Erie Canal

[LJAZ]

Heading out for an Erie Canal trip soon, although not exactly in an RV. We've rented a canal boat for a week, but it's similar to an RV with a lot of the same amenities, just no wheels.:D

We'll be visiting towns along the canal from Fairport to Seneca Falls. Starting point is Macedon. The boat comes with bicycles so we have limited transportation, but realistically we're limited to a mile or two from the canal at the most.

Wondering what places folks recommend to see along the way that are close by. I've done the google search, but wondering if any folks have specific recommendations, or if there's sights that don't show up on google.

[esyers]

We rented from Mid Lakes several years ago. We enjoyed just wandering around all the little towns. Seneca Falls and Fairport were our favorites. The double lock at Seneca Falls was impressive. It's really 'life in the slow lane' and very relaxing. Enjoy!

[valhalla360]

LJAZ wrote:
We had considered the wineries. Looked like fun, but the rental contract says they don't want you taking the boats onto the lakes so unfortunately they are out. Same with Watkins Glen, although that would take 10 hrs to get there at the boats top speed of 5 mph.
I'm guessing these boats might be a bit tricky to handle in waves and wakes.

The canal boats are long and narrow...if you get beam on to the waves, I wouldn't trust the canal boats...so very logical that they deny access.

[SpeakEasy]

LJAZ wrote:
We had considered the wineries. Looked like fun, but the rental contract says they don't want you taking the boats onto the lakes so unfortunately they are out. Same with Watkins Glen, although that would take 10 hrs to get there at the boats top speed of 5 mph.
I'm guessing these boats might be a bit tricky to handle in waves and wakes.

I'm not surprised the rental contract wants you to be off the lakes. I've actually been surprised when I've seen these boats out on Cayuga Lake. Ninety percent of the time, the water is fine, but if you don't know these waters and how to read the skies, it is possible to be caught in some pretty nasty stuff.

-Speak

[LJAZ]

We had considered the wineries. Looked like fun, but the rental contract says they don't want you taking the boats onto the lakes so unfortunately they are out. Same with Watkins Glen, although that would take 10 hrs to get there at the boats top speed of 5 mph.
I'm guessing these boats might be a bit tricky to handle in waves and wakes.

[nypatnva]

From Seneca Falls you can take the Barge canal to Waterloo the (birthplace of Memorial Day) Geneva on Seneca Lake and go down to Watkins Glen about 50 miles down the lake. You will wish you had more time to see and do it all. Beautiful country this time of year.

[SpeakEasy]

You can get into Cayuga Lake, via the canal system. I have a cruising sailboat that I keep on Cayuga Lake, and we see these canal boats from time time to time. There are a few wineries with docks that you can tie up at and go in and get a wine tasting. My favorites for that are Goose Watch, Thirsty Owl, and Sheldrake wineries.

If you do this, you'll go right by my boat, which is moored at the Red Jacket Yacht Club on the west side of the lake about 10 miles down from the north end. Give a toot as you steam by.

-Speak

[LJAZ]

richy2 wrote:
Seneca Falls is an interesting stop. The first women's right convention was held there, and a museum is within walking distance dedicated to the cause. There are other museums in downtown as well, including one dedicated to the movie "It's a Wonderful Life". Seneca Falls was once a thriving industrial town that produced water pumps, knit goods, etc.
Although there are many nice days in the fall, the weather seems to start deteriorating after Labor Day, more gloomy and rainy days.
I speak as a former New Yorker who lived nearby and now live in Florida.
BTW there are many wineries in the area, it may be worthwhile to rent a vehicle and explore the beautiful countryside.

We are planning to stop in Seneca Falls. We will stop at all of the towns along the route that have docks, most of which have free shore power as well. The boat only makes 5 to 6 mph so Seneca Falls is about as far as we can go unless we spend all day cruising.

Thanks all for the suggestions.

[LJAZ]

JoeH wrote:
That sounds like fun--- who did you rent the boat from ?

We rented from Mid Lakes Navigation. They are in Macedon about 25 miles SE of Rochester. They have several boat sizes available. We rented the smallest which is 34'.

[richy2]

Seneca Falls is an interesting stop. The first women's right convention was held there, and a museum is within walking distance dedicated to the cause. There are other museums in downtown as well, including one dedicated to the movie "It's a Wonderful Life". Seneca Falls was once a thriving industrial town that produced water pumps, knit goods, etc.
Although there are many nice days in the fall, the weather seems to start deteriorating after Labor Day, more gloomy and rainy days.
I speak as a former New Yorker who lived nearby and now live in Florida.
BTW there are many wineries in the area, it may be worthwhile to rent a vehicle and explore the beautiful countryside.

[nypatnva]

the NYS canal corporation has a great post(s) on Facebook at times.

[valhalla360]

Can't believe is was almost 10yrs ago that we ran the canal. Great trip.

See our blog for our time on the canal.

https://valhalla433.wordpress.com/2009/07/10/week-95-ny-verplanck-to-waterford-erie-canal/

[JoeH]

That sounds like fun--- who did you rent the boat from ?

[Dick_B]

We did the Canal trip out of Lockport: Low bridge everybody down...
Much of the canal has a bike trail next to it which we rode some years back. It could be more than a mile if you chose to do it. Do five miles each way from the boat everyday if possible.

[John___Christin]

How about using an Uber to get further into town?