Seaway Trail
Lighthouses of the Seaway Trail
| Departure: | Erie Pennsylvania Lighthouses, Pennsylvania |
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| Destination: | Massena, New York |
| Time to allow: | 3 days |
This byway is an unique blend of historical and natural scenery paralleling the St. Lawrence River, Lake Ontario, Niagara River and Lake Erie. It offers a variety of water recreation opportunities, and lighthouses which may take you back in time.
Day 1
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Start: Erie Pennsylvania Lighthouses
The Seaway Trail's long string of lighthouses begins with three lights in Erie, Pennsylvania. Presque Isle Lighthouse, located on the north side of the Presque Isle State Park peninsula, was originally commissioned in 1873 and remains in service. It has an attached keeper?s quarters, and for many years the keeper of the lighthouse was the sole resident of Presque Isle. Before electrification, the keeper had to service the light every four hours.
Another, older light, this one known as the North Pier or Erie Harbor Light guards the narrow opening to the Bay. This one was commissioned in 1857. The lighthouse exhibit at the Erie Maritime Museum, 150 East Front Street, includes a lens used in the North Pier Light.
The Unique Erie Land Lighthouse is located two blocks north of the Seaway Trail at the foot of Lighthouse Street in Erie. Completed in 1867 by the federal government, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places the lighthouse first entered service here in 1818 and shares distinction of first Lake Erie lighthouse with Buffalo lighthouse. The current structure is the third to be built at this location. The 1858 Keepers Hous is also located here. The lighthouse was permanently decommissioned in 1899, restored in 1989 and 2004.
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Stop 1: Dunkirk Historical Lighthouse
Directions from previous place: From the Erie Land Light, travel two blocks south to East Lake Road (Route 5) and turn left to continue along the Seaway Trail. Continue for approximately 18 miles to the New York-Pennsylvania border. Once you have entered New York, continue along Route 5 for approximately 30 miles until you enter the town of Dunkirk. Look for the Lighthouse Sign, then turn right onto Point Drive North. Continue along Point Drive North until you reach the Lighthouse.
Distance from Previous Site: 50 miles / 80.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 54 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour This is one of the famous lighthouses along the byway that has historical qualities. It is also the home to Veteran's Park Museum.
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Stop 2: Old Fort Niagara
Distance from Previous Site: 80.6 miles / 129.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 1 hour 26 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour This fort is over 300 years old, and the lighthouse nearby is a good place to visit.
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Stop 3: Thirty Mile Point Lighthouse
Distance from Previous Site: 28.7 miles / 45.9 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 51 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour This lighthouse is so named because it is 30 miles east of the mouth of the Niagara River. Several vessels were lost here.
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Stop 4: Rochester
Distance from Previous Site: 61.4 miles / 98.2 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 1 hour 17 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 2 hours Rochester is a major city on the Byway along the shore of Lake Ontario. The Geva Theatre is a big attraction for travelers.
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Overnight Point: Rochester
Spend the night in Rochester.
Total Distance Traveled in Day 1: 220.7 miles / 353.1 km
Day 2
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Stop 1: Charlotte-Genesee Lighthouse
Distance from Previous Site: 5 miles / 8.0 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 10 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour This Seaway Trail lighthouse also has a museum with displays about lighthouse lore, navigation and local history.
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Stop 2: Old Sodus Lighthouse
Distance from Previous Site: 39 miles / 62.4 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 1 hour Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour The Sodus Lighthouse offers wide range of summer activities for travelers. There is also a museum here.
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Stop 3: Selkirk Lighthouse
Distance from Previous Site: 59.7 miles / 95.5 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 1 hour 44 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour This is one of the only four lighthouses in the U.S. which still has its original hexagonal glass and iron dome lantern.
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Stop 4: Seaway Trail Discovery Center
Distance from Previous Site: 30.5 miles / 48.8 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 44 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour This museum displays the history, culture, and uniqueness of this byway.
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Overnight Point: Alexandria Bay
Spend the night in Alexandria Bay.
Total Distance Traveled in Day 2: 134.2 miles / 214.7 km
Day 3
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Stop 1: Antique Boat Museum
Distance from Previous Site: 25.7 miles / 41.1 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 38 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour With over 200 boats and a motor collection spanning the late 1800s to World War II, this museum will excite the most jaded boat enthusiast.
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Stop 2: Thousand Islands
Distance from Previous Site: 14 miles / 22.4 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 18 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 2 hours For decades travelers have found this a fine place for a holiday.
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Stop 3: Frederic Remington Art Museum
Distance from Previous Site: 53 miles / 84.8 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 57 minutes Suggested Time at This Site: 1 hour This museum showcases the life and works of Frederic Remington. Oil paintings, bronze sculptures, watercolors and drawings are on display.
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End: Massena
Distance from Previous Site: 36.1 miles / 57.8 km Travel Time from Previous Site: 51 minutes
