Sitting right on the West First Street Pier, the H. Lee White Maritime Museum is Oswego's "Treasure Chest." It features everything on Oswego's amazing maritime history.

"H. Lee was a local boy and he went on to college at Cornell and then entered the Navy," said museum Executive Director Mercedes Neiss. "He served under two presidents in the Department of Transportation. He was very involved in commercial shipping, international commercial shipping all over the World."

The Oswego River and canal system helped develop our nation's westward movement.

"We really enjoy showing off the ship building aspect of Oswego, which had numerous ship building companies in the 1800s through the 1900s actually," Neiss said.

There are displays on shipwrecks, old captain logs, and even supply stores. But while you are here, it's not just what you see, but it's how you feel while you take it all in. One of the really cool things about this museum is that its built right on the water, so when you are inside, it actually feels like you are on a ship.

Until of course, you actually get on one.

The museum is home to the LT-5, a critical ship from World War II.

"It participated in the Normandy invasion in World War II. She was built in 1943 and she's waiting for visitors," Niess said.

It's not something you see or get to board everyday. It's not a model or a replica. It's the actual tugboat on display.

"She was a supply ship and she would help bring barges supplies, ammunition, and that sort of thing to the force that was going out to the shores," Neiss said.

You can get a feel of the ship's pilothouse, its engine room, and even living spaces. The ship itself is actually a national historic landmark. It's also not the only boat you can tour.

"We're now going to go visit the 1927 Derrick Barge, which served on the canal system, the New York State Canal System, for almost 60 years," Niess told said.

Work boats serving on the canal did everything from repairing locks to ensuring other boats had the supplies they needed. The Derrick itself can actually lift its own weight. The technology, is actually still used today.

But again, this is a maritime museum. You certainly don't want to spend all of your time on land. Here, you get the change to get on a boat, hit the open water and even get an up close look at Oswego's most famous lighthouse.

"Just about five years ago, we got just the right combination of volunteers that made it possible and so every season, we are able to take folks out to the lighthouse," Niess said.

The West Pierhead Lighthouse was built in 1934. It provides miles of scenic views  and now runs on solar power. Crews have done extensive rehab on the site over the last few years. Visitors can now tour the tower, the living quarters and radio room.

When they get back to the museum, they can see the old 1881 Fresnel light lens inside.

"This year has been spectacular because frankly a lot of people from New York State are doing a stay-cation so we've had a lot of great visitors from all over New York State," Niess said.

Stay-cation or Trip on a Tankful. However you refer to it, you can do it right here on the eastern shore of Lake Ontario.