ULTIMATE NY STAYCATION SUMMER 2021
Looking for something different? Stop by Lockport
Working canal locks, underground caves and zip lines await tourists
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BY JOHN D’ONOFRIO
ockport lock tenders of a century ago couldn’t have imagined the area around Lockport’s historic Locks 34 and 35 today. Whether it’s taking a canal and locks tour through the heart of the city, watching demonstrations on how Lockport’s original Flight of Five locks worked, watching boats pass through today’s mammoth two lock gates, touring Lockport’s underground caves and tunnels or witnessing screaming zip-liners soar across the canal, downtown Lockport’s premier attractions remain one of the hottest tourism destinations in all of Niagara County. And that’s a lot to brag about when you’re competing against the “seventh wonder of the world” just 20 miles to the west. During construction of the Erie Canal (1817-25) a double set of five locks were built in Lockport to allow boats to climb or descend the drop of the 60-feet height of the Niagara Escarpment. During the last enlargement of the canal (1909-18), the southern set of five locks were replaced with state Locks 34 and 35. The entire locks area is accessible by foot and nearby attractions and all are within walking distance of the downtown canal corridor. Here’s a few of the places you should
Volunteer lock tenders demonstrate how the historic Lockport Locks operated Contributed photo.
visit if you ever pass through this AllAmerican, Niagara County city of just over 20,000 people: • LOCKPORT LOCKS & ERIE CANAL CRUISES: Owners Mike and Sharon Murphy started this popular business with two pontoon boats and a dream. Today, it’s blossomed into one of this area’s most popular tourist attractions at 210 Market St. It also boast having Western New York’s unique banquet and meeting facility. The tour not only takes residents on an
informative trip down the Erie Canal, it passes through both lock gates. Call 716433-6155 or 800-378-0352, or visit info@ lockportlocks.com. • LOCKPORT CAVES: Located at 5 Gooding St., Lockport Cave and Underground Boat Ride takes people down beneath the city where caves were formed naturally in the underlying dolomite and limestone bedrocks. One of the caves was once used as a hydraulic raceway for 17
