Sackets Harbor at a glance
Sackets Harbor sits on Lake Ontario and is one of the day-trip destinations from Watertown. The village is best known for the Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site, where two battles of the War of 1812 took place: the first on July 19, 1812 and the second on May 29, 1813. Historic Navy Yard buildings and exhibits tell the story.
The battlefield is a historic site, not an active base, and you can visit it as an ordinary tourist stop. Come for a few hours of history, a walk along the water and a look around the village. If you want a bigger day on the river afterwards, our things to do guide and the Thousand Islands overview have ideas.
Sackets Harbor Battlefield
Grounds, buildings and the guided tour are three different things.
The grounds
The grounds are open all year and close at dark. They suit any time of day in daylight.
The buildings
Building access opened on May 16, 2026. Hours started as Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with an expansion announced for after June 27. Check the current schedule before you go.
The guided tour
The tour fee is $5 for adults and $3 for seniors and students. Children up to 12 are free. This is a fee for the tour, not an admission price for the whole village.
The history
The site covers the War of 1812 on Lake Ontario, with historic Navy Yard buildings and exhibits. Allow one to two hours for a first visit.
Tours and day trips near Sackets Harbor
Boat tours, castle visits and river cruises in the Thousand Islands, with live prices and open seats.
Sackets Harbor Battlefield: what to plan
How the visit pieces fit together.
| Part of the visit | When | Cost (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Walk the grounds | Daily, until dark | – |
| Enter the historic buildings | From May 16, 2026, Tuesday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at first | – |
| Guided tour | Seasonal, with the buildings | $5 adults, $3 seniors and students, children up to 12 free |
For most visitors, a good plan is a morning walk on the grounds, then a guided tour while the buildings are open, then lunch in the village. In the off-season, the grounds are still there but the buildings may be closed, so treat the grounds as the safe part of the plan.
The Seaway Trail and Henderson Harbor
Two ways to extend the day along Lake Ontario.
Sackets Harbor lies on the Great Lakes Seaway Trail, a scenic route along the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River in New York and Pennsylvania. It links harbor towns and historic sites, so the village makes a natural stop on a longer drive.
Henderson Harbor is a harbor village between Westcott Beach and Southwick Beach State Parks, with a viewpoint on Route 3. It has marinas, lodging and camping. Fees for beaches and parking there vary, so check them locally. Pair it with Sackets Harbor for a lakeshore day, then continue to Cape Vincent and Tibbetts Point if you have time.
Sackets Harbor: frequently asked questions
What happened at Sackets Harbor?
Two battles of the War of 1812 were fought here: the first on July 19, 1812 and the second on May 29, 1813. Historic Navy Yard buildings and exhibits tell the story.
Is the battlefield open all year?
The grounds are open all year and close at dark. The buildings opened on May 16, 2026, so check the current schedule if you visit in the off-season.
How much does the guided tour cost?
In 2026 it is $5 for adults and $3 for seniors and students. Children up to 12 are free. It is not an admission fee for the whole village.
What is Henderson Harbor?
A harbor village between Westcott Beach and Southwick Beach State Parks, with a viewpoint on Route 3, marinas, lodging and camping.
Is this the official Sackets Harbor website?
No. This is an independent travel guide and is not connected to the village, the state historic site or any tour operator.