Erie Canal PaddlersWaterford, NY- The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor is celebrating National Plan For Vacation Day on January 25 with the release of seven new multiday itineraries that make it easy to plan a trip along the New York State Canal System and Canalway Trail. The itineraries feature cycling, paddling, and sightseeing options with plenty of opportunities for visitors to enjoy regional foods and beverages. Information about accessibility is included to make it easier for people of all abilities to experience the canals.  

The itineraries are available online at https://eriecanalway.org/itineraries

“New York’s canals present outstanding opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. We are excited to help people discover some of the best communities, food, attractions, and hidden gems as they experience the canals,” said Bob Radliff, Director of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor.  

Visitors can choose from Erie Canal Samplers in greater Rochester, Syracuse, and Albany; a Village-to-Village tour of canal towns; multiday cycling trips in western and eastern New York; and paddling and sightseeing excursions along the Cayuga-Seneca Canal and Seneca Lake.

Empire State Development Vice President and Executive Director of Tourism Ross D. Levi said, "I LOVE NY works to ensure that all travelers feel welcome to plan a New York State getaway where they can find what they love. The new itineraries complement our efforts by highlighting the great things that visitors of all abilities can see, do and experience on New York's Canal System and in the surrounding communities." 

The itineraries include locations that have been assessed for physical accessibility and programmatic inclusion, as well as places that provide standard and adaptive recreational equipment, such as adaptive cycles and kayaks.

The itineraries were developed as part of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor’s Accessible Tourism Marketing Initiative. These initiatives are supported by the National Park Service and byErie Canal Cyclists Market New York through I LOVE NY, New York State’s Division of Tourism, as a part of the State’s Regional Economic Development Council awards. Additional support provided by Discover Albany and the Emil Muller Foundation. 

ABOUT THE ERIE CANALWAY NATIONAL HERITAGE CORRIDOR
Nearly 200 years after its construction, the Erie Canal remains an iconic symbol of American ingenuity and determination. The Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor preserves our extraordinary canal heritage, promotes the Corridor as a world-class tourism destination, and fosters vibrant communities connected by more than 500 miles of waterway. It achieves its mission in partnership with the National Park Service, New York State agencies, non-profit organizations, local residents, and more than 200 communities across the full expanse of upstate New York.
www.eriecanalway.org

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Images: Paddlers on the Erie Canal at Montezuma, and Cyclists in Syracuse 

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Discover some of the best communities, food, attractions, and hidden gems along New York’s extraordinary canals with new itineraries from the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. Options for cycling, paddling, sightseeing, and accessibility make it easy for everyone to plan a trip. www.eriecanalway.org/itineraries  

Happy National #NationalPlanForVacation Day! How many times over the last two years have you said, “I need a vacation?” This time around, make it happen! Check out new multiday itineraries from Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor that make it easy to plan a trip to New York’s extraordinary canals. 
www.eriecanalway.org/itineraries 

#NationalPlanForVacation 

#PlanforVacation
#ILOVENY
#ErieCanalway  

#nystateparks   

#NYSCanals 

#accessibleny 

#inclusion 

#inclusiverecreation 

Contact: Jean Mackay, Director of Communications and Outreach
518-925-6721, jean_mackay@partner.nps.gov