1. Lakes to Locks Passage
"The Great Northeast Journey"
A nationally designated All-American Road
Journey along North America's first inter-connected waterway of Lake Champlain, Lake George, and the Upper Hudson River, that provided the transportation from Canada to New York City, and shaped the nation-building activities of the United States. Steeped in early American and colonial history, today you can discover the forts and historic sites that were the key military positions of our emerging nation. The area also serves as a major route for migratory birds, and is home to the largest McIntosh apple crop in the world. Farmers markets and farm stands abound, the fishing is amazing, especially for bass in Lake Champlain, and the collection of small hamlets and villages let you return to the peace and quiet of an earlier age.
Counties: Warren, Essex, Clinton (Glens Falls, Lake George, Ticonderoga, Crown Point, Westport, Essex, Plattsburgh, Rouses Point)
New York State Routes 9N, 22, 9
Learn early American history at Fort William Henry, Fort Ticonderoga, the Crown Point State Historic Site, and Valcour Island and the Battle of Plattsburgh.
Explore the hiking trails along Lake George, the historic village of Essex featuring over 160 Pre-Civil War buildings, and the natural wonder of Ausable Chasm.
Harvest the bounty of the North Country at local orchards offering crisp, fresh apple cider and home-baked breads and sweet treats in Crown Point, Keeseville, and Peru.
Restaurants
:
Lake George Fire House Restaurant,
Uptown Store & Restaurant, Hague
Hot Biscuit Diner, Ticonderoga
The King's Inn, Port Henry
Turtle Island Café, Willsboro
Anthony's, Nicola's, Plattsburgh
For lodging and complete information: www.visitlakegeorge.com
www.lakechamplainregion.com
www.goadirondack.com
Suggested Itinerary:
Day one: Glens Falls Chapman Historical Museum in the morning, on to Lake George for a drive up Prospect Mountain Memorial Highway, scenic boat tour on Lake George, or a tour of Fort William Henry. Overnight in a community along the west shore of Lake George.
Day two: Drive north along the west shore of Lake George to Ticonderoga and visit Fort Ticonderoga, then on to the Crown Point Historic Site, or take a side trip to the Penfield Museum in Ironville, with an overnight in Westport.
Day three: Spend some time exploring the historic village of Essex then continue north to Ausable Chasm and marvel at this amazing natural wonder. Overnight in Plattsburgh.
Day four: Visit Point Au Roche State Park on Lake Champlain, the Champlain Valley Transportation Museum, and the Battle of Plattsburgh Museum.
2. Central Adirondack Trail
Designated New York State Scenic Byway
The Central Adirondack Trail, which can be traveled by car and canoe, runs through the heart of the Adirondacks following historic waterways, and passing a myriad of lakes. The unparalleled wildscapes, waters, hiking opportunities, culture and communities are sure to please those looking for a true Adirondack experience.
Counties: Herkimer, Hamilton, Warren (Thendara, Old Forge, Raquette Lake, Blue Mountain Lake, Indian Lake, North River, North Creek, Lake George, Glens Falls)
New York State Routes 28, 9
Learn Adirondack history at the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake, local arts and culture at the Goodsell Museum, the Arts Center and the Artworks Co-operative in Old Forge, the Black Bear Trading Post in Inlet, and marvel at the Hyde Collection Art Museum and the Lapham Gallery at LARAC in Glens Falls.
Explore the wilderness by train on the Adirondack Scenic Railroad in Thendara, climb Bald Mountain and view the Adirondacks from the summit fire tower, discover Adirondack great camp living at Camp Sagamore in Raquette Lake, going mining for garnet in North Creek, and bike the first Wilderness Heritage Corridor in Johnsburg.
Harvest and savor tastes of the Adirondacks for brunch, lunch, or dinner while you take a scenic cruise aboard the W. W. Durant with the Raquette Lake Navigation Co., located in Raquette Lake.
Restaurants:
Marty's Chili Nights, Indian Lake
Marsha's Family Restaurant, North Creek
Grist Mill on The Schroon, Potter's Diner & Royals Bakery, Warrensburg
For lodging and complete information: www.oldforgeny.com
www.hamiltoncounty.com
www.visitlakegeorge.com
Suggested Itinerary:
Day one: After the scenic train ride, spend some time in Old Forge, and be sure to visit the Old Forge Hardware store... an historic, block-long building filled with everything Adirondack.
