The Erie Canal Discovery Center
The Erie Canal Discovery Center
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
96 reviews
Excellent
64
Very good
28
Average
2
Poor
1
Terrible
1
magnariderv45
South Bend, IN160 contributions
Jun 2020 • Family
Perpetually Closed. Visited this place a half dozen times and found it open just once. There are signs all over town to encourage visitors to stop by this place however when you do you'll find the lights off and the door locked.
Written 30 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GalagirlBoston
Boston19 contributions
Aug 2022
Small and charming museum that offers a clear and interesting introduction to the Erie Canal and its history. Situated close to the famous "Flight of Five" set of locks, where you can see what you learned in action. Allow about an hour to explore the exhibits and watch the introductory video (with a simple but engaging multi media component). Great for adults and kids ages 6+.
Written 29 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sylvia K
Mays Landing, NJ25 contributions
Jun 2021
This was an unexpected gem. We were treated as guests and made to feel welcome as soon as we walked in. My seven year old son LOVED this museum. There was a movie that we were able to "walk into" and several hands-on exhibits for kids. Believe it or not, my son said he actually enjoyed this more than actually riding the canal boat through the locks. I highly recommend to anyone with a curious child who likes to know how things work.
Written 15 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RogueTrippers
Guelph, Canada5,465 contributions
Aug 2023 • Family
Date of visit: Mon Aug 7th
The Erie Canal is a real marvel of engineering. We have visited the Erie Canal locks in Lockport many times and enjoyed it, so a visit to the discovery centre was in order to learn the history of its construction, design, and importance to western and upstate New York.
This is a small museum with a number of artefacts, information on the canal and how the locks work.
There is a 10-minute video that is actually quite fun.
If you are ever in the Lockport area, be sure to visit
The Discovery centre and the locks, explore the caves and ride the canal.
The Erie Canal is a real marvel of engineering. We have visited the Erie Canal locks in Lockport many times and enjoyed it, so a visit to the discovery centre was in order to learn the history of its construction, design, and importance to western and upstate New York.
This is a small museum with a number of artefacts, information on the canal and how the locks work.
There is a 10-minute video that is actually quite fun.
If you are ever in the Lockport area, be sure to visit
The Discovery centre and the locks, explore the caves and ride the canal.
Written 10 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PickyTraveler4
Sterling, MA90 contributions
Jul 2021
Great explanation of how the Erie Canal was constructed and operates that was very creative and interactive. Really helped me to understand it, since I really didn't before I went there. More than just wall plaques and artifacts, although they have that too. Also interesting to learn about all the men and children who worked on it without the power equipment we have today. Wish that I could have gone down to the canal to visit more, but there was a torrential downpour and hail storm as we were leaving. Allow about an hour to visit.
Written 23 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
David
Boyertown, PA18 contributions
Aug 2021
Well done background on the building of the canal and those involved. The amazing video was what drew us back for a second viewing. Very clever and fun. The second tour was more in depth and aimed at our more in depth questions. People so kind and helpful and in love with their historical location.
Written 25 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JDubya70
Valley Head, AL26 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
Delightful and informative visit to learn more about the Erie Canal. We were greeted by Ray who offered as much or as little information as we wanted. I learned more in 10 minutes than all of my years in American History. If you’re in the area, I’d highly recommend it.
Written 21 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
willam c
66 contributions
May 2021
What a wonderful experience through which to learn about the Erie Canal! And this particular spot with the 5 locks is the best!
the museum itself is excellent in preparation fo the visit to the locks.
The locks experience is also fascinating (despite the present Covid restrictions).
I thought I knew something about the Erie Canal, but this experience expanded my knowledge so much!
I highly recommend this place for all people of all ages!
the museum itself is excellent in preparation fo the visit to the locks.
The locks experience is also fascinating (despite the present Covid restrictions).
I thought I knew something about the Erie Canal, but this experience expanded my knowledge so much!
I highly recommend this place for all people of all ages!
Written 23 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EarthSwanny
53 contributions
Aug 2020 • Couples
We walked the locks then toured the discovery center immediately afterwards. Gave us a great understanding if the economics & engineering of the locks & Erie Canal system.
Friendly docents who are happy to help you.
Friendly docents who are happy to help you.
Written 28 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hduck
Hancock, NY902 contributions
Feb 2021 • Couples
This was an awesome stop. We were the only ones in the place and basically had a private tour. We learned about the history of the canal and watched a video. Learning about the history of lockport and the challenge of finishing the canal system is awesome. After you leave the building go see the amazing technology that was used to raise the boats.
Written 27 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patti S
Little Rock, Arkansas
I want to spend a full day in Lockport and see the museum, underground ride, and the locks.
Hints and suggestions on a good order; I'm sensing see the museum first?
Other "not to miss" attractions between here and Niagara Falls?
Best place to eat in Lockport?
Written 27 August 2018
Starting at the museum is good. Then do the cave tour (drive over or walk). I believe they will also include a tour of the locks (have not done the caves in 5 years). If not, after the cave, go walk the locks yourself - they are just across the street from the cave tour. There is a person who mans the locks and he/she will tell you about them, plus there is a museum at the 'bottom' of the locks. You can then take a boat ride which takes you through the locks (I think it is a 1 hour trip total - you start past the locks (lower level), go up through the locks, turn around and then go back down. Those would be the 3 biggest attractions in that area (you will want to drive to the boat ride - it down at the bottom of Market St which is not an easy walk). When we were there we also saw advertisement for a Zip Line across the canal. I cannot tell you anything about it though.
As for places to eat, Reid's is a very old mom & pop hamburger dive within a mile of where you will be. Folks flock to this place from all over (including us). Hamburg, fries, chocolate shake is our usual order. They have outdoor seating. Ambiance is a 2 out of 10 but we have eaten there for over 30 when we come to town. If you like wings, go to Wagners on Tuesday for fifty cent wings. Go early (4PM) - they are always packed that day. Another good place is Davidson Road Inn (DRI), but they are about 5 miles from the locks. There are places right around the locks to eat but we have not done them recently. Have fun!
Written 28 August 2018
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