Fort Ontario Lantern Tours

Enjoy a night of fascinating and sometimes gruesome tales of life at Fort Ontario and discover why so many spirits seem to linger there. The tour is guided by costumed interpreters, featuring stories from the Fort’s past. A limited supply of candle lanterns will be provided, and participants are invited to bring their own lanterns or flashlights. Not recommended for children under age 13, as some stories include adult content. Tours take place outdoors, rain or shine, after dark and encompass 1.5 miles of walking on uneven terrain, so participants are asked to dress accordingly. Tickets are $20, and advanced registration is recommended. To reserve a spot in a tour, call Fort Ontario at 315-343-4711. Tickets at the gate will be offered first come, first serve until the tour is at capacity. For more information about the lantern tours, call 315-343-4711 between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. Fort Ontario State Historic Site is open to visitors Wednesday through Sunday. The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, which are visited by 78 million people annually.