Colonial Belle

Colonial Belle We provide scenic lunch, dinner, brunch, & sightseeing cruises, lock tours, themed/event cruises & private charters along the historic Erie Canal.

Family owned/operated since 1989 The Colonial Belle has been providing Erie Canal tour boat cruises from mid-May through October for over 20 years. Come aboard in Fairport, NY, just 20 minutes from Rochester, New York. The Colonial Belle's narrated tour will familiarize you with the rich history and many traditional landmarks along the scenic Erie Canal traveling west between Fairport and Pittsfor

d. Our three-hour cruise includes lock passage at Canal Park in Pittsford, located at Clover St. and Jefferson Rd. We offer a variety of cruises open to the public and can customize your private event. We are pleased to provide our own beverage service and catering by various local restaurants.

It’s 2025!The Bicentennial Anniversary of the Erie Canal!We hope to see you ON the canal during this very historic year!...
01/01/2025

It’s 2025!
The Bicentennial Anniversary of the Erie Canal!

We hope to see you ON the canal
during this very historic year!

www.colonialbelle.com

01/01/2025
01/01/2025

The Erie Canal at 200 ( #1): With this post I begin a yearlong, weekly series here on the page—commemorating the bicentennial of the historic Erie Canal. The iconic waterway opened on October 26th, 1825–seven years after construction began, a grueling effort comprised of raw labor—many of them hard working Irish immigrants who were paid with whiskey and a paltry $12/month. The 363-mile canal, stretching from the Albany area to Buffalo, offered a gateway for commerce. Towns, villages, hamlets and cities grew rapidly—the canal providing benefits that exceeded even the most optimistic (there were far more skeptics).

The Seneca Chief was the first vessel to use the Canal back on that October day in 1825. This top image is a replica of that boat, the stunning result of the passionate (and nostalgic) folks associated with the Buffalo Maritime Center who labored with lots of love to build it. I captured the vessel last summer during a “sea trial” as it passed over the VERY unique Medina Culvert in Orleans County. This is the ONLY spot on the entire Erie Canal where vehicles tunnel UNDER this waterway. Bottom image is from the same perspective on a frigid morning recently.

All along the length of the Canal, from Buffalo to Albany and countless communities in between, there are wonderful stories connected to what was once referred to as Clinton’s Folly or DeWitt’s Ditch—a reference to then New York Governor DeWitt Clinton, who championed vigorously to build such a waterway despite stiff resistance. My aim is to take you to some of these communities, showcase the canal—the locks, lift bridges and some of the folks who work hard to maintain its legacy.

01/01/2025

America’s most famous canal system connects us to a proud past and a vibrant future. Thanks to the dedication and skill of countless generations of canal employees, community champions, volunteers, and local, state, and federal organizations and agencies, this ribbon of water has remained a vital and enduring national treasure for 200 years.

We’re looking forward to a year full of commemorations. Happy New Year to all.

📸: Northumberland, Susan Meyer

We had a fantastic 2024 cruising season. Thanks to everyone who cruised with us! 😎We look forward to 2025 and cruising d...
12/31/2024

We had a fantastic 2024 cruising season.
Thanks to everyone who cruised with us! 😎

We look forward to 2025 and cruising during the 200th Anniversary of our beloved Erie Canal!
⚓️❤️

💥 We are booking NOW for 2025 themed/event cruises, groups of 25+, private charters & school field trip cruises.

Happy New Year!

www.colonialbelle.com
📞 (585)223-9470

Memories from 13yrs agoA video featuring our Company Founder, Captain Lee (6/5/45-12/26/16) & Colonial Belle. We greatly...
12/29/2024

Memories from 13yrs ago
A video featuring our Company Founder, Captain Lee (6/5/45-12/26/16) & Colonial Belle.
We greatly miss Captain Lee.

If you have cruised with us over the past 3 seasons, Captain Lee’s Daughter - Captain Tammee has been at the wheel of CB continuing to tell many of her Dad’s & other stories and canal facts.