Day two: Get up early for a full day at Camp Sagamore, and a cruise on theW.W. Durant in Raquette Lake, or explore the Adirondack Museum, even a hike up famous Blue Mountain, in Blue Mountain Lake, for a spectacular view of the Adirondacks
Day three: Head over to North Creek and Gore Mountain for a gondola ride or garnet mine tour, and finish the day in Glens Falls with a local brew at Cooper's Cave Ale Company and Davidson Bros. Restaurant and Brewery.
3. Adirondack Trail
Designated New York State Scenic Byway
The Adirondack Trail presents the real Adirondack adventure. The route carves its way north/south from Blue Line to Blue Line through the foothills and right into the core of the Adirondack Mountains. Follow these historic trails across frontiers explored by settlers, soldiers, and early guides. The wilderness landscape is filled with wildlife as you drive or bike up to trailheads leading to some of the best mountain peaks and canoe routes in the region.
Counties: Hamilton, Franklin ( Wells, Speculator, Indian Lake, Long Lake, Tupper Lake, Paul Smiths, Malone)
New York State Route: 30
Learn about the history of logging and area geography while strolling the Sacandaga Pathway, a wetland walkway and boardwalk, accessible to all, in Speculator. Be sure to stop at the Wild Center, a natural history museum of the Adirondacks in Tupper Lake, and visit the Adirondack Park Visitor Interpretive Center in Paul Smiths.
Explore the Speculator Mountian Bike Path loops departing from the town municipal park, or put your canoe in at the Cedar River Flow Access in Indian Lake for a scenic, wilderness adventure. For a great family hike, about 5 miles west of Tupper Lake is the trailhead to Mt. Arab, complete with a fire observation tower and ranger's cabin.
Harvest the goodness of the Adirondacks at farmer's markets in Paul Smiths on the college campus and in Malone at the airport, and have some unique fun at the Tucker's Farm Corn Maze, just slightly off the Byway on Route 86 in Gabriels.
Restaurants:
Adirondack Hotel, The Long View, Long Lake
The Wild Center, Tupper Lake
Hohmeyer's Lake Clear Lodge, Lake Clear
St. Lucia's Café, Sansones, Malone
For lodging and complete information: www.hamiltoncounty.com
www.adirondacklakes.com
Suggested Itinerary:
Day one: Spend time hiking, biking and relaxing in the Speculator area, and take some beautiful side trips to Lake Pleasant and Piseco.
Day two: Get an early start and spend half the day at the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountian Lake, the second half at the Wild Center in Tupper Lake, or take a scenic water plane ride in Long Lake. Overnight in Tupper Lake
Day three: Visit the NYSDEC Fish Hatchery in Lake Clear, tour the grounds of White Pine Camp, the Adirondack Great Camp 1926 summer Whitehouse for President Calvin Coolidge, off Route 86 near Paul Smiths, enjoy a canoe outing on Osgood and Jones Pond, and stroll along the interpretive nature trails at the Visitor Interpretive Center. Overnight in Malone
Day four: Shop at The Market Place, a multi-vender antique venue for pumpkins, squash, apples, mums and other farm stand items, them visit the Wilder Farmstead, boyhood home of Almanzo Wilder, of Little House on the Prairie fame, east of Malone on Route 11
4. Black River Trail
Designated New York State Scenic Byway
The Black River Trail parallels the western edge of the Adirondack Wilderness, and provides travelers extended views of scenic, soothing, rolling hills and pasture lands, interspersed with friendly towns offering a wide variety of agricultural products. In the southern portion, visitors can gaze at the not-so-distant windmills on the Tug Hill Plateau's Maple Ridge Wind Farm, providing some of the earliest natural wind power in the country. The northern terminus in Ogdensburg provides access to the St. Lawrence River, connecting to the famous Seaway Trail, a nationally recognized Scenic Byway.
Counties: Lewis, St. Lawrence ( Lyons Falls, Lowville, Croghan, Harrisville, Gouverneur, Heuvelton, Ogdensburg)
New York State Routes 12, 812
Learn about the history and evolution of the North American maple syrup industry at the American Maple Museum in Croghan, and discover the life and art of one of America's best known sculptors, Frederic Remington, at the Frederic Remington Art Museum in Ogdensburg.
Explore the gently flowing Black River by canoe or kayak, get a map of the many ATV trails in Lewis County, and take a boat ride to Dark Island, home to Singer Castle, on the St. Lawrence River off of Ogdensburg.
Harvest the many agricultural products by stopping at the numerous farm stands along the route. The area is home to a number of Amish farm families who are more than willing to share their fall harvest. Regional specialties include Croghan Bologna, and Heritage Cheese in Heuvelton.
