Understand that the Erie Canal is located in the state of New York, moving west to east from Buffalo to Albany. There are 83 locks along the Erie Canal that help to move the water up, allowing ships and cargo to pass.
Decide how extensive you'd like your tour to be. A general tour of portions of the Erie Canal can be accomplished in 1 day, while an extended tour of the entire canal in New York can take a week or more.
Choose a starting point for your tour of the Erie Canal. Pick a place to start based on location and geography, or choose based on historical interest.
Realize the history of the Erie Canal and learn to explore it as you travel through New York. Upon completion, the Erie Canal was the greatest marvel of its time and created economic boom towns along the route throughout the state. The small towns along the canal have a deep history in farming and were key battle sites during the Revolutionary War before the construction of the Erie Canal.
Plan your tour of the Erie Canal yourself or have an experienced travel agent assist you. Automotive and travel clubs like AAA can offer tips for your tour and can help you create a travel plan, complete with maps and points of interest.
