Liftlock & the Riverboat Cruises

Updated June 11, 2025

Liftlock and The River Boat Cruises (Peterborough) – 2019 All You Need …

## Liftlock & the Riverboat Cruises (Peterborough): what you’re actually signing up for

If you want a water-level view of Peterborough’s most famous piece of engineering, Liftlock & the Riverboat Cruises is one of the most direct ways to do it—because the route is built around the Trent–Severn Waterway and the Peterborough Lift Lock (Lock 21). The company lists its address as 92 George Street North, Peterborough, ON K9J 3G5, and a phone number of 705-742-9912.

### Quick facts (grounded in current published sources)
– Operator website: liftlockcruises.com
– Listed pricing (tax included): Seniors $33.00, Adults $35.00, Children (3–12) $15.50, Infant (under 3) $3.50 (infant must be on lap).
– Payment + weather policy (as published by the operator): “Cash only” and “rain or shine.”
– What the sightseeing cruise says it covers: Little Lake, the Peterborough Centennial Fountain, a traditional flood lock that raises the boat 12 feet, then the “highlight” (the Lift Lock).

> Outdated-data flag: Cruise schedules and daily operating windows can change mid-season. The operator website currently shows “CLOSED FOR THE SEASON” and specific time windows for weekdays/weekends, so treat any third-party “hours” listings as potentially stale until you confirm directly.

—

## Why the Peterborough Lift Lock is the headline moment

The Lift Lock isn’t just “a lock.” Parks Canada describes Lock 21 as one of only two hydraulic lift locks on the Trent–Severn Waterway, and notes it opened on July 9, 1904. Canada

That matters for visitors because the experience is fundamentally different from a typical staircase of chamber locks:
– A hydraulic lift lock raises (or lowers) boats by lifting a caisson (a water-filled chamber) rather than slowly filling a lock chamber.
– The approach, pause, lift, and exit are visually legible—even if you don’t care about engineering—because you can watch the whole mechanism in action from close range.

If you like travel experiences that make a place “click,” this is a strong one: the Lift Lock is a piece of early-1900s infrastructure that still defines Peterborough’s landscape today. Canada

—

## What the cruise route looks like in practice

Based on the operator’s published sightseeing description, expect the narrative arc to be:

1. Departure area near the marina / Del Crary Park zone (the operator says the sightseeing cruise departs from the Peterborough Marina area next to a nearby hotel and Del Crary Park).
2. Little Lake crossing — a wide, open stretch where you’ll usually get the cleanest sightlines.
3. Past the Peterborough Centennial Fountain — an easy-to-recognize landmark on the water.
4. A traditional flood lock that raises the boat 12 feet — a useful “before” comparison.
5. The Lift Lock (Lock 21) — the signature ascent/descent.

The operator also highlights captain’s commentary focused on local history and how the locks work.

—

## Who this is best for (and who should skip it)

### You’ll get the most value if you’re:
– Curious about canal systems, industrial heritage, or transportation history (the cruise is built around lock operations and the Trent–Severn story).
– Traveling with mixed ages and want an attraction that’s both “doable” and genuinely educational without being classroom-y (Parks Canada emphasizes the Lift Lock’s lasting significance; the operator emphasizes live commentary). Canada

### Consider alternatives if:
– Cash-only is a dealbreaker. The operator is explicit about this.
– You’re trying to optimize for maximum autonomy (a cruise is schedule-bound by design, and lockage timing can vary).

—

## Practical planning notes (accuracy-first)

### 1) Confirm the day’s operating status
The operator’s homepage explicitly indicates seasonality and asks guests to call in advance for availability.
Because this is a lock-based route, availability can be influenced by navigation conditions and operational constraints.

### 2) Understand the “lock context”
Even if you’re not boating independently, it helps to know you’re traveling through part of a Parks Canada-managed national historic site (Trent–Severn Waterway NHS). Canada
If you are traveling with your own boat in the region, Parks Canada publishes navigation/lockage hours and fee schedules separately. Canada

### 3) Accessibility and inclusivity
I don’t have a primary-source accessibility statement (e.g., boarding ramp specs, washroom accessibility, mobility device policies) from the operator in the sources retrieved here. If accessibility considerations are relevant for your party, the most reliable move is a quick call to the published number before you go.

—

## Two contextual internal links you can add (editorial-ready)
Use whichever URLs match your RealJourneyTravels.com structure:

– If you have (or plan) a city hub: Best Things to Do in Peterborough, Ontario
– If you have a waterway explainer: Trent–Severn Waterway Guide: Locks, Routes, and Planning

(These are intentionally written as internal link placements—swap to your actual slugs.)

—

## Mini FAQ (kept strictly to sourced facts)

### Is the Peterborough Lift Lock historically significant?
Yes. Parks Canada notes Lock 21 is a hydraulic lift lock on the Trent–Severn Waterway and that it opened July 9, 1904. Canada

### What does the sightseeing cruise pass by?
The operator’s sightseeing page lists Little Lake, the Peterborough Centennial Fountain, a traditional flood lock (raising the boat 12 feet), and the Lift Lock as the highlight.

### What should I budget for tickets?
The operator currently lists Adults $35, Seniors $33, Children (3–12) $15.50, Infants under 3 $3.50, with taxes included.

—

## Bottom line
Liftlock & the Riverboat Cruises is one of those attractions where the “sightseeing” is actually the point: you’re watching a working canal system and a Parks Canada-recognized national historic site do what it was designed to do—move boats through a dramatic change in elevation—while getting local context in real time.

Key Highlights

Liftlock & the Riverboat Cruises

Location

Places to Stay Near Liftlock & the Riverboat Cruises"... if you're visiting Peterborough and are looking for something to do."

Find and Book a Tour

Explore More Travel Guides