Everybody Down to the Erie Canal Museum, 200 Years on the Erie Canal

A small replica boat on exhibit at the Erie Canal Museum in downtown Syracuse, New York.

Downtown Syracuse, New York is a fascinating destination, and a place where landmarks can be found around every corner. From the fountains at Clinton Square, panoramic views of downtown, the Romanesque architecture of City Hall, and the modern revitalization of historic buildings, Syracuse encapsulates a moment when craft and quality manifested itself through the arts, culture, cuisine, and experience of a magnificent city; and it is a magnificent city.

A painting of Downtown Syracuse when the Erie Canal still ran through the heart of the city. Replaced by Clinton Square, you can still learn about the canal’s history in Syracuse at the Erie Canal Museum.

In the exploration of Syracuse’s history, one will find that once upon a time the Erie Canal ran directly through the downtown core, but was redirected around the years 1916 or 1917. The year 2025 is the bicentennial celebration of the completion of the Erie Canal, so it seemed like the optimal time to talk about a cultural landmark in Downtown Syracuse, the Erie Canal Museum.

Since opening in 1962, the museum has been educating travelers, students, and museum goers alike about the extensive policies, strategies, and stories that led to the creation of the canal, including the technological advancements that came from it, and the prosperity that was built in the Empire State because of it.

A replica of theater can be found at the Erie Canal Museum in Downtown Syracuse, and acts as a time capsule or window into the olden days of U.S. cities.

The Erie Canal Museum in a ways is a subtle destination. If you’re walking along Montgomery Street, you might miss it if you’re not paying close enough attention. The abundance of buildings, local eateries, and brewpubs in the surrounding area are eye-catching, so maintaining your eye on the prize will benefit in the quest of finding the museum.

Once you have arrived, you’ll notice that the exterior of the old brick building is encompassed by murals depicting old-timey Syracuse, and life on the Erie Canal— you are now near the entrance of the museum. The outside is unassuming and quaint as expected, but rest assured like all good things it’s what’s on the inside that truly counts. There are hundreds if not thousands of artifacts to explore at the museum, and much to learn about this waterway constructed in segments and commissioned by the New York State Legislature in 1817.

The museum operates on a pay-what-you-wish basis, but recommends $12 per person. While the immersive experience at the museum is self-guided, the docents are enthusiastic about the local legends, and lore. Spark up a discussion, and you might find yourself down an Erie Canal rabbit hole. Honestly, what better way is there to celebrate 200 years on the Erie Canal than at the Erie Canal Museum?

Syracuse legend, and American folk music icon, Elizabeth Cotton’s guitar and story displayed in an exhibit at the museum.