From the shores of Lake Champlain to the heights of Mount Defiance, Fort Ticonderoga offers family-friendly activities this fall that capture the essence of the season. Ticonderoga’s epic history and signature stories are highlighted through innovative story telling on a grand scale, historic trades, daily soldiers’ life programs, enriching guided tours, thrilling weapons demos, boat cruises, endless outdoor activities, captivating special events including the September 14-15 Brown’s Raid Battle Reenactment, and premium exclusive experiences.
“Surrounded by magnificent autumn backdrops of the Adirondacks and Green Mountains, the epic beauty makes Fort Ticonderoga a must-see destination especially during the fall,” said Beth L. Hill, Fort Ticonderoga president & CEO. “Daily offerings bring visitors into Fort Ticonderoga’s defining story through hands-on activities, programs and exhibitions which inspire the joy of learning together for families and visitors of all ages, while gaining a deeper understanding of our nation’s past and its meaning to us today.”
Navigate through towering stalks of corn in the 6-acre Heroic Corn Maze using history clues related to Fort Ticonderoga to guide you! 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 twenty minutes for the first phase and up to an hour for the second phase. With a NEW design for 2024, the Heroic Corn Maze is a great family tradition and fun for all ages!
Enhance your visit with a 75-minute narrated boat cruise aboard the Carillon tour boat. Explore what lies beneath Lake Champlain in some of the most archaeologically rich waters in North America while you 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.
Premium tours inside the restored 1826 Pell Pavilion allow you to delve into the exquisite details and enjoy the treasured family tales within each room and each significant object on display. This 60-minute guided tour examines the evolution of this National Historic Landmark, from summer home to hotel, its renovation in 1909, and its most recent complete restoration. Explore incredible examples of the museum’s furniture, decorative arts, and archaeological remains from the Pavilion on exhibit for the very first time. Don’t miss out on this EXCLUSIVE experience offered Tuesday afternoons through October 3.
In addition to daily programs, mark your calendar for upcoming signature events:
September 14-15 | Battle Reenactment: 1777 Brown’s Raid
Join Fort Ticonderoga for 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 Fort Ticonderoga by surprise 247 years later during the upcoming real-life action adventure at Fort Ticonderoga.
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 our farmers market featuring local food, beverages, and crafts, participate in family fun activities, tackle the 6-acre Heroic Corn Maze, and be sure to purchase some of our beautiful harvest vegetables and plants from the historic King’s Garden! This fall-favorite event combined with daily Fort Ticonderoga programs including the Carillon boat makes this an annual family tradition!
October 19 | Bon Voyage Cruise on Lake Champlain
Savor the fall scenic beauty and enjoy the captivating narration of historic highlights aboard the Carillon as you travel along the ancient warpath and trade route south from Fort Ticonderoga to Chipman Point, The Narrows, through Lock 12 in Whitehall, and the historic sites of the South Bay of Lake Champlain. Passengers receive one complimentary beverage with the choice of assorted beer, wine, cider, and soft drinks. A bar stocked with wine, beer, and signature cocktails are available for credit card purchase on board.
Fort Ticonderoga and Mount Defiance are open for visitation Tuesday-Sunday through October 27, 2024 from 9:30 am-5:00 pm. 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 Admissions Booth. General admission tickets are valid for two consecutive days!
About Fort Ticonderoga
Welcoming visitors since 1909, Fort Ticonderoga is museum, historic site, major cultural destination, and center for learning, on-site and across the globe through Fort Ticonderoga’s Center for Digital History. As a multi-day destination and the premier place to learn more about North America’s military heritage, Fort Ticonderoga engages more than 70,000 visitors each year. Presenting vibrant programs, historic interpretation, boat cruises, tours, demonstrations, and exhibits, Fort Ticonderoga and is open for daily visitation May through October and special programs during Winter Quarters, November through April. Fort Ticonderoga is owned by The Fort Ticonderoga Association, a 501c3 non-profit educational organization, and is supported in part through generous donations and with some general operating support made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts. To view Fort Ticonderoga’s electronic press kit, click here. © The Fort Ticonderoga Association. 2024 All Rights Reserved.