Thorold centre with bird’s-eye view of four Welland Canal locks opens this weekend

The Welland Canal is 43 kilometers (27 miles) long with eight separate locks to raise or lower boats to the next level. Given that length, unless you’re in a helicopter, it would seem there’s no good way of viewing it in its entirety.

However, Thorold’s popular Lock 7 Viewing Centre, which is opening tomorrow (May 20) for the season, is the exception to the rule.

Perched high upon the Niagara Escarpment, the viewing centre, located at 50 Chapel St. S., offers extraordinary views of the ships passing through Locks 4, 5, 6 and 7 – half of the canal’s locks.

Starting tomorrow, the centre, which is is coach friendly and wheelchair accessible, will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 pm. from May 20 to Oct. 8.

If you’re looking for a specific ship, coordinate your stop at the centre with the St. Lawrence Seaway schedule for the best view at Lock 7.

The centre says, “From the viewing deck, you can exchange waves with the ships’ crew.”