CANAL BOAT RIDES IN THE U.S. AND CANADA If you will be traveling around the eastern half of North America, you may want to visit one of the many canal boat concessions. Here is a partial list for 2018.
April 5th – October 29th, 2018 Ad- MICHIGAN ILLINOIS vance purchase recommended. Soo Locks Boat Tours and Dinner Wendella Boats, Wendella Sightsee- Adults: $15; Seniors: $13; Youth 16 Cruises at Sault Ste. Marie – Soo ing Boats is Chicago's Original Archi- and under: $8; Children Under 3: free Locks Boat Tours is one of Michigan’s tecture Tour®, offering a variety of Family Pack: 2 adults and 2 youth top attractions. The 2-hour sightsee- distinctive narrated tours, all focusing $38. Customized group tours & lunch- ing cruise has many departure times on Chicago's rich architectural heri- es also available! All tickets must be available. Tours include views of all tage and history. Whether you're look- picked up in the Lock 16 Visitor Cen- four U.S. Locks, St. Mary’s Rapids, ing for an in-depth tour or a brief over- ter. Please arrive at least 10 minutes giant hydro-electric plants and Histor- view of Chicago, Wendella has many before departure. 815-220-1848. ic Canadian Lock. Visitors experience tour options to choose from. 754 First Street, LaSalle, IL 61301. www.lasallecanalboat.org; “locking through” from Lake Huron Tours are offered seven days a week, Canal Corridor Association: and Lake Superior. Dinner cruises are March through November. featured in the evenings, and themed www.iandmcanal.org Tours depart from the Wendella Dock Facebook @lasallecanalboat dinner cruises are offered on selected at 400 N Michigan Avenue and from dates. Fireworks Cruises and Fire- the Wendella Dock at Trump Tower, works Dinner Cruises fare offered for located West of the Wrigley Building Canada Day on July 1 and Indepen- at the lower level of Kinzie and Rush. dence Day on July 4, plus many other 400 North Michigan Avenue, Chica- Special Event Cruises. go, IL 60611; www.wendellaboats. St. Mary’s River Lighthouse Tours: com; 312-337-1446 Passengers explore a number of nav- Facebook @wendellaboats igational markers and lighthouses, Volunteer – www.lasallecanalboat.org some of which are accessible only by INDIANA boat. Although their powerful lights were dimmed by satellite-assisted Come to Metamora, Indiana and take navigation and other technology, these an excursion on the Whitewater Ca- structures have unique architecture nal aboard the Ben Franklin III. The and historic importance that has not Ben Franklin III seats 75 people and been forgotten. is pulled along the canal by two Bel- Soo Locks Boat Tours, P.O. Box 739, gian draft horses. After an extensive Sault Ste. Marie, MI 49783 Dock Wendella Boats – www.wendellaboats.com study of the old canal boats, the Ben #1, 1157 East Portage Ave. Dock #2, Take a journey back in time aboard Franklin III was built in 1989 to look 515 East Portage Avenue, 906-632- the Volunteer, a 70-passenger, mule- like one of the original canal boats that 6301; [email protected]; www. pulled 1840’s replica canal boat, as it used to travel along the Whitewater soolocks.com, www.facebook.com/ coasts gently up and down the I&M Canal. Open May 16 through October, Soo-Locks-Boat-Tours-Dinner-Cruis- Canal. Bring your camera, grab a Wednesday through Sunday. Runs on es-142998785746841/ snack and something to drink at the the hour from noon through 4 p.m. Lock 16 Cafe & Visitor Center, and Adults, $6; seniors, $5; children 3-17, climb aboard for an hour of peace- $3; under 3 free; In-State Student – ful, historical fun! Every trip begins Free, Out-Of-State Students – $1.50 with “Mule Tending 101” as our pe- (Group of 15). riod dressed guides introduce the pas- 19083 Clayborn St. Metamora, Ind. sengers to their intrepid canal mules, 47030, 765.647.6512, email: white- Moe & Joe. The tour guide regales [email protected].; everyone with tales of the canal while Web site: indianamuseum.org/white- the deck hands guide the boat a mile water-canal-state-historic-site. Soo Lock Boat Tours – www.soolocks.com up the canal to the Little Vermillion