Trip Idea

Tour the American Revolution in Upstate New York

Multiple Parks

A family group stands in line with Continental Soldiers, practicing their march.
Duration Multiple Days
Topic(s) American Revolution, Ancient Seas, Commerce, Trade, Explorers and Expeditions, Forts, Geology, Lakes, Military, Monuments and Memorials, River and Riparian, Scenic Views, Trails, Water Trails, Transportation, Canals, Urban America, American Revolutionary War, French and Indian War, Watersheds, Westward Expansion, Marshes, Animals, Birds, Photography, Burial, Cemetery and Gravesite, Colonization and Settlement, Enslavement, Farming and Agriculture, Foothills, Plains and Valleys, Grasslands, Meadows, Artillery, Battlefields, Cavalry, Indigenous and Native Warrior, Infantry and Militia, US Army, US Navy, Mountains, Native American Heritage, Natural Sounds, Roads, Routes and Highways, Wars and Conflicts, Colonial/European Contact Conflicts, Architecture and Building, Archeology, Coniferous Forests, Deciduous Forests, Indian and Frontier Wars, Swamps, Schools and Education, Forests and Woodlands, Wilderness, African American Heritage, Immigration, Fire, Industry, Mills, Presidents, Sculpture, Wetlands more »
Activities Biking, Road Biking, Self-Guided Tours - Walking, Museum Exhibits, Living History, Hiking, Junior Ranger Program, Picnicking more »
Type Kid Friendly, Relaxed, Educational, Indoors, Outdoors, Road Trip, Group Friendly more »
Parks Fort Stanwix National Monument, Saratoga National Historical Park
Organizations National Heritage Areas Program

Day 1: The Fort That Never Surrendered
  • Fort Stanwix National Monument

    Hands - On History

    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Living History
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Duration: 10–60 Minutes
    • Season: Summer
    A boy stands opposite from a Continental Soldier, holding a wooden musket

    Have you ever wanted to become a time traveler? Visit the historic fort during the summer months and try one of the many historic activities that would have been happening there.

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  • Fort Stanwix National Monument

    Junior Rangers at Fort Stanwix!

    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Junior Ranger Program
    • Age: 5–15 years old
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Duration: 30–180 Minutes
    • Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    Several kids sit crowded together in a bateau-style boat.

    How can YOU become a Fort Stanwix Junior Ranger? Who wants to go on a boring grown-up tour when you can do some fun, cool kid things while exploring a historic fort? If that person is you, then ask a park ranger how can YOU become a Fort Stanwix Junior Ranger today!

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  • Fort Stanwix National Monument

    Exhibits, Artifacts, & Park Films

    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Museum Exhibits
    • Pets: No
    • Duration: 15–120 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    You can see three glass cases with artifacts inside and portraits next to them.

    There are several videos available at the park visitor center that detail the history of the American Revolution in the Mohawk Valley.

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  • Fort Stanwix National Monument

    Historic Fort Self-Guided Tour

    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Self-Guided Tours - Walking
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Duration: 20–60 Minutes
    • Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    Out of a doorway, you can see several Continental soldiers standing in a line, facing away from you.

    A self-guided room tour guide can be found inside the park brochure or provided by a ranger upon entry to the park.

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  • Fort Stanwix National Monument

    Picnic at the Park

    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Picnicking
    • Pets: Yes
    • Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    A large group of children sit on blankets scattered across the lawn.

    Fort Stanwix National Monument has a nice, big, grassy lawn and plenty of picnic tables to make your travels more convenient. Feel free to play and picnic on the park lawn during your visit!

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  • Fort Stanwix National Monument

    Walk the Monuments

    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Self-Guided Tours - Walking
    • Pets: Yes
    • Duration: 1–2 Hours
    • Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
    A view of a 20 foot tall, granite obelisk. It has words etched into the back.

