Parkview At Ticonderoga

Pros

• The park is very well maintained.
• The waterfall and surrounding scenery are beautiful.
• There is abundant open space for events and for kids to play sports.
• The park features picnic tables, a playground, and a fishing area, making it family-friendly.
• It is great for walking, with bucolic views and gentle slopes.
• The walking path around the park offers scenic views and photo opportunities.
• The park hosts entertaining summer events, including free concerts and a spectacular Fourth of July fireworks display.
• The Kiwanis monument to Samuel Champlain is gorgeous.
• The park connects to trails along the La Chute River and provides a launch dock for kayaks or canoes.
• It is peaceful, clean, and pleasant to visit.
• The covered bridge and the falls provide beautiful photo opportunities and charm.

Cons

• The festivities get worse every year.
• The park is clean but nothing like it was in the 1990s.
• The gnats and bugs are miserable.
• At night there are flying, biting bugs.
• Dogs are not allowed at the top rim.

Review

Bicentennial Park in Ticonderoga is a serene crossroads where natural beauty meets community life. Nestled in a quiet town whose main street has changed little over the decades, the park sits beside a dynamic ribbon of water - the La Chute River - that travels northward between Lake George and Lake Champlain. Visitors come for the water's motion, yes, but they stay for the sense of place that emerges from the park's well-kept spaces, accessible trails, and the steady rhythm of town life that runs through the surrounding streets and historic sites.

The centerpiece for many visitors is the waterfall itself, a dramatic feature described as sprawling and photogenic. The La Chute Falls cascade in five stages, totaling more than 200 feet of drop, offering powerful but peaceful scenes that invite long walks, brisk runs, or quiet moments of meditation along the water's edge. At the lower falls, a dock invites kayaks and canoes, turning a shoreline stroll into a gateway for small-watercraft adventures. If you linger near the water, you might glimpse wading birds or even osprey fishing along the river, turning a family outing into a brief wildlife encounter. A quaint covered bridge and a nearby pergola with vines add to the park's timeless charm, while memorial plaques along the historic route between Lake George and Lake Champlain remind visitors of the region's long arc of history.

Beyond the scenery, Bicentennial Park is a well-rounded community space. The grounds are purposefully maintained, with clean open spaces, picnic tables, and a children's playground that makes it a natural stop for families. Ballfields provide room for sports and casual play, and the park's paths are described as scenic for walking or biking, with some gentle slopes that offer bucolic views of the river and its surroundings. A paved, accessible walking area makes it welcoming to strollers and older visitors alike, and some travelers note that the park even offers electric vehicle charging, underscoring its practicality as a hub for locals and visitors who want to blend outdoor time with everyday errands.

Seasonal life at Bicentennial Park adds another layer of appeal. The park is a locus of summer concerts, a summer carnival, and the Fourth of July celebrations that locals proudly call "The Best 4th in the North." The fireworks display is a signature highlight, with reviews noting it as one of the season's unforgettable moments - often described as 30 minutes of spectacular light and sound that have become a tradition for families and friends who gather to mark the holiday. The park also hosts ongoing entertainment throughout the warm months, and those with a nostalgic bend will appreciate stories of an old-school soda fountain at the nearby old drugstore as part of a broader downtown experience.

The park's relationship with the town center is close and active. The basin sits within easy reach of Historic Downtown Ticonderoga's shops and eateries, with the La Chute River trail connecting to the broader network of paths along the river. Visitors who linger at the bottom of the falls may spot a blue heron or other wildlife, reinforcing the sense that the park is a living, breathing place for both relaxation and small adventures. For visitors who like to blend water sports with sightseeing, there are launch points for kayaks or canoes and a paddling route that can lead toward the mouth of Lake Champlain near Fort Carillon/Ticonderoga, a nod to the region's Revolutionary War and earlier French/Indian histories.

Families in particular find Bicentennial Park inviting. The combination of a safe playground, fishing spots in the creek, and opportunities to observe birds or to dip a toe into the water makes it easy to spend a day outdoors. People frequently remark on how peaceful the park feels, even in peak activity times, and there's a sense that the space is well suited for both active play and quiet reflection. There are moments of bustle - for example, community events, the occasional car show on a sunny day, and the steady flow of residents and visitors - but the overall atmosphere remains one of ease, cleanliness, and timeless scenery.

