Niagara awaits travelers in New York
Niagara Falls is just one spectacular stop along the coast of the Great Lakes in New York.
The Seaway Trail is New York state’s only National Scenic Byway and boasts 454 miles of scenic coastline for those looking for a relaxing vacation.
According to www.byways.org, the official Web site for the National Scenic Byways Program, certain roads are recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation based on their archaeological, cultural, historic, natural, recreational and scenic qualities. Seaway Trail is just one of 72 byways across the nation.
Teresa Mitchell, executive director of Seaway Trail, said the drive is unusual because it is a linear trail rather than a road that loops around.
“It is linear like a piece of spaghetti and can be accessed from other highways,” she said.
She emphasized the convenience of being able to fly in to any airport nearby and see any part of the trail.
“Someone coming from Utah, where you are, would be able to fly in to Buffalo, Rochester or Syracuse and start anywhere along the trail to see the things they want to see,” she said.
The Seaway Trail itself consists mostly of secondary roads or smaller.
“The drive is on smaller roads so that it can stay along the coast of the lakes,” Mitchell said.
A few of the highlights of a road trip along this part of Lake Ontario and Lake Erie include Niagara Falls, The Lucy-Desi Museum, Thousand Islands and the Boldt Castle as well as many different lighthouses.
“The best way to visit Niagara Falls is to get what they call the master pass. That way you can do all they have to offer including the Maid of the Mist boat tour,” Mitchell said.
According to In Discovery, the official magazine for The Seaway Trail, the Maid of the Mist tour boat takes the guests as close as possible to the bottom of the falls.
“But don’t worry, they
supply each guest with a rain cape,” according to the magazine.
Mitchell said another very popular site along the trail is the Lucy-Desi Museum, which highlights the achievements of this famous couple.
Along with following the coasts of two Great Lakes, the Seaway Trail also rides along the St. Lawrence River, which is home to the Thousand Islands.
“Thousand Islands is a unique group of 1,860 islands in a 30-mile stretch of the St. Lawrence River,” Mitchell said.
According to Discovery, the islands can be seen by car from the Thousand Islands Bridge connecting mainland United States with Canada via five island-hopping spans.
Mitchell said some of the favorite stops for visitors are the 27 lighthouses all along The Seaway Trail.
“Nine of the lighthouses are open to the public for tours or as bed-and-breakfast inns,” she said.
Mitchell said the most effective way to tour all of the sites would be to rent a car or RV.
“The best way is to take everything at your own pace and see the things you want to see,” she said.
For more information about The Seaway Trail and what it has to offer, call 1-800-SEAWAY-T for a free magazine or write to Corner of W. Main and Ray Streets Sackets Harbor, N.Y. 13685.