From the shores of Lake Champlain to the heights of Mount Defiance, Fort Ticonderoga continues to offer new opportunities and family fun this summer.
Ticonderoga’s epic history and signature stories are highlighted through innovative story telling on a grand scale, historic trades, daily soldiers’ life programs, new and permanent premier museum exhibitions, Fife & Drum performances, thrilling weapons demos, boat cruises, endless outdoor activities, captivating special events, and premium exclusive experiences.
A new 2024 Heroic Corn Maze design offers six acres of fun as visitors navigate towering stalks of corn using history clues related to Fort Ticonderoga to guide them. The maze is divided into two phases, giving guests the chance to gain confidence in the smaller maze before tackling the main maze. The average journey will take from 20 minutes for the first phase and up to an hour for the second phase.
The Family Guided Tour provides a kid-friendly overview of all of the exciting things to do during a visit. In addition to the tour, the new family scavenger hunt, In His Majesty’s Service, gives families a chance to work together to complete tasks as they explore Fort Ticonderoga and receive rewards for helping the soldiers with their daily duties.
A 75-minute narrated boat cruise aboard the Carillon tour boat lets visitors explore what lies beneath Lake Champlain in some of the most archaeologically rich waters in North America while they are surrounded by breathtaking lake views, commanding mountains, and the majestic fort. The tours feature an energetic narration of Ticonderoga’s epic story as one of North America’s most strategic strongholds and places the iconic fort into a larger context as part of the imperial struggle for the continent in the 18th century.
Officials at Fort Ticonderoga recently announced a new schedule of premium programs and tours. Visitors will have the opportunity to go behind-the-scenes, tour the fort before and after hours, and delve deep into Ticonderoga’s epic history and natural beauty.
A new experience, A Date with Brown Bess, allows visitors to go beyond the exhibit cases with Fort Ticonderoga Curator Dr. Matthew Keagle and handle original rare weapons from Fort Ticonderoga’s Museum collection.
The full list of premium programs can be found by visiting https://www.fortticonderoga.org/experience/premium-experiences-and-tours/.
“We look forward to continue welcoming thousands of families where the learning is easy and memories are made of historic proportions,” said Beth L. Hill, Fort Ticonderoga President and CEO. “New offerings bring visitors into Fort Ticonderoga’s epic story through hands-on activities, programs, and exhibitions that ignite the spark for families and the joy of learning together while gaining a deeper understanding of our nation’s past and its meaning to us today.”
In addition to daily programs in August, mark your calendar for upcoming signature events.
September 14-15 | Battle Reenactment: 1777 Brown’s Raid :
Observe an exciting two-day battle re-enactment highlighting the epic 1777 Brown’s Raid with different experiences each day. An attack led by patriot Colonel John Brown will take British troops garrisoning at Fort Ticonderoga by surprise 247 years later during the upcoming real-life action adventure.
October 5 | Heritage Harvest & Horse Festival
Bring the whole family to the Heritage, Harvest & Horse Festival for a full day of autumn fun set in the midst of the King’s Garden heirloom apple trees and the beautiful Adirondack landscape. Discover the importance of horses and other working animals throughout history during exciting demonstrations. Meet friendly farm animals, stroll through a farmers market featuring local food, beverages, and crafts, participate in family fun activities, tackle the six-acre Heroic Corn Maze, and be sure to purchase some harvest vegetables and plants from the historic King’s Garden.
Fort Ticonderoga and Mount Defiance are open Tuesday-Sunday through October 27 from 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased, including Carillon boat tours and premium programs, online in advance by visiting www.fortticonderoga.org or the day-of at the admission’s booth. General admission tickets are valid for two consecutive days!