Facebook @indianamuseum aqueduct and back. We recommend arriving 30 minutes OHIO prior to your ride time in order to pur- Step back in time at the Canal Experi- chase tickets and view the DVD pre- ence and get a taste of life on the Miami sentation entitled “Our Canal Heritage” and Erie Canal in 1876. Providence before you board the canal boat. For Metropark is located in what was once more information: 330-854-6835; 125 the canal town of Providence, Ohio. Tuscarawas St, Canal Fulton, Ohio. Today, the Metropark has one of the [email protected]; greatest concentrations of canal era fea- Web site: cityofcanalfulton-oh.gov/ Ben Franklin III – www. indianamuseum.org tures in the country, including The Vol- departments/canal-boat-operations/ Step aboard the Delphi for a trip down unteer, a reproduction of a mule-drawn Facebook @DiscoverCanalFulton the Wabash & Erie Canal in Del- canal boat. May–October; check web- phi, Indiana. The boat runs on Satur- site for hours. Canal boat tickets: $7 days and Sundays from May 12, 2018 adults, $6 seniors (60 and over), $4 through Labor Day at 1:30, 2:30 and children (3 to 12), 2 and under free. 3:30 p.m. Public rides are $7 per adult, 13827 S. River Road, Grand Rapids, $4 per child. Special arrangements are Ohio. 419-407-9700. Check the web- required for our chartered tours. Prices site for times. metroparkstoledo.com/ St. Helena III – www.discovercanalfulton.com for chartered tours are $150 for the first features-and-rentals/canal-experience/ ride and $100 for each additional ride. Facebook @MyMetroparksPage Set aboard the Monticello III and The Delphi holds approximately 30 you’ll feel like you are actually glid- people. Rides last approximately 40 ing right into Ohio history! Relax and minutes. enjoy the natural beauty of the canal 1030 West Washington St., 12 blocks as it once was. Watch the hoggee lead north of the Court House, Delphi, IN; the huge team of draft horses as they 765-564-2870, pull the canal boat gently along its www.wabashanderiecanal.org. way. As you listen to old canal tales Facebook @wabashanderiecanal from the captain describing 1800's life on the canal, you’ll feel like you actu- ally have stepped back in time to the Volunteer – www.metroparkstoledo.com 1830s! Group rates and charters avail- The St. Helena III canal boat is pulled able. Memorial Day–Labor Day* by two Percheron horses, Dan & Wil- Tuesday–Friday 1, 2, & 3 p.m. lie, and departs from the Port of Canal Saturday & Sunday 1, 2, 3, & 4 p.m. Fulton in St. Helena Heritage Park for After Labor Day through the 3rd a one hour ride down the Ohio & Erie weekend of October: Weekdays - Charters only Delphi – www.wabashanderiecanal.org Canal. A historian on board provides information on the history of the canal, Saturday & Sunday-1, 2, 3, & 4 p.m. The Johnston Farm & Indian Agen- the boat and the area. The St. Helena $8.00 for adults, $7.00 seniors (ages cy is proud to own and operate one III canal boat operates weekends only 60+), $6.00 for students (ages 6 - 18) of Ohio's working canal boats still in May, September & October and and children 5 and under are free. drawn, as it was nearly two centuries Tuesday through Sunday June through 23253 State Route 83, Coshocton, ago, by a team of mules. Guests may August. Boat rides are at 1:00 p.m. and Ohio 43812-9601; 740-622-7528; enjoy a ride aboard the General Har- 2:30 p.m. Call to confirm schedule. 740-622-3415; 800-877-1830. rison of Piqua, a replica 70-foot-long www.roscoevillage.com/attractions-ac- canal boat often used for transpor- tivities/horse-drawn-canal-boat-rides tation of passengers and cargo in the Facebook @historicroscoevillage 19th century. Costumed guides direct the mule-drawn boat to provide an au- thentic and memorable experience for all. For hours of operation and events visit us at www.johnstonfarmohio.com or by calling 937-773-2522. Johnson Farm & Indian Agency, 9845 Hardin General Harrison of Piqua – www.johnston- Rd, Piqua, Ohio 45356. farmohio.com Monticello III – www.coshoctonlakepark.com 2 The Sandpiper is a 100-passenger We invite you to join us on one of our