Submitted by guest blogger Lily Katherine Rasmus, Ticonderoga Area Chamber of Commerce

Here we are frozen in February, and since the groundhog didn't see his shadow we're in for an early spring. If you are planning a visit to the Lake Champlain Region this winter, don’t think you have to be cold while you're here. We have multitiple ways to stay warm after enjoying some winter fun!

One of the draws to the area is of course the beautiful scenery. Throw your snowshoes on and head out into the Adirondacks to really get your blood pumping! You can head out to Rogers Rock Camp Ground or the trails at Putnam Pond on Chilson, or for a gentle snowshoe trek with a view go right to Bicentennial Park in Ticonderoga. While visiting be sure to check out the Champlain Area Trails map for 87 different trails ranging from easy to moderate. They are perfect for cross-country skiing or snowshoes — it's 200 miles of fun throughout the Lake Champlain Region!

If you're feeling like being snug as a bug, tuck in at local restaurants to enjoy the window weather. How about checking out the season classic of a nice bowl of homemade soup and a steaming mug of hot cocoa!  Ticonderoga can boast that all of our family owned businesses make homemade soups and offer both staples and daily specials. You can stop in at:

Don't miss Libby’s Bakery Café for a daily, freshly made soup or a hot chocolate made with a house blended hot cocoa mix, topped with real homemade marshmallow. Some soup options that have made an appearance here include potato mushroom, sausage corn chowder, tomato meatball Florentine, tortilla soup, butternut squash bisque, and French onion topped with a cheese pillow.

Burleigh’s Luncheonette is a '50s and '60s diner where visitors can take a nostalgic trip back in time and enjoy fantastic homemade menu items. A classic mix of soups you can fine here include chicken noodle, stuffed pepper, corn chowder, chicken and vegetable, cream of tomato and mushroom, and vegetable beef and barley.

The Hot Biscuit Diner was featured on PBS' Roadside Recipes. They are a full service family restaurant that operates on the concept of good home cooking at a great price. When here for your cocoa and soup combo some soups you may see include a veggie chowder, chicken noodle, potato bacon chowder, three-cheese burger chowder, or cream of mushroom. 

Eddies Restaurant has been family owned and operated for over 30 years. Eddie’s offers French onion soup as a staple and has a changing chef's choice soup special. Past specials have included New England clam chowder, tomato bisque, corn chowder, vegetable beef, and roasted red pepper bisque.

The Burgoyne Grill can be found in the Best Western Plus at Ticonderoga. They have a house French onion soup daily as well as a changing daily special. Examples of specials range from creamy roasted pepper and tomato, creamy chicken and rice, white bean chicken chili, seafood chowder, Italian beef, to vegetable beef barley. These options are dinner only.

While enjoying the warmth of some of our restaurants, check out some of the winter events happening in the area. Ti’Coustics is the first and third Wednesday of the month at the Elks Lodge with local artists performing, The Fort Fever Series at Fort Ticonderoga, and Trivia at Madden’s Pub on Thursdays. The End of Winter Carnival in Ticonderoga will be Saturday, March 2, providing great fun for families concluded with fireworks. Check out the Burgoyne Grill to see if a tap takeover is happening.

Be sure to check with each business about their hours and specials. Whatever you do this winter, do it passionately and with purpose. For more information or an area business directory, be sure to visit www.ticonderogany.com or www.lakechamplainregion.com.