Awesome Autumn Along the Adirondack Coast
Fall is a spectacular time of year to visit the Adirondack Coast. As the Adirondack Mountains burst into color, reflections play off the water of Lake Champlain to magnify the experience. Our numerous other lakes and ponds also serve as perfect reflecting pools.
Consider a picnic at Penfield, Putts, or Lincoln Pond to become immersed in the fall color. A drive along the open shoreline offers many vantage points to view this long lake flanked on the west by the Adirondack Mountains and on the east by Vermont’s Green Mountains.
Numerous road side farm stands will be offering an abundance of fresh harvest vegetables. Don’t miss the opportunity to pick your own apples and grab some renowned cider donuts along with a fresh-from- the- oven pie at Gunnison’s Orchard.
Enjoy some hot chili and an abundance of apple dessert concoctions, at Penfield Homestead Museum’s AppleFolkFest while you shop the numerous local artist and artisan craft tables to the backdrop of live music. While at Penfield, learn about Ironville’s historic iron mining industry, the “birthplace of the electrical age”, and its strong connection to America’s Civil War.
Fall at the Fort
How's your sense of direction? If you are up to giving it a challenge head for the Heroic Corn Maze at Fort Ticonderoga. Take a historic cruise aboard the Carillon and get the same water approach perspective as soldiers of the past. For watching horsepower in action, without the carbon footprint, attend the Fort's Heritage, Harvest and Horse Festival.
Up for a Hike?
Champlain Area Trails’ collection of 56 family friendly trails throughout the region will directly connect you to nature and the vibrant Adirondack color of our forests, farms, fields and wetlands so dazzling at this time of year. Consider the Cheney Mountain Trail, Coon Mountain, or the Coot Hill/Big Hollow Trial . All offer stunning views from their summits with vistas stretching north and south for miles along this 125 mile long lake.
Visibility tends to be optimum on those cool crisp fall days. Take the short hike up Belfry Mountain, or one of the slightly more challenging hikes up Poke-O-Moonshine to climb historic fire towers with 360 views. Hiking options are endless.
Bring the Bike
Autumn is a fantastic time for cycling. Cooler temps and sparkling sunny days make for extremely enjoyable riding. Try one or more of the 14 Adirondack Coast Bikeways themed loops. Ranging in length from 13 to 36 miles, these themed biking loops will wind you through some exceptional landscape you might otherwise miss.
Glide through farm country (Rolling Reber Ramble and Joe’s Random Scoot), alongside our rivers and streams (Women’s Suffrage Way and Water’s Edge Trail ), in the shadow of our mountains (Stoney Lonesome and Coon Mountain Circuit)or in the paths of our history (Fort to Fort and Iron to Iron). Lake Champlain Bikeways has conveniently mapped out your route with details including mile markers and elevations.
During your visit be sure to rise early and head for a view over the lake. As if in competition with the colorful landscape beneath, autumn sunrises are out of this world.
No matter how you explore our Lake Champlain Region’s awesome autumn, find numerous choices for lodging, dining and shopping during your visit.