Here are a variety of Guided and Self-Guided Tours available throughout the Lake George Region including: historical tours, garden tours, cave & cavern tours, nature tours, ghost tours, boat tours, museum tours, educational tours and more!
Archeological Field Dig Tours
Guided tours of Fort William Henry’s excavated dig sites are offered, as well as updates on their archeological findings and historical information on this French and Indian War site. Excavations are executed by Dr. David Starbuck (experienced in excavating military sites of 18th century) and his team from The SUNY Adirondack Archaeological Field School/ Select dates. Fort William Henry Museum, Lake George. (518) 668-5471. fwhmuseum.com fortwilliamhenry.com
Beneath Fortress Walls
Over 250 years ago French soldiers dug, chiseled, and blasted their way into the very rock of the Ticonderoga peninsula to create a fortress to defend New France. Within just a few decades from those first hammer blows New France had fallen a new nation was created and Fort Ticonderoga had fallen into ruin. When it was restored in the early 1900s much of what remained from the original fort was entombed beneath the reconstructed walls. This tour will go underneath and inside the fort to visit these areas, off limits to the general public, to see the handiwork of French masons and soldiers who toiled here two centuries ago. Join Matthew Keagle, Curator of Collections, on a guided tour beneath the walls and into the ground to explore how Fort Ticonderoga was built, and re-built, and how these spaces now support the modern museum. 5:00-6:30 pm, $35. Fort Ticonderoga, Ticonderoga. Advanced reservations required. (518) 585-2821. fortticonderoga.org
Beyond Bullets and Blades
Fort Ticonderoga introduces a rare opportunity to go beyond the exhibition case to examine and handle original 18th-century weapons with the supervision and knowledge of Fort Ticonderoga’s expert staff. This specialty experience offers participants the opportunity to learn how artisans in Europe and America transformed iron, brass, and wood into weapons that decided empires and revolutions. Feel the bulk and imagine what it was like for the soldiers of the 18th-century to carry these very weapons into battle. Every Wednesday May – October. Fort Ticonderoga, Ticonderoga. Advanced reservations required. Limited to 5 participants. 518-585-2821, fortticonderoga.org.
Cavern Walking Tours
Take a walking guided tour with trained guides to view nature’s underground passageways, ancient calcite formations, prehistoric fossils, and the 100 foot underground waterfall/ Daily (April – December). Secret Caverns, Howes Cave. (518) 296-8558. secretcaverns.com
Cave Tours: Guided Adventures & Self-Guided Explorations
Guided Tours: take a real cave crawl tour to explore a magnificent cave system in the Adirondacks. A complete caving suit including helmet, light, jumpsuit, elbow & knee pads, shoes and floatation vest is provided for crawling around the caves and the “cave float,” a water filled cave; reservations required (guided tours are during Summer Season). Self-Guided Tours: take a walking stick, map and camera to set out on a self-guided, 3/4 mile mostly above-ground, natural stone step nature trail. Experience, up-close, the many unique rock features in the marble gorge (including potholes, grottos, and mill site waterfall), and descend into lighted surface caves with raging waterfalls, or tranquil dark pools/ Daily (May – October). Also enjoy guided & self-guided winter snowshoe tours (Mid-December thru March). Natural Stone Bridge and Caves, Pottersville. (518) 494-2283. stonebridgeandcaves.com
Chapman Museum’s Delong House Tours
Guided & self-guided tours of the 19th Century Delong House at the museum/ Open year-round. Chapman Historical Museum, Glens Falls. (518) 793-2826. chapmanmuseum.org
Floating Classroom Trips: Educational Tours
A two hour hands-on aquatic guided adventure tour investigating the Lake George ecology, geologic history, animals, and lake protection efforts with Lake George Association. From earthquakes and glaciers to storm water runoff and invasive species, learn about Lake George and the science behind keeping its water clean and clear – aboard a 40 foot boat; reservations required/ Wednesdays – 2 hour tours (May – October) at Lake George Village Dock (north of Shepard Park) in Lake George Village & may be at other various public lakeside locations. (518) 668-3558. lakegeorgeassociation.org
Garden Tours
