By Stefan Yablonski
American Cruise Lines is bringing small cruise ships to Oswego starting in its 2026 season. They will offer several custom luxury sightseeing cruises this summer as part of its new nine-day Great Lakes & Thousand Islands itinerary. It includes Oswego as a port of call, alongside stops in Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo and Clayton — offering guests a chance to explore Upstate New York’s waterways and history aboard the American Patriot, a new vessel with private balconies.
“They will start by assembling guests in Syracuse and then boarding them on a 130-passenger ship at Oswego Harbor for a tour around Lake Ontario, possibly into Ohio,” according to David Granoff. He is on the board of directors of the Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary representing tourism. “Oswego’s strategic location where the Oswego River meets Lake Ontario makes it a key port for these new Great Lakes sailings, appealing to culturally curious travelers interested in history and scenic beauty.”
“American Cruise Line coming to Oswego is incredibly exciting. The fact that a national company recognizes our city as a destination brings what we have to offer to a much larger audience and gives us an opportunity to showcase what we have to offer as a tourist spot, as well as a fine community in which to live,” said Eva Corradino is the chairwoman of the Oswego City Promotion and Tourism Advisory Board, which was formed in 2014.
Thanks to the ORA (The Oswego Renaissance Association) and the changes and improvements made in Oswego over the past 10 years, not only locals, but those outside our community are realizing what a gem this town is, she added.
“For the cruise participants, local nonprofits are thrilled to open their doors and give special tours,” Corradino said. “Our museums and the Food and History Tour each offer unique experiences. During the time the boat is docked, it also means that the visitors will have a chance to see as much of our city as they’d like, beginning with Wright’s Landing, Cahill Pier and Breitbeck Park. I am sure that local stores and restaurants will be visited, neighborhoods explored and folks will leave Oswego feeling like they have experienced a lovely and welcoming small town. I hope they will spread the word and we see even more tourism coming our way.”
The two trips that start in Buffalo, May 29 and Aug. 27, end in Oswego, with one and a half days at the end to be spent in Oswego, according to Corradino. The excursions to be offered are Fort Ontario/ Safe Haven, Richardson-Bates House Museum, H. Lee White Maritime Museum and an Oswego Food and History Tour.
“The other dates, they sail out of Oswego and don’t plan for them to do anything here. I believe they visit the Erie Canal Museum then head to Oswego, board and sail,” she said.
Cruises are available for 2026, with many dates already close to selling out. Bookings can be made on the American Cruise Lines website.
Four seasons
“Oswego County specifically is known for its tourism opportunities. We have Lake Ontario and a lot of waterfront development happening here. We have seen an uptick already in tourism. We are a four-season location. We have something for every season — if you were a snowmobiler you’d be enjoying it right now,” said Sara Broadwell, executive director, Greater Oswego-Fulton Chamber of Commerce. “There are just so many things to do here. We have wonderful restaurants, we have historic Fort Ontario, the marine sanctuary, Safe Haven. There is just a ton of things to see and do. That’s what makes it great here, there’s always something to do no matter the season.”
Oswego County offers year-round tourism, featuring premier Lake Ontario fishing, historic sites like Fort Ontario and diverse outdoor recreation. Centrally located, it attracts visitors with festivals, snowmobiling and summer racing at Oswego Speedway. Top attractions include the H. Lee White Marine Museum, Salmon River Falls and Splash Indoor Water Park.
Strengthening partnerships
In the past year, Oswego County Tourism continued to strengthen meaningful partnerships including a new collaboration with SUNY Oswego through the Hometown University Program, which introduces incoming and potential new students to the local community, according to legislator Mary Ellen Chesbro. “We also established a fishing sub-committee through our tourism advisory council to focus on elevating our world-class fishing industry and connected with tourism professionals from around the globe at the World Canal Conference in Buffalo,” she added.
Chesbro is chair of the economic development and planning committee which oversees promotion and tourism, planning and community development, housing, public information, mobility management and workforce development for the county.
“We continue to engage our communities to enhance local tourism initiatives and ongoing projects along our waterfronts, shorelines and trails preserve and protect these vital recreational areas,” she said. “In fact, we’ve had reports that the lower Tug Hill region has close to 10 feet of snow for the season and our snowmobile clubs are doing a great job keeping the trails groomed and safe for riders.
“Looking ahead to 2026, we are excited to build on this momentum through various initiatives, such as the Oswego County America’s 250th Commission, as we continue positioning Oswego County as a premiere destination to visit, work and live.”
Tourism Industry in Oswego County at a Glance
What does tourism mean to Oswego County? Legislator Mary Ellen Chesbro, chairwoman of the economic development and planning committee, which oversees promotion and tourism, planning and community development, housing, public information, mobility management and workforce development for the county, shared some figures showing the impact of tourism in Oswego County. That’s the latest data available and refers to the year 2024.
• Visitor Spending at Local Businesses Totaled: $235 Million
• $38.4M was spent on Lodging / Accommodations
• $21.4M was spent on Recreation / Entertainment
• $84.1M was spent on Food & Beverage
• $28.1M was spent on Retail Goods and Services
• $16.1M was spent on Local Transportation
• $46.8M was spent on Vacation Property / Second Homes
Visitor spending enhances the standard of living in Oswego County, generating:
• $13.8M in county tax revenue, reducing the tax burden on residents
• $90.9M local employment income supported by visitor spending
