The Erie Canal was an amazing engineering feat. Most Americans have heard of the canal, but few know much about it. If brushing up on your history and discovering new facts is something you enjoy, then you need to visit the Erie Canal Museum.

This Museum, located in Syracuse, is dedicated to the historical education on the building and use of this waterway, which measured more than 360 miles in length and help transform the New York economy. You get to learn about the pain and strain that went into building the canal. You get to learn about the canal’s function for transportation. You learn how the canal helped to generate new business and how it helped place the state of New York on the path toward greater prosperity.

The exhibits at the museum are informative and one of the most interesting is the packet boat. It is a reproduction of one of the actual boats used on the canal and guests can walk on board the boat and get a feel for what life was like for those who used the Erie Canal for transportation purposes. The canal was not that wide, so boats were limited in size. There are more interactive exhibits to be found throughout the museum.

Parking is somewhat of an issue here, since there are no directly adjacent parking lots for the museum. However, there are parking lots in the vicinity- you just have to look for them. The spaces intended for guest are labeled as visitor center parking. I ended up parking on the street and walking inside. It was relatively inexpensive to park and considering there is no entrance fee for the museum, this is a small thing to ask.

The Erie Canal Museum is housed in the Syracuse Weighlock building, which adds to its authenticity and enjoyment. This was one of the actual places where boats on the canal would pass through, to check their weight and determine their toll. It’s all very interesting and a place I recommend visiting. Even if your interest is only moderate, you will come away knowing more than you did before.