Though it may seem like an ancient relic of elementary school songs and a bygone era of manufacturing, the Erie Canal and many waterways like it still exist and even thrive. And, lately, the canals of New York State have been attempting to reinvent themselves as vacation destinations.
We just discovered a very interesting travel website - NyCanals.com. It's dedicated to promoting vacations, daytrips, and recreation along the Erie Canal and several other New York State canals.
According to the site:
Canal cruising, a European-style holiday, is truly a vacation filled with adventure. ... From new canal harbors and waterfronts, to more than 220 miles of Canalway Trails along its waterline, no matter how you float it, boaters enjoy 524 miles of surprise after surprise.
“Most people still do not realize that the New York Canal System offers boaters an alternative to cruising the ocean or lakes,” said Matthew Behrmann, Director of the New York Canal Corporation. “Traveling along one of the Canals is a wonderful boating trip because each mile is filled with new adventures.”
Owned and operated by the New York State Canal Corporation, the 524-mile New York State Canal System is a network of navigable, inland waterways that take travelers to nearly every major city in New York State – a necklace of more than 40 communities.
The site has a ton of history relating to the canals, as well as tips on plum sections of the system that have been converted to recreational or entertainment use. You'll also find tips for chartering a canal cruise or renting your own houseboat and seeing the state under your own power.
If we had a week to spare this summer, this might be something we'd look into!
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