LOCKPORT BOAT TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Up 50 Feet: Cruising Lockport’s Double Locks on the Erie Canal
A focused, two-hour cruise from Lockport that threads five original 1800s locks — including the only double set on the Erie Canal that lifts the boat 50 feet — with narration and period canal music to set the scene.
Up 50 Feet: Cruising Lockport’s Double Locks on the Erie Canal.
On a short, two‑hour sweep through Lockport, the Erie Canal compresses centuries of industrial ingenuity into a handful of unforgettable moments: five original 1800s locks, a deep rock cut, and the only double set of locks on the waterway that fills with three million gallons to hoist a vessel 50 feet. Coast Guard–licensed captains provide lively narration as period canal music threads through the passage, turning engineering into theater.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Locks 34 & 35 — the only double set
Three million gallons pour into Locks 34 and 35, the Erie Canal’s unique double set, raising the boat a dramatic 50 feet — a mechanical crescendo that is the cruise’s defining moment.
Five original 1800s locks and living narration
The route takes you past five original 1800s locks while captains narrate the canal’s role in American history, accompanied by crowd‑pleasing canal music popular in the 1800s.
Lockport’s bridges and the deep rock cut
Beyond the locks you pass under Lockport’s ‘Upside Down Bridge,’ beneath lift bridges, through the deep rock cut and under the city’s unusually wide ‘Big Bridge,’ a compelling mix of natural and built features.
What the day feels like
What two hours on the Erie Canal feels like
The cruise unfolds with deliberate rhythm: slow departures past heritage structures, the suspenseful filling of the double locks that lifts you 50 feet, and a sequence of bridges and rock cuts that compresses a 363‑mile waterway’s story into a compact, narrated passage.
THE ENGINEERING
Locks 34 & 35 — the only double set
Three million gallons pour into Locks 34 and 35, the Erie Canal’s unique double set, raising the boat a dramatic 50 feet — a mechanical crescendo that is the cruise’s defining moment.
THE HISTORY
Five original 1800s locks and living narration
The route takes you past five original 1800s locks while captains narrate the canal’s role in American history, accompanied by crowd‑pleasing canal music popular in the 1800s.
THE LANDSCAPE
Lockport’s bridges and the deep rock cut
Beyond the locks you pass under Lockport’s ‘Upside Down Bridge,’ beneath lift bridges, through the deep rock cut and under the city’s unusually wide ‘Big Bridge,’ a compelling mix of natural and built features.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this cruise suits — and the limited age guidance provided
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
The provided information does not list any special gear requirements; plan for typical short‑boat comforts (weather‑appropriate layers and sun protection) as needed for a two‑hour outing.
The cruise is a two‑hour experience.
Ticket pricing is provided for adults, youths, children under 4 (free) and certain members; consult the operator for current rates and discounts.
Coast Guard‑licensed captains provide lively narration accompanied by 1800s canal music during the cruise.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the cruise?
The cruise lasts two hours.
What will we see on the cruise?
You’ll pass five original 1800s locks, the Erie Canal’s only double set (Locks 34 & 35), Lockport’s Upside Down Bridge, the deep rock cut and the city’s wide Big Bridge among other canal features.
Who operates the cruise?
The cruise is run by Lockport Locks and Erie Canal Cruises.
Is there narration or live commentary?
Yes—Coast Guard‑licensed captains provide lively narration, and the commentary is accompanied by period canal music.
What is the child policy?
Children under 4 ride free according to the provided information.
Are there discounts for members?
The provided rates indicate a discounted adult ticket price for AAA & CAA members; contact the operator for current discount details.