotel Accommodations

Requires Extended Walking

This morning we depart for our 5-day tour along the historic Erie Canal. We will stop for rest and lunch enroute to Cooperstown, NY, where we will visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Here we will enjoy a self-guided visit of the baseball-related artifacts and exhibits honoring those who have excelled in playing, managing and serving the sport. The Hall's motto is "Preserving History, Honoring Excellence, Connecting Generations". We will then check-in to our Utica, NY lodging. Dinner will be included at a nearby restaurant.

After breakfast we will enjoy a 90-minute, narrated journey through history on the calm waters of the Erie Canal while enjoying the spectacular scenery of New York's beautiful Mohawk Valley. Join your United States Coast Guard licensed captain aboard Lil Diamond II and enjoy a few entertaining tales of the canal. The thrill of our voyage is being raised and lowered over 20 feet in an Erie Canal Lock! Lunch will be included in Utica followed by a guided tour of The Stanley Theatre. Originally built to be a movie palace, this theatre opened on September 10, 1928 with 2,963 seats. Designed by famous architect Thomas Lamb, this baroque theater is a stunning cornerstone of this region. This evening dinner is included at New York Kitchen. The chef will demonstrate making some of the food we will enjoy for dinner. Televisions give everyone a perfect view of the process. Our lodging for the next three evenings will be located in Batavia, NY.

This morning, after breakfast at the hotel, we will have a self-guided visit at the George Eastman Museum, the world's oldest museum dedicated to photography and one of the world's oldest film archives. World-renowned for its collections in the fields of photography and cinema, the museum is also a leader in film preservation and photograph conservation, educating archivists and conservators from around the world. Next, we will stroll through Artisan Works, a fantastic world of art, with nearly 500,000 pieces of artwork, antiques, automobiles, and memorabilia. It's not like anything you've ever seen! After lunch on our own in Rochester, we will enjoy a narrated 3-hour cruise along the Erie Canal aboard Colonial Belle. This cruise departs from Fairport, travels up and down through Lock E32 in Pittsford, then returns to Fairport. Dinner will be included at a local restaurant this evening.

Today after breakfast, we will enjoy a full-day guided tour of Buffalo and the surrounding region. First, we will visit Vidler's Five & Dime, the largest in the world! Here you can enjoy time strolling through the past. Next, we will have a guided tour of Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House, the architect's quintessential Prairie house and one of the great achievements of his career. Lunch will be included at Anchor Bar, where Buffalo Chicken Wings were invented. This afternoon we will enjoy a 2-hour Lockport Locks & Erie Canal cruise. Three million gallons of water will fill Locks 34 & 35, the only double set on the Erie Canal, and will raise the boat 50 feet. You'll pass under Lockport's "Upside Down Bridge", Lockport's "Big Bridge", through the "deep rock cut" and under lift bridges. The lively narration by the Coast-Guard-licensed Captain is also accompanied by crowd-pleasing canal music, popular during the 1800's. Dinner tonight is at Hard Rock Café in downtown Niagara Falls, NY. Each evening Niagara Falls is illuminated in a fantastic display of color. After dinner, a nearby stroll will allow us to enjoy this unique event. We will then return to our lodging.

After breakfast at the hotel, we will check-out and depart for home. We will stop in Watkins Glen, NY where we will enjoy a 50-minute cruise along the stunning shores of Seneca Lake aboard The Seneca Spirit. After lunch on our own at Seneca Harbor Station, we will continue home. Arrival home is scheduled for early evening.

Please note

Our intention is to run each tour as originally planned and published. However, if deemed necessary to do so, Perkiomen Tours reserves the right to make changes to tour components, schedules or itineraries without prior notification. Tips for Perkiomen motorcoach drivers and tour escorts are not included in the price of this tour. We feel that these gratuities should be extended on an individual basis and dictated by the level of service provided. Motorcoach seating is assigned at the time of reservation but cannot be guaranteed. Although we do our best to keep each traveler in the seat assigned at the time of reservation, there are times that it is necessary to move seat locations. Please be sure to verify your final seat number(s) with your driver at the time of boarding. Historically, daily seat rotation was practiced on most multi-day tours. We have suspended this practice for a period of time. Seat rotation will be explained by your driver or tour escort if reinstated. Perkiomen Tours recommends that you consider purchasing Travel Insurance for your tour. Travel Insurance is purchased directly by you from a third-party of your choice. One option is Travel Safe Insurance. You can purchase insurance directly from Travel Safe through our website. www.perkiomentours.com To fully participate in this tour may require extended amounts of walking. There may be steps, inclines, uneven surfaces or extended periods of standing. Participants with physical limitation should take this into consideration.

B=Full Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

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We are observing New York State's Covid-19 requirements. Our rates for the 2021 season will remain the same as last year.

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Daily Narrated Sightseeing Cruises

Local history is still very alive at Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises, and has been experienced by almost million people since its inception. Come aboard for a relaxing & informative ride on the 19th-century engineering marvel which opened up the American Frontier.

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For more about our cruises, click on the Daily Cruises links above. Call us at 716-433-6155, or toll-free at 1-800-378-0352.

Group Cruises, Cruise & Food Packages, Canalside Banquets

Our unique and versatile facility is perfect for a variety of activities - Casual Parties, Weddings, Meetings, Reunions, Memorials, Company Picnics, or any time you want a unique memorable event. You can arrange special private charter times for your groups of 25 or more.

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For more about Lockport Locks Group Cruises, call 716-433-6155, or toll-free at 1-800-378-0352.

Wedding Packages and Reception Cruise

Lockport Canalside offers a one-of-a-kind year round location committed to providing you with a casual yet elegant experience.

We have a highly qualified chef, experienced staff and the flexibility to meet your needs. An experienced wedding advisor will help with planning and organizing your ceremony and reception.