We are honored to carry on his legacy with the next generations. ⚓️

https://vimeo.com/29972411?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3QM1HYbWYgt7gjZI_X7N89fJzK8fHSl33hMZlnCbUDHqysoXCh7XgOsx4_aem_pd7BsH3qCb8xhgYO1soG7A&turnstile=0.f0-IblfK3N9VxdEcGfwFQ5B3cyemYTr6shnyxFh5zJbE0oUjYvffUPa7CWTgtnTDeZdIBTMUqxsjjNPqzzM4c4vBEPqc2kfq7ZepVSTjd04RJaDFijE2Y_BIcM9FLTifYI631507VJx9UxvJ3ilhjfQgO-JEIGoIIGHJud1o-HsYVEsWE1yyhh_XIZxF4aM9P-H6i4vRISq_qLb2UrdsjkNpbakHKRUCYx7K92jrlMFB040c7ZApqZhWreLid0WQR1f4QubZBT241Ogm-gBliagt8s-hVQJyL7JeXf0Ko8DfXDxyod0LOpNR8JthU1tAJKUtsVG1vKa-8MUJqnauEm8Sy7UYqCfH-k4S2c9W6odttWJx5YjprKxiR8A61wDZSUaMqGSok_pO_3wmV19MEofPyvrhADi3ErCEBzDSr3BFsxS7eBGy6mMm0Qw0mZODv7hjSTI_yMJikbVNBmhZ4qJsN_jwwz0gLiM6Itekwu432rChLpxZK27XNhqF3HTN9fs2-THhmv7IO7QJokwVBAzEEwvMLl3hUk46qBQsyNohjtOCqUPYdvSt4VPfIi8FkWf2IcvpcCchXOrX5LmR8Sokj-1JsUB3xOfHP_WOw3-Dz6XTlVNc6Ww4UebRy5JiRzPFSuV1_c1MjCUSmra24L_v8bwp1z2kJ_FehclM2Pp_uHiu73DJgezcYOMbTjOoZnkMMH_keuXc-8YInqJy5JaGttzaHXPbEh4OSJ44VT1C0ASlHdd7hLmA1Sn5nIKL6YJHDIdGWHLHeggbIbRs6qxmwa_TwqSVn9zGz-aF-xVbnaINL4lPRq9lLbPQjWHYMU8otaiGPI9AkUdIOaqtl_sETiCKwcCl5NO7dkuSCbQw7qKznQC1kMxQzTU7yT5LNm7sLc-yq7z4ec6es0ZUthxjIpjImGW_Uh-M8Q2rBF_F-qJWt10vFKvQOCgAnTm6qAPt34FeVwlZSJiFm-38tw._XtC86rZFrA9nQmjrzkbTw.91e0c7f92761baccbce70444441f1a5a2e58b4741ee4c923f39d30ebd081b1cd



www.colonialbelle.com

Join the Finger Lakes Travel Maven as Captain Lee Poinan of the Colonial Belle in Fairport, NY takes you on a cruise down the Erie Canal and shares its rich history.

💥 Book a 2025 Private Charter by December 31st and SAVE with our early booking discount!Looking for a fantastic venue ON...
12/29/2024

💥 Book a 2025 Private Charter
by December 31st and SAVE
with our early booking discount!

Looking for a fantastic venue ON the water for your 2025 Birthday party, wedding, reception, engagement party, shower, bachelor/bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner, anniversary party, graduation party, corporate event, staff/client appreciation, reunion, fundraiser, celebration of life, album/book release, club/team/organization fun event (or nearly any other event you are planning)?

Contact us ASAP for details, options & current availability:
Email: [email protected]
📞 (585)223-9470

😎 2025 is the 200th Anniversary of the completion of the Erie Canal, a perfect time to cruise during your celebration or event!

Make your event a fantastic experience that everyone will remember for years!

We hope to see you aboard! ⚓️

www.colonialbelle.com

12/29/2024
12/27/2024

Colonial Belle is included in this video!

