The Welland Canal
The Welland Canal
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
319 reviews
Excellent
190
Very good
108
Average
18
Poor
2
Terrible
1
Jim B
Ontario, Canada496 contributions
Oct 2020
We stopped at a small park beside the canal in Port Colborne.
Within 5 min of arriving the first ship passed through and immediately after that a second ship.
They are so close you really get to experience their size.
A very enjoyable stop along the way.
Within 5 min of arriving the first ship passed through and immediately after that a second ship.
They are so close you really get to experience their size.
A very enjoyable stop along the way.
Written October 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Davesn4
Welland, Canada15 contributions
Jul 2023
The Welland Canal is amazing - especially as you learn it's purpose and history! Built as a way for ships to get from Lake Ontario to/from Lake Erie around Niagara Niagara Falls these canals are only one of two ways to get from the Atlantic to the Great Lakes. While in Welland find out about the two aqueducts where the Welland River actually crosses under the canal - twice!
Written July 27, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Melanie B
Welland, Canada4 contributions
Jul 2019
No matter which way you go on the trails you will find it calm and relaxing. If your looking for a place to swim the docks just off Lincoln St are great. Parking close to the water, and it is clean. I do recomend that small kids or weak swimmers wear a lifejacket as it does get deep fast. There is often events being held there as well. We go there often to swim with our dogs during the summer.
Written March 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janine C
Niagara Falls, Canada133 contributions
Jun 2022
Welland Canal Amphitheatre .
Opening Band Repeatles excellent.Everyone was singing and dancing.
Floating bandstand Paula and the Goodfellas
They played June 24 2022.
Nice weather and well organized.
Music was great and lots of seating.
There were 2 food trucks,I had Funnel Cake with caramel.
The Bacon Crazy food truck had nice menu of bacon foods.
Canada Day July 1 2022
See you this weekend Derek Miller,Grace2 and the best Tragically Hip😎
Bring water, hat, a chair.There are bleachers.
Thank you Welland City Council.
Opening Band Repeatles excellent.Everyone was singing and dancing.
Floating bandstand Paula and the Goodfellas
They played June 24 2022.
Nice weather and well organized.
Music was great and lots of seating.
There were 2 food trucks,I had Funnel Cake with caramel.
The Bacon Crazy food truck had nice menu of bacon foods.
Canada Day July 1 2022
See you this weekend Derek Miller,Grace2 and the best Tragically Hip😎
Bring water, hat, a chair.There are bleachers.
Thank you Welland City Council.
Written June 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RNLynda
Smithfield40 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
It was a wonderful experience. Lock 3 had an observation area and we were able to see a cargo ship going through the lock. From the area of Lock 5 we saw a Viking cruise ship come through. Saw the locks also from the highway. Truly amazing.
Written August 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jack S
1 contribution
Oct 2023 • Friends
Visitors center was great. Really nice folks situated at Lock 4. Watched ships locking up towards Lake Erie. Then took Segway tour. Great guide and fun ride.
Written October 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robby G C
Toronto, Canada81,665 contributions
Jul 2020
The Welland Canal is a great place to have fun!
Kids have fun at the canal swimming paddle boards.
There were people fishing.
Someone had made a place to enjoy the Welland Canal.
We can even walk near the Welland Canal.
Sometimes the canal is completely pure blue. Wow!
Kids have fun at the canal swimming paddle boards.
There were people fishing.
Someone had made a place to enjoy the Welland Canal.
We can even walk near the Welland Canal.
Sometimes the canal is completely pure blue. Wow!
Written April 14, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Trek2237
Welland Ont.1 contribution
Relaxing waterway surrounded by well kept parklands,trails and rentals (paddle boats canoes bikes) Dont forget to check out Merrit Island.
Written June 30, 2004
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tyler P
Edmonton, Canada197 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
It is something special to watch one of those big ships go from top to the bottom. I recommend making the trip atleast once since the experience will be worth it. There is lots of other things to do and walking trails to enjoy.
Written February 21, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PGHTraveller
Beaver Falls, PA34 contributions
In a region with no shortage of attractions, the Welland Canal is among the rarest of the rare- interesting (especially to those technologically inclined or interested in ships) and free. The Falls are too, naturally, if you're just driving by or know where the free parking is.
There are two visitor centers, at locks 3 and 7. The one at Lock 7 in particular leaves something to be desired. The Lock 3 center has some exhibits about the history of the Canal and the technology associated with the locks, but at the risk of nitpicking, I'd have liked to have seen more artifacts, historical photos, etc. Again, though, with the price being whatever, if any, donation you'd care to give, it's hard to complain.
The big attractions are the ships and locks themselves, of course, and with 6-8 ships per day taking an hour or so to pass through each of the 8 locks, chances are you'll get to see the canal in action. Most locks have their own roadside viewing areas where you can pull off and get within a few meters of the action.
Keeping in mind that I'm a geek for this kind of thing, I'll take an afternoon at the Welland Canal over the tourist traps in Clifton Hill any day. You can get there from the exits off the QEW at either end of the Garden City Skyway in St. Catharines, or do what we did and start at Port Colborne on the Lake Erie shore and follow the well-marked canal trail to where most of the locks are, in Thorold.
There are two visitor centers, at locks 3 and 7. The one at Lock 7 in particular leaves something to be desired. The Lock 3 center has some exhibits about the history of the Canal and the technology associated with the locks, but at the risk of nitpicking, I'd have liked to have seen more artifacts, historical photos, etc. Again, though, with the price being whatever, if any, donation you'd care to give, it's hard to complain.
The big attractions are the ships and locks themselves, of course, and with 6-8 ships per day taking an hour or so to pass through each of the 8 locks, chances are you'll get to see the canal in action. Most locks have their own roadside viewing areas where you can pull off and get within a few meters of the action.
Keeping in mind that I'm a geek for this kind of thing, I'll take an afternoon at the Welland Canal over the tourist traps in Clifton Hill any day. You can get there from the exits off the QEW at either end of the Garden City Skyway in St. Catharines, or do what we did and start at Port Colborne on the Lake Erie shore and follow the well-marked canal trail to where most of the locks are, in Thorold.
Written June 19, 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hey! I was wondering if the pump house over by the blue ghost tunnel is still active. Like do sirens still go off and water still gets released
Written August 11, 2020
hello .is there a bike path and how long is it.from start to finish.Is it moderately easy. is there free parking
Written April 22, 2018
Yes there is a bike/walking path along the old Welland Canal which runs from Port Colborne to Port Robinson for a distance of about 12 miles. There is free parking at various spots along the route. There is also a great bike/walking path along the Niagara River from Fort Erie to Niagara Falls. Free parking is also available along the route except in Niagara Falls itself. I don't believe there are paths that extend for any kind of length along the newer canal where the big ships pass through.
Written April 22, 2018
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