Wheelchair-accessible car park
Yes
Erie Canal Discovery Center in Lockport
Categories
Location on the map
Lockport, Niagara County, New York, US
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Yes
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Yes
Amenities
Good for kids
Yes
Toilets
Yes
Phone: +1 716-439-0431
Site: https://niagarahistory.org/erie-...
Site: https://niagarahistory.org/erie-...
Opening hours
- Monday:9AM–5PM
- Tuesday:9AM–5PM
- Wednesday:9AM–5PM
- Thursday:9AM–5PM
- Friday:9AM–5PM
- Saturday:9AM–5PM
- Sunday:9AM–5PM
Comments (114)
Small but very nice museum. Great docent who explained the lock system through Lockport. Fun video to get you acquainted with the locks. There are some good interactive exhibits especially great for families.
Excellent walk through event. We picked up a brochure from the visitor/museum center that had things labeled real well and explained. Dont worry if you dont have the brochure because everything is very well labeled. The large Lock that replaced one of the original is still in operation so we watched boats go bot up and down the lock. The center has great models of the way things looked when built as well as other pieces to see
Listening to someone who is excited about that they are telling you, and eloquent in it’s delivery never disappoints! Admission is inexpensive and starts with a short history description of the canal by the docent. It was so interesting and well done I could have stayed and asked questions for at least an hour (but we had a personal time limitation). There is a small museum upstairs with a short 15-min video that was very cleverly done and then a handful of interactive exhibits. We absolutely loved it! Then head outside and tour the locks - and watch the boats go through! What an amazing engineering feet for the early 19th century!! So worth the visit!!
Very interesting visitor center for the Erie Canal. Well worth the admission, $5 each for seniors and veterans. The video alone is worth it, but the docents are very informative as well. Thoroughly enjoyed
This is an excellent little museum, with displays that are modern, cleverly designed, interactive, and engaging even for kids. The information was interesting, and the staff were very knowledgeable (they thoroughly answered questions I had) and friendly (they greeted us as soon as we walked in and were helpful without being annoying). Its right by the locks, so you can walk outside and see what the museum is talking about. The gift shop was nice, too. Even the signs regarding covid or bathrooms were written with clever connections to history. I was very impressed overall.
Very friendly staff, thank you for the guided tour and were happy to have stopped in. Its obvious you care very much about your jobs and it is a quality positive memory we will have for the rest of our lives.
A small museum with informative, entertaining and modern interactive displays. Perfect for all ages. A great location next to The Flight of Five locks.
Great little Museum right in the middle of the locks. Does the history of the Erie Canal and water transportation in the area the best. They have an old Generator set and a few other physical exhibits but lots of well laid out and organize information about the Erie Canal. If youre there its worth the walk over to the museum
Very interesting place. The underground tunnel was cool.
We had good time here. The guy in charge was a great historian and very good with engagement.Place to be
Daughters both loved the interactive displays. We couldnt spend much time listening to the recordings, but it was fun. We learned a bit and would recommend it. It didnt take too long and they could have a touch more stuff to look at.
Great history lesson. The introduction to the museum from the Docent hooked us on the canal. Afterwards we took the Lockport canal tour.
The director is a wealth of knowledge! Be sure to go when he is there to answer all your canal history questions.
Informative! Watched the locks in action and was able to talk to the lock master and got more information about the area and the history of the locks, as well as future plans with the locks. They also have a family ducks that come around every summer.
Super knowledgeable, very nice. Great to get some history on the Erie Canal in Lockport before experiencing it
Great place to learn about NYs past, very scenic and personable staff make it a great place to get a up close history lesson
The visitor center staff on the lower floor were very knowledgeable on all ways to approach the activities and towpath of Lockport. The Discovery Center on the 2nd floor had some nice hands on activities that the 10 year old I was with enjoyed. The lock model kids can operate was a good explanation of the mechanics of the operation.
Clean, cute little museum & gift shop. Plenty of brochures, info on the area & a very kind staff
Interesting displays and giftstore with many books and flyers for the local area history.Unfortunately the AV show was down for maintenance, bit there are a number of fun interactive displays for children and plenty of history for everyone.
Another great historic site. Lots of period artifacts and an interactive movie that takes you through the history of the canal then a trip through the locks. A short walk away are the actual locks you can view.
I love history. The gentlemen at the center were very helpful. We were given a history lesson and then watched a video with more history and information. Then we were able to go through the displays with even more information
Excellent tour. Tour guides were volunteers, very knowledgeable, personable, fun and obviously dedicated to their commitment of preserving the lock and its history.
This is a great little museum, very nicely put together, to tell the story of the Erie Canal. Not very big, but lots of information and meaningful displays.
Great place for Erie Canal history
Second floor is a museum with different interactive stations. The movie theatre was closed so no admission charge for the day we visit. Staffs are very friendly.
This museum has a wealth of information about the Erie Canal, and its importance to the expansion of the US. Its also a great place to find out what else is nearby.
A good place to begin a tour of the canal with its friendly and helpful staff. Unfortunately, much of the free information was touristy. Much of it pertained to the region, not to the canal. The best information about the canal came at a hefty price.
Great first stop to understand the amazing history, geology. And engineering of the canal.
Was give a completely free 1hr tour of the of the Flight of 5 Locks in Lockport. Though free... generous donations help the restoration efforts of the original Locks
Friendly staff. Interactive displays for kids, short movie about Erie Canal. Nice gift shop
Great interactive displays. Gained a lot of knowledge and had fun.
This is an interesting little museum. We went during the off season so a lot of it was closed but my 9 year old still enjoyed it.
