The history of northern New York is tied into the Erie Canal, one of the most important construction projects in American history – and in Niagara County, people flood to a fascinating attraction. No, not those iconic falls – think lower. The Erie Canal is controlled by a series of locks which raise and lower ships, and part of that system includes a man-made cave system underneath it in the town of Lockport, New York. Now you can enter this mysterious canal spillway, well over a century old, for a one-of-a-kind underground hike in New York.

Welcome to Lockport, NY - one of the central locations of the Erie Canal where countless boats travel. It's a modern city - but there is a lot of history in those locks.
Dang22391/TripAdvisor
In the 1800s, not long after the canal was constructed, a hydraulic raceway was built underneath the canal as a way to supply water to local industries.
Micheleemtp/TripAdvisor
It still exists today -- but it's no longer needed for its original purpose. And when that happens, there's only one thing to do!
TryppAdams/TripAdvisor
Turn it into a tourist attraction! The Lockport Cave is now one of upstate New York's most intriguing underground destinations.
Jpips6/TripAdvisor

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Guided tours of the caves are available for less than $30 for adults, and reduced rates are available for kids.
Hotel-Hopper/TripAdvisor
As you explore the mysterious tunnels, you'll see that they no longer feel like industrial paths -- there's something that feels ancient here.
Management/TripAdvisor
Many ghost stories have been told about the tunnel, and rumors persist of a sealed-off natural cave nearby.
Off_Beaten_Tracker/TripAdvisor
It's the perfect Halloween adventure in Niagara county, because who knows what surprises are around every corner?
Raksha W/TripAdvisor
Each tour includes a boat ride into the locks for an up-close and personal look at these centuries-old passageways.
Janet K/TripAdvisor

Have you been to Lockport Cave for its unique boat ride and underground hike in New York? Let us know what you thought in the comments section. If you’re excited for your first trip, visit their website for ticket details. If you’re looking for another adventure in upstate New York, why not try an Albany ghost hunt?

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Featured Addresses
Lockport Cave & Under Ground Boat Ride, 5 Gooding St, Lockport, NY 14094, USA