Along the Seaway Trail
from Niagara Falls

Niagara Frontier/Thousand Islands Regions Approximately 370 miles (The entire Seaway Trail is 454 Miles)

The Seaway Trail, America's longest recreational scenic byway, parallels Lake Erie, the Niagara River, Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River. The trail network also has many safe bicycling miles. The entire length of the trail can be driven in four days including stops.

Start this part of the trail with Niagara County's wondrous waters -- the world-famous Niagara Falls. Perhaps stop into the Niagara Power Project, where enormous electrical power is harnessed for much of the northeast. Leave Rainbow Bridge in the City of Niagara Falls and follow the trail along state Route 104 to Lewiston, where you can enjoy both nature and the lively arts at Artpark, the only state park devoted to the arts. Here pick up Route 18F north.

Travel along the shores of the Niagara River, where sportfishing -- especially for salmon and steelhead -- is prime. At the strategic point where the Niagara flows into Lake Ontario sits Old Fort Niagara, an historic fort with lighthouse, a visitors' stop for the whole family.

Route 18F merges into Route 18 and passes through Olcott, picturesque harbors, lakeside villages and past ample orchards with the fruits of harvest found at nearby farm markets. Avid anglers can cast a line all along this route.

Soon you'll find yourself in the Picture City, Rochester. Here's a good place to stay overnight, dine and take in some evening entertainment. If you're early enough, stop at the International Museum of Photography at Eastman House.

Next morning, take Lake Road east for about 28 miles through Pultneyville to the village of Sodus Point, where the trail bears south on Route 14 to Alton, site of a Shaker heritage farm tour. From here head east and north for a photographer's delight. Mother Nature is always waving her magic wand over the ever-changing Chimney Bluffs State Park.

Now head east again on Route 104A to Oswego for historic walking tours, museums, Fort Ontario and a look at the LT-5 tugboat used in the Normandy Invasion, docked near the H. Lee White Marine Museum. Cast your angler's line for fantastic fall stream salmon in Pulaski's Salmon River.

As the Lake Ontario shoreline turns northward, Route 104 becomes Route 3 north. Enjoy the beauty of the fragile barrier beaches, dunes, lagoons and freshwater marshes in the Sandy Pond area. The protected harbors and historic villages within Lake Ontario's eastern shore Golden Crescent provide a paradise for sailing, recreational boating and fishing. Sackets Harbor is home to an impressive brace of historic places.

The trail now turns into Route 12E west through Chaumont to Cape Vincent's Tibbetts Point Lighthouse/Hostel. A drive along the St. Lawrence River leads you to Clayton, where it connects to Route 12 north past the villages of Alexandria Bay, Chippewa Bay and Oak Point. Tour boats at Clayton and Alexandria Bay will show you the beautiful Thousand Islands and its signature attraction, the romantic and tragic Boldt Castle. Alexandria Bay is famous for its large resorts and fine restaurants and is an excellent second night stop.

Travelers who plan a trip along the entire Seaway Trail may want to call 800/SEAWAY-T for a free Journey Magazine and Directory, or write:

Seaway Trail, Inc.
109 Barracks Drive
Sackets Harbor, NY 13865

Some of the tours described are in the shape of a loop, and travelers can pick up the tours at any point along the way.