Mid-Lakes Navigation. Daily Cruis- cruise vessel located on the Maumee Lil’ Diamond vessels for a fun and his- es On Skaneateles Lake.Skaneateles River in Toledo, Ohio. The boat is torically fascinating cruise, back to a Lake cruises depart from Clift Park available for private and public rides time when the canal was just a vision in the heart of the picturesque walking from May through October. and the barges were pulled by mules village of Skaneateles, about 35 min- J&M Cruise Lines are the operators of and horses. Travel thru a hundred year utes from Syracuse. Board your cruise The Sandpiper. Public cruises include old lock, relax and enjoy – you’ll be at our dock in Clift Park on Rt. 20 in the Picnic Lunch Cruise, Discover the glad you did. downtown Skaneateles. Skaneateles River, Friday Night Family Cruise, 315-717-0350. Lake cruises feature crystal waters, Sunset Cruise And City Lights, Mu- [email protected]; shoreline beauty and village amenities. sical Dinner Cruise, 4th of July Fire- www.eriecanalcruises.com Depending on the length of the cruise, works Cruise, Cigar Cruises, Light- Facebook @ErieCanalCruises passengers may see: The Sherwood house Cruise, Fall Color Cruises, and Inn, operating since 1807; Roosevelt a Halloween Boo Cruise. Hall, historic Greek revival home; and Glacier-carved hillsides, crystal clear The Sandpiper was built in 1984 in water. Options include dinner cruises, Maumee, Ohio. She has spent her lunch cruises, sightseeing cruises and entire career plying the waters of the special events. Maumee River, however she has paid a visit to Monroe, Michigan, and many Self-Skippered Rentals. You're Detroit River locations. Constructed the captain aboard our comfort- of welded steel and The Sandpiper is able, easy-to-operate Lockmaster canalboats. No experience? Don’t inspected annually by the U.S. Coast Lil' Diamond III – www.eriecanalcruises.com Guard. worry! The boats are simple and the canal system is boater-friendly. Our Season: May–October. Authentic Sternwheel Paddle Boat Tours in Upstate New York. courteous and skilled crew will be J&M Cruise Lines, PO Box 266 Tole- The Caldwell Belle provides tours ready to anwer any questions you may do, Ohio 43697; 419-537-1212. along the upper Hudson River and have on your journey. [email protected]; Champlain Canal waterways. Her Our Lockmasters depart from Mid- www.sandpiperboat.com. home port is located next to Lock C5 Lakes Marina in the town of Macedon Facebook @sandpiperboat on the Champlain Canal near the Vil- near Rochester. 1125 Marina Parkway, lage of Schuylerville and in the town Macedon, NY 14502 of Saratoga. Providing a variety of Designed and built by Mid-Lakes excursions and cruises that are sure for the New York State Canals, your to please, the M/V Caldwell Belle is Lockmaster Canalboat blends rugged an authentic chain-driven sternwheel steel construction with a thoughtful riverboat able to navigate in waters as interior design for a sturdy and com- low as three feet! Mooring at Lock C5, fortable vessel. 130 US 4 N, Schuylerville, New York; Mid-Lakes Navigation, 11 Jordan St., Mailing Address: P.O. Box 95, Schuy- PO Box 61, Skaneateles, NY 13152 lerville, NY 12871; 518-636-6146; Sandpiper – www.sandpiperboat.com [email protected]; 315-685-8500 or 800-545-4318 www.mohawkmaidencruises.com. [email protected] NEW YORK Facebook @MowhakMaidenCruises www.midlakesnav.com Facebook Mid-Lakes Navigation We welcome you to beautiful Mohawk Valley and Erie Canal Cruises. Erie Canal Cruises tour boats Lil’ Diamond II and Lil’ Diamond III are docked at Gems Along the Mohawk, the Official Mohawk Valley Visitor Center. Locat- ed at 800 Mohawk Street in Herkimer, NY, we are directly across from the New York State Thruway Exit 30. M/V Caldwell Belle
