Restored Fort for Visiting and Education

Not far from Niagara Falls is Old Fort Niagara, located on a bluff overlooking Lake Ontario. It is the entranceway to the Niagara River and has a colorful history, playing an important role of protection during battles with Great Britain and France. It helped establish United States control of the Great Lakes, and shaped the Six Nations of the Iroquois people, as well as Canada. The landmark has become a museum and monument to this history. It is operated by the Old Fort Niagara Association and seeks to "... preserve, restore and maintain the historic site and structures of Old Fort Niagara... foster, encourage and promote a deeper understanding of Old Fort Niagara and its significance to the history of the (area) and... to establish and maintain collections of objects, books, documents and illustrations relating to the site...''

The site includes 23-acres of land, plus Lake Ontario bottom land at the mouth of the river. Visiting means witnessing this National Historic Landmark that is host to more than 100,000 people per year. The collection of materials includes 18th and 19th century military architecture and living history programs, as well as historic exhibits and collections. The fort is one of the most popular destinations in the area, often distracting visitors from the falls for a few hours. It features the oldest buildings in the Great Lakes area, as well as beautiful scenery. The land is mostly self-funded, and depends on admission fees, shop sales, memberships, and fundraising events to keep the museum operational. Admission to the fort is $10 for adults and $6 for children between 6 and 12 years of age. There are discounts for seniors and AAA members, and children under the age of 6 years are free. Discounted group admissions are also available for groups of a dozen or more people. These visits must be scheduled more than two weeks in advance. The museum opens daily at 9 am all year long.

The fort features onsite education programs that include guided tours and overnight camps. There are also distance learning programs and outreach programs that provide educational material to instructors who want to incorporate the fort into history lessons.

A visit to the fort should include a trip through the gift shop where you can purchase a memento of your experience. The shop sells figurines and collectibles, postcards, posters, apparel, novelties, books and other publications, and souvenirs.

Due to its proximity to Niagara Falls, there are dozens of dining and accommodation options. You can stay right in the heart of downtown Niagara and enjoy the falls tourist experience, planning a trip to the fort into your itinerary. The falls is a family friendly tourist area filled with activities, restaurants, shows, and tourist attractions. Kids will love visiting the wax museum, the displays commemorating trips over the falls in a barrel, and boating beneath the falls on the famous Maid of the Mist boats. There are also plenty of mini-golf courses, shops, and theaters. If you are planning a trip to the American side of the falls, or crossing into the Canadian side, a stop by Old Fort Niagara should be a part of your vacation.