Seaway Visitor Center at Eisenhower Lock

Seaway Visitor Center at Eisenhower Lock The St. Follow GLS for more information! www.facebook.com/SeawayUSDOT If you arrive with a firearm, you will be asked to leave the property immediately.

Lawrence Seaway Visitor Center at Eisenhower Lock presents the intricate history and importance of this vital waterway between the Port of Montreal and Lake Erie. Firearm Policy:
To ensure a safe and welcoming environment, fi****ms and other weapons are not permitted on federal property. Upon arrival, please check the signage at the entrance for a full list of other prohibited items. Thank you for

helping us keep this space safe for everyone. Service animals:
Our facility is committed to ensuring a safe and accessible environment for everyone. In accordance with federal regulations, we do not permit pets or emotional support animals on the premises. However, certified service dogs, which are trained to perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities, are welcome. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. For further guidance see Frequently Asked Questions about Service Animals and the ADA | ADA.gov

Follow the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (GLS) on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SeawayUSDOT.

06/12/2026

🚢 TRAFFIC IS BUZZING AT THE EISENHOWER LOCK! 🚢
CCGS Vincent Massey🇨🇦

🚢 TRAFFIC IS BUZZING AT THE EISENHOWER LOCK! 🚢We had a great view the other day as the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker C...
06/12/2026

🚢 TRAFFIC IS BUZZING AT THE EISENHOWER LOCK! 🚢

We had a great view the other day as the Canadian Coast Guard icebreaker CCGS Vincent Massey made her way through Massena!

It really highlights just how versatile the St. Lawrence Seaway is. Lately, the locks have seen an incredible variety of traffic—from massive cruise ships and warships to heavy navy cranes and specialized cargo.

If you want to catch the action yourself, the Seaway Visitor Center is a fantastic place to watch the ships pass through. Even if the center is closed, the North Overlook is always open! Just drive through the iconic Eisenhower Lock tunnel and take your very first right.

We are open Daily 9AM-5PM Visit our website- https://www.seaway.dot.gov/explore/seaway-visitor

Did you catch the Vincent Massey or any of these other unique transits recently? Drop your best photos in the comments below! 👇📸

06/05/2026

🚨 "Big Blue" (Crane P-82) Clears the Eisenhower Lock! 🚨

🚨 "Big Blue" (Crane P-82) Clears the Eisenhower Lock! 🚨Check out these incredible views of a 9,000-mile naval journey in...
06/05/2026

🚨 "Big Blue" (Crane P-82) Clears the Eisenhower Lock! 🚨

Check out these incredible views of a 9,000-mile naval journey in the making! 🌊⚓Yesterday we caught the massive Crane P-82—affectionately known as "Big Blue"—as it officially transited the Dwight D. Eisenhower Lock here in Massena. Seeing this skyscraper-sized giant pass directly over the iconic Eisenhower Lock highway tunnel and squeeze into the lock chamber was an absolute engineering marvel to watch.

What you’re looking at: The Cargo: A brand-new, 200-foot-tall Navy portal crane custom-built by Konecranes in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

The Mission: It's being towed by the tug Ocean Tower all the way to Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard in Hawaii. Once there, it will lift massive components up to 175 tonnes to service the Pacific Fleet's submarines and aircraft carriers.

The Journey: This is just the beginning of a grueling 9,000-nautical-mile voyage that will take it down the Atlantic coast, through the Panama Canal, and across the Pacific.

Drop a comment below and let me know which shot is your favorite! Did anyone else spot her along the St. Lawrence?👇

(Watch the full Reel to see the scale of this beast moving through the lock! 🎥)


The United States 🇺🇸 flagged Gracie M. Reinauer making her first transit through the Seaway and first time through Dwigh...
05/29/2026

The United States 🇺🇸 flagged Gracie M. Reinauer making her first transit through the Seaway and first time through Dwight D. Eisenhower Lock

The Seaway Visitor Center is open daily 9AM-5PM!
Check out our website-https://www.seaway.dot.gov/explore/seaway-visitor-center

05/26/2026

ICYMI!! USS Cleveland over the Dwight D. Eisenhower Lock Tunnel. Zoom in for a closer look 😎 drop you favorite reels/photos below 👇

🚢⚓️ THE VISITOR CENTER IS OPEN DAILY! ⚓️🚢Summer season is officially here! The Seaway Visitor Center at Eisenhower Lock ...
05/22/2026

🚢⚓️ THE VISITOR CENTER IS OPEN DAILY! ⚓️🚢

Summer season is officially here! The Seaway Visitor Center at Eisenhower Lock is now open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and yes—we are OPEN on Memorial Day! Bring the whole family out to enjoy our interactive exhibits, try your hand at the ship-navigating simulator, and watch the massive vessels transit the lock from our observation decks.

