The Lake Champlain Region is known for its dramatic landscape—lush green fields extend to the horizon and disappear into the foothills of the magnificent Adirondack Mountains. In the fall, vegetation turns to vibrant shades of red and orange, the crisp air rolls in and the area comes alive with a plethora of opportunities for enjoying the outdoors.
Day 1:
Visit a Farm
Whether you pick apples or pumpkins, the fertile farmlands of the Lake Champlain Region yield bountiful harvests every autumn. Plan a trip to a local orchard or farm stand and enjoy the fruits of the land! Have a glass of hot apple cider, enjoy homemade donuts and pumpkin pies — just take advantage of the fresh, homegrown foods. The many Lake Champlain farms offer a variety of fruits and vegetables and specialties such as organic local honey, maple products and handmade preserves.
In October, many of the orchards offer Halloween festivities including haunted houses and sleigh rides. Some have big pumpkin patches and mazes to explore, horse drawn carriage and sleigh rides, pony rides, petting zoos and more. Others have living history demonstrations such as blacksmithing, corn shelling, rope making and candle dipping.
Play Golf
Head out under the autumn sun and test your skills on one of the region's beautiful mountain layouts, which offer challenges, variety and exceptional scenery! The Lake Champlain golf courses have lush green fairways and unrivaled views of the Adirondack High Peaks and Green Mountains of Vermont. The region boasts six courses, including two championship layouts. But keep in mind, no matter where you play or how well you golf, the colorful fall backdrop won't disappoint.
Day 2:
Take a Historic Walking Tour
The historic towns of Essex, Keeseville, Port Henry and Westport offer self-guided walking tours. View the well-preserved 19th century brick and stone homes, churches, inns and shops replete with carefully manicured lawns and gardens. The village of Essex has one of the finest and most intact collections of Federal and Greek Revival architecture in New York State.
In Keesville, you'll see the first dam at Anderson Falls on the AuSable River — built in 1808 to power a sawmill, see fine homes and churches and walk through the 145-structure historic district and the three Historic American Engineer Bridges. In Port Henry's historic downtown, you'll learn about Moriah's industrial legacy and in Westport, you'll see architecture from the 1700s and early 1800s.
Get a Glimpse of History
Discovered in 1609 by French explorer Samuel de Champlain, the Lake Champlain region offers 400 years of significant history — and is now home to numerous museums and historic sites. For visitors, each site offers a glimpse of the way life used to be.
Check out the Adirondack History Museum in Elizabethtown for a large collection of artifacts from more than 200 years of Essex County history and culture. The exhibits cover early farming and frontier life, wilderness exploration and recreation, logging, mining and transportation. Or visit the Hancock House-Ticonderoga Historical Museum and Walking Tour. The museum features furniture and objects from the 18th and 19th centuries, including Duncan Phyfe and Chippendale pieces, colonial-era furniture, old toys, local history displays and a unique collection of memorabilia from the Defiance Hose Company, a local volunteer fire department circa 1880.
If you're in Crown Point, visit the Penfield Homestead Museum. It's considered the birthplace of the Electric Age and includes the 1826 homestead, carriage barn, church, threshing barn and cow barn. Take a historic walking tour along the edge of Putnam's Creek or go fishing on Penfield Pond by permit.