A vacation on the Erie Canal in the Finger Lakes region includes
wine tasting, shopping, sightseeing, and biking on canal towpaths
and rail lines turned into bike trails
wine tasting, shopping, sightseeing, and biking on canal towpaths
and rail lines turned into bike trails
Remnants of the 1825 Erie Canal, the first of three
versions, offers historic sites and old towpaths where
Horses once pulled the boats.
versions, offers historic sites and old towpaths where
Horses once pulled the boats.
The Erie Canal, once touted as the Eighth Wonder of the World, has seen two rebuilding
phases since the first project. As boats grew larger and steam power came in, the
towpaths along the old course fell to disuse.
Railroads built track along the canal and then as that mode of transport gave way to
airplanes and trucking, the flat and wide haul tracks and rail beds became bike and
walking paths.
Many towns along the way have museums to canal history some large and others tiny.
Each town, however, takes pride in the part it played in canal history.
phases since the first project. As boats grew larger and steam power came in, the
towpaths along the old course fell to disuse.
Railroads built track along the canal and then as that mode of transport gave way to
airplanes and trucking, the flat and wide haul tracks and rail beds became bike and
walking paths.
Many towns along the way have museums to canal history some large and others tiny.
Each town, however, takes pride in the part it played in canal history.
If you bike the Erie Canal mid-section from Rome to Palmyra, you will ride the Canalway
Trail, several off-road trails beside the old and now abandoned canal located within the Old
Erie Canal State Historic Park. State Bicycle Route 5 offers a bicycle lane on the on-road
portion of the trail.
Rome and Palmyra, stopping at Inns and B&Bs for the night and exploring the villages and
history.
To take this section of the trail going west, start near Fort Stanwick National Monument,
cross over Lock 21, and end the first part in Syracuse.
Central NY B&B, Rome
Pick the trail up again west of Syracuse and end at Port Byron. From there it is about 20
miles southwest to Skaneateles Lake. Going west from Port Byron, the trail goes on-road,
using Route 31 to Lyons where it again goes off-road to Palmyra, crossing over at Lock 29.
Lodging List, Hotels, Budget Hotels
B&B
Vintage Gardens Bed & Breakfast
Trail, several off-road trails beside the old and now abandoned canal located within the Old
Erie Canal State Historic Park. State Bicycle Route 5 offers a bicycle lane on the on-road
portion of the trail.
- B&B Rome
Rome and Palmyra, stopping at Inns and B&Bs for the night and exploring the villages and
history.
To take this section of the trail going west, start near Fort Stanwick National Monument,
cross over Lock 21, and end the first part in Syracuse.
Central NY B&B, Rome
Pick the trail up again west of Syracuse and end at Port Byron. From there it is about 20
miles southwest to Skaneateles Lake. Going west from Port Byron, the trail goes on-road,
using Route 31 to Lyons where it again goes off-road to Palmyra, crossing over at Lock 29.
Lodging List, Hotels, Budget Hotels
- Seneca Lake B&B
B&B
- Palmyra Area B&B, Newark
Vintage Gardens Bed & Breakfast
The modern locks, built in 1917, are
meticulously maintained by the Lock Masters
and crew.
meticulously maintained by the Lock Masters
and crew.
Erie Canal Finger Lakes Region, Inn to Inn Vacation
Vacation on the Erie
Canal Finger Lakes
Region offers trails for
biking from Inn to Inn,
B&B to B&B.
Along the way find
history museums,
barge tours and
off-road bicycle trails
built on the old tow
paths and rail lines
from Rome To Palmyra
in the central section of
the Erie Canal.
Canal Finger Lakes
Region offers trails for
biking from Inn to Inn,
B&B to B&B.
Along the way find
history museums,
barge tours and
off-road bicycle trails
built on the old tow
paths and rail lines
from Rome To Palmyra
in the central section of
the Erie Canal.
Multi-use trails
along the Erie
Canal total over
200 miles
along the Erie
Canal total over
200 miles
More adventurous vacationers
could take an extreme
Vacation and join the 500
riders who make the annual
400-mile group trip each July
from Buffalo to Albany to
promote awareness of this
resource
could take an extreme
Vacation and join the 500
riders who make the annual
400-mile group trip each July
from Buffalo to Albany to
promote awareness of this
resource
Erie Barge Canal
- Erie Canal
sections
- East End
where it splits off from the Hudson River and begins to lift boats through five locks at the
mouth of the Mohawk River.
- Mid Section
the Cooperstown Baseball Hall Of Fame are within 50 miles, shopping, and dining in New
York State farm country.
- West End
canal museums, and Niagara Falls.
The entire Erie Canal stretches for 360 miles and by dividing it in three sections you can
travel one section during a week-long vacation, about 120 miles, and allow ample time for
sightseeing.
The tow paths are now
walking and biking trails
walking and biking trails
Another way to tour the Erie
Canal is to rent a barge. You
captain the boat after an
introductory session on locking
through. Carry your bikes and
sleep on board. Along the way
you find canal parks with slips for
the night, pumping stations, fuel
and a walk to the village for
groceries.
Canal is to rent a barge. You
captain the boat after an
introductory session on locking
through. Carry your bikes and
sleep on board. Along the way
you find canal parks with slips for
the night, pumping stations, fuel
and a walk to the village for
groceries.
