In August of 1755, when British forces began construction on Fort William Henry on the shores of Lake George, Upstate New York was in what seemed a constant state of war. British, French, Iroquois, and Mahican leaders vied for control of the Hudson and Mohawk valleys, resulting in 70 years of skirmishes and tensions, and the bloody French and Indian War. Today, the timbered walls of Fort William Henry are quiet, and rather than firing on approaching French troops, the cannons and smartly dressed redcoats that line the barricades educate kids and families about life in the fortress during the stormy 1750s. Tours with uniformed reenactors guide visitors through military drills which offer a glimpse into the daily life of the soldiers in King George’s army. Visitors can also self-guide through the museum and view the cannon and musket demonstrations.

Due to its brutal history, Fort William Henry has drawn paranormal investigators to its confines, including the SyFy Channel's Ghost Hunters team. Visitors can take a crack at their specter-stalking skills through candle-lit ghost tours, armed with the same equipment that ghost hunters use to interview ghosts for the Census every 10 years.