In winter, the park does not disappear; the waterfall remains impressive, and the landscape takes on a quieter, contemplative beauty. Reviewers note that while the insects can be bothersome at times in the warmer months, the park's charm remains intact across seasons. The teeming summer activity gives way to a calmer pace, yet the sense of place endures - a place to gather with friends for a bite to eat on a bench, or to take a reflective stroll along the water's edge as the town continues its seasonal rhythms. The park's enduring appeal lies in its ability to be both a peaceful retreat and a lively community venue, a place where a morning sunrise over the cupola atop the street to the falls at your feet can feel like a single, meaningful arc of a day spent in Ticonderoga.

Overall, Bicentennial Park is more than a scenic stop along the river; it is a living part of Ticonderoga's identity. Visitors are drawn by the falls, the river, and the park's well-kept paths, but they stay for the sense of connection - a link to the town's history, its families, and its seasonal celebrations. Whether you come for a quiet morning watching the sun light up the cupola, a lively Fourth of July with fireworks and street fairs, or a simple afternoon of fishing, kayaking, or picnicking, the park offers a durable sense of place: beautiful, accessible, and deeply woven into the fabric of the town and its people.

Located in Ticonderoga, New York, this area offers a variety of amenities and services that cater to seniors looking for a comfortable and inviting community. With several restaurants nearby, such as Burleigh's Luncheonette and Maple Ridge Park-Family Restaurant, residents can enjoy delicious meals without having to travel far. Additionally, there are cafes like Libby's Bakery Cafe and The Storm Cafe for those who prefer a cozy spot to relax with a cup of coffee. For spiritual needs, there are numerous places of worship conveniently located within a short distance. In terms of healthcare, Moses Ludington Hospital and Inter-Lakes Health are easily accessible for medical needs, along with pharmacies like Walmart Pharmacy and Walgreens for medication refills. Transportation options include the Ticonderoga Train Station and Amtrak-Port Henry for convenient travel arrangements. Lastly, nature lovers will appreciate the proximity to parks like Dar State Park and Black Mountain Point for outdoor activities and relaxation. This area provides a peaceful setting with essential services close by, making it an ideal choice for seniors looking to settle down in Ticonderoga.

Restaurants

• Burleigh's Luncheonette (0.1 miles)
• The Pub (0.2 miles)
• Punky Noodles (0.2 miles)
• Subway (1 miles)
• Wind-Chill Factory (1.5 miles)
• Fort View Inn (1.8 miles)
• Maple Ridge Park-Family Restaurant (7.8 miles)

Cafes

• Libby's Bakery Cafe (0.2 miles)
• Middlebury Crossroads (16.5 miles)
• Otter Creek Bakery (16.9 miles)
• The Storm Cafe (17.2 miles)
• Royal Oak Coffee (17.2 miles)

Places of Worship

• Corner Church Stone (0.2 miles)
• Hammond Chapel (7.2 miles)
• Blessed Sacrament Parish (8 miles)
• Hague Baptist Church (8 miles)
• Saint Bernadette Church (10.9 miles)
• United Church of Benson (11.1 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (11.1 miles)

Hospitals

• Moses Ludington Hospital (0.8 miles)
• Inter-Lakes Health (0.8 miles)
• Porter Hospital (16 miles)
• Porter Hospital ICU (16.4 miles)
• Porter Hospital (16.4 miles)

Pharmacies

• Walmart Pharmacy (1 miles)
• Walgreens (1.1 miles)
• Rutland County Organics (16.1 miles)
• Schroon Lake Pharmacy (17 miles)
• Hannaford Pharmacy (17 miles)
• Walgreens (17 miles)
• Walgreens (17.1 miles)

Physicians

• Ticonderoga Health Center (1 miles)
• Vermont Natural Family Health (14.5 miles)
• Primary Care (16 miles)
• Neshobe Family Medicine (16 miles)
• Brandon Medical Center (16.4 miles)
• Middlebury Family Health (16.4 miles)
• Rainbow Pediatrics (16.4 miles)

Transportation

• Ticonderoga Train Station (1.7 miles)
• Ticonderoga station (1.7 miles)
• Perry Institute For Marine Science (7.6 miles)
• Amtrak-Port Henry (13.6 miles)
• U-Haul (17.3 miles)
• Middlebury State Airport (6B0) (18.8 miles)
• Budget Truck Rental (18.9 miles)

Parks

• Dar State Park (14.2 miles)
• Forest Parks & Recreation Department (17.2 miles)
• Black Mountain Point (18.7 miles)