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Boat cruise and tour of locks

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juliekenben
Kalamazoo, Michigan
78 posts
43 helpful votes
Boat cruise and tour of locks
5 years ago

Would you need to do only one or are both the land and boat tours different? Thanks

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lighthouselovertoo
Kansas
Destination Expert
for Mackinac Island, Mackinaw City, Kansas, Kansas City
7 937 posts
370 helpful votes
1. Re: Boat cruise and tour of locks
5 years ago

You can visit the the locks on your own and see them from behind a fence, but other than one day of the year, you do not go farther. It isn't a tour.

There is a small, historic lock on the Canadian side which you can actually go up to the lock and cross the gate, but it does not get the big ships. They do offer a tour and it is fun, but the experience is much different than the boat and most people visit there without doing a tour.

Edited: 5 years ago
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juliekenben
Kalamazoo, Michigan
78 posts
43 helpful votes
2. Re: Boat cruise and tour of locks
5 years ago

Good to know! I thought there was more that there was a more organized tour at the locks. Any thoughts on which to do first? Visit the locks or boat tour? I really appreciate your help and insight!

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grdault
Muskegon, Michigan
1 375 posts
61 helpful votes
3. Re: Boat cruise and tour of locks
5 years ago

Best view is from the Visitor's Center in Sault St. Marie,MI.

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lighthouselovertoo
Kansas
Destination Expert
for Mackinac Island, Mackinaw City, Kansas, Kansas City
7 937 posts
370 helpful votes
4. Re: Boat cruise and tour of locks
5 years ago

Since you can visit the locks anytime, I would schedule which tour was a good time, and work the visit in around it.

The Visitors Center is much more interesting when a freighter goes through the locks. You can call 906-253-9290 for estimated times.

http://ais.boatnerd.com/ will tell you what boats are passing and give details about them, their destinations and cargo. It is usually a few minutes late on the location, so don't wait till the last minute if you use it.

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5. Re: Boat cruise and tour of locks
1 year ago

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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