Blount Small Ship Adventures, Erie Canal Cruise

Blount Small Ship Adventures can take you to places that no other cruise line can go. This year in celebration of the 200th Anniversary of the construction of the Erie Canal they will be sailing 8 times through the Canal. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience something very special.   

With ports of call including Oswego, Buffalo, Sylvan Beach, Amsterdam and Troy, the opportunity to travel with less than 100 guest on board could best be described as “Cruising on your friends Yacht”  Taking a cruise with Blount Small Ship Adventures will amaze all your senses, from the fine dining, to the casual atmosphere, that one will experience any one of the itineraries’ available on Blount will not disappoint!

The Great American Waterways Cruise and the Lock’s Legends & Canals of the Northeast are the two cruises that Blount is offering in 2017 that include ports within the Erie Canal Corridor. 

For all the information on experiencing a Blount Small Ship Adventure Cruise visit their web site

Blount Small Ship Adventures is a supporter of the NYS Canal System and an ongoing member of Canal NY. The only private sector organization dedicated to the promotion of the Canal System and the businesses within the Canal Corridor.

The USS Slater begins her 20th year afloat in Albany NY

The USS Slater is open to the public for the ship’s 20the season. Since she first arrived in Albany, the USS Slater has been described as one of the best restored, most historically accurate World War II ships in the world. A National Historic Landmark, the USS Slater is the only remaining World War II Destroyer Escort afloat today in the US.

Destroyer Escorts originally were designed to battle Nazi U-Boats while escorting conveys across the Atlantic. There versatility proved useful in the Pacific defending task forces from Kamikaze attacks. Numerous Destroyer Escorts continued to serve during the Korean and Vietnam wars. The current US Navy Fleet’s Frigates are descendants of these small ships.

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2017 Navigation Schedule on the Erie Canal

The NYS Canal Corporation has just released the schedule for the 2017 Navigation Season.

 

Mariners are advised that, conditions permitting, all portions of the New York State Canal System are scheduled to open Friday, May 19, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. for the 2017 navigation season.

Additionally, in commemoration of the bicentennial of the start of Erie Canal construction in 1817, there will be no tolls or fees for recreational use of the Canal System in 2017.

The hours of operation for the 2017 season are as follows:

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The Erie Canal Museum

As we begin on our path through the bi-centennial celebration you don’t want to miss out on a visit to the Erie Canal Museum. The museum is located at 318 Erie Blvd. East in Syracuse, collects and preserves Canal material, and provides engaging educational experiences that champion an appreciation and understanding of the Erie Canal’s transforming effects on the past, present and future.

The museum sits within the only remaining weigh lock building in the United States. When the Erie Canal Museum opened its doors on October 25th, 1962 it celebrated and preserved the life of this building

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Brewery Tour of Central New York

                Welcome to central New York! We’ve got lots of great activities planned for you, so let’s hit the ground running.

Day One: Your first stop is the No Excuses Tour of downtown Syracuse. This tour will deliver an engaging, fun experience. You will explore the history, architecture and food of downtown Syracuse. Your second stop is the Empire Brewing Company to enjoy some light fare and a beer tasting. The Empire Brewing Company doesn’t just make great tasting beers and ales – they also believe in the idea of “Eat Where You Live” and really go the extra mile towards sustainability via composting, using green products, and recycling. Next, you’ll visit Clark Reservation State Park. Formed during the last ice age, the park features almost every geological feature you can think of- cliffs, meadows, woodlands, and a glacial plunge basin lake. All that hiking works up an appetite! A trip to the Syracuse Suds Factory will help take the edge off with some dinner and local craft beer. After dinner, you’ll visit The Funny Bone to take in a comedy show to end your first day with a laugh. You’ll be staying at the Jefferson Clinton Hotel, another locally owned eco-friendly business.

                A good night’s sleep leaves you ready for day 2 at a local hotel, B&B, Inn or air B&B of your choice. After a morning of time on your own, you’ll be ready for lunch at Modern Malt, a unique spin on the classic American diner. You’ll need some fortification before your afternoon activity – hiking with llamas! The llamas will carry some snacks and drinks to enjoy at the end of the trail. Llamas notwithstanding, hiking is thirsty work. A stop at the Beak and Skiff, a local cider distillery, will quench your thirst with some fresh cider. You might want to try a fresh apple cider donut – one of the tastiest treats in the world.

                Now you’re off to Utica! First, you’ll visit the Chittenango Landing Dry Dock Complex for some bike riding along the Old Erie Canalway. All that fresh air and pedaling will get you ready for dinner at The Tailor and The Cook, Utica’s premier farm-to-table restaurant (you’ll want to try the Jones Family Farm Cheesecake!). You’ll be staying at the Rosemont Inn, an immaculately restored Italianate B&B in the heart of Utica. After a delicious home-made breakfast, it’s time to hit the trail at the local arboretum, the Hamilton College Root Glen Arboretum. Started by the distinguished local Root family, this garden has grown since 1850 into the masterpiece you see today, owned by Hamilton College and featuring 65 species of trees, shrubs and flowers. Lunch will be served at the Nail Creek Pub & Brewery, serving craft beer since 2008.

                Speaking of beer, you’ll be visiting the FX Matt Brewing Company in the afternoon. Family owned since 1888, it’s the fourth oldest family-owned brewery in the United States. After a tour of the brewery and a pint in the 1888 Tavern, it’s a quick walk across the street to ADK Distilling for a tour and a tasting of ADK Vodka – an international award winner! Next you’ll visit Woodland Beer, a hop farm and craft brewery in Marcy, NY. Enjoy some pints or flights and visit the on-location food trucks for a fun end to a busy day. We know you’ll remember this as a vacation of a lifetime in Central New York!

For more information on this tour or many more like it contact:

Lori Solomon

Van Tourism Specialists

(518) 322-2067

2596 Edgewood Ave. Schenectady NY 12306

 

 

               

Boating on the Erie Canal

Whether you’re in a kayak, 50’ cruiser or anything in-between you will find a unique boating experience on the Erie Canal. With 55 locks, 16 lift bridges, more than 60 communities all on the 524 miles of navigable waterway that make up the Erie Canal System. A boat trip on the Erie is something you won’t soon forget. Whether you plan your trip to last a day, week or month the Erie will not disappoint.

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