Fall Foliage in Adirondacks

1. What are the projected dates for the Adirondacks peak foliage season?

Peak leaf peeping moves steadily through the Adirondacks with the decreasing elevation. Mid-September in the Blue Mountain Lake and Speculator areas is the best time to visit these higher elevation areas. In mid-to-late October, peep along Lake Champlain and Lake George areas.

2. Are there towns within the Adirondacks that are known for their autumn foliage displays?

At six million acres of beautiful wilderness, freckled with quaint towns and sparkling lakes, the entire Adirondack Region is on display. Take a drive along one of the region's 12 Scenic Byways, wind along gorgeous mountain lakes, stop and enjoy one of several Harvest Festivals, take a turn in a corn maze or simply enjoy the beauty of the landscape.

3. What roads and highways in the Adirondacks are popular scenic routes for fall tourists?

The Adirondacks boast of 12 Adirondack Scenic Byways - perfect for leaf peepers with plenty of fairs, festivals and cozy lodging properties along the way.

List of 12 Adirondack North Country Scenic Byways:

1. Lakes to Locks Passage
2. Mohawk Towpath Byway
3. Adirondack Trail
4. Black River Trail
5. Central Adirondack Trail
6. Dude Ranch Trail
7. Military Byway
8. Olympic Byway
9. Roosevelt-Marcy Byway
10. High Peaks Byway
11. Blue Ridge Road
12. Southern Adirondack trail

4. Please describe any fall festivals or other public events that place in the Adirondacks during foliage season.

The Great Adirondack Moose Festival September - Indian Lake offers guided hikes, scenic driving tours, fly-fishing and fly tying demos, a car show, and open houses - not to mention a lot of moose.

Whiteface Oktoberfest October - Wilmington offers a Bavarian and Alps extravaganza at Whiteface Mountain that offers live music, dancing, Bavarian food, children's activities and vendors. Take in the mountains and surrounding foliage with a gondola ride to the top of Little Whiteface Mountain.

Remington Arts Festival October - Canton offers historic tours of the Village of Canton, wagon rides, children's games, an art show and sale, food, music and special demonstrations. This event celebrates the life and times of famed artist Frederic Remington.

Adirondack Harvest Festival October - Blue Mountain Lake offers a step back in time with wagon rides, cider pressing, music, pumpkin painting and so much more at the Adirondack Museum's extensive grounds.

Harvest Festival October - Long Lake offers a craft show with jewelry, soaps and scents, candles, quilts, table runners, furniture items, syrup, balsam products, and items knitted, crocheted, woven and sewn.

Flaming Leaves Festival October - Lake Placid is a popular fall attraction with live music, beer, bbq and a ski-jumping competition. Craft vendors are on site for kids, or take an elevator to the top of the 120-meter ski jump for a panoramic view of Lake Placid's fall foliage.

Adirondack Balloon Festival September - Queensbury offers the stunning flight of more than 90 hot air balloons, live bands, children's activities and fireworks all set against the brilliant foliage of the Lake George region.

5. Are there historic sites in the Adirondacks that are also known for their fall foliage displays?

Crown Point Historic Site - A National Historic Landmark featuring the ruins of Fort Saint Frederic and Fort Crown Point - circa 1700s. Visitors center and exhibits. Open through October. Free admission. Located in Crown Point, NY

John Brown Farm State Historic Site - Home and gravesite of abolitionist John Brown featuring nature trail and tours. Open through October. Located in Lake Placid, NY

Almanzo Wilder Homestead - Boyhood homes of Almanzo Wilder, husband of famed author Laura Ingalls Wilder. Open through Labor Day. Tours daily. Open in off-season by appointment. Located in Malone, NY.

Great Camp Sagamore - Historic Adirondack Great Camp built by William West Durant. Features 26 fireplaces and 29 buildings. Open daily through Labor Day. Off-season by appointment. Located in Raquette Lake, NY.

Fort Ticonderoga - Restored military fort featuring military museum, fife and drum parades, weapon demonstrations and historical re-enactments. Open though October 20. Located in Ticonderoga, NY. A special event, The Haunted Fort, is scheduled for October 28-29.

6. What are favorite tourist attractions of autumn travelers? What are some of the less well known but much loved attractions?

Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake

The Wild Center in Tupper Lake

Whiteface and Gore Mountain Gondola Rides - Experience the autumn foliage from the breathtaking vantage point of the region's famed ski resorts.

7. Are there towns that are favorite destinations for history, literature, or architecture buffs, or antique collectors?

• Blue Mountain Lake - the Adirondack Museum hosts several events in the fall - including the Rustic Fair, the Antiques Show Preview and Benefit
• Indian Lake - Adirondack Mountain Antiques Weekend
• Warrensburg - World's Largest Garage Sale
• Saranac Lake - Robert Louis Stevenson Cottage and Tearoom
• Lake George - Scherer's Antiques
• Peru - A Poor Man's Collectibles
• Plattsburgh - Town & Country Antique Shop
• Queensbury - Glenwood Manor Antiques

8. What are favorite fall destinations or activities of families traveling with children in the Adirondacks?

• Fright Fest at the Great Escape October. Thrills by Day Chills by Night! By day a Halloween playground, costume & scream contests & Trick-or-Treat Trail. When the sun starts to set the ghouls come creeping out, hair-raising shows, electrifying street entertainment, haunted attractions.
• Hiking the Adirondack Peaks - Many Adirondack hikes are perfect for families with easy-to-access trail heads and spectacular rewards at the top.
• Blue Mountain Lake - This Adirondack town is right in the center of the Adirondacks. The Adirondack Museum, Great Camp Sagamore, the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts and Raquette Lake can be found nearby.
• Fort Ticonderoga - On the shores of Lake Champlain sits this historic, restored fort. Tour the Heroic Corn Maze, join in reenactment events and stroll along the King's Garden.
• Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom - Fall themed events like Fright Fest, Oktoberfest and Rocktoberfest make this Six Flags Park near Lake George a must for families.
• Pick-Your-Own apples at Rulf's Orchard and Applejack's Orchard, both in Peru, NY.

In addition, these attractions are a perfect way to enjoy the Adirondack Autumn:

• The Wild Center - Tupper Lake, NY
• Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course - Bolton Landing, NY
• Adirondack Scenic Flights - Lake Placid, NY
• Great Adirondack Corn Maze - Gabriels, NY
• Fort Ticonderoga Heroic Corn Maze - Fort Ticonderoga, NY
• Scenic Northwoods Gondola Skyrides - North Creek, NY
• Upper Hudson River Railroad - North Creek, NY
• Ausable Chasm - Ausable Chasm, NY
• Whitewater Rafting - Hudson, Sacandaga and Moose River

9. Please name a few helpful resources for discovering the Adirondacks inns, B&B's, and boutique hotels?

Find Adirondack lodging packages and book your next getaway online to save. State and privately owned campgrounds offer an affordable and fun way to experience the region - offering a wide range of campsite locations. Camp along the Saranac Islands, in a lean-to or at one of the many family-friendly campgrounds in the Adirondacks.

10. Anything else you would like to add to help visitors thinking about traveling the Adirondacks for the fall foliage season?

There are so many ways to enjoy the spectacular beauty of the region; by hiking along the 2,000 miles of trails, canoeing the waterways or simply relaxing at one of the region's charming resorts. Be sure to bring your binoculars and camera - wildlife sightings, coupled with the sensational beauty of an Adirondack Autumn make for a spectacular time. You may even spot a moose!