3 Experience “Life in the Past Lane" The Lockport Cave & Underground The Colonial Belle's narrated tour when you get on board for your cruise Boat Ride in Lockport, NY, along the will familiarize you with the rich his- on the historic Erie Canal, a 363-mile Erie Canal offers an exciting, 70-min- tory and many traditional landmarks waterway between the Hudson Riv- ute guided tour through America’s along the scenic Erie Canal traveling er with Niagara River and the Great past. You will explore the historic Erie west between Fairport and Pittsford. Lakes and an important part of Amer- Canal Locks 67-71, constructed in Our three-hour cruise includes lock ican history. Your fun and informative 1838, view ruins from an earlier indus- passage at Canal Park in Pittsford, lo- cruise will take you past five of the trial age, and walk safely through a wa- cated at Clover St. and Jefferson Rd. original 1800's locks. Three million ter tunnel that was blasted out of solid 400 Packett’s Landing, Fairport, NY gallons of water will fill Locks 34 & rock in the 1850s, viewing stalactites, 14450; 585-223-9470. 3 tours daily, 35, the only double set on the Erie Ca- flow stone, various geological forma- Tuesday–Saturday; 2 tours on Sunday. nal, and raise the boat 50 feet. You’ll tions, and artifacts left behind by the Visit web site for rates. pass under Lockport's "Upside Down men who built the tunnel in the early www.colonialbelle.com. Bridge," Lockport's "Big Bridge" (the days of the Erie. Facebook @ColonialBelle widest bridge in the U.S. at 299 feet Marvel at artifacts left by miners on wide), through the "deep rock cut" and the Erie Canal over a century ago. And ***************** under lift bridges. The lively narration view cave formations in their early stag- Corn Hill Navigation operates the by the Coast Guard Licensed Captains es of development. Visitors are awe- historic Erie Canal replica packet is also accompanied by crowd-pleas- struck as they take a ride that has been boat Sam Patch on the Erie Canal ing canal music, popular during the described as both “peaceful and eerie” from early May through October 31. 1800's. Call us to schedule a cruise! as the boat glides through the lifeless Daily Erie Canal Cruises leave from Public Daily Cruise water, illuminated only by small, 12 Schoen Place, Pittsford, N.Y. Dai- $18.50, adult; $10, ages 4–10. sporadically placed electric lights. 5 ly cruises offered at noon, 2, and 4. 210 Market Street, Gooding Street, Lockport, NY, 14094; Please see website for wine and din- Lockport, NY 14094 716-438-0174; www.lockportcave.com. ner cruise dates. Adults – $16; Se- 716-433-6155 or 800-378-0352 Ticket Office: 5 Gooding Street, Lock- niors 65+ and Active Military – $13 [email protected] port, NY, 14094. Rates: Adults: $16.00, Students 13-22 – $13; Children 3-12 www.lockportlocks.com Children (6-13): $10.25 Children 5 and – $8; Children 2 and under – Free. Facebook under: $3.25 585-662-5748 for information and @LockportLocksErieCanalCruises Facebook @LockportCave reservations. www.sampatch.org/. Facebook @sampatch.org
Lockport Cave and Underground Boat Ride - www.lockportcave.com
The Colonial Belle has been provid- Sam Patch - www.sampatch.org Lockport Cruise – www.lockportlocks.com ing Erie Canal boat cruises from mid-May through October for over ***************** 20 years. Come aboard in Fairport, At Camillus Erie Canal Park, from NY, just 20 minutes from Rochester. May to October, Sundays, 1:00-5:00 p.m. Historic Canal Boat Rides aboard our turn of the century excursion boat, the Ontario, and a pontoon boat, the Camilus Erie (wheelchair accessible), are entertaining as well as educational with music and historic narration avail- able. These trips are approximately 2 miles (45minutes) round trip with an optional short walk to the historic Nine Colonial Belle- www.colonialbelle.com. 4 Mile Creek Aqueduct. The 1844 Nine are suggested. To make a reservation, Union Canal Tunnel Park. Park lo- Mile Creek aqueduct reconstruction is call (978) 970-5000. Visitors should cated at 25th & Union Canal Drive, now completed. arrive at the Visitor Center, 246 Market Lebanon, PA (North of Lebanon Val- Dinner Cruises leave from Sims Store Street at least 30 minutes before tour ley Mall). Narrated canal tours each aboard our spacious new Iroquois start time to buy tickets. Boat tours are Sunday, June through October 12:30 – (wheel chair accessible). While enjoy- on an open-topped boat; rain or shine. 