Small place but very nice, quick visit is sufficient.
Great place to visit and tour, good history lesson
Loved this place. Great information, informative interactive exhibits. Inexpensive classy tshirts in the merch area. Worth the half hour
Worth the visit. Learned a lot and some of those films were really impressive. Wish I had more time to see more of it.
We enjoyed the visit. Learned a lot about the canal esp. those locks in Lockport. Nice people running the place.
A great place to watch the working canal locks. We spent a couple of hours here just poking around and watching boats go through the locks.
Looks interesting. Locks are right across the street. Winter hours are Friday & Saturday ,10 - 5. We were here on Thursday. :(
Lots of good information regarding the Flight of Five! Great place to start your tour!
Quaint, very informative, older gentleman at desk was very friendly and helpful.
The interactive simulation tour alone was worth the stop, and a lot of the history would be missed by just walking along the locks.
This was af fun a cruise as Gilligan could have wished for and we didnt end up on a deserted island.
Outstanding history exhibits, highly recommend
Awesome, historic site with many hands on learning stations. Makes learning Lockports history FUN!
Nice view point to see the locks in action. There was a street market on Saturday when we were there.
If you havent visited the Locks in Lockport, NY, you must come and spend some time! You will enjoy yourself!
Clean, friendly cute 15 minute show.
Great museum. Very realistic & engaging canal boat experience.
Very helpful and informative, helped plan our limited time while visiting.
Great center to learn about some of the history of the canal and surrounding area.
Unique museum and gift shop about Erie canal; fascinating lecture.
Nice to see some history. There was even a duck in the lock being ducky.
Great movie, and gift shop.
A great place to take kids and learn history.
Interesting, but I am a local and know all about the big ditch.
Great intro to the canal history.
Great museum. Very educational and engaging!
Lots of great information on this self guided tour.
ALWAYS a great place..family friendly..great gift shop..
Enjoyed going through the locks.
Nice presentation explaining canal history, 15 minute movie
Very friendly staff. Better than I expected.
Very nice experience
Small but well put together and nice.
Looking forward to biking that section
Great place. Love history
Interesting place to visit. Nice place to walk.
Neglected but pretty interesting look back in history
History preserved in a beautiful place.
The women who work inside the office are very short tempered and rude
Nice to see some history in person
Great staff and experience...Thank You!
The mural itself is worth the visit
Great local museum
A lot of history her in Lockport, come check it out
Worth every penny!
Its informative and interactive.
Interesting facts to find here
Interesting history. Expand your knowledge.
Friendly knowledgeable docents.
Good selection of items
Excellent historical presentation
Great learning experience
Ehhh, old lady attraction
Have always loved this
Pokémon is always popping
Nice.
Very informative
History!
Its beautiful
So much history.
👍😊
Excellent!!!
Very informative
A little bit of history.
Fantastic
Cool place
Good information
Interesting
Great history
Hours in attachment
Awesomeness
Must-see if you visit lockport
Total reviews rating 4.6
114 Reviews for Erie Canal Discovery Center 2023:
Review №1
2022-05-18If you are wanting information on the history of the Erie Canal, this is a great place to go. You can get a lot of info in a short period of time and the interpreters were very knowledgeable.
Review №2
2019-08-02I stopped here on while on the Ride the Erie Canal Bike Tour. Very interesting lock to visit. You can still see the marks in the iron railings from the tow ropes. Amazing to see what was built with 1820s technology and it still works today.
Review №3
2020-08-29Nice place to visit and learn some local history. The cost is very reasonable. They have a short movie you can watch and a few interactive things for the kids to do. Right within walking distance of the locks.
Review №4
2020-09-11A must see place for every kid - second grade student! Here you can really understand what Erie Canal was, how extraordinary it was and how complicated the work was performed ... Read or hear about the slipways through which ships or barges moved along the canal or see with your own eyes how it is done, it is enormous difference ...!
Review №5
2021-08-29I was really impressed with the Erie Canal Discovery Center. Its really nicely done with a cool 15 minute video to start the experience. Its a good price and really nice especially on hot days. Theres a really cute giftshop full of unique and cool souvenirs. Its the best place to buy a Lockport souvenir magnet. The employee was super nice and extremely knowledgeable. We had a great conversation with him and it was a highlight of the day.
Review №6
2021-09-16Excellent facility and presentation. Very knowledgeable, friendly staff. Pictures of actual lock, Flight of five.
Review №7
2019-10-09Its not a very big display of the Erie Canal, but its delibarate and the staff member is superfriendly. The video design is cool. Too bad the hands-on demo of the canal locks is not working, but the other video clips and hands-on activities are good enough to waw my children. Plus the Center is located right on the bank of the Canal locks, one can either walk along the locks first and visit the Center or visit the Center and walk along the locks, like we did.
Review №8
2019-09-22Went here on Smithsonian day. It was very educational and entertaining. The staff is very nice and knowledgeable. It was a great visit. Something nice to if you have a few hours.
Review №9
2021-10-12Nicely done but small museum. Staff was great: Ray was very knowledgeable and patient with our questions. He gave us a PowerPoint overview of the building process and history of the canal, then led us upstairs for an excellent movie and exhibits.For its size, the center manages to provide a lot of information about the canal and locks, which are only a short walk across the parking lot.
Review №10
2021-10-17Extremely interesting. Although one learns about the Erie Canal in school, there is still much more to learn. The employees are knowledgeable and nice. Then to see the locks is really a unique experience. In you are going to Niagara, definitely hit up this discovery center and Lockport.