Erie Canal Museum
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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.
Great Beer NowGreat Beer Now
50
This is a wonderful museum with a greatest staff. I went one day about 15 minutes before closing (4pm) then went back today to really tour. Both gentleman who were working were so very kind and inviting. This made my trip to Syracuse worth it!!! You will need a mask but if you don’t have one they will provide. There is so much History here! They have a 15-20 minute video on history before and after construction which is very good. It’s in a large room so not a small cramped area. They have a boat that was used to go down canal that you can walk through and take photos. I also learned that the street (Erie Canal Blvd) is where the canal ran until 1920. The Erie Canal was 363 miles long and ran from Albany to Buffalo. The grand opening was October 26, 1825. They will celebrate 200 years in 2025. Most of the canal no longer exist but along the canal cities have historical markets etc to keep memory going. This museum is the last existing Weighlock station. I think there were originally 83. I really enjoyed everything about this museum and so happy that I went back to enjoy the exhibits etc. I highly recommend that you stop by to visit museum and give yourself at least an hour to tour. They also have a nice little gift shop with plenty of items to chose from; magnets, t-shirts, candy, wooden pencils, coaster, books about Erie Canal for adults and children, and so much more!! It’s free but they would like if you donate $10 to museum. I definitely did do and spent quite a bit in gift shop both days!
Dr. Rosie Ann RileyDr. Rosie Ann Riley
20
A formerly wonderful museum that detailed the extraordinary efforts resulting in the completion of the Erie canal. Many great exhibits, including a complete canal boat from the 1850 canal era. Unfortunately, like many parts of our society, they have given themselves fully over to self-loathing and to inaccurate and ugly historical judgments. Someone, probably someone of below average IQ who has an inflated sense of self-worth and a desire to assuage their own guilt, has gone through the museum and added plaques to many of the exhibits detailing the great wrongs that are not mentioned in the exhibit. This is the typical response of a certain low IQ segment of our society when they come to the realization that not everything was as ideal as they would like it to be several hundred years ago. Instead of celebrating the wonderful efforts that resulted in this incredible historic achievement, they would rather spend more time talking about anything that they deem to be unpleasant. It is disgusting and the height of ingratitude. What a sad thing that this once worthwhile museum is being taken over by this type of thinking. Do not support this by visiting. If you do visit, do not pay anything to go in.
Daniel LucenteDaniel Lucente
00
This museum is a jewel. Everything is so well presented! I had no idea this canal included so many locks. It was fun to watch the evolution from the first steam engine (1831) competing with the canal and eventually beating it. I discovered so much about the 1830 to 1880s.. The beds on the barge were a surprise, so is the toilet in the kitchen. It was fun to be in the weighlock on the barge picturing life150 years ago. The map near the lobby includes a fascinating side view of the canal from Lake Erie to the Hudson River, listing the cities and the various water levels at the dozens and dozens of locks along the canal. It is a pleasure to read. I imagine my friends, who love boating, enjoying an outing on such a canal.
Steve Edwards - SitiviSteve Edwards - Sitivi
10
Great stop along the Freedom trail. Rich history full of heart warming and heartbreaking stories. Interesting antiques! This museum serves as a reminder, no matter how evil the world seems, there's always helpers trying to do good. "In 1776, Americans adopted the Declaration of Independence, which stated that "all men are created equal." Yet, in 1860, four million people lived under slavery in the United States. Every year, as many as 1500 of these African Americans, at great risk to themselves, headed north toward freedom on what became known as the underground railroad. In New York State, Syracuse became the 'great central depot' on this Freedom Trail"
Jacob MarrapeseJacob Marrapese
30
Worth the stop if in the area!! The workers there are so friendly, and gave us some information about Syracuse and the surrounding areas! They actually care about the museum, and care about people who visit from out of town! :) We are from the Buffalo,Ny area so this was a first time visit. The cost to visit is cheap around $10, a person but totally worth it! Plenty of exhibits, and even a boat ⛵ inside!! Wow!! Super neat. Also the gingerbread houses were super cute! :) The gift shop is worth a look as well, and is full of awesome things! We picked up some local salt, soap, postcards and a magnet! Will definitely come back in the future.
Kansas CeasrKansas Ceasr
10
Nearby Attractions Of Erie Canal Museum
Marriott Syracuse Downtown
Landmark Theatre
Museum of Science & Technology
M Lemp Jewelers
Clinton Square Ice Rink
The Oncenter Civic Center Theaters
Clinton Square
Everson Museum of Art
Courtyard Syracuse Downtown at Armory Square
Syracuse Stage

Marriott Syracuse Downtown
4.4
(1.3K)Click for details

Landmark Theatre
4.5
(1.1K)Click for details

Museum of Science & Technology
4.6
(974)Click for details

M Lemp Jewelers
5.0
(606)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Erie Canal Museum
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
Pastabilities
Funk 'n Waffles
Margaritas Mexican Cantina
Kitty Hoyne's Irish Pub
Strong Hearts
Francesca's Cucina
Apizza Regionale
Modern Malt
Salt City Market

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
4.6
(4.3K)Click for details

Pastabilities
4.6
(1.7K)$$
Click for details

Funk 'n Waffles
4.4
(1.3K)Click for details

Margaritas Mexican Cantina
4.5
(1.1K)Click for details
Basic Info
Address
318 Erie Blvd E, Syracuse, NY 13202
Map
Phone
(315) 471-0593
Call
Website
eriecanalmuseum.org
Visit
Reviews
Overview
4.7
(141 reviews)
Ratings & Description
cultural
family friendly
accessibility
Description
The Erie Canal Museum is a historical museum about the Erie Canal located in Syracuse, New York. The museum was founded in 1962 and is a private, non-profit corporation. It is housed in the Syracuse Weighlock Building dating from 1850. The Syracuse Weighlock Building was in operation as a weighlock from 1850 to 1883.
attractions: Marriott Syracuse Downtown, Landmark Theatre, Museum of Science & Technology, M Lemp Jewelers, Clinton Square Ice Rink, The Oncenter Civic Center Theaters, Clinton Square, Everson Museum of Art, Courtyard Syracuse Downtown at Armory Square, Syracuse Stage, restaurants: Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, Pastabilities, Funk 'n Waffles, Margaritas Mexican Cantina, Kitty Hoyne's Irish Pub, Strong Hearts, Francesca's Cucina, Apizza Regionale, Modern Malt, Salt City Market
