What are the opening hours?

Monday 1pm - 2:30pm 3pm - 4:30pm Tuesday 1pm - 2:30pm 3pm - 4:30pm Wednesday 1pm - 2:30pm 3pm - 4:30pm Thursday 1pm - 2:30pm 3pm - 4:30pm Friday 1pm - 2:30pm 3pm - 4:30pm Saturday 1pm - 2:30pm 3pm - 4:30pm Sunday 1pm - 2:30pm 3pm - 4:30pm

Erie Canal Cruises, Inc

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Herkimer, NY
Erie Canal Cruises, Inc

www.eriecanalcruises.com Cruise with us and you will experience going through one of the most histor We run public cruises daily departing at 1:00 and 3:00pm.
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Join Erie Canal Cruises aboard a Lil' Diamond vessel for a 90 minute narrated historical cruise. The Erie Canal is an important part of the NY state canal system and helped settle the West. Our Captains entertain with tales of the canal: what Clinton's ditch was, how it helped open the west to build the America we know today, how and why it was expanded, why it's still important to upstate New Yor

k culture. The tour is great for not only history lovers, but also sightseers. We pass through giant storm gates reminiscent of the Thames Barrier, the Historic Fort Herkimer Church (second-oldest in NY state) and often spot birds of interest such as green and blue herons and the occasional bald eagle. Lock 18, through which the boat passes, is one of the last remaining 100 year old locks with all original equipment. The boat enters the lock, the gates close behind, and suddenly the lock house seems to rise into the air as slimy walls creep up alongside the boat. When something especially cool happens, such as an eagle sighting or a 10 million dollar mega yacht approaching, the Captains interrupt their talk to make sure no one misses it. Before leaving save time to visit the unique 70 store gift shop at Gems Along the Mohawk and enjoy lunch or dinner at the fabulous Waterfront Grille, both located right next to the boat dock. Or if you have some extra time on your way to or from Cooperstown, we are located directly across from exit 30 on the NYS Thruway. If you are looking for a great sightseeing cruise, we are a most do! There are things to do on our cruise for everyone: picture taking, listening to a history lesson, learning how a lock works, going through a lock that is 100 years old and a special treat for kids of getting a chance to steer the boat! If you are looking for a fun boat ride for people of all ages, please come and cruise with us! www.eriecanalcruises.com

08/13/2026

Another beautiful Tug added to the NYS Canal Corporation fleet!

07/30/2026

For thousands of years the ancient trail that connects the Mohawk River and Wood Creek served as a vital link for people traveling between the Atlantic Ocean and Lake Ontario. Travelers used this well-worn route through Oneida Indian territory, called the Oneida Carrying Place by European settlers, where nations that fought for control of the Mohawk Valley, the homelands of the Six Nations Confederacy, and the rich resources of North America.

Discover this history at Ft. Stanwix National Monument in Rome. Pickup a Junior Ranger book and spend the day or make this a stop in a multiday adventure: Battles, Boats, and Big Views.

See the multiday itinerary and learn more about Fort Stanwix here: https://buff.ly/J3b4MGn

07/24/2026

Take a peek inside Lock 18!

When you take a sight-seeing cruise on the Erie Canal with us, there is a lot to see while we are going through the Lock. There are many things that you do not see.

The lock-through process begins in the control shack where the control panel is housed. After boats are secured in the lock and the lower lock is area is checked, the Lock Operator begins the process of releasing water from the lock.

He raises valves incrementally, which releases the water from the lock. The light tree on the motor box indicates the position of the valve, 1/3, 2/3 and fully open.

The water from inside the lock is released out of the lower end of the lock, and is "recycled" and used in the locks down the Canal. After the water is equalized on both sides of the lock gates, the lock gates are opened and boats exit the lock.

Lock 18 is one of the most historically intact locks on the Erie Canal, and with the dedicated NYS Canal Corporation employees, this 100+ year old equipment works just as it did when it was installed in 1918.