Rome to Palmyra,
about 120 miles of
trail for biking or
walking where
you can find
villages with Inns
and B&Bs for
nightly lodging.
The City of
Syracuse is
astride the trail
and the Finger
Lakes wine region
is just 15 miles to
the south.
about 120 miles of
trail for biking or
walking where
you can find
villages with Inns
and B&Bs for
nightly lodging.
The City of
Syracuse is
astride the trail
and the Finger
Lakes wine region
is just 15 miles to
the south.
This section ends
at Palmyra, home
of Joseph Smith,
63 miles west of
Syracuse
at Palmyra, home
of Joseph Smith,
63 miles west of
Syracuse
The village of
Jordan has built a
park in the old
canal bed.
Jordan has built a
park in the old
canal bed.
| Erie Canal Vacation: A Suggested Center Section |
Erie Canal Inn to Inn Vacation
A large repair and maintenance facility in
Lyons will interest those that wonder what it
takes to keep the Erie Canal in service.
Lyons will interest those that wonder what it
takes to keep the Erie Canal in service.
A barge mounted crane near Palmyra
stabilizes the banks with stone
stabilizes the banks with stone
Stone dust
trail in Palmyra
trail in Palmyra
A locks section of the 1825 canal near Palmyra. You can
see the indented section where the hand-operated lock
doors would have recessed for boat passage.
see the indented section where the hand-operated lock
doors would have recessed for boat passage.
Skaneateles Village
is along the northern
shore of
Skaneateles Lake,
one of the finger
Lakes.
Skaneateles is a
good side trip, 15
miles south of
Syracuse, for
upscale B&Bs,
shopping, and wine
tasting
is along the northern
shore of
Skaneateles Lake,
one of the finger
Lakes.
Skaneateles is a
good side trip, 15
miles south of
Syracuse, for
upscale B&Bs,
shopping, and wine
tasting
Skaneateles Village at the top of Skaneateles Lake, one of the Finger Lakes, is a good
mid-week stop for some upscale shopping; it is about 15 miles south of Syracuse.
mid-week stop for some upscale shopping; it is about 15 miles south of Syracuse.
Tour boats
cruise out of
Macedon
cruise out of
Macedon
The Erie Canal was
modernised in 1917
modernised in 1917
Erie Canal Finger Lakes Region, Inn to Inn Vacation
can include biking from Inn to Inn, B&B to B&B on
the Erie Canal Bike trails.
History museums, wineries, barge tours and
off-road bicycle trails run from Rome To Palmyra.
can include biking from Inn to Inn, B&B to B&B on
the Erie Canal Bike trails.
History museums, wineries, barge tours and
off-road bicycle trails run from Rome To Palmyra.
Custom Search
Reach the Erie Canal
the Erie Barge Canal at the west end. Check Auto Europe's Flights and
rental vehicles.
Albany, at the east end of the Erie Canal, offers air service from Albany
International Airport (ALB) Rental Cars Available
Buffalo
Bikes can go aboard in the luggage compartment
•Baggage must not exceed 62 inches when adding the total exterior dimensions of the piece
(length + width + height). A charge of $30 - $40 (depending on the distance traveled) will be
applied to any baggage above the 62-inch limit.
◦Packaging exceptions will only be made for the following items: bicycles, skis and ski poles
must be packed in wood, canvas or other substantial container, and securely fastened
(Excerpted from Greyhound)
$47 USD , five hours
service available in Rome
- Air
the Erie Barge Canal at the west end. Check Auto Europe's Flights and
rental vehicles.
Albany, at the east end of the Erie Canal, offers air service from Albany
International Airport (ALB) Rental Cars Available
- Auto
Buffalo
- Bus
Bikes can go aboard in the luggage compartment
•Baggage must not exceed 62 inches when adding the total exterior dimensions of the piece
(length + width + height). A charge of $30 - $40 (depending on the distance traveled) will be
applied to any baggage above the 62-inch limit.
◦Packaging exceptions will only be made for the following items: bicycles, skis and ski poles
must be packed in wood, canvas or other substantial container, and securely fastened
(Excerpted from Greyhound)
- Train
$47 USD , five hours
service available in Rome
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Erie Canal Bus, Train Travel
Erie Canal Lodging
Erie Canal History
Erie Canal Biking
Index All Canal Biking
Erie Canal Museums
Erie Canal Inn to Inn Vacation
Erie Canal Travel, Tour
Erie Canal Hotels, Lodging
Erie Barge Canal Biking, Lodging, B&B, Sightseeing
| Save On Air Travel When traveling by air to the Erie Canal in New York State you can save on your air fare by Parking your Car for Two Weeks Free after one night Lodging in Airport Hotels near your home city . (60 US cities and hundreds of others worldwide) Cruise passengers included. The early shuttle from the hotel to the airline terminal will allow you to book an early flight and save money on the airfare. Two weeks of free parking offsets the cost of the hotel room and you do not need to arrange for a limo from your home to the airport. Free, 24 hour shuttles to the airport. See details, photos of the hotels, and reviews. Convenient Two Week Free Airport Parking with a one night hotel stay could save you money and enhance your Erie Canal vacation experience. |
Skaneateles village at the edge of Skaneateles
Lake offers shopping and wine tasting
Lake offers shopping and wine tasting
Combine bike rides with canal barge trips on a rented
boat or canal tour boat.
boat or canal tour boat.
Inn to Inn,
Finger Lakes
Finger Lakes