Erie Canal Museum, Syracuse (must see)

The Erie Canal Museum has welcomed visitors since 1962. This museum is open seven days a week to provide maximum opportunity for enjoying the exciting exhibits inside. The admission is free as well, allowing you to focus on seeing all the excellent sights found inside.

The 1850 Syracuse Weighlock Building hosts a lock chamber designed to weigh ships to collect tools that paid for waterway maintenance. This building housing the weighlock provides fascinating background information on how this process worked and the preservation efforts that have been made.

One of the signature permanent exhibits is the Erie Canal Made New York. Original artifacts and interactive displays help give visitors a clearer picture of how vital this waterway has been. There are also narrative audio tracks that help provide further insight into some of the facts highlighted in the exhibit.

The Weight Chamber boasts a full-size boat replica, and there is also a Locktender's Garden featuring plants and flowers that would have been popular in the Victorian era. Murals and artwork help provide a fascinating artistic interpretation of life in this area. The exhibits on the second floor include a replica of the general store and other locations that offer a closer look at life during the early days.

Why You Should Visit:
An easy way to gain further knowledge of the creation of the Erie Canal, at no cost

Tips:
Take advantage of the audio tracks for Erie Canal Made New York, so you don't miss any of the details.