Fall Foliage in the Adirondacks

The Adirondack Region boasts one of the longest fall foliage seasons in the country. Watch as rich autumn colors travel from mountain peak to valley.

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Fall Events Fall Attractions Fall Foliage Report Fall Hiking

Types of Fall Foliage

Experience the subtle shift of air as summer bursts into a colorful array of reds, purples, and yellows – and watch as the seasons change before your eyes. The Adirondack Region boasts one of the longest fall foliage seasons in the country, providing an incredible getaway for leaf-peepers, hikers and couples looking to experience the rich history, diverse dining options and natural attractions unique to the Adirondacks.

Join us for an exploration of what makes fall great in the Adirondacks, from harvest festivals to beautiful landscapes, and unique events to Halloween-themed travel destinations.

Fall Festivals For All

Beyond the traditions of Oktoberfest — honored at numerous Adirondack celebrations – fall is a time to commemorate achievements in Adirondack history, from military to culinary.

The 2018 fall season is loaded with unique festivals throughout the Adirondacks. Here are our top picks for autumn entertainment:

Battle of Plattsburgh Commemoration — September 6-9 in Plattsburgh honors Lake Champlain's role in the decisive Battle of Plattsburgh during the War of 1812, the outcome of which helped establish the true Canadian Border, ensured that a second War of Independence wasn't fought, and, some 200 years later, inspired a line of microbrews such as Plucky Rooster Ale, available at the Plattsburgh Brewing Company. Ask the bartender to tell you the story.
Cream Cheese Festival — September 15, in Lowville celebrates over a decade of delicious cream cheese just down the road from the world's biggest Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese manufacturing plant. Guests enjoy cream cheese, a host of wacky competitions involving cheese, live music, and much more.
Adirondack Balloon Festival — September 20-23, in Queensbury features fancy hot air balloons rising into the sky, with or without you aboard, as well as vendors, a craft show, live music, local food and beverage offerings and some family-friendly activities.
Great Adirondack Moose Festival — September 22-23, in Indian Lake features two days of events, including a Moose Calling Contest and an old-fashioned Turkey Shoot. The guided excursions into the woods around Indian Lake in search of these northern giants are loved by all.
Remington Arts Festival — September 28-30, in Canton celebrates the artwork of native son Frederic Remington, a famous sculptor, painter and illustrator renowned for his depictions of the Old West. Guests enjoy a weekend of horse-drawn carriage rides, music in the park, games for kids and an art show and sale.
Civil War Living History Encampment & Annual Harvest Festival — September 29-30, in Burke at the Almanzo Wilder Homestead features re-enactments and skirmishes, 19th-century games, pumpkin painting and readings from Laura Ingalls Wilder's Farmer Boy, inspired by her husband's stories about growing up in rural New York.
Flaming Leaves Festival — October 6-7, in Lake Placid offers a weekend of blues, brews, and barbecues at the Olympic Jumping Complex. Guests enjoyed two days of watching North America's top ski jumpers compete, as well as live blues music, scenic chairlift rides to the top of the 120-meter ski jump, craft vendors and lawn games during peak fall foliage in the Adirondacks.
Oktoberfest — October 5-7, in Lake George Village celebrates the Oktoberfest traditions with lots of food, music, and dancing. Everyone is invited to join in on the fun on Canada Street Friday evening, all day Saturday, and Sunday afternoon.

Autumn Activities & Attractions for the Family

Grab your favorite sweater, a mug of hot cider and go forth, intrepid, into the Adirondacks to explore and experience the region's haunted history, towering landmarks and celebrated art and cultural centers against the colorful foliage of peak leaf season.

Check out some of our top attractions for fall, including:

Great Adirondack Ghost and Tour Company — Offers guided walking tours of historic Plattsburgh, following in the ghostly footsteps of soldiers who died during the War of 1812. Tour military barracks and old cemeteries, historic sites and buildings by lantern light, and learn about the ghosts that haunt the region.
Crown Point Historic Site — A National Historic Landmark featuring the ruins of Fort Saint Frederic and Fort Crown Point. Explore the ruins of the once great fort of the 18^th century, and stroll through a newly restored museum featuring an award-winning orientation program.
Almanzo Wilder Homestead — Is the boyhood home of Almanzo Wilder, husband of famed author Laura Ingalls Wilder. Visit through the end of September for a tour and get a glimpse into the world of Farmer Boy. Don't miss the annual Harvest Festival and Civil War Living History Encampment, featuring reenactments and family-friendly activities.
Fort Ticonderoga — A restored military fort featuring a military museum, fife and drum parades, weapon demonstrations and historical reