This is a great place to watch boats and barges on the Ohio river. They have markers that have early history of the locks and traffic on the river. Interesting early history of the river and the city of Louisville. Located in the old city of Portland, Kentucky now part of Louisville, Kentucky. Very interesting, take your lunch and enjoy it on the river. You don't have to be a history buff to enjoy the McAlpine Locks. Great view from the observation deck over looking the Ohio river.

Great view of the lock and really educational. Some of the information signs on display have been faded by the sun but if you look close enough you can still make them out.

We watched a load of15 barges loaded with coal go through the locks. Great interpretive story booards! Such amazing history!

Good place to take you’re kids and explain how the locks work and let them read some of the literature that’s posted around explaining what everything is. Don’t suggest doing it on a very hot and sunny day 😂

Wow... Just wow. If you've never taken the kids to watch a barge as it goes through the locks and read about the history of the locks and Dam you need to put that on your calendar, I love it and was amazed by the process.

This is just an observation area. It was nice to see down over the one lock, but we were not able to see any action the time of day we went on Friday. It is quite a massive site. You also can view a pillar with markings of past floods with the dates.

This is a pretty cool thing to do if you're in town. Interesting to see how the water level changes in the locks and how it all works. I did this during a kayak event in the summertime. And it was really fun. Although a lot of waiting around so not sure I would do the kayak event again but I would definitely go check out the locks.

This is a great place to watch boats move through the locks. There are signs with historical information, though they are fading and in need of replacement. I loved visiting here and highly recommend!

Pretty cool to watch the barges come thru

Absolutely horrible, the Army Corp. has decided that absolutely none of the rest of the public should have access to shipping port Island, because a few kids tore up some property and they can't police it correctly, they decided we don't deserve access to public property.

Cool Lock and Dam. Got to see a barge lock through from the observation deck.

great viewing area

Great place to view the Locks

Great overview of the Lock and Dam chambers if the visitor center is open.

Nice side of Nature and if you're lucky you might even catch one of the barges coming through

Top notch learning about our history and the canal system

this is a fascinating place!! So much fun facts and history packed into one great place! And being able to see the barges come and go and put that with the what you learn while your there is awesome!!

A must see for anyone that does not live along a river with locks and dams. Little hard to find if you don't know the area, but well worth the visit. Corp of Engineers keep good brochures at site.

It's a nice little side trip if you're into historical things or have a kid that loves boats. You won't be guaranteed to see a boat/barge in it but there are quite a few a day so just try again later!

Clean viewing area and a wealth of information about the lock and dam. You have the option to read or listen to recorded information. Watching barges going through the lock was very impressive. Would love to see a lock and dam tour boat so you could have the experience of going through the lock.

Had a great time watching a tow go through the locks