4:00 p.m. $8/Adult, $4/Child (6 – 18). ing this scenic cruise, you'll be served a 978-970-5000; www.nps.gov/lowe/in- Children under age of 6 ride FREE. delicious meal of Prime Rib (alternative dex.htm, Facebook @lowell.NPS Weather Permitting. Group rides are menus of Stuffed Breast of Chicken and offered for parties with a minimum of Vegetable Primavera with Red Sauce 10. Tours should be scheduled at least are available upon request at the time of PENNSYLVANIA 2 weeks in advance. Please contact the your reservation). This cruise will travel Josiah White II operates on the Le- Historical Society at office@LCHSo- from Sims Store towards route 173 and high Canal in Hugh Moore Park, ciety.org or call 717-272-1473 to make back, passing over the Aqueduct. Easton, PA. The park is also home your reservation. www.lebanoncounty- Reservations required for Dinner Cruis- National Canal Museum, which in- historicalsociety.org/canal-tunnel es. Please call Vickie at 315- 487-7895 terprets the history, science, and tech- to make your reservations. 5750 Devoe nology of canal construction and navi- Road, Camillus, NY 13031; gation, through exhibits and hands-on MARYLAND 315-488-3409 activities. 2018 hours: www.eriecanalcamillus.com. June 2–June 10 Saturday–Sunday Facebook: Camillus Erie Canal Park Experience the C&O Canal of the June 13–Sept. 30 Wednesday –Sunday 1920’s at the Williamsport Visitor Oct. 6–Oct. 28 Saturday–Sunday Center. The Visitor Center itself is Nov.3–Dec.23 Saturday–Sunday an historic building that pre-dates the (Museum Only) building of the canal. You can borrow Opening Hours 11:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m a bike and explore the downstream Boats at 12:00, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 p.m. section of the canal towpath, watch General Admission (includes canal the restoration of the Conococheague boat ride and museum admission) Aqueduct, visit the historic Trolley Adults: $12 Children (3-15): $9 Barn, or walk down to Lockhouse 44. Ontario – www.eriecanalcamillus.com Seniors: $11 Children under 3: Free More information about things to do Family Pack (2 Adults & up to 3 Chil- at the park can be found at www.nps. MASSACHUSETTS dren): $39 gov/choh/index.htm. In addition to the 45-minute cruises, Free launch boat tours run Memorial Lowell National Historical Park we also offer special longer cruis- Day through Labor Day. Discover ca- offers a wide variety of tours and es throughout the season including nal structures and their functions that programs throughout the year. Tours themed dinner cruises with live enter- made the C&O a water highway, while themes include Working the Water- tainment. also learning about lives of the people boat, Engineering Innovation, and that worked on and along the canal Visit our website at www.canals.org. Transforming Landscapes. during a one hour boat trip. Tours 2750 Hugh Moore Park Road, Easton, Boat tours are $12 for adults, $10 for PA 18042; 610-923-3548. seniors (62+), $8 for students (age twitter.com/DLHeritage 6–16), and free for children 5 and un- Facebook @DelawareandLehigh der. Spaces for tours, especially for www.instagram.com/dl_trail/ boat tours, are limited and reservations
C&O Canal Launch Boat – Photo Courtesy of the National Park Service
Lowell National Historical Park - Courtesy NPS Josiah White II – www.canals.org 5 leave from the Williamsport Visitor Canal, Trent-Severn Waterway and the Center, 205 West Potomac Street, GEORGIA St Lawrence River in the 1,000 Islands. Williamsport, MD 21795. Tours run Explore Augusta Canal on a guid- Thanks to Bob Sears, President, Cana- Wednesday-Friday at 1:00 and 2:30, ed Petersburg Boat tour of the Au- dian Canal Society, for his assistance Saturday and Sunday at 10:30, 1:00, gusta Canal National Heritage Area. in updating this section. and 2:30. Inclement weather cancels. Well-informed, entertaining guides Reservations are recommended and narrate the open-air trips, highlighting Canada Overnight Cruises can be made up to 7 days in advance the area’s history and abundant