The Erie Canal is a beautiful and serene body of water that runs from Buffalo to Albany. The Canal opened in 1825 and the 363-mile canal soon became the best way to transport goods through New York State. The Erie Canal was responsible for the giant population boom that occurred in Western New York in the mid-1800s.
Today, although a few companies still use the canal for commercial shipping, the canal is more a place to spend a leisurely day on the water. Many people enjoy not only biking and walking the canal paths that run alongside the Erie Canal but sailing on it as well. There are a number of ways to enjoy the canal. Small crafts are permitted to sail in the canal such as small boats, canoes, and kayaks. One way to enjoy the canal and many times have the opportunity to experience the working locks, is to take an Erie Canal Cruise.
Erie Canal Cruises
There are a number of companies that offer cruises all along the Erie Canal. These are fun and great educational opportunities for kids. Children can learn a little something about the history of the canal and how it shaped the life of 19th-century New Yorkers.
Macedon
Erie Canal Adventure
Cruise the canal in your own houseboat. These boats are designed after the European-style canal boats. The boats are completely outfitted and ready for your own personal adventure on the Erie Canal. These boats come equipped with beds, linen, and cooking utensils for the kitchen. You can easily sleep and eat while cruising the canal in your own personal floating house. These boats also come with 2 or 4 bikes, which will allow you to visit and tour the canal towns you pass through. Afraid you can’t sail? Don’t worry, these rentals come with lessons.
Lockport
Erie Canal Cruises
This is a particularly neat place to take an Erie Canal Cruise because Lockport has the only double locks (Locks 34 & 35) in the entire canal system. These locks raise the boat up 50 feet to continue on its journey. Visitors will also pass some historic sites such as several locks from the 1800s and Lockport’s “Upside Down Bridge” while being regaled with the history of the area and the canal by the ship’s captain. Visitors can relax, soak up the sun and enjoy music that was popular during the 1800s.
Pittsford
Sam Patch
Imagine journeying down the Erie Canal in a replica of an 1800s packet boat on a 90-minute cruise. This company takes visitors down the Erie Canal and passes through a lock, a fun experience kids won’t soon forget. If your feel altruistic this is a good company to support. They give back to the community by offering low-cost or free field trips to schools and less fortunate people in the community.
Colonial Belle Erie Canal Cruises
Take a lovely 3-hour cruise down the Erie Canal. Upgrade your cruise with a great dining experience (either lunch or dinner). Enjoy the lock experience and learn about the history of the Erie Canal through the knowledgeable captain who will narrate your cruise. This company also offers a variety of themed cruises.
Herkimer
Erie Canal Cruises
Enjoy a 90-minute cruise in the beautiful and scenic Mohawk Valley. Journey through a lock while enjoying some historic sites and great narration by the captain of the vessel. This cruise takes guests past the Fort Herkimer Church, one of the oldest churches in New York State. Visitors can also view some rare birds that frequent the area. Take some time to talk to the captain and learn how the vessel is sailed. Visit their website for specialty-themed cruises, such as historic cruises.
Canal Boat Rentals
Other Boat Rentals
There are lots of places to rent canoes, kayaks, and other small crafts to sail on the Erie Canal.
Click the link below to find the nearest rental company.
Boat Rentals -Click the link for places to rent.
Kayaking and Canoeing
Kayaking and canoeing are always fun ways to see any body of water and the Erie Canal is no exception. This is a great place to enjoy some picturesque scenery, while not having to worry about too much traffic on the waterway. Also what traffic you do encounter is fairly slow-moving and therefore does not create much of a wake. There are lots of different places along the canal to launch your craft. Click the link below to find all of the boat launches on the Erie Canal.