90-Minute Pittsford Lock 32 Cruise

Erie Canal Lock 32 Cruise runs through Rochester By Water. Rated 4.4 across 180 reviews. Runs 90 minutes. From $30.

Overview

Sam Patch pushes off from the dock at 12 Schoen Place, in the village of Pittsford, and spends 90 minutes on the Erie Canal. The route includes a passage through Lock 32, a working lock, while live narration tells the story of the waterway and of the scheme many called foolish before it grew into the engineering project that opened the American West.

The flow of the trip is simple. Travellers check in at the ticket booth, climb three steps from the dock, and settle in as the boat casts off. Commentary runs in English the whole way, mixing canal history with the scenery along the banks. The operator opens the cruise to all ages, children under 14 with an adult, and the outing takes a tidy slice of the day rather than all of it.

The boat belongs to Rochester By Water, the nonprofit formerly called Corn Hill Navigation, which has run cruises on Rochester's waterways for more than 30 years. Beer, wine, canned cocktails, soft drinks and snacks are sold on board, though outside food and drink are not permitted. There is no hotel pickup, so travellers make their own way to Pittsford and can use the signed parking spaces behind the Coal Tower Restaurant, arriving 15 to 30 minutes before departure because the boat leaves on schedule.

What's Included

Itinerary

1. Check in at Schoen PlaceHead to 12 Schoen Place in the village of Pittsford and check in at the ticket booth. Printed tickets are not required.
2. Board Sam PatchBoarding takes place from the dock and involves three steps up into the boat.
3. Cruise the canalThe boat travels along the Erie Canal while a live narrator covers its history and the scenery passes on both banks.
4. Pass through Lock 32Sam Patch enters and travels through Lock 32, a working lock on the Erie Canal.
5. End of the cruiseThe whole outing runs 90 minutes from the scheduled departure time.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical details shape the day, from the steps at the dock to the rules on food and drink.

• Arrive early. The operator asks travellers to arrive 15 to 30 minutes before departure. Pittsford gets busy on warm summer days, and every cruise departs promptly as scheduled.
• Where to park. Look for the spaces marked Sam Patch Parking in the alley at the back right of the Coal Tower Restaurant. If using a directions link from the confirmation email, the destination should read 12 Schoen Place, Pittsford.
• Boarding steps. Getting on board requires three steps. The operator recommends its other vessel, Riverie, when step-free entry is needed, and points to its accessibility page for details.
• Drinks and snacks. Beer, wine, canned cocktails, soft drinks and snacks are available to buy on board. County health rules prohibit outside food and beverages, so leave picnics and bottles ashore.
• Tickets for everyone. Every passenger needs a ticket, including children ages 3 and under, following Coast Guard regulations. Children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
• English commentary. Narration is live and given in English only. Travellers who need another language should plan for that limit before booking.

Common issues. The limits here are practical rather than dramatic. Boarding Sam Patch requires three steps, so the boat does not suit travellers who cannot manage them, and the operator points those visitors to its other vessel, Riverie. Outside food and drink are banned under Monroe County health regulations, and hotel pickup is not included, so everyone arranges their own transport to Pittsford. Departures are prompt, and a crowded village on a warm summer day can make late arrival risky.

Choosing Your Erie Canal Cruise