1850 National Register Weighlock Building
The Erie Canal Museum located in Downtown Syracuse, NY, is dedicated showcasing the 1850 National Register Weighlock Building, the last remaining structure of its kind, and to telling the incredible adventure story of the Erie Canal.

What are four major cities along the Erie Canal?

With the exception of Binghamton and Elmira, every major city in New York falls along the trade route established by the Erie Canal, from New York City to Albany, through Schenectady, Utica and Syracuse, to Rochester and Buffalo.

What is the history of the Erie Canal?

Built between 1817 and 1825, the original Erie Canal traversed 363 miles from Albany to Buffalo. It was the longest artificial waterway and the greatest public works project in North America. The canal put New York on the map as the Empire State—the leader in population, industry, and economic strength.

Where can I see the Erie Canal in New York?

Enjoy waterfront parks and viewing sites at each lock. Boat launch and kayak rentals are available at the Waterford Harbor. The 365-mile Erie Canalway Trail begins in Albany and extends west to Buffalo.

Where is the Erie Canal National Heritage Corridor?

The National Heritage Corridor extends from Albany to Buffalo along the Erie Canal and also includes the Champlain, Cayuga-Seneca, and Oswego Canals. In the Capital Region, start your visit at the Waterford Harbor Visitor Center at the eastern gateway to the Erie Canal and southern entryway to the Champlain Canal.

What is the Erie Canalway impact grant?

We are excited to announce that the Erie Canal Museum was one of 13 non-profit organizations and municipalities to be awarded an Erie Canalway IMPACT! Grant in 2021. The grant will help fund Erie Eats: The Erie Canal Foodways Project.

Why did we build the Erie Canal?

When Mother Nature wouldn’t provide a waterway linking the Atlantic Coast to the west, we built one ourselves in the short handful of years between 1817 and 1825. Today the Erie Canal stands as an indelible symbol of the ingenuity and ambition of Americans.