Lockport: The Gateway Trail Town
Lockport is home to the historic Erie Canal Flight of Five Locks, connecting the Empire State Trail to the history and beauty of the region. Plan on spending more than one day in Lockport so that you can marvel at the Erie Canal Flight of Five Locks alongside the Erie Barge Canal, as well as enjoy the Lockport Cave & Underground Boat Ride and Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises. You'll also want to visit the heart of downtown, which is home to many spots for visitors to eat, drink, stay, play and explore. Comfortable, affordable overnight accommodations and delightful restaurants will provide a memorable stay and leave you wanting to return for more.
Why visit Lockport?
- Locks Heritage District: Lockport is home to the famed 19th century "flight of five" Erie Canal locks. The intact set of five locks, dating to 1862, retain their massive, wooden manually operated gates - in working order! Visitors can also enjoy the Lock Tenders Tribute Monument and the Locks District Museum throughout the fall and winter months.
- Lockport Locks & Erie Canal Cruises: Be elevated to the 49-foot top of the Niagara Escarpment in the only double-set locks on the Erie Canal. Enjoy being “locked through” every day from May to October on one of the many two-hour narrated, handicap-accessible tours.
- Erie Canal Discovery Center: This multi-media interactive museum transports you back to the 1820's and the early days of the Erie Canal. This three-level building also houses the City of Lockport Visitor Center and the "Lock, Stock & Barrel" Museum Shop on the ground floor.
- Widewaters Marina: Located on Market Street to the east of downtown, the marina features a boat launch and marina slips and offers an ideal launching point for boating, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. There are even kayak, canoe, and bicycle rentals by Erie Canal Boat Company - Lockport. Enjoy a cone or some curly fries at the 50’s style restaurant and snack bar across the street.
Interactive Map
Parking & Trail Access
- State Road Trailhead: Trailhead parking lot with easy access to the trail.
- Locks District/Discovery Center: Downtown parking lot; best for accessing the Locks District and Main Street. Can leave car overnight for longer trips.
Visitor Information
Discover Lockport: Your one-stop all-you-need-to-know site about the City of Lockport! Discover places to eat, stay, shop, and so much more!
Erie Canal Discovery Center (24 Church St, Lockport, NY 14094) Hours: May 1 – October 31: open 9:00am to 5:00pm daily; November 1 – April 30: open 10:00am to 3:00pm Fridays and Saturdays. Amenities include:
- Public restrooms
- Visitor Information
- Museum/Lockport gift shop
Events & Festivals
- Lockport Community Farmers Market (Saturdays 9am-2pm May to October; Wednesdays 2pm-6pm July-September): Located at 69 Canal St, the Community Market offers local produce, food products, home goods, and crafts.
- Cycle the Erie Bike Tour Welcome Reception (Second Sunday of July): Community celebration of cycling as the city welcomes to Lockport 700+ riders traveling from Buffalo to Albany on the Erie Canalway Trail.
- LKPT Food Fest (Second Sunday in August): Lockport’s local food festival features your favorite restaurants, local food producers, a market section full of local farms, artists, crafters, drinks, live music, family fun, and so much more!
- Locktoberfest (Last Saturday in September): Enjoy a day filled with over 50+ local farms, food producers, crafters, and artists, free family fun, food, drinks, music, and more as we celebrate local agriculture and the history of the Erie Canal!
- Rock the Locks Concert Series (Summer Fridays): Free outdoor summer concert series featuring different musical entertainment each month.
Trail Town Partners