wild- at the Visitor Center or by calling 301- life. Departures several times dai- St. Lawrence Cruise Lines – The Ca- 582-0813. ly, Tues. through Sat in summer and nadian Empress provides a selection More information is available at www. winter, 7-days-week in spring and fall. of tours ranging from 5 to 8 days. nps.gov/choh/planyourvisit/williams- Full schedule at augustacanal.com or Points of departure/destinations are port-launch-boat-program.htm. call 706-823-0440 Kingston, Ottawa, Montreal and Que- ***************** Augusta Canal National Heritage bec City. The Charles F. Mercer, a reproduction Area, 1450 Greene Street, Augusta, 800-267-7868; 613-549-8091; packet boat that normally operates at Georgia 30901; 706-823-0440; [email protected] the Great Falls Tavern Visitor Center www.augustacanal.com. St. Lawrence Cruise Lines Inc., Suite of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Facebook @AugustaCanalNHA 200, 253 Ontario Street, Kingston, National Historical Park, is not in Ont, Canada K7L 2Z4; operation during 2018. An extensive www.stlawrencerivercruise.com project to restore and improve the *************** waterway of the C&O Canal is un- Ontario Waterway Cruises – The derway, and will improve the boating Kawartha Lakes and the Severn Riv- experience when it is completed. Plan er are very busy in the summer with to visit Great Falls in 2019 to see the a wide range of boaters, due to their restored waterway and ride the boat. proximity to the greater Toronto area. Petersburg Canal Cargo Boat Kawartha Voyageur cruises showcase a VIRGINIA – Courtesy of Rebecca Rogers, great diversity of engineering, includ- Augusta Canal Authority ing the Peterborough Lift Lock, the Join the Richmond Canal Cruises for Kirkfield Lift Lock, and the Big Chute a 40-minute, historically narrated tour ONTARIO AND QUEBEC, Marine Railway. Of the 22 locks we of the James River and Kanawha CANADA travel through, some are manually op- Canal along Richmond’s Canal Walk. erated “heritage” locks and others are Boats depart on the hour from the There are two types of cruises, over- night, and daytime. Daytime cruises modern hydraulic locks built to service Turning Basin on Virginia Street be- the areas of heavier boat traffic. tween 14th and Dock, April & Novem- may offer sightseeing, lunch or dinner, or sunset cruises. As not all prices and The Rideau Canal offers a time cap- ber, Friday–Sunday; May–September, sule of quiet history as it was on com- Monday–Sunday; October, Thursday– timings were current as this was com- pletion in 1832. Of the 35 locks we Sunday. Adults: $8; Children (5-12): piled we have chosen to not list that travel through, all but 3 are construct- $6; Seniors (65 years and older): $6 information. Therefore, we encourage ed of hand-cut stone and are manually Children under 4: Free. you to either check the appropriate web- operated by the lock staff. The Rideau www.venturerichmond.com/experi- site, or call ahead. Besides the cruises Canal was designated as a UNESCO ence/canal/rides.html; listed there are also harbour cruises in World Heritage Site in 2007. Facebook @venture.richmond Hamilton and Toronto. There are nu- 800-649-2800; 804-788-6466. merous cruises through the Thousand On the southern portion of the Islands in the St Lawrence River, and Trent-Severn Waterway, between there are departures available from Kingston, Gananoque, Rockport and Brockville. There are cruises not listed that are available on the Niagara River and around Georgian Bay, check with the local Tourist Information Office. If your preference is to be at the helm yourself there are a number of boat James River and Kanawha Canal – www.venture- St. Lawrence Cruise Lines – www.stlawren- richmond.com and houseboat options on the Rideau cerivercruise.com 6 Peterborough and Trenton, there are 19 Trent System on the Severn River into of the oldest publicly owned hydro- locks, including the large flight locks at Sparrow Lake. Includes continental electric power dam in the world, the Healey Falls and Ranney Falls. breakfast and hot lunch buffet. Free fabulous reflections