Erie Canal Museum

"This place doesn't excellent job at hosting schools for field trips. They do have on hand learning hunts that are available. However, we made our own escape room hunt for our students. It took them just over 2 hours to do for middle school and they absolutely loved that all the exhibits were hands-on for them. The best part was that they could go on to the barge and they really enjoyed being able to complete the activities at different exhibits. Bringing them back next year."

"Small but interesting museum to show the history of the Erie Canal as well as how it transformed the economic landscape of this part of NY state. Admission is 10 for adult and 4 for children. If you go there on Sunday, there is free parking just on the road outside. There is also a model barge housed in the historic weighing toll station. The videos are quite educational to explain how the weight station and lock work. The photos will transform you back to the early days of canal construction and operation."

"A small but very interesting museum. We were just passing through, and decided to check this out. We didn't know anything about the Erie canal prior to our visit. The museum is in an actual weigh-lock that was part of the canal's system of weighing barges to collect tolls. The museum consists of displays detailing the construction of the canal, and its importance, and you can walk through a barge and look at the old office. Upstairs are a few displays of the interiors of period buildings (not as interesting as downstairs). There is also a small gift shop, with a selection of books on the canal. Well worth a visit."

"This is a wonderful museum with a greatest staff. I went one day about 15 minutes before closing (4pm) then went back today to really tour. Both gentleman who were working were so very kind and inviting. This made my trip to Syracuse worth it!!! You will need a mask but if you don’t have one they will provide. There is so much History here! They have a 15-20 minute video on history before and after construction which is very good. It’s in a large room so not a small cramped area. They have a boat that was used to go down canal that you can walk through and take photos. I also learned that the street (Erie Canal Blvd) is where the canal ran until 1920. The Erie Canal was 363 miles long and ran from Albany to Buffalo. The grand opening was October 26, 1825. They will celebrate 200 years in 2025. Most of the canal no longer exist but along the canal cities have historical markets etc to keep memory going. This museum is the last existing Weighlock station. I think there were originally 83. I really enjoyed everything about this museum and so happy that I went back to enjoy the exhibits etc. I highly recommend that you stop by to visit museum and give yourself at least an hour to tour. They also have a nice little gift shop with plenty of items to chose from; magnets, t-shirts, candy, wooden pencils, coaster, books about Erie Canal for adults and children, and so much more!! It’s free but they would like if you donate $10 to museum. I definitely did do and spent quite a bit in gift shop both days!"

"The museum is very informative but a bit outdated. They have wonderful historical things to read but nowadays I think needs more interactive ness. Maybe this is due to Covid but who knows. They have a small kids section with a space for the young kids to color. This museum is more for older kids above 10 years old. It’s still worth checking out if you are interested in this piece of history of the area."