Erie Canal Museum
Erie Canal Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
The Erie Canal Museum houses the National Register 1850 Syracuse Weighlock Building, the only structure of its kind in the United States. The unique building where canal cargo was once weighed is the Museum's most important artifact and a centerpiece for interpretation of Erie Canal history. The Museum shows visitors 200 years of Erie Canal history through interactive displays, hands-on exhibits, a full-size replica canal boat, narrative audio tracks and original artifacts. The gift shop offers historic maps, books for children and adults, T-shirts, Canal-inspired toys and more. Admission is by reservation with a suggested $10 donation per party. Hours are Monday-Saturday 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. with the exception of major holidays. Free parking in Visitor Center spaces in lot on Erie Boulevard East.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
455 reviews
Excellent
280
Very good
138
Average
35
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Heather
Albuquerque, NM45 contributions
May 2022
We were looking forward to learning more about the Erie Canal but found the museum somewhat disappointing. The museum didn't give an overview up front, it assumed that you had some knowledge of the canal, which I didn't. The layout wasn't chronological, and information was repeated several times in the museum. I do have a better understanding of the canal, it wasn't easy to get the information. There is a video part way through that helped. I would recommending providing close captioning for the video as it was hard to hear with other guests. I wouldn't recommend the upstairs portion of the museum, it was scattered and the analogy used for how the locks was very poor. I really did want to like the museum, but I never got there.
Written June 1, 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.
RNS1983
Binghamton, NY127 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Super cool little museum with a lot of artifacts and old photos. Interactive enough for maybe kids 10+, depending on maturity. Friendly staff. Fyi, masks required (their rules) - but they hand them out. “Suggested” donation of $10 a person, but not required.
Written July 26, 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.
GregT895
Vancouver, Canada83 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
We stopped in here on our way through Syracuse. They have a ton of displays and it's really, really well organized. We thought we'd spend half an hour here but ended up there for 3x that. Staff also very friendly helpful knowledgeable. They ask for a $10 donation but in theory it's optional. Highly recommended.
Written November 15, 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.
Philly Travelers
4 contributions
Jun 2022
My son and I had a few hours to kill in Syracuse and decided to pay the museum a visit. Admission is free; but a donation is strongly encouraged - recommendation of $10/person was worth it. Coincidence would have it that we had an elderly tour guide named Peter who took us in as members of his small tour group. Being in his company for 1.5 hours was delightful. He was extremely knowledgeable, personable, witty and humorous. I can't remember the last time I was entertained and learned so much at the same time.
Written July 2, 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.
Nicsid1970
Fairport, NY4 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
My husband and I were excited to see this museum. We were so disappointed to learn that this museum still requires visitors to wear masks. As a result, we declined to visit. Masks should be a matter of personal choice. No institution has a right to tell people what to do with their bodies. I look forward to visiting when the museum comes to its senses and institutes more reasonable policies.
Written July 29, 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.
didi15
Closter, New Jersey73 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
I absolutely loved this museum. I learned so much about the history of the Erie Canal through very interesting and informative displays and short films. Kathleen, the woman who works at the front desk, was extremely helpful and knowledgeable, not just about the museum, but also about sites of interest in the area. I highly recommend a visit to this museum if you are in town.
Written July 25, 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.
Reisiger1223
Leonberg, Germany491 contributions
Jul 2021 • Couples
This is a great museum, whether you’ve just heard of the Erie Canal or are a canal aficionado. There are multiple exhibits explaining the history of this fascinating waterway. Kids will surely enjoy the replica packet boat resting in what was the building’s weight scale. Definitely add to your itinerary.
Written August 18, 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.
Bill K
Spencerport, NY1,420 contributions
Aug 2021
Just happened by this place looking for a place for lunch and decided to stop in for a quick look. The first floor has a nice history of the Erie Canal with some artifacts, an Erie Canal boat and a small garden outside. It also houses the historic 1850 Weighlock Building and contains exhibits about the financing of the Canal, the function and operation of the Syracuse Weighlock, and Syracuse-specific topics, such as folk musician Elizabeth “Libba” Cotten.
The second floor has a children's are and exhibits replicating a Erie Canal town including shops, bars, theatre, etc.
Overall, there was more here that I expected and enjoyed the exhibits for their variety and depth of info. I nice place to learn about the history of the Erie Canal.
The second floor has a children's are and exhibits replicating a Erie Canal town including shops, bars, theatre, etc.
Overall, there was more here that I expected and enjoyed the exhibits for their variety and depth of info. I nice place to learn about the history of the Erie Canal.
Written October 11, 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.
MidwestKathM
Detroit, MI910 contributions
May 2023 • Couples
We made an impromptu decision to visit the Erie Canal Museum while we were visiting Syracuse. And boy, are we glad we did! We were greeted enthusiastically by Dick, who shared the story of the museum and the Erie Canal as it once was in downtown Syracuse and answered our questions. The museum is set up for self-guided visit as one follows the arrowed pathways throughout. The museum exhibits are well executed, with lots of pictures and tons of information. There is a real canal boat on display. And this is all housed in an original Weighlock building from the Canal days! Nearby are a historic marker and a statue relating to Canal history.
Written June 22, 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.
ncc1992
Albany, NY68 contributions
Sep 2021
A really fantastic museum, I went with my father when he was in town. I was new to the area and did not have a strong knowledge of the canal's museum. This was a spectacular vehicle to share the history and information about the area. It left me wanting to learn more and the topic has become an area of interest for me since. A must-visit for anyone with a passing interest in local or US history
Written August 22, 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.
mindy m
540 contributions
Is the museum handicap accessible ? Are boat rides easy to get to boat? Are they open during week days?
William O Writes
14 contributions
Handicapped accessable, no boat rides.
Pacita R
New York City, NY3 contributions
Can we book a boat trip along the canal from the museum or nearby? How far or close is the museum from my hotel, the Super 8 on Old Collamer Road in east Syracuse? Thanks for your help!
Tammytigger
Syracuse84 contributions
They have canal boat rides in Camillus which is about 15 mins from The Erie Canal museum. I'm not sure if they will have info about the boat ride our not but I'm guessing they must. This museum is apt 10 mins from your hotel. In beautiful Downtown SYRACUSE.
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Claim your listingErie Canal Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Erie Canal Museum
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Erie Canal Museum Information
Excellent Reviews | 267 |
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Very Good Reviews | 132 |
Erie Canal Museum Photos | 235 |