20 Great Things to See and Do Along the Erie Canalway Trail
Did you know the Erie Canalway Trail, between Buffalo and Albany encompasses 524 miles of continuous waterways? Between the two cities, there are 34 National Historic Landmarks, several National Parks, Forests, Wildlife Refuges and Historic Landmarks, as well as State parks, museums, shops and great dining and entertainment. Check out this list of 20 attractions along the Canalway!
Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda
This theatre is listed on the National and New York State Register of Historic Places. It is home to the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ. This local landmark and movie house is known as the “Showplace of the Tonawandas.” Built in 1926 and designed in Italian Renaissance style, it currently seats 1,140 and hosts a number of concerts and events every year.
Riverwalk along the Niagara River
The western part of the Erie Canalway Trail is referred to as the Shoreline Trail and includes the Riverwalk along the Niagara River. This section begins in downtown Buffalo and passes through both LaSalle and Riverside Parks. It is a great place for a scenic picnic.
Buffalo Niagara Heritage Museum
Located just off the trail you will find a 35-acre historical village, complete with costumed interpreters - get a feel for what 19th century life was like!
Due to a 600-foot elevation change from one end of the canal to the other, many locks were built along the canal. In Lockport, there is a unique opportunity to see one of the rare remaining original locks known as the “Flight of Five.”
Lockport Cave and Underground Boat Ride
Experience the Industrial Revolution and travel through time on a 75-minute guided historic tour. This underground tour offers a view of Erie Canal Locks 34 & 35, the "Flight of Five," and a 2,100-foot water-powered tunnel blasted out of solid rock.
Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge
This refuge was founded in 1958 and is operated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It is a stopping point for waterfowl and other migratory birds and provides a habitat for a variety of other animals. The refuge encompasses several large pools, swamps, meadows, and woodlands; there are four overlooks and four trails open throughout the year.
Memorial Art Gallery of Rochester (MAG)
Considered one of the finest art museums in the world, the MAG allows you to explore 5,000 years of human imagination – from ancient artifacts to 21st century works, including Monet, Rembrandt, and O’Keefe, to contemporary artists such as Kehinde Wiley and Mickalene Thomas. The MAG also features special exhibits throughout the year.
The Highland Park Conservancy, located in Rochester, is home to an arboretum, botanical collections, the Lamberton Conservatory, and Warner Castle.
This 800-acre park, designed by Frederick Law Olmsted (known for New York City’s Central Park), offers a plethora of recreational activities including water sports, cross-country skiing, golf, picnicking, soccer and softball.
Lyons boasts many murals that highlight the history of the canal. Beginning in 2007, several public art installations have been featured on Main Street. Today, the project has been nicknamed “Mural Mania.”
Camillus Erie Canal Park, east of Syracuse, features the breathtaking Nine Mile Creek Aqueduct (listed on the National Register of Historic Places) and Sims Store, a mid-19th century store replica.
Located in Syracuse, the Erie Canal Museum is the only structure of its kind in the United States. The building was formerly a Weighlock Building in the 1850s, where canal cargo was weighed. The Museum shows visitors 200 years of Erie Canal history through interactive displays, hands-on exhibits, a full-size replica canal boat, narrative audio tracks and original artifacts.
This 2,000-acre park gets its name from its two beautiful blue-green lakes. The lakes are open for boating and swimming. Camping is also available in the abundant forested areas of the park.
Fort Stanwix, a National Historic Site in Rome, New York is managed by the National Park Service. The site includes a re-creation of a colonial-era fort, where guides dress in costumes and provide insight into life in the 18th century.
Verona Beach State Park, located on the eastern shore of Oneida Lake, is a dream for picnickers and campers. The lake, Black Creek, cattail marshes, and bottomland hardwood swamps give Verona Beach one of the most diverse aquatic habitats in the Central Region.
If you want a wildlife viewing experience, take a walk in one of the many restored wetlands located near the Nature Center. The Great Blue Heron rookery on the east trail system is easy to view from the mowed path. There are approximately 7 miles of trails, with a 900-foot boardwalk on the west side.
The stone Mabee Farmhouse, dating from 1705 and the oldest structure in the Mohawk Valley, is located in Rotterdam about six miles west of Schenectady. The 9-acre property along the Mohawk River was donated to the Schenectady County Historical Society in 1993.
Mohawk Valley Gateway Overlook Bridge
Located in the City of Amsterdam, you will find a pedestrian bridge spanning 511 feet that crosses over the Mohawk River. The bridge connects Riverlink Park on the north shore of the river with Bridge St. on the south shore. The bridge features numerous trees and flowers as well as local historical and cultural information engraved into the decking on plaques along the railings. It is the first bridge over water to include live trees planted on its surface.
If you are interested in visiting any of these sites, a great way to explore the Canalway is via bicycle! Registration for Parks & Trails New York’s Cycle the Erie Canal Tour is now open. This fully supported tour allows you to explore the Erie Canalway Trail as you bike from Buffalo to Albany over the course of eight days.