👀 SPECIAL SHIP WATCHING ALERT FOR THIS AFTERNOON! 👀

Keep your eyes on the river! We are following and eagerly anticipating the transit of the newly commissioned U.S. Navy warship, the USS Cleveland (LCS 31), as she makes her way through this afternoon.

⏱ Plan your watch: Ship schedules can change, so be sure to check the website for the most up-to-date ETA before you head out: https://seaway-greatlakes.com/vessel-transit/order-of-turn?LocationId=4765

📸 Help us capture the moment! If you spot her or capture any great views from the river or observation decks today, please post your pictures in the comments below! We want to see your best shots! 👇

🚢 Ship Watcher Alert! 🚢What a difference a few hours makes! After a soggy start to the morning, the sun made a brief app...
05/15/2026

🚢 Ship Watcher Alert! 🚢

What a difference a few hours makes! After a soggy start to the morning, the sun made a brief appearance as the CSL Laurent transited the Eisenhower Lock this afternoon. ☀️

This impressive Seaway Max vessel is currently utilizing every bit of the lock's real estate—stretching a full 740 feet from bow to stern. It’s always a tight squeeze and a spectacular sight to witness that kind of precision engineering in person.

⚓ Transit Details:

Vessel: CSL Laurent

Location: Eisenhower Lock, Massena NY

Size: 740' (Seaway Max)

Destination: Thunder Bay, ON

Status: In Ballast (riding high and moving fast!)

She’s heading upbound to Thunder Bay to pick up her next cargo. If you’re in between Eisenhower and Iroquios, now is the perfect time to grab some photos! 📸✨

🚢 Spring Fever is here at the Seaway Visitor Center! 🚢As part of the Massena Spring Fever Fest, the Seaway Visitor Cente...
05/01/2026

🚢 Spring Fever is here at the Seaway Visitor Center! 🚢

As part of the Massena Spring Fever Fest, the Seaway Visitor Center at Eisenhower Lock is excited to host two special events this May. Whether you are a history buff or just looking for a fun local outing, we have something for everyone!

🗓️ Saturday, May 2nd: St. Lawrence County Open Doors to History
Experience the places that shaped our region! In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, we invite you to step inside, meet local historians, and uncover the stories, architecture, and landscapes of the North Country.

The 250th Challenge Coin Experience: To enter this commemorative challenge, snap a photo with our famous duo, "Patriot Pete" and/or "Loyalist Lori," and email 📧 Challenge Entries: [email protected]

🗓️ Saturday, May 9th: Viewing Party – Queen Elizabeth II to Christine the History Queen
Massena’s royal history takes center stage! Join us for a special showing of the WPBS episode featuring local ties to royalty—from Queen Elizabeth II’s 1959 dedication of the Eisenhower Lock to the birthplace of "Christine the History Queen."

Special Guest: Local resident Dorothy Kormanyos is featured in the video, sharing her fascinating experience as a waitress for the Queen’s luncheon in Cornwall!

Live Q&A: Christine the History Queen will be on hand to share her story and give us a sneak peek at upcoming Season Two highlights.

✨ Important Details for Your Visit:
Always Free: Admission to the Seaway Visitor Center is always free to the public!

Sign In: Don’t forget to stop by the desk to say hi and sign in with Amanda.

Photo Op: Even if you aren't doing the challenge, don't miss your chance for a selfie with Patriot Pete and Loyalist Lori!

We can’t wait to celebrate the season and our history with you!

📍 Location: Seaway Visitor Center at Eisenhower Lock
💰 Cost: FREE

🚢 Mirror Image: The Viking Octantis Arrives! Deja vu at the locks...If you feel like you’ve seen this before, you aren’t...
04/24/2026

🚢 Mirror Image: The Viking Octantis Arrives! Deja vu at the locks...

If you feel like you’ve seen this before, you aren’t dreaming! Just days after her sister ship (the Polaris) passed through, the Viking Octantis glided into the Eisenhower Lock today to begin her 2026 Great Lakes season. 🌊⚓️Turn up your volume to hear her horn blasts!! 🔊 🔊

It is a masterclass in precision. Watching a 673-foot expedition ship navigate a lock with only 17.5 inches of clearance on either side is the ultimate "tight squeeze." 📐🤏

The 2026 Season at a Glance:

· The Sisters: With both Viking expedition ships now in
the system, the Great Lakes are officially the place to be this summer. 🗺️

· The Impact: This season is projected to bring a record$300M+ economic boost to port towns! 📈

· The Details: While she looks like an identical twin, the Octantis carries yellow submarines John & Paul (the Polaris carries George & Ringo). 🟡🎸
High-tech engineering meets the beauty of the St. Lawrence. Who’s ready to see these ships on the horizon all summer? 🌅

Address

76 Barnhart Island Road
Massena, NY
13662

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