We hope to see you aboard in 2025 during one of the most historic opportunities in our lifetime to be ON the Erie Canal during the canal’s 200th anniversary year! ⚓️😎

Another Christmas view of the Fairport Liftbridge last night 🎄❤️💚📸 by Colonial Belle Crew Member, Don
12/27/2024

Another Christmas view of the Fairport Liftbridge last night 🎄❤️💚

📸 by Colonial Belle Crew Member, Don

The Fairport Liftbridge with red & green lights last night for Christmas. 🎄Village of Fairport, NY
12/26/2024

The Fairport Liftbridge with red & green lights last night for Christmas. 🎄

Village of Fairport, NY

Today, 12/26 is always a hard one for us. We suddenly lost our company founder, Captain Lee on December 26th exactly eig...
12/26/2024

Today, 12/26 is always a hard one for us.
We suddenly lost our company founder, Captain Lee on December 26th exactly eight years ago.

Captain Tammee (his daughter), family, friends & our current staff continue what he started and do our best to add new ideas plus find ways to make our cruises and operation even better too.

If you’ve been aboard for a narrated cruise, you’ve heard many of Captain Lee’s stories that we continue to tell within the narration on board.
We are proud to continue his legacy that was started in 1989 but we miss him greatly.

www.colonialbelle.com

From all of us at Colonial Belle - Merry Christmas to all who celebrate! 🎄www.colonialbelle.com
12/25/2024

From all of us at Colonial Belle - Merry Christmas to all who celebrate! 🎄

www.colonialbelle.com

Did you know that SANTA cruises aboard Colonial Belle in the summer?! 😎🎅Join us for our Christmas EVE in July Cruise Abo...
12/24/2024

Did you know that SANTA cruises aboard Colonial Belle in the summer?! 😎🎅

Join us for our Christmas EVE in July Cruise Aboard Colonial Belle 🎄⚓️ & enjoy Christmas Eve on the Erie Canal in JULY!
⚓️🎅

💥 Booking is available NOW!
https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/colonialbelle/items/439848/calendar/2025/07/?flow=898742&ga=UA-42183539-1,1585003442.1731072951;&full-items=yes&back=https://www.colonialbelle.com/erieCanalThemedCruise.html&g4=yes

Merry Christmas! 🎁

www.colonialbelle.com

Snowy view of Colonial Belle in dry dock today. ❄️⚓️Looking forward to warmer days for cruising. 😎Every day is one day c...
12/23/2024

Snowy view of Colonial Belle in dry dock today.
❄️⚓️

Looking forward to warmer days for cruising. 😎
Every day is one day closer to cruising season!

www.colonialbelle.com

12/22/2024

Address

400 Packetts Lndg
Fairport, NY
14450

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 3pm
Tuesday 10am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 10am - 4:30pm
Thursday 10am - 4:30pm
Friday 10am - 4:30pm
Saturday 10am - 4:30pm
Sunday 10am - 3pm

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Videos

Dry Dock Day Timelapse Video #2 11/4/24
Dry Dock Day Timelapse Video #2 11/4/24

Timelapse video of dry docking Colonial Belle & NYS Canal Corporation vessels & equipment on 11/4/24 Video 2 from a different angle

Dry Dock Day Lyons, NY 11/4/24
Dry Dock Day Lyons, NY 11/4/24

Timelapse video of dry docking Colonial Belle & NYS Canal Corporation vessels & equipment on 11/4/24

Timelapse video from last night with Colonial Belle in the Village of Fairport, NY on the Erie Canal Our last cruises with passengers for our 2024 season are this Sunday, 10/27. We’re NOT DONE YET! ⚓️🍁 www.colonialbelle.com

A short video of Colonial Belle passing under the illuminated Fairport Liftbridge at the end of the Private Charter Fundraiser Cruise for Jazz90.1 WGMC-FM with The Bill Tiberio Band playing live on board on a beautiful evening on 8/12/24. ⚓️🎶 Village of Fairport, NY

