One of the wonderful things about living in Rochester is our close proximity to the Erie Canal. In the spring and fall its paved waterside trails provide a peaceful and serene running track, it’s rich history and beauty makes it a great place to take out-of-town visitors, it’s a grand spot for biking, strolling, fishing, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, or simply a little R&R, and in the summer boat cruises along the canal are an awesome way to unwind with the family, soak in some rays and a cool breeze with a peach margarita in hand, check out a lock, and learn more about the origins and history of the canal.
There are several cruising companies in and around the Rochester area, but we opted for the Colonial Belle out of Fairport because it cruises some of the most beautiful areas including Bushnell’s Basin and Pittsford, and it includes passage through Lock 32. I was also pleased with the open-air top deck for a nice breeze and great views, the unexpected onboard drink offerings, interesting historical and just-for-fun information about the canal voiced by the vessel’s captain throughout the cruise, a great folksy canal cruising soundtrack by a local musician (who sometimes plays and sings live onboard), and the themed cruises they offer including lunch and dinner cruises, murder mystery cruises, jazz and wine nights, parrot head, and fall foliage cruises. With a hunk of free time on a lovely Saturday afternoon, we booked the plain old 3-hour mid-afternoon lock cruise, which was a gorgeous and entirely relaxing way to spend a part of our weekend.
I would love to go again with some friends for either the parrot head or murder mystery cruise and then again with visiting family in the autumn for the fall foliage sunset dinner cruise! Who’s with me??
