Fort Ticonderoga is entering August on extraordinary momentum. Named the Best Living History in America for the nation’s 250th anniversary by USA Today 10Best and recognized by The New York Times, Travel + Leisure, Smithsonian Magazine, and Fodor’s, the site is welcoming record-breaking visitation this summer as REAL TIME REVOLUTION® brings the fight for independence back to life — in real time, on the ground where it happened, 250 years later to the day. For families planning late-summer visits, Fort Ticonderoga now unveils its signature Heroic Corn Maze, opening July 25, alongside a full season of immersive programs, premium experiences, and daily adventures running through October 25.
“Two hundred and fifty years ago, the Continental Army held the line for liberty on this landscape,” said Beth L. Hill, President and CEO of Fort Ticonderoga. “This summer, we are honoring that stand with the most ambitious season in our history — and we are just entering its summer peak. Our REAL TIME REVOLUTION® programming, boat cruises on Lake Champlain, the Heroic Maze, and our new premium experiences give families of all ages a truly extraordinary reason to visit Fort Ticonderoga this August and fall.”
NEW IN 2026: The Heroic Corn Maze
Opening July 25 and running through October 25, the 2026 edition of Fort Ticonderoga’s beloved Heroic Corn Maze features an entirely new design built around six incredible stories of heroism and epic journeys from 1775 and 1776 — from covert scouting missions to Montreal to the legendary Noble Train of Artillery to Boston. The six-acre maze is divided into two phases for visitors of all ages, with Maze Quest challenges woven throughout. Use your knowledge of Fort Ticonderoga’s history to find your way — and discover a new story at every turn. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
REAL TIME REVOLUTION® — The Fight for Independence, Happening Now
Fort Ticonderoga’s landmark public history initiative REAL TIME REVOLUTION® recreates the specific events of the American Revolution on their exact dates, in the exact locations they unfolded — 250 years later to the day. Programming runs through 2027 and includes:
- July 28 — “Today We Are a Nation Among the People of the World”: The first reading of the Declaration of Independence to the Continental Army at Ticonderoga, recreated 250 years to the day on Liberty Hill — the very location it happened in 1776.
- August 29–30 — Fleet & Fortification: The Science of Defense: Watch American troops outfit armed vessels on Lake Champlain and entrench strategic locations.
- September 19–20 — “Lodging as the Nature of the Campaign Will Admit”: Watch soldiers of the Northern Continental Army build huts atop Liberty Hill using boards, posts, and beams in Fort Ticonderoga’s newly constructed Liberty Hill Encampment.
- October 24–25 — Hold the Line for Liberty: During this Battle Reenactment, witness a determined Continental Army as they dare the British to attack at Ticonderoga — one of the Revolution’s most consequential and least-known victories.
Family Adventures and Daily Programs
Fort Ticonderoga’s summer lineup offers something for every member of the family:
- Search for Liberty: A Family Adventure! — Trim shoe leather, push a needle, or carve treenails for bateau construction as families discover the historic trades of the Revolutionary War alongside 18th-century children’s games. Running July 1 through August 23.
- Daily Carillon Boat Cruises — Narrated tours across the archaeologically rich waters of Lake Champlain explore Ticonderoga’s role as a strategic stronghold.
- A Revolutionary Anthology — Fort Ticonderoga’s multi-year exhibition series explores the breadth of the American Revolution through new galleries and original objects. Each year through 2028, a new exhibition opens, illuminating a different facet of the founding era — from the global reach of the conflict to the lived experience of soldiers, citizens, and communities caught in the fight for independence.
Premium and Exclusive Experiences
For those seeking a deeper connection to Fort Ticonderoga’s collections, history, and landscape, new and returning premium programs include:
- History Happy Hour on Lake Champlain — A 90-minute evening cruise blending scenic Lake Champlain beauty with historical storytelling and cocktails. Friday evenings in July and August.
- Ticonderoga Treasures of 1776 — An intimate showcase of original museum artifacts from the opening campaigns of the Revolutionary War. NEW in 2026.
- “Achievements Immortalized in Song” — A live musical journey through the American Revolution featuring classic tavern songs. Tuesdays in July and August. NEW in 2026.
- Liberty Hill Guided Tour — A battlefield tour led by expert staff on the ground of the 1776 Continental encampment. Explore new archaeological discoveries. NEW in 2026.
- Cannon and Coffee — Join Curator Dr. Matthew Keagle for an early-morning tour of Fort Ticonderoga’s world-class artillery collection, with coffee and a commemorative mug.
- Ticonderoga Guns by Night — Dramatic 18th-century firepower demonstrations under the night sky.
- Premium Pavilion Tour — Explore the restored National Historic Landmark, the 1826 Pell Pavilion, and newly exhibited artifacts.
Plan Your Visit
Fort Ticonderoga and Mount Defiance are open Tuesday through Sunday, May 2 through October 25, 2026, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (last ticket sold at 4:30 p.m.). General admission tickets are valid for two consecutive days. Advance tickets are encouraged. Premium and specialty experiences require advance reservations. Full schedule, tickets, and reservations available at www.fortticonderoga.org.
About Fort Ticonderoga: Welcoming visitors since 1909, Fort Ticonderoga is a major cultural destination, museum, historic site, and center for learning. 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 with an economic impact of more than $16 million annually. Presenting vibrant programs, historic interpretation, boat cruises, tours, demonstrations, and exhibits, Fort Ticonderoga 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. 2026 All Rights Reserved.