in the Black River The popular sailing waters of the Bay coffee all day. Experience fall’s splen- Gorge, and viewing the edge of the of Quinte, Long Reach, and the North dour on board the Island Princess. No Great Canadian Shield. We may com- Channel are for the most part protected children, please. bine our journey with a beverage stop from Lake Ontario by Prince Edward Orillia Boat Cruises. PO Box 2207, or a picnic lunch at a historic log cab- County and Amherst Island. And there Orillia, ON L3V 6S1, Canada; 705- in. The boat is yours for a reasonable is the incredible beauty of the Thou- 325-2628. www.obcruise.com; hourly rate and a maximum of three sand Islands in the St. Lawrence River. [email protected] passengers. The trips get you into the So which cruise should you take first? *************** beautiful small locations that the big Let timing be your guide, and we are Stoney Lake Boat Cruises offers boats can't get into. confident you will return later for the scenic cruises on Stoney Lake in the OTHER CRUISES: The Black River other two. Office Hours: Monday to Kawartha Lakes region of Ontario. in-depth cruise or the Lower Severn Friday 9 to 4:30. Phone monitored until Cruise aboard the Kawartha Spirit, River Cruise with fabulous views of 8 p.m. on boarding days. 800-561-5767 the largest Canadian Coast Guard-ap- Wasdell Falls, locking through Lock www.ontariowaterwaycruises.com proved vessel serving the Kawarthas, 42, picnic lunch at Washago Centen- with a capacity of 200. Join us as we nial Park (Lake Couchiching), or to Canada Daytime Cruises cruise this picturesque lake winding Sparrow Lake with lunch at Bayview through the narrow channels amidst Wildwood Resort...and so much more. Lift Lock Cruises. Cruise the Trent- some of the many islands. Enjoy Contact and discuss with captain, Al- Severn Waterway and experience the breathtaking scenery while viewing bert T. Reitsma at 705-689-0066, Peterborough Lift Lock. Mid-May to palatial waterfront homes and quaint [email protected]. mid-October. Check the website for island cottages A live commentary times. Two-hour, narrated sightseeing *************** provides the fascinating history and Muskoka Lakes Navigation Com- cruises aboard the Island Princess, pany–Hop aboard the RMS Seg- a double-deck replica side-wheel- local points of interest in this beauti- wun, the oldest operating steamship er, lunch, dinner and cocktail cruises ful area. Lunch and Dinner Cruises are in North America. Enjoy the mod- available. also offered. For more information: 800-461-1946 or 705-654-5253 ern conveniences blended with his- 888-535-4670; www.kawarthalakescruises.com, torical charm aboard Wenonah II. [email protected], info@kawarthalakescruises www.liftlockcruises.com. *************** Washago Cruise Lines, cruising the historic Severn River in beauti- ful Muskoka. Board our 60-year-old vessel for a unique voyage on the his- toric Black, Green, and Severn river systems. The Piratos is driven by a
quiet 4-stroke engine and can be cov- Wenonah II – realmuskoka.com/muskoka- Peterborough Lift Lock ered upon request. Our journey may steamships/ www.liftlockcruises.com include The Old Mill, the confluence *************** of the Black and Green rivers, the site Orillia Boat Cruises. We offer sight- seeing, lunch and dinner cruises. Join us in the fall for our All-day Fall Col- or Cruise: This 6½- hour cruise sails from the Orillia Town Dock on Lake Couchiching, through Lock 42, up the
RMS Segwum – realmuskoka.com/muskoka- Island Princess – www.obcruise.com Piratos – Washago Cruise Lines steamships/ 7 Offering sightseeing, lunch, and din- Ontario Waterway Cruises – The The Rideau King, a fifty-foot steel ner cruising June through October, Kawartha Lakes and the Severn Riv- tour boat, sails Monday–Thursday this is the real Muskoka experience. er are very busy in the summer with every week between Ottawa, Mer- Muskoka Steamships, 185 Cherokee a wide range of boaters, due to their rickville and Westport, Ontario on the Lane, Gravenhurst, Ontario P1P 1Z9. proximity to the greater Toronto area. historic Rideau