Restaurants:
The Lighthouse, Jeb's, Lowville
Gentry's Clam Cove, Gouverneur
The Place, Phoenix on the Bay, Ogdensburg
The Bedrock Café, Morristown
For lodging and complete information: www.lewiscountychamber.org
www.northcountryguide.com
Suggested Itinerary:
Day one: Venture off of Route 12 up the Tug Hill Plateau to see one of the windmills up-close, take your ATV for a ride on one of Lewis County's many designated trails, or take a relaxing paddle on the Black River. Overnight near Lowville.
Day two: Make your way up to Ogdensburg for a tour of Singer Castle and a visit to the Frederick Remington Art Museum. There are some great birding opportunities, so keep a sharp lookout. Be sure to stop at the River Myst Winery to sample the local flavors. Overnight in Ogdensburg.
Day three: Head east on Route 68 to Canton, then Route 11 to Potsdam, two very active college towns. Take advantage of the many cultural attractions including the St. Lawrence County Arts Council in Potsdam, the Roland Gibson Gallery at SUNY Potsdam, the Richard F. Brush Art Gallery at St. Lawrence University, and some fabulous dining experiences in both communities.
5. Olympic Byway
Designated New York State Scenic Byway
The unique landscapes, lifestyles and cultures of the northern Adirondacks will compete for
your attention along this striking east-west route, which stretches from the shores of Lake Champlain to Lake Ontario. A mix of woodlands and waterways unfolds as the Olympic Byway winds through mountain villages, including Lake Placid and Wilmington, sites of the 1932 and 1980 Olympic Winter Games. This scenic route encompasses a multitude of lake communities making for relaxing visits, and also offers some amazing natural wonders such as rock formations that have been carved by mighty rivers over the course of time.
Counties: Essex, Franklin, St. Lawrence, Lewis (Keeseville, Wilmington, Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake, Cranberry Lake, Star Lake, Natural Bridge)
New York State Routes 9N, 86, 3
Learn Olympic history at the Olympic Museum in Lake Placid and visit the Olympic Arena where the US Olympic Hockey stunned the word with the "miracle on ice." Be sure to stop at the Wild Center, a natural history museum of the Adirondacks, in Tupper Lake, and then learn about the evolution of the maple syrup industry at the American Maple Museum, a short drive off the route in Croghan.
Explore the natural wonders at Ausable Chasm near Keeseville, marvel at High Falls Gorge and take a scenic gondola ride up Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington. Take time to hike one of the High Peaks in the Lake Placid area, and spend some time in Natural Bridge at an artist cooperative representing regional and Native American artists.
Harvest apples and savor a refreshing glass of cider while tasting local cheeses in Keeseville, shop for Adirondack fare at the Farmer's Market, and sample the local brews, in Lake Placid. Enjoy wonderful soft and hard ice cream at Treats & Tiques, an area favorite in Natural Bridge, and satisfy your sweet tooth at Wicks Maple Products in Lake Bonaparte.
Restaurants:
Lisa G's, Caribbean Cowboy, Pub and Brewery, Lake Placid
Eat ‘n Meet, Red Fox, Saranac Lake
Park Street, Little Italy, Tupper Lake
Thirsty Moose, Childwold
Backwoods Inn, Sevey Corners
Cranberry Lake Lodge, Cranberry Lake
Ziggy's, Lake Bonaparte
For lodging and complete information: www.lakechamplainregion.com
www.whitefaceregion.
www.lakeplacid.com
www.adirondacklakes.com
www.lewiscountychamber.org
www.northcountryguide.com
Suggested Itinerary:
Day one: Start the day by exploring the historic bridges in Keeseville, tour Ausable Chasm, then head west to Wilmington for a drive up the Whiteface Memorial Highway and enjoy the panoramic views, do some mountain biking on the many trails, or fish for native trout in the West Branch of the Ausable River. Spend the night in Wilmington.
Day two: Off to Lake Placid for a casual walk around Mirror Lake, a tour of the Olympic facilities including the Olympic Center and Ski Jumps, or take an exciting Bobsled ride, a swim at the town beach, or a boat cruise on spectacular Lake Placid. Spend the night in Lake Placid.
Day three: Continue west to Saranac Lake and visit the Robert Lewis Stevenson Cottage, or explore the River Walk and shops, then on to Tupper Lake and the Wild Center. Stay in Tupper Lake.
Day four: Follow route 3 as you wind through numerous lake communities, visit the historic hamlet of Wanakena, shop for native art and carvings at the Adirondack Artworks in Natural Bridge, or head south on route 812 towards Croghan and the Tug Hill Plateau.