Take a journey back in time with us on a sigh-seeing cruise and you can experience this in real time! Check out our website for cruise schedules and to purchase tickets: www.eriecanalcruises.com

07/03/2026

Celebrate the 250th birthday of the USA with a cruise on the Canal that changed America!
The Erie Canal had a profound impact on a young America when it officially opened in 1825. It created a direct water route from the Atlantic Ocean to the interior of the country and it reduced the cost of shipping goods by over 90%!
The Erie Canal also helped to develop many Canal Towns along it's path, and made New York the Empire State.
Our narrated 90-minute sight-seeing cruises will inform and entertain you about the past, present and future of this iconic waterway.
Check out our website for cruise schedules and to purchase tickets: www.eriecanalcruises.com

06/25/2026

When we leave our docks for a cruise, one of the first things you see is a Mohawk Moveable Dam. There are several of these structures on the Mohawk River portion of the Canal, and they resemble bridges.
They contain a series of panels that are raised and lowered at different times of the year. During the navigation season, the dams are raised to create level pools of water for boats to travel in. During the off-season, they are lowered to allow debris and ice to pass through.
These structures are maintained by the talented folks at the NYS Canal Corporation, and are over 100 years old!
You can see these dams and other parts of the Erie Canal infrastructure on our cruises. We invite you on board to experience the science and technology that has stood the test of time, allowing navigation from Albany to Buffalo!
Check out our website for cruise schedules and to purchase tickets: www.eriecanalcruises.com

06/13/2026

It’s a great day to take a cruise on the Erie Canal! Join Captain Mike and First Mate Kelly for a journey through history on this iconic waterway.

You will pass by the Fort Herkimer Church, one of the oldest in New York State!

Experience a trip through Lock 18, it raises and lowers boats over 20 feet!

We are cruising at 1:00 and 3:00pm today. Purchase tickets on our website at www.eriecanalcruises.com

We are located just off Exit 30 of the NYS Thruway in Herkimer. While you are here, visit the Waterfront Grille for a great meal and stop by Gems Along the Mohawk for a unique shopping opportunity.

We hope to see you on board!

06/10/2026

It's Looper Season!

During this time of year on the Erie Canal, we see a lot of pleasure boaters that are making the "Great Loop" cruise - the longest circumnavigation in the eastern USA. It is a 6,000 mile journey that can take up to 6 months or more to complete!

Some days it is like a boat parade with several vessels passing through Lock 18.

On our sight-seeing cruise, you can hear more about the Great Loop cruise, and maybe you will see some "Loopers" on your Erie Canal journey.

Check out our website for cruises schedules and to purchase tickets: www.eriecanalcruises.com

06/09/2026

Back to Buffalo Tour with the Buffalo Maritime Center!

The Seneca Chief is heading back to Buffalo and making some stops along the way.

This is a great opportunity to check out this incredible vessel and learn about the passion these folks have for the Erie Canal.

05/20/2026

We are thrilled to announce our season opening this Friday, May 22nd!

Join us for a cruise as we explore the history of the Erie Canal! Take a voyage back in time with our award winning narration detailing the past, present and future of this iconic waterway.
We cruise through Lock 18, which raises and lowers boats over 20 feet! Your friendly Captain will explain how the lock operates with equipment that has been expertly maintained by the dedicated NYS Canal Corporation staff.
Our 90-minute cruise will provide a fun history lesson on how the idea of a "ditch" across New York state turned into a lasting legacy of over 200 years of navigation.
We are conveniently located in Herkimer, just off Exit 30 of the NY Thruway. Our home docks are at Gems Along the Mohawk - a unique shopping venue featuring NY products, along with the famous Waterfront Grille serving lunch and dinner waterside Tuesday-Saturday. Check out our website for cruise schedules and to book your tickets: www.eriecanalcruises.com See less

Address

800 Mohawk Street
Herkimer, NY
13350

Opening Hours

Monday	1pm - 2:30pm
	3pm - 4:30pm
Tuesday	1pm - 2:30pm
	3pm - 4:30pm
Wednesday	1pm - 2:30pm
	3pm - 4:30pm
Thursday	1pm - 2:30pm
	3pm - 4:30pm
Friday	1pm - 2:30pm
	3pm - 4:30pm
Saturday	1pm - 2:30pm
	3pm - 4:30pm
Sunday	1pm - 2:30pm
	3pm - 4:30pm

Telephone

+13157170350

Website

http://www.eriecanalcruises.com/

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