Groups visiting the magnificent Niagara Falls intent on exploring the surrounding area – a region rich with historical interest – will not want to miss this relaxing and uniquely educational two – hour Erie Canal cruise which includes “locking through” and being raised the 49 foot elevation of the Niagara Escarpment (the same one that creates Niagara Falls) in the only double set of locks on the hand-dug, 363-mile Erie Canal. Originally, 83 stone locks overcame the 571-foot difference in the level between the rivers; enlarged in the early 1900′s, now just 35 locks allow larger vessels to travel across New York State. Pass under lift bridges, marvel at millions of gallons of water cascading over Lockport’s famous “Flight of Five” 1840′s locks, and travel right through the solid walls of the “rock cut” as your capable Captain narrates this interesting voyage, describing architecture and points of interest in excellent detail and even sharing bits of well-loved folklore along the way. Regularly scheduled cruises depart daily from May to October from Lockport’s unique Canalside – a versatile, elegant complex/special events venue located dockside along the banks of the Grand Old Erie, tendering visitors good eats year-round and a vast selection of Canal gifts and memorabilia. Travel is delightfully tranquil; passengers experience three fabulous seasons of Nature at its best – fruit trees abloom and fragrant in Spring, seas of gorgeous native wild flowers brushed into Summer’s landscape and all the fiery magnificence of Autumn in the Memorial Tree Garden in Lowertown as they drift back in time to the dulcet tones of period music on this famous old waterway that is, truly, an engineering wonder and local attraction not to be missed!
