“Roadtrip!” Fairport, NY is An Upstate Gem Along the Erie Canal!

We love the Erie Canal.  Not only the canal itself, but all the small, wonderful communities that line the canal from the Capital District to Buffalo.

Someone recently asked us which canal town did we think was the best?  Boy, that was a hard one.  So many to choose from.  We love Lockport, and have written about it in these pages several times before.  The canal, the "Flight of Five," the busy Main Street, the underground cave tour, the museums, the history that is around every corner here.  Yes, Lockport was definitely a contender.

As was Brockport.  College town, great little canal waterfront, nice places to eat and explore.  "The Victorian Village on the Erie Canal" they call it.  Check out the mansions around the neighborhoods and you will see why.

But, ultimately we decided to name Fairport, NY as our favorite.  Small, historic, and they have done a magnificent job of keeping their canal area beautiful. It is no wonder that more than 600 canal boats stop in Fairport each year.

They have a 120-year old lift bridge over the canal (yes, in one mighty heave the bridge lifts up vertically), they have fun events (check out Canal Days Festival), and more than enough to give a visitor a satisfying and full day of adventure.

So, here is to you Fairport, in our opinion the "fairest of them all."

See the story below for details and photos.