SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — The Seneca River and Onondaga Lake has a deep history in central New York. Yet many residents have not been on these waters themselves. As Syracuse Boat Tours enters its second season, it aims to bring them to the water in a fun way.
“It’s a ride through history in so many ways, and it’s the story. The lake, to me, is a story of resilience and resurgence,” said owner Annette Peters.
The boat company offers a happy hour, family, sunset, and trivia tours. New this summer is the addition of Erie Canal and Lock 24 historical tours, just in time to celebrate the 200th year of the Erie Canal.
“The canal system is like a little golden nugget that a lot of people don’t know about. It’s always calm and serene, just being on the water,” said Master Captain Mark Wiencke.
This allows central New Yorkers to ride along the waterways that built this area’s history. In the 1800s, steamboats brought crowds to these shorelines, once home to popular attractions like the Iron Pier amusement park.
Now, Peters is looking to do the same, offering a boat ride to the Beach Boys concert at the Empower FCU at Lakeview on June 29.
“Now we’ve got an amusement venue on the lake, with the Lakeview Amphitheater,” said Peters. “And we’ve got a shuttle taking you there, we are coming full circle.”
For some, it’s a boat ride. For others, it’s a chance to see a side of Central New York they’ve never explored before.
VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Syracuse Boat Tours expands in second season, highlights Erie Canal history
Jill Schumacher: While it’s only Syracuse Boat Tours’ second summer on the water, this tour can take you along the 200-year-old history of the Erie Canal. With a scenic ride on the Seneca River or Onondaga Lake, offering history, happy hour, trivia, and sunset tours.
Mark Wiencke: The canal system is like a little golden nugget that a lot of people don’t know about. It’s always calm and serene, and just being on the water.
Schumacher: Adding the tour of Lock 24 in Baldwinsville allows central New Yorkers and tourists to connect with New York’s history. In the 1800s, this shore was a huge tourist draw by steamboat shuttling people to attractions like the iron pier amusement park. Now owner, Annette Peters, is ready to make it a tourist destination once again.
Annette Peters: Now we’ve got an amusement venue on the lake. You can ride it with the Lakeview Amphitheater. And we’ve got a shuttle taking you there. We are coming full circle.
Schumacher: While Peters says they are still a bit of a hidden gem, they are excited to show the beauty of this lake.
Peters: It’s a ride through history in so many ways, and it’s the story. The lake, to me, is a story of resilience and resurgence.
Schumacher: After starting with smaller themed rides last summer, Peters has upgraded to a bigger boat to keep up with demand. Now in its second season, the cruise offers a mix of trips from bicentennial celebrations to casual happy hours, giving people in CNY more ways to enjoy the water. Jill Schumacher, NCC News.