Contact Info
Erie Canal Cruises
Jerry Gertz
800 Mohawk Street
Herkimer, NY 13350
Phone: (315)717-0350
Fax: (315) 866-5989
Contact via Email
Visit our Website
Photo Tour
Our Website
Click below to visit our Website
Services
- Relaxing 90 minute cruise on calm water
- cruise on the historic Erie Canal
- award winning narration (Rand McNally)
- onsite free parking
- full service restaurant on site
- unique 70 store boutique gift shop
- fabulous jewelry shopping
- group (25 min) discounts available
Fundraisers We Support
- Autism
- Cancer
Hours of Operation
Cruises are 7 days a week, rain or shine at 1 pm and 3 pm.
About Us
You can't turn back time, but you can take a trip through history while enjoying the spectacular scenery and attractions of upstate New York. Traveling through the Mohawk Valley (Adirondacks) you can cruise the historic Erie Canal on board one of Erie Canal Cruises' tour boats, the Lil' Diamond's. Captains Chrissie, Jerry or John are excellent "edutainers" and you'll hear about the legends and history of the Canal from its beginnings in 1817 to its current role today as a "yacht highway". Hear the story of an extemely popular cruise called the "Great Circle Cruise" that brings hundreds of yachts annually to the Erie Canal. They come from all over the world to attempt that cruise which is the longest circumnavigation that can be made in the United States. The cruise typically take 6-8 months to complete and is almost 6,000 miles long.
Lil' Diamond's cruises originate at " Gems Along the Mohawk", an offical New York Visitor Center located directly at Exit 30 of the NYS Thruway. "Gems" has an unique 70 store boutique type gift shop (marvelous jewelry) and a great restaurant, the "Waterfront Grille"--right on the Erie Canal and Mohawk River.
Cruises depart daily at 1 pm and 3 pm and are 90 minutes long. Costs are $18. for adults and $12 for children aged 3-10.
Located only 35 short minutes from Cooperstown via Route 28 North to 800 Mohawk St. (Route 28) in Herkimer, NY, 13350. The drive from Cooperstown is one of upstate New York's most scenic routes and takes you past hills, valleys, farms and lakes.
Your cruise goes past the second oldest surviving church New York State and then into Lock 18. Lock 18 is a marvel at 100 years old and still operating flawlessly with all orginal equipment. Once inside the lock the upper gates are closed and the vessel is lowered twenty feet. Lock 18 is a super smooth "liquid elevator"---so smooth in fact, that if you're not paying attention you won't even notice that the vessel has begun being lowered. Once down, the lower gates are opened and the vessel departs the lock into the scenic Mohawk River. After a short trip in the river, the vessel reenters the lock and is raised twenty feet.
The amazing Erie Canal, along with it's three sister canals, are still fully operational today and now are part of our countries 23rd National Heritage Corridor, which guarantgees this amazing canal system will be preserved for future generations to enjoy.
Kids get to pilot the vessel and earn a "Guest Captains" license.
Come cruise with us--you will not be disappointed. Reservations are strongly suggested.
Call 315-717-0350 for reservations or more information.
Our Social Networks/Blogs