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We invite you to plan your special event with us. Call 716-433-6155, or toll-free 1-800-378-0352.

Back to Top Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises 210 Market Street, Lockport, NY 14094 716-433-6155 or 800-378-0352 [email protected]

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Bringing european luxury boutique barging to the finger lakes, upstate ny and beyond.....

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Request brochure, our cruise journeys, finger lakes wine cruise, nyc to the finger lakes cruise, thousand islands cruise, erie canal cruise, charleston to savannah cruise, nyc to niagara falls cruise , finger lakes wine country cruise, $1350 per person, all inclusive, romantic journey through the historic erie canal to niagara falls, $3150 per person.

ERIE CANAL SIGHTSEEING CRUISES

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ERIE CANAL SIGHTSEEING CRUISE

Our sight seeing cruises depart daily! Enjoy the scenery of the Mohawk Valley as you cruise the calm waters of the Erie Canal, learning about the history of the area and locks.

Award-winning narration along with spectacular scenery and a ride in a Lock, also known as a “liquid elevator” await you on our daily Erie Canal sightseeing cruises. We cruise through Lock 18 on the Erie Canal, lifting and lowering vessels over 20 feet! Browse our cruise schedule and reserve your tickets online.

Niagara Falls and the Erie Canal

Even though niagara falls was not chosen as a terminus for the erie canal, the success of the city and canal are deeply connected..

From 1817 to 1825, U.S. and immigrant laborers built the Erie Canal for a dollar or less per day and without any formal training in engineering. The canal originally stretched 363 miles from the Hudson River in Albany to Lake Erie in Buffalo. Although the Erie Canal did not extend to Niagara Falls, the history and success of the canal, the city, and the famous cataract are deeply connected.

Jesse Hawley was first to publish a plan for a canal across New York State. He was a Geneva merchant who shipped flour to market in New York City. Travel in those days was costly, difficult, and time-consuming. When, in April 1805, Hawley expressed to a supplier that a canal could connect various waterways in the state, the supplier said it was impossible because there was no supply of water to keep the canal filled. Hawley stared bewildered at a state map until he saw Niagara Falls and instantly realized that Lake Erie could be that supply. In 1807 and 1808, he published a series of fourteen essays that detailed his plans for the canal. His friends and readers ridiculed him.

While Niagara Falls inspired Hawley, others questioned whether the canal should route to Lake Erie or circumvent the Falls to Lake Ontario. In 1816, meetings were held statewide to address the debate. At stake were issues of safety, cost, and commerce. Many believed that the Ontario route was impossible because of the solid rock along the Niagara River. Others were concerned about competition with Canada.

Even though the Erie route prevailed, the canal had a tremendous impact on Niagara Falls. The Erie Canal opened the city to “trade, industry, and tourism on a large scale,” stimulating both its population and economy. From the 1820s to the early 1860s, Niagara Falls was a major tourist destination for the middle class who could now travel easily and inexpensively on the canal.

Across New York State, the Erie Canal provided escape routes and safe houses for freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad. It conveyed abolitionist newspapers and pamphlets marked for national distribution. Along the canal towpath, Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and Frederick Douglass connected with one another. The Erie Canal helped freedom seekers get to Niagara Falls and the International Suspension Bridge where they could cross into Canada. Others stayed in the city and built new lives.

Erie Canal use declined with the popularity of the railroad. Today, it is mostly used by commercial vessels, canoes, kayaks, and pleasure boats. Congress declared the Erie Canal a National Historic Corridor in 2000.

Hope L. Russell, Ph.D.

The Niagara Falls Nationa l Heri tage Area is one of 62 National Heritage Areas in the United States. Designated by the United States Congress in 2008, its mission is to preserve, protect and promote the historic, natural and cultural resources of the area stretching from Niagara Falls to Old Fort Niagara in Youngstown, New York.

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When Mother Nature wouldn’t provide a waterway linking the Atlantic Coast to the west, we built one ourselves in the short handful of years between 1817 and 1825. Today the Erie Canal stands as an indelible symbol of the ingenuity and ambition of Americans.

Located at the western terminus of the canal and considered the “Gateway to the West,” the port city of Buffalo is both a testament to and beneficiary of the canal’s power. The endless traffic of Great Lakes ships, canal boats and railcars directly influenced our growth and prosperity, making our city an icon of culture, architecture and the arts.

Today, the newly revitalized  Canalside  district pays homage to that heritage, and is a popular gathering spot, hosting hundreds of events each year. Traveling up the canal, you’ll find Gateway Harbor Park in North Tonawanda, home to a summer concert series and the popular Canalfest. In the charming city of Lockport, named for the system of locks located there, cruise the canal on a  Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruise and experience your boat being raised and lowered 50 feet along the intricate “Flight of Five” system of locks. Or try  biking along the length of it.

While Buffalo helped build the canal, the canal also helped build Buffalo. It is inextricably entwined with our city and no visit to the Queen City would be complete with a trip to our waterfront!

Learn more about the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor across New York State by visiting  eriecanalway.org.

Buffalo Double Decker Bus Tours

Buffalo Maritime Center at the Longshed

Canalside buffalo, explore buffalo, lockport locks & erie canal cruises.

Visit Buffalo Niagara

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Erie Canal Flight of Five Tour

Jul 3 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM 

Enjoy this 45 minute guided walking tour of the largest remaining section of the Historic Erie Canal and the Lock Tenders Tribute Monument. Make reservations online or by calling 716-349-7998. Free transportation via Discover Niagara Shuttle Fridays through Sundays!

Get Directions

Erie Canal Flight of Five Tour 24 Church St. Lockport, NY 14094-3425

Upcoming Dates

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