Sackets Harbor

Olympic Byway, County Rt. 3, in Jefferson County

Historic Sackets Harbor on Lake Ontario near Watertown was the site of strategic naval and military action in the War of 1812.

A great place to begin your exploration of this charming, historic town is the Augustus Sacket House, built around 1801, now the home of the Sackets Harbor Visitor Center.

While you’re in the heart of downtown, with more than 150 buildings now on the National Registry of Historic Places, visit the Samuel F. Hooker House Arts Center, an excellent example of Federal style architecture, which is now the home of the Arts Association of Northern New York.

Experience the past, and learn about some of the most significant naval and military action of the War of 1812, the war that confirmed the independence of the United States of America. Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site is recognized by the National Park Service as one of the top ten War of 1812 sites in the nation.

Wescott Beach State Park is a great place for all the family, in all seasons. Have fun at the children's playground, picnic, camp, boat, swim, and fish. This lakeside park’s hiking trails do winter duty for cross-country skiing. Rolling, wooded hills and open, grassy meadows sheltered by Henderson Bay offer spectacular views of Lake Ontario.

Exhibits at the Seaway Trail Discovery Center will introduce you to the adventures along this national scenic byway that intersects the Olympic Scenic Byway.

The 170-mile Olympic Scenic Byway starts near Lake Champlain at the village of Keeseville in the east, and near Lake Ontario at Sackets Harbor in the west. Between those two great water bodies, the route travels into the Adirondack Mountains and through the heart of the Adirondack Park. Take time to enjoy local events and meet the women and men who live, work, and take great pride in calling the distinctive Olympic Scenic Byway communities home.

• Jefferson County, 1000 Islands Area Information