Caves and Zip Lines Await Tourists

Loo king for som ething differ ent? Stop by Lockpor t

Working canal locks, underground caves and zip lines await tourists

BY JOHN D’ONOFRIO

Lockport 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 fi ve 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 fi ve locks were replaced with state Locks 34 and 35.

Th e 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 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. Th e 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

Volunteer lock tenders demonstrate how the historic Lockport Locks operated Contributed photo.

The Canandaigua, a Lockmaster 42 canal boat, exits Lockport Lock 35 while cruising the Erie Canal with passengers from Point Pleasant, NJ. James Neiss

the canal, constructed in the nineteenth century. Call 716-438-0174 for a tour you’ll never forget. • NIAGARA ZIPPER: A professional, well trained staff will make this experience of soaring across the Erie Canal another unforgettable one in the Lock City. Call 438-0174 and enjoy the ride. And don’t forget to bring the kids.

• LOCKPORT LOCKS DISTRICT:

One of the Erie Canal’s most iconic features and engineering feats still remain.City planners, working with citizen’s groups and canal champions are restoring the Flight of Five. Originally completed in 1849, visitors can see the locks’ massive wooden gates, operated by hand, next to today’s more modern Locks 34 and 35, which enable today’s canal traffic to climb the Niagara Escarpment. • FARMER’S MARKET: Located on Canal Street, a downtown pedestrian and bicycle-only street overlooking the locks, the market, featuring fresh fruits and vegetables harvested locally, is open Wednesdays and Saturdays.

• ERIE CANAL DISCOVERY

CENTER: Located at 24 Church St., the Erie Canal Discovery Center is the place for everyone visiting Lockport to visit if you’re interested in the history of this city and the Erie Canal. The museum featuring art & information on the history of the Erie Canal also houses a gift shop. Call 716-439-0431.

A couple enjoys their zip-lining experience across the canal at the Niagara Zipper on Gooding Street. Contributed photo.

Youngstown sculptor Susan Geissler and Linda Roth, board member Lockport Locks Heritage District Corporation, unveil three locktender statues. The three statues are the fi rst of 14 total locktenders being sculpted that are fashioned after a photo taken of them posing in this exact location in 1897 at the Lockport Locks.James Neiss

OLD FORT NIAGARA

Youngstown, N.Y.

The Past is Present

Open Daily

through Labor Day

LIVING HISTORY

and SPECIAL EVENTS

www.oldfortniagara.org (716) 745-7611

NIAGARA FALLS TOURIST HOME ASSOCIATION, INC.

The Niagara Falls Tourist Home Association, Inc. is organized to promote the responsible and legal use of single and two-family residential homes as Short Term Rentals for visiting tourists. If you have a Short Term Rental, join us at nftha.org/application Look for the NFTHA sticker on recommended local businesses and vacation rentals to know you are getting great quality. Visiting Niagara Falls? Do you need a place for friends/family to stay while they are visiting you? Reserve one of our member homes.