My family will be in Niagara Falls in a few weeks - is there a good place nearby to see ships passing through locks?

ace,<BR>It has been many years since my visit to the Welland Canal so I'm afraid I cannot recall the best viewing locations, etc. (The Welland Canal connects Lake Erie and Lake Ontario, negotiating the huge difference in water level--think of how far the river 'falls' at Niagara-- with a series of locks.) But I think you can get started on finding much of what you need to know about the canal by checking<BR>http://www.wellandcanal.com/

What you are thinking of is lock 3 on the Welland Canal. There is a restaurant, gift shop, museum, and viewing platform. The visitors' centre has a board giving the details of the ships passing through that day: city of origin, what their cargo is, eta, tonnage. Lots of parking, childrens playground in a park connected. Some of the ships are so big, they seem to scrape the sides as they go through the canal. Make sure to bring a camera.

The Lock 3 Welland Canals Centre that everyone is mentioning is the place to go. Getting there from Niagara Falls is no problem.<BR><BR>The direct route would be to follow the QEW Toronto-bound until Glendale Ave. (Exit #38) just before the bridge over the canal and then go south. After the lift bridge over the canal is Government Rd., turn right and the Centre will be on the right-hand side.<BR><BR>The more intersting route would be to take Thorold Stone Rd. (from the QEW) which turns into Stanley Ave. which heads straight into downtown NF. Follow Thorold Stone Rd. until after the tunnel (That's right, the road goes right under the canal!) and take the first exit (Pine St.). Once off turn right at the first street (Richmond St.) which then bends left and becomes Ormond. Right after the bend turn right on Lynden St. You should be able to see the canal now. Lynden bends left also and becomes Chapel St. Turn right at the first street again onto Flight Locks Rd. which runs parallel to the canal and locks 4 through 7. This becomes Government Rd. and continues to the observation centre.<BR><BR>See if you can get a decent map of the region from the hotel you're staying at (assumption here) so you can map this all out.<BR><BR>Hope you enjoy the trip!<BR>Gil

Thanks, everyone for these helpful and friendly responses. Gil, I think we will try the "more interesting route." It sounds great!<BR>