Fort Ticonderoga

Fort Ticonderoga is one of the great historic sites of eastern New York, a restored eighteenth-century fortress on a point of land at the southern end of Lake Champlain. Built by the French in the 1750s as Fort Carillon, it was captured by the British in 1759 during the French and Indian War and then taken in 1775 by Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys at the start of the American Revolution. The cannon seized here were dragged to Boston the following winter, helping to force the British to evacuate the city. The fort changed hands again in 1777 and has been a landmark ever since. Today a private non-profit operates it as a museum and living history site, with costumed interpreters, cannon firings, exhibits, a large collection of artifacts, and hiking and views across the lake to Vermont.

The experience is wide-ranging. Walking the ramparts and the parade ground gives a feel for the fort's scale, and demonstrations of musket and artillery drill bring the 1700s to life. The museum holds one of the country's finest collections of Revolutionary War artifacts, from weapons and uniforms to documents, and the King's Garden, a walled garden restored on the historic site, supplies seasonal color and produce.

A short drive away, Mount Defiance offers views down onto the fort and the lake and shows why the British were able to retake it in 1777. Programs change through the season and sometimes include boat tours of the lake, special weekends and reenactments.

A cafe is on site, and picnic spots overlook the lake. Combination tickets sometimes cover the fort and other site experiences, and special events such as the Revolutionary War weekends draw crowds, so book ahead for those dates.

Fort Ticonderoga is roughly an hour and a half from Lake Placid and about a half-hour from Lake George, so it fits well into a Champlain Valley or Lake George day. A ferry nearby links the New York and Vermont shores in season, offering a scenic shortcut for travelers continuing east. For history lovers it is a must-visit, and for others it offers a pleasant mix of scenery, living history and open air.

The site works best in good weather, but the museum provides a backup if rain arrives. If your itinerary includes Ausable Chasm, you can pair the two for a day that mixes dramatic nature and early American history.

Check the daily program when you arrive, since artillery demonstrations and tours are timed and you will want to plan your route around them. Wear comfortable shoes for stone and grass, and bring water in warm weather. The museum provides welcome shade or warmth depending on the season, and the garden is at its best in summer. If you have the energy, the drive to Mount Defiance is a short detour and gives the context that many visitors miss. Children enjoy the cannon blasts but may need ear protection, which staff can sometimes provide.