Where do I buy tickets?
Buy your tickets for the LaSalle Canal Boat at the Lock 16 Visitor Center.
How long is the ride?
The ride is one-hour, roundtrip.
When does the boat operate?
The LaSalle Canal Boat operates May-October Tuesday-Saturday with occasional Sundays and Mondays for holiday weekends. There are typically three rides a day: 10AM, 1:00PM, and 2:30PM.
How big is the boat?
The LaSalle Canal Boat is the same size as the canal boats that traveled on the Illinois & Michigan Canal more than 150 years ago: 76 feet long and 15 feet wide. It looks old but meets all Coast Guard requirements.
How many people does the boat accommodate?
It seats up to 70 people in an open-air upper deck and covered main deck.
Will there be snacks on board the boat?
Snacks will not be available on board during regular tours. However, the nearby Lock 16 Visitor Center has a cafe with a variety of breakfast and lunch options including homemade soups, sandwiches, salads, freshly baked desserts, specialty coffees and teas.
How fast will the boat travel?
The boat offers a leisurely ride traveling one to two miles per hour.
Is the boat accessible?
Yes. The boat is wheelchair accessible.
Is there a restroom on board the boat?
Yes. A restroom that is handicapped-accessible is on board.
What if it rains?
With a covered main deck, rain will not be a problem. However, severe weather may require cancelling tours for safety reasons.
How is the boat powered?
Mules walking along the original canal towpath pull the boat. It also has electric motors for use as needed.
How is the boat constructed?
The boat combines historic authenticity with modern technology and amenities. Its hull is aluminum, for added durability, and the rest of it is wooden.
Is there a story behind the vintage building housing the Visitor Center?
The two-story, brick commercial building was built in 1910 by F.W. Koenig, whose Koenig Brothers business sold buggies, harnesses and later automobiles there through 1929. Several other LaSalle businesses have called the building home since then. The building is being painstakingly restored.
What was the inspiration for the LaSalle Canal Boat?
More than 35 years ago, the LaSalle Rotary Club adopted the I&M Canal as a long-term civic project. They cleaned up the canal, re-watered it and aimed to build a replica canal boat to give rides on the canal. Their massive volunteer effort attracted millions of dollars in state investment and involvement by Canal Corridor Association. The Rotary members formed the Illinois & Michigan Canal Volunteers, which remains involved in the project today.
Where can I get more information?
Call 815.220.1848
