Spotlight: New York State - Erie Canal (Lockport)

Spotlight: The Erie Canal was built during the early 1800's with the goal to connect New York City Harbor to the Great Lakes with a navigable water route. Construction of the canal commenced in 1817 and continued until it opened on Oct. 26, 1825. The canal needed 36 locks to allow ships to smoothly drop 565 feet over the course of its 363 mile route from Buffalo, New York (on the shores of Lake Erie) to Albany, New York on the shores of the Hudson River. Since water routes were the most cost effective means of transportation during this time period, the canal dropped shipping costs by approximately 95%. Completion of the canal provided a lot more commerce to pass through New York City, helping it surpass Philadelphia as the largest city in the U.S. In the year 2000, Congress designated the canal system as the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor to commemorate its importance as the most influential human-built waterway in North America.

Location: The Erie Canal runs from Buffalo, New York to Albany, New York, with 36 locks along the way. Several cities along the way offer canal boat rides, but we went to Lockport - a city that was built up as a result of its key location along the canal. The Lockport Locks and Erie Canal Cruises company is located at 210 Market Street, Lockport, NY.

Time: Cruises are approximately 2 hours long. There are usually 2 cruises a day (12:30 & 2:00); but Saturdays a third cruise is available at 10:00 am.

Cost: Different cruise lines will have different rates, but the Lockport Locks and Erie Canal Cruises cost: $17.50/adult, $9.00/children (4-10), free/children under four

Description: Boat rides are always fun, but if you've never been on a canal boat, you are in for a unique experience. Since canals are man-made, the ride tends to be smoother since you don't have to worry about waves, tides, or bends in the river. Instead, you get to travel through locks. Locks allow canals to rise up or drop in elevation to stay even with the lay of the land. They work kind of like an elevator, but with water. Each lock has two sets of gates. You enter through one gate, which then closes behind the boat. If you are going up, then water is released into the lock until the boat rises (49 feet at the Lockport locks) to be even with the level of the water on the other side of the gate. At that point, the second gate opens, and you continue your cruise. If you are going down, then water is drained from the lock until you are once again even with the water level in the canal. It is fascinating to watch the process from start to finish.

water pouring in through lock gates

     Another unique aspect of traveling by canal are the bridges. As you approach a bridge, it often appears that the boat is going to crash into the bridge - until the bridge starts to rise to let the boat through.

Bridge going back down

     The coast guard licensed boat captains are well informed, telling you about the impressive history of the Erie Canal, the unique architecture, and many folk tales about canal life as you leisurely float along admiring the beautiful scenery.

Canal Cruise

     Before or after your cruise, you can explore the Erie Canal Heritage Museum at 228 Market Street. Admission is free. The building was built in the 1840's, and used to be a flour mill. The spillway accompanying the building was used by escaped slaves as they made their way along the Underground Railroad.

Rating: 4 1/2 stars (out of 5)

Things You Should Know: Cruises depart daily from May to October.
- The Lockport Canalside building has free parking for its clients.
- Lockport is home to the only double set of locks on the Erie Canal.
- The double locks (Locks 34 & 35) replaced the famous "Flight of Five" (5 locks that boats used to pass through). Cruisers can still see the remnants of these famous locks.

Flight of Five

- Lockport canal boats pass under what used to be the "widest bridge in the U.S." until it was surpassed in 2013.
- The canal boats can be reserved for special events and parties at discount rates for groups of 25 or more.
- AAA members can get a discount.
- For more information, or to book a trip, visit http://lockportlocks.com/ or call 1-800-378-0352.

Nearby: Niagara Falls, Lockport Cave and Underground Boat Ride, Erie Canal Discovery Center, Lake Ontario, Palmyra