Enjoy the beautiful King’s Garden at Fort Ticonderoga. The stately King’s Garden recreates the estate’s Colonial Revival garden of 1921 incorporating brick pathways, a teahouse, and the reflecting pool with colorful flower beds. Also, visit the Discovery Gardens: Children’s Garden, Military Garrison Garden, Cut Flower Garden, 20th-Century Garden, and Native Garden. Garden programs & events available/ King’s Garden is open daily (May – October). Fort Ticonderoga, Ticonderoga. (518) 585-2821. fortticonderoga.org
Garnet Mine Tours & Activities
Take a guided tour to learn the geology & history of Garnet Mine and find garnet gemstones, large garnet crystal faces & quality mineral specimens; activities include gem cutting demonstrations, mineral collection, and fun sluice/ Daily (end of June – Labor Day) and weekends (September & October). Garnet Mine Tours, North River. (518) 251-2706. garnetminetours.com
Historical Tours And Living History Programs
Take a self-guided historical tour or a guided tour with interpreters in period uniforms that tell the story of Fort Ticonderoga through the day and give musket demonstrations; the Fife & Drum Corps (reenacting sights, sounds, and duties of 18th-Century field music) will entertain, educate and perform musical concerts, artillery demonstrations, military life vignettes, as well as flag raising and lowering ceremonies. Hands-on family activities, weapons demos, museum exhibits, explore the Fort landscape on the Battlefield hiking trail, reenactment events, historic trades workshops & programs available/ Daily May – October. Fort Ticonderoga, Ticonderoga. (518) 585-2821. fortticonderoga.org
History Done Fun Tours
Guides dressed in 18th Century military uniforms will give a tour explaining the weapons and warfare of the period including conducting live firing demonstrations of musket and cannon along with a musket ball molding demonstration. Tour the grounds & restored buildings, experience the reenactments, and view artifacts from the French & Indian War recovered through archeological excavations. Children can join the King’s Army/ Open: Daily 9AM-5PM, Friday & Saturdays 9AM-7PM (May & June); Daily 9AM-7PM (July & August); Daily 9AM-5PM, Friday & Saturdays 9AM-7PM (September & October). Fort William Henry Museum, Lake George Village. (518) 668-5471. fwhmuseum.com
Old Fort House Museum Campus Tours
Take a tour of the Old Fort House Museum, where both British and American troops used as headquarters during the Revolutionary War/ Tours 1-5PM Daily (June – August) and 1-5PM Tuesdays – Sundays (September – mid October); tours are also by appointment year-round. Old Fort House Museum, Fort Edward. (518) 747-9600. oldforthousemuseum.com
Soldier for an Evening!
This is your chance to enlist in the Continental Army! Your whole family can join together as new recruits to see what it was like to be a soldier at Fort Ticonderoga in 1775 at the dawn of the American Revolution. Raise your hand to affirm your allegiance to the 13 United States of America, and your journey will begin. Witness the power and use of 18th-century guns during the musket demonstration and practice formation tactics. Be prepared to march! The soldiers’ experience comes to life as participants explore key aspects of the American Revolution. This program is a strong cooperative activity and is great for families and groups. Advanced reservations required. (518) 585-2821. fortticonderoga.org. Select dates. $15.
Spirits Of History Ghost Tours
Family fun guided tours of ghostly places; find out the history behind incredible accounts and visit the sites that inspired these stories. Candlelit tours/ Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30PM (May & June); Wednesdays – Sundays at 7:30PM & 9PM (July & August); Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30PM (September & October). Fort William Henry Museum, Lake George. (518) 668-5471. fwhmuseum.com
Ticonderoga Guns By Night Tours
Experience the flash of musketry and roar of cannon fire by night in this unique 90-minute tour and demonstration of 18th-century guns, big and small! Explore the workings of the firelocks and cannons that armed the many garrisons of Fort Ticonderoga and influenced and shaped the strategic importance of this important frontier citadel. Learn how these great guns were used to attack and defend the Fort during the French & Indian War and made it such an important prize in the American Revolution. The tour concludes with a dramatic nighttime demonstration of weapons that you will not see anywhere else! Fort Ticonderoga, Ticonderoga., 8:00-9:30 pm, $35. Advanced reservations required. 518-585-2821, fortticonderoga.org.
Warrensburgh Museum Tours
Learn about the history of Warrensburg through artifacts, photographs & exhibits/ Open year-round. Warrensburgh Museum of Local History – 3754 Main Street, Warrensburg. (518) 623-2928. whs12885.org