Thanks to everyone who joined us on a BEAUTIFUL evening for our Junkyard Field Trip Music Cruise last night and for singing and dancing aboard Colonial Belle too! Live music under bridges while cruising never gets old! ⚓️🎶 Junkyardfieldtrip www.colonialbelle.com

Junkyard field trip playing under a bridge while cruising aboard Colonial Belle
Junkyard field trip playing under a bridge while cruising aboard Colonial Belle

Join us for our Junkyard Field Trip Music Cruise TONIGHT!! ⚓️🎶 The forecast is fantastic too! ⭐️Book ASAP!! We still have some availability as of now! ⭐️This is an event you DON’T want to miss! Don’t miss the boat! ⚓️🎶 💥Book online: https://fareharbor.com/embeds/book/colonialbelle/items/439861/calendar/2024/08/?flow=898741&full-items=yes 💥OR 📞 (585)223-9470 to book Office hours 10am-2pm You may love Junkyardfieldtrip performances, but have you ever experienced them playing on a BIG boat going under bridges with awesome acoustics? Bookings are limited below our full USCG capacity to allow plenty of space for the band & everyone to be able to enjoy our upper deck at the same time. We hope to see you aboard Colonial Belle! ⚓️🎶 www.colonialbelle.com @followers Video: JYFT Colonial Belle Music Cruise 6/29/24 cruising under the State Street Bridge in Pittsford.

Skycoasters playing aboard Colonial Belle on 7/22
Skycoasters playing aboard Colonial Belle on 7/22

Everyone had a BLAST on our event cruise with The Skycoasters playing aboard Colonial Belle last night! (More photos & videos coming soon!) www.colonialbelle.com

Colonial Belle & CMT Otter pushing a barge carrying sections of the Ralph Wilson Pedestrian Bridge carefully passing near the NYS Canal Corporation Maintenance Facility in Pittsford
Colonial Belle & CMT Otter pushing a barge carrying sections of the Ralph Wilson Pedestrian Bridge carefully passing near the NYS Canal Corporation Maintenance Facility in Pittsford

Colonial Belle (the largest tour boat on the Erie Canal) & CMT Otter pushing a barge carrying sections of the Ralph Wilson Pedestrian Bridge carefully passing near the NYS Canal Corporation Maintenance Facility in Pittsford Video by Colonial Belle 1st Mate, Jolene Carver Companies NYS Canal Corporation Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Discover the NY Canals Canal Society of New York State

Flower City Ukulele Private Charter aboard Colonial Belle - The Erie Canal Song ⚓️🎶
Flower City Ukulele Private Charter aboard Colonial Belle - The Erie Canal Song ⚓️🎶

Last night, 7/8 we had another FUN Private Charter for Flower City Ukulele! Nearly all of the 84 passengers aboard played ukuleles while enjoying a 2-hour cruise down the Erie Canal aboard Colonial Belle! They also had great pizza from Perinton Pizza Emporium & drinks from the CB bar on a beautiful evening for their fun event. This group has done similar charters aboard for many years & it’s always a great time for everyone. Thanks for cruising with us! ⚓️🎶 www.colonialbelle.com

Junkyard Field Trip Performance aboard Colonial Belle while passing under a bridge
Junkyard Field Trip Performance aboard Colonial Belle while passing under a bridge

The acoustics under most of the bridges add to the unique experience of cruises with live music aboard Colonial Belle. Junkyard Field Trip Music Cruise! Colonial Belle Junkyardfieldtrip www.colonialbelle.com

Junkyard Field Trip performance aboard Colonial Belle June 29, 2024
Junkyard Field Trip performance aboard Colonial Belle June 29, 2024

Junkyard Field Trip Playing aboard Colonial Belle 2023
Junkyard Field Trip Playing aboard Colonial Belle 2023

Video from August 2023 Don’t miss this tonight!! Limited “seats” are still available https://www.facebook.com/share/RGietfoPpcmwTsVk/?mibextid=9l3rBW www.colonialbelle.com (585)223-9470 Junkyardfieldtrip

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