13 Essential US Historical Journeys for Every American

11. Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor

Traveling the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor means following in the wake of innovation and ambition. This 363-mile waterway, linking Albany and Buffalo, powered the ascendance of New York City as a global center and helped catalyze the population growth of the American Midwest. Today, visitors enjoy a mosaic of historic locks, canal-side museums, boat tours, bike trails, and charming villages. Many travel between late spring and early fall, when canal town festivals and seasonal cruises are in full swing—double-check local opening dates to plan accordingly. The legacy of the Erie Canal is woven into its pastoral scenery, where bustling waters once carried immigrants, goods, and new ideas. Whether you pilot a rental boat or stroll along shaded towpaths, this journey offers a fresh perspective on how infrastructure, ingenuity, and risk-taking shaped American society.