On the lookout for everyone's favorite neighbor
Welcome, fellow adventurers, to the mysterious depths of Lake Champlain, the rolling green hills, and flavor-filled farmland. This is a naturally beautiful place where tales of a legendary creature have captured the imagination of locals and visitors alike for centuries and there’s no slowing down! Known as Champ, this elusive denizen of Lake Champlain may be hard to spot, but there’s no shortage of Champ celebration and adventure here, even on land.
We’re ready to guide you through all of the Champ-centric highlights in the charming Lake Champlain Region, where you can immerse yourself in the rich history and vibrant culture of the area while keeping an eye out for any signs of our slippery friend. Whether you think he's a just a colorful myth or a real, live resident of this area, the fun is in the search and you don't even need to bring your bathing suit! Here are our favorite spots to look for Champ, as well as share in the excitement of his amazing, mysterious presence! Think of it as a monstrously good itinerary and scavenger hunt, all rolled into one fun adventure.
Champ's favorite restaurants
From restaurants and cafes dedicated to Champ, to lakeside spots the old fellow (he's really, really old) might like and where you could see him swimming, here are some tasty selections:
- Champ Café. Located in historic Ticonderoga (think: pencils and a fort!), Champ Café is a cryptozoological foodie's dream! In non-nerd language, it's a wonderful spot where you can get a great meal, snacks, and cool Champ (and Adirondack) souvenirs. Here you'll find Champ books, creamy coffee delights, baked goods, handcrafted Champ toys, stickers, and more.
- Champ Beach Taverne: coming soon to Willsboro! Set to open by the start of summer, the Champ Beach Taverne, part of Safe Harbor Marina, promises to offer lakeside dining (remember to watch for Champ!) and fabulous fare.
Celebrate with Champ Day!
Every summer, Port Henry throws a big party for our pal Champ and you're invited! A full day of games, activities for kids, live music, food, vendors, cardboard boat races, and much more, Champ Day is an awesome opportunity to spend some time with fellow Champ lovers and browse for cool Champ-themed goodies. You may not have known you needed a Champ winter hat (does Champ get cold in winter too?) or a handcrafted carving, but now you do and you don't want to miss out!
In 2024, Champ Day is taking place on August 3. See you there!
Pose for a selfie
While your chances of getting a selfie with the real Champ are pretty slim (let's face it: he's shy and it's a big lake!), you can take a selfie with the Champ statue in Port Henry! He's located next to the beach, a great place to play, relax, and soak up some rays.
Pro tip: don't be like these people. Visit in summer!!
Kids love Champ, too!
There's something really wonderful about being a kid and really, truly believing in things like leprechauns (you know you tried to trap one, too!), Santa, and a lake monster like Champ. For extra fun, we've created a coloring page of Champ. Download and print as many copies as you want to create colorful, imaginative Champ portraits!
Another great spot to stop by with the kids is at the Lake Champlain Visitors Center, where you can pick up Champ stickers, go for a lakeshore walk, and look for Champ! The visitor center is located near Crown Point State Historic Site, the Champlain lighthouse, and the bridge to Vermont. You can actually walk across the bridge, safely, and keep your eyes peeled for the big guy swimming past!
A lake monster might sound scary, but everyone here agrees that Champ (or "Champy" as some people like to call him) is a really sweet, mellow neighbor. He spends a lot of time swimming quietly, watching out for tour boats, and befriending the many fish in the lake. Some people think he's a fish too, but honestly, we may never know!
Explore everything Champ-related this summer, and while you're here, explore other excellent adventures like the Star Trek Original Series Set Tour, farm to table dining, hiking, and much more.
