We are very fortunate to live in an area rich with history and beauty. The Erie Canal is famous in song and story. Proposed in 1808 and completed in 1825, the canal links the waters of Lake Erie in the west to the Hudson River in the east. An engineering marvel when it was built, some called it the Eighth Wonder of the World. 

The Erie Canal will soon open to boaters for the 2008 season http://www.nycanal.com/aboutnycanal.html  This seasons dates and times have just been announce and are as follows.

Erie Canal 2008 Dates and Hours for boaters:
May 1 to May 22 - 7AM to 5PM
May 23 to September 3 - 7AM to 10 PM
September 4 to November 15 - 7AM to 5PM

Bike or Hike the Erie Canal Heritage Trail!
For those who prefer to bike or hike, the Erie Canal Heritage Trail, you can Enjoy the quite recreation of wildlife viewing along miles of green and tranquil trails.  The trail system currently includes more than 150 miles of exiting trails comprised of four major trail segments: The Erie Canal Heritage Trail on the western end of the state passes right through Newark, New York 
http://www.ptny.org/guidebook/index.shtml