    In Rome, NY, home of Fort Stanwix National Monument, you can find lots of history. Most of it sits within walking distance of the park, along an ancient trail called the Oneida Carry. Explore these locations if you get the chance and learn about how they all tie into American history; including the Oneida Carry, Fort Stanwix, the American Revolution, the Erie Canal, and the City of Rome.

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  • Fort Stanwix National Monument

    Bike the Mohawk River or the Erie Canal

    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Biking
    • Pets: Yes
    • Location: Bellamy Harbor Park
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
    Two people cycle in a line down the park trail.

    The Erie Canal Trail stretches across New York State. In Rome, NY, you can tour the heart of it and see its largest feeder river, the Mohawk. This smaller section of trail offers scenic views of the land as it was before the modern era.

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Days 2 & 3: The Revolution in the Valleys
  • Fort Stanwix National Monument

    New York State Rev War Parks

    • Activity Fee: Yes
    • Reservations: Yes
    • Activity: Living History
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Duration: 1–2 Days
    • Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    A line of people dressed as 18th C militia and in modern clothes march past a large brick house.

    Throughout the Mohawk Valley and upper Hudson Valley, you can find numerous New York State Park sites related to the American Revolution and the Campaign of 1777. These are just a few. 

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Days 4 & 5: The Turning Point of the Revolution
  • Saratoga National Historical Park

    Experience Victory Woods

    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Self-Guided Tours - Walking
    • Age: 10 and Older
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Location: Victory Woods
    • Duration: 20–60 Minutes
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
    Boardwalk surrounded by tree cover

    After retreating north from Saratoga Battlefield, the British Army moved west to a ridge top where they made their final defense. Surrounded and nearly out of food, ammunition, and time, they surrendered to the Americans on October 17, 1777. A self-guided, 1/2 mile developed pathway with interpretive signage brings visitors through Victory Woods.

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  • Saratoga National Historical Park

    Bike the Tour Road

    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Road Biking
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Location: Saratoga National Historical Park (Battlefield)
    • Duration: 1–3 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    Single cyclist using the bike lane of a paved road while wearing proper safety gear

    While Saratoga National Historical Park is primarily known for its history, we’re also a very popular spot for cycling; no matter your level of expertise!

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  • Saratoga National Historical Park

    Climb the Saratoga Monument

    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Self-Guided Tours - Walking
    • Age: 10 and Older
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Location: Saratoga Monument
    • Duration: 15 Minutes
    • Season: Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    eagle carved into granite

    This 155-foot stone obelisk was built in the last quarter of the 19th century to commemorate the American victory in the Battles of Saratoga. Visitors may climb up its 188 steps to take in amazing views of the surrounding area, with up to 30+ mile visibility on clear days.

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  • Saratoga National Historical Park

    Tour the Philip Schuyler Country Estate

    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Self-Guided Tours - Walking
    • Age: 10 and Older
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Location: Philip Schuyler Country Estate
    • Duration: 15–60 Minutes
    • Season: Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    Looking down a path to a two story yellow house

    Built in 1777, this northern plantation was the economic engine showcasing Philip Schuyler's wealth and success. Enslaved people and paid laborers worked in the timber mills, flax mills, grist mills, gardens, and herring fishery, providing the income to sustain this upper class family. Today, the estate stands as a testament to those who toiled, and to evolving times.

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  • Saratoga National Historical Park

    Hike the Wilkinson Trail

    • Activity Fee: No (Entrance fees may apply)
    • Reservations: No
    • Activity: Hiking
    • Pets: Yes with Restrictions
    • Location: Saratoga National Historical Park (Battlefield)
    • Duration: 1–3 Hours
    • Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
    • Time of Day: Day
    Wilkinson Trail marker in foreground, trail with 3 hikers cutting through meadow

    Saratoga National Historical Park preserves the sites associated with the 1777 Battles of Saratoga. Follow the footsteps of those before you as you hike along hallowed ground.

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Last updated: October 5, 2022