Hike, eat, and drive your way through fall in the Adirondacks.
Slow Down and Savor ADK Views
1.
Fantastic hiking
Ah, Saranac Lake. Where else can you be sitting on a mountain in the morning and be bopping along to a live band in the evening? This is a village that prides itself on being welcoming. Sure, there’s a young, hip vibe to our downtown and its many offerings, but the good news is that having a kid or two in tow doesn’t mean you’re out of the club. Most of our happenings are kid friendly, and even though the Western High Peaks are just down the road, we have some shorter, easier trails that are perfect for hiking with the little ones. None of these trails will take all day to finish, so afterward you’ll still have plenty of time for exploring downtown, hitting the Adirondack Carousel, or checking out an art gallery.
2.
A perfect fall day
Fall evokes a lot of feelings. Cool temperatures have you reaching for cozy flannels and fallen leaves crunching underfoot reawaken your inner child. Just as nature takes on a fresh color palate this time of year, the taste of the season transforms as well, bringing with it warm beverages, sweet squashes, and earthy spice. It’s a special time of year, and all the excitement builds to a heightened sense of adventure. Sate your desire for epic fall activities when you visit Lake Placid.
Located in the heart of the Adirondacks, surrounded by nature and wild places, Lake Placid knows how to do fall right. Not only does the region boast some of the most spectacular fall foliage on the East Coast, it also offers plentiful opportunity to immerse yourself in the season and satisfy your need for adventure. We’re not talking about a fun day. We’re talking about the perfect fall day.
3.
Winged wonders
With fall migration in full swing, I've been looking forward to taking some trips into the St. Lawrence Valley. After all, while the valley offers excellent year-round birding, it particularly shines during the fall as birds pour out of the north, passing through the fields, farms, and woodlands which frame the great river, creating a time of ever-shifting diversity.
This diversity includes everything from migrant shorebirds in late summer, to late summer and early fall flocks of songbirds, to the incredible numbers of ducks, geese, and other aquatic species which inundate the region later in the season. And while the peak migration of some of our songbirds - most notably our warblers - has passed, there are still plenty of more songbirds to come - many species are only just starting to move, and there are always dawdlers lingering behind for one reason or another.
4.
The scenic route
There is an official scent for autumn and despite what your local coffee shop tells you, it is not pumpkin spice. I'll tell you what is: the earthy, damply peaty scent of fallen leaves, mixed with pine. You'll find it in the woods as leaves crunch underfoot, and as you drive through the Adirondacks on a sunny day with the windows open. I'm a big fan of road trips of all kinds — cross-country, local, short, exceedingly long — and they are one of my favorite ways to explore and see new places. I recently crafted a loop through the Adirondack Hub, and it was a day full of delightful natural beauty, fun, food, and yes, the magical scent of fall.
5.
More than just a bridge
I remember waking up on that beautiful autumn morning filled with excited anticipation. It was a Friday and I was to meet the electrical inspector at the Lake Champlain Visitors Center at 10:00 a.m. Along with doing the marketing to visitors for the region, I had been managing this facility for about ten years. This center sits at the foot of the Lake Champlain Bridge connecting Crown Point, NY and Chimney Point, VT in the historic toll collectors house. We had been closed for over a year undergoing significant renovation; new roof, furnace, electrical and interior space. During this time we had to completely evacuate and remain closed to visitors as renovations also had to deal with some asbestos abatement. Our certificate of occupancy hung on the final word of the electrical inspection and I was more than ready to have life return to “normal.”
6.
An array of colorful hikes
Fall in the Whiteface Region is a splendid time. The valleys fill with vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows, while the deep greens of our needle-bearing trees persist in the higher elevations, creating a magnificent contrast. Sure, you can take the gondola ride to the summit of Little Whiteface, but if you’d rather work for that view we have a few suggestions for you. The hikes are listed below, in order from least to most difficult — enjoy!
7.
Getting arty in Tupper
After a very busy and event packed summer, the Tupper Arts Center has planned a variety of events throughout our fall season.
8.
Adirondack hunting tips
It was mid afternoon as I made my way to the tree that had been my “spot” for about a week now. I quickly assembled my climbing tree stand and then carefully worked my way up the trunk. From my vantage point — about 15 feet above the ground — I could see a lot of thick woods as I looked around. This was the Adirondacks, after all. But, most importantly, I had a fairly unobstructed view of a small clearing, one with a well worn herd path and an old wild apple tree, directly in front of me.
I settled myself in and waited. And waited. For almost a week, I had been here every day and hadn’t seen a single deer. I knew that I had to be patient but it’s so difficult to completely give in to doing nothing. Then, after what seemed like an eternity, I suddenly saw movement, just to my right. Barely making a sound, a young buck picked its way through the forest, traveling exactly along the path I was in position to watch! My head buzzed wildly with excitement. I watched as he worked his way slowly toward the apple tree, nibbling here and there as he went.