Canal. Constructed For information on reservations and Kawartha Voyageur cruises showcase a in the early 1800s, the Rideau Canal cruises, please call us toll-free at 866- great diversity of engineering, includ- has served Canadians as a military, 687-6667 or 705-687-6667 or info@ ing the Peterborough Lift Lock, the commercial, and vacation thorough- realmuskoka.com. (This address is Kirkfield Lift Lock, and the Big Chute fare for almost 200 years. Recently monitored regularly only May through Marine Railway. Of the 22 locks we designated a World Heritage Site, the October.) travel through, some are manually op- Rideau Canal stretches from Kings- (Bob Sears, President, Canadian Canal erated “heritage” locks and others are ton to Ottawa. Take our tour and dis- Society highly recommends the dinner modern hydraulic locks built to service cover one of the most beautiful and cruise, take the second seating and the the areas of heavier boat traffic. scenic waterways in North America. table is yours until the boat docks.) The Rideau Canal offers a time cap- Friday through Sunday, the Ride- www.realmuskoka.com/index.html. sule of quiet history as it was on com- au King is host to personal charters pletion in 1832. Of the 35 locks we like weddings, anniversaries, birth- *************** travel through, all but 3 are construct- days and corporate events. This is a The Paula D is the ideal sightseeing ed of hand-cut stone and are manually daylong trip and the price includes a venue. The tourist has the choice of operated by the lock staff. The Rideau motor coach return to your vehicle. seeing the scenery of Ottawa from the Canal was designated as a UNESCO Contact us by phone anytime be- open-air environment of the upper deck World Heritage Site in 2007. tween 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. EDT 1-613- or relaxing with elbows on the tables of 269-9342; Rideau King Tours, P.O. the roomy lower deck, where passen- Box 201, Merrickville, Ontario, Can- gers will find our bar and canteen. The ada K0G 1N0; [email protected]; cruise offers you the view of the city www.rideaukingtours.com. as it was first conceived with the river as its main highway and resource. You will also see the natural beauty of the region that captured the imagination of the first European explorer, Samuel Kawartha Voyageur – www.ontariowaterway cruises.com de Champlain. Boat departs daily from two locations, Ottawa and Gatineau On the southern portion of the Trent- (Hull). Paul’s Boat Lines Limited is Severn Waterway, between Peterbor- Rideau King – www.rideaukingtours.com ough and Trenton, there are 19 locks, Ottawa’s premiere sightseeing venue, Be Your Own Skipper. This year Le offering quality sightseeing cruises on including the large flight locks at Healey Falls and Ranney Falls. Boat, Europe's largest self-hire boat the historic Ottawa River. company is establishing a base in The popular sailing waters of the Bay www.paulsboatcruises.com/ottawa_ Smiths Falls, Ontario. From this cen- of Quinte, Long Reach, and the North riv.htm; office: 613-225-6781; dock: tral location you can cruise north to Channel are for the most part protected 613-235-8409; [email protected] Ottawa or south to Kingston. Shorter from Lake Ontario by Prince Edward trips can be made to Merrickville or 219 Colonnade Road, Ottawa, ON County and Amherst Island. And there Westport. 800-734-5491, K2E 7K3 is the incredible beauty of the Thou- www.leboat.ca/en. sand Islands in the St. Lawrence River. So which cruise should you take first? *************** Let timing be your guide, and we are The Lachine Canal Cruise, Montre- confident you will return later for the al. Starting from the Jacques-Cartier other two. Office Hours: Monday to Basin in the Old Port of Montreal, ride Friday 9 to 4:30. 800-561-5767; Le Petit Navire on a tour that will give www.ontariowaterwaycruises.com you a unique, original, specialized, and accessible experience. Two-hour cruises are during July and August. 514-602-1000. [email protected] Paula D – www.paulsboatcruises.com or www.lepetitnavire.ca/en/balade_la- chine.html 8