You may think you know the Empire State. You've walked the streets, wined and dined, visited the museums...but this is an experience you may not have had! The Sam Patch cruise down the Erie Canal will let you experience the canal in an all-new way. You'll be able to relive history by taking a tour of the canal in a replica boat just like those used centuries ago.
The Erie Canal is one of the most impressive engineering projects to ever exist. It's no exaggeration at all to say that it made New York the powerhouse of business and politics that it is today.
The idea of constructing a canal was first proposed in the 1780s. After much debate and planning, the canal was finally opened for use in 1825. It cut transportation costs by 95 percent. In its heyday, it saw more than 30,000 freight shipments a year.
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While the canal does see some commercial traffic today, it is mostly used for recreational boating.
A tour on the Sam Patch Cruise allows you to ride on a replica of an 18th-century packet boat. Packet boats were narrow ships used to transport passengers, mail, and small freight through canals.
You'll see the beautiful sights of the canal on this 1.5-hour tour. You'll travel through several towns and see some of the many birds that call the canal area home.
On the tour, you'll have the unique experience of traveling through a lock. The canal features 36 locks, a few of which are among the steepest in the world.
Tour guides will provide facts about the importance of the Erie Canal and its history. This is a fun and educational experience you won't want to miss!
For more information about the Sam Patch cruise, check out their website. Erie Canal enthusiasts also won't want to miss the Chittenango Landing Canal Boat Museum in Chittenango.
Take A Trolley Tour Of Glen Falls, New York, Then Explore The Historic District Along Lake George
Glen Falls and Lake George in upstate New York offer a charming getaway with scenic beauty, historic sites, and various activities including a vintage trolley tour.
Glen Falls in upstate New York is a scenic town near Lake George. Rich in history, it's known as a getaway spot primed for enjoying the natural riches of the area and the retro resort feel of the town's surrounding lake: Lake George. A wonderful way to explore the area is via the aptly named Lake George Trolley route. Come along as we explore this exciting scenic town and all it has to offer:
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Start your exploration of the area with a trolley tour around Glen Falls and Lake George.
You might think this vintage style trolley is a tourist attraction, but it's actually the public transit system of the area. That's a great example of how charming this region is.
During your trolley ride you'll get a sense of the scenic beauty of the Lake George area.
...consider touring one of the historic homes in the Lake region. These tours are packed with intel about the rich history of the area.
In the charming region of Glen Falls and Lake George in upstate New York, a trolley tour feels as natural as grabbing an ice cream cone from a vintage truck. Get a sense of the area on the public transit trolley and then pick a spot on the beach to savor the rest of your stay!
Have you ever embarked upon the Lake George Trolley route? If so, what was your favorite part? Would you agree that it is one of the most fun things to do in New York? We'd love to read about your experience in the comments section below!
For more upstate New York adventures, check out this article about the famous Amish Flea Market.
If you’re still in the mood for more Empire State adventures, take a look at this video:
Over the last several years, rail biking has become an increasingly popular attraction that we've seen pop up in places all around the country. Little do some New Yorkers realize, there are rail bike rides right here in the Empire State! Open for the year and officially taking reservations, now's the time to plan a trip to ride the rails along this scenic railroad up north in the Adirondack Mountains.
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Looking for "railbikes near me?" If you find yourself in New York, Adirondack Scenic Rail Bikes is one of the all-time best biking adventures to hit New York.
With only two other operating rail bikes in the state of New York, this ride is an exclusive one that's worth taking the drive to Thendara for!
During this rail biking adventure, you'll have the unique opportunity to get a look at secluded areas of the Adirondacks that not everyone has access to.
No matter which rail biking tour you choose, you'll find yourself crossing over rivers, viewing wildlife, and biking through the serene Adirondack forests that will leave you in awe.
When it comes to riding the rails with Adirondack Scenic Rail Bikes, you'll have quite a few different options to choose from.
Each rail bike seats four people, which means that you can bring three other friends or family members along for the ride with you or share your experience with another party of fellow adventurers! Appealing to the masses, you'll find everyone from biking enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers to history buffs and those looking to try something new biking along the Adirondack Scenic Railroad.
Combining the best of both worlds, you can choose to take on a full-day adventure that includes both riding the train along the Adirondack Scenic Railroad twice in one day and riding the rails with the bikes.
If you're ready to spend an entire day taking on an outdoor adventure, then this choice is for you! With the Railbiking & Scenic Train Package you'll need to set aside at least 9 hours of your day.
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With the Railbiking & Scenic Train Package, you'll board the train in Utica and ride to Thendara - where you'll then get out and ride the rail bikes.
After biking away from Thendara on a one-way adventure, you'll find a Railcar Transporter waiting for you to take you back to the train station for the last leg of your trip. Two train rides and a rail biking adventure all in one day? This is one epic package.
If you're looking to keep things more simple, you can also opt for their Roundtrip or One-Way Railbiking Tours. You can choose to leave from Thendara and ride to the Carter Station or vice versa.
Out of all the packages that the Adirondack Scenic Rail Bikes offer, their One-Way from Thendara is the most popular of all. Both One-Way packages will take up an hour and a half of your time and will have you biking a total of 6 miles. If you decide to take on the Round-Trip Package, you can expect things to take 3 and a half hours long and will include a stop at the Carter Station where you can enjoy a break before heading back.
If you've been eager to ride the rails in New York, then consider spending the day up north with Adirondack Scenic Rail Bikes!
So, what else should you know about the Adirondack Scenic Rail Bikes? Well, everything's actually pretty simple! For these adventures, you'll want to wear comfortable clothes, take plenty of breaks, keep your body inside the bike, and never get off the bike unless it's come to a full stop. To find out more and to make your reservation, visit the official Adirondack Scenic Rail Bikes website.
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If you're ready to take on more Adirondack adventures, then read about how the longest float trip in New York is a bucket-list-worthy adventure you won't want to miss out on.
Catch a glimpse of what makes the Adirondack Mountains so spectacular when you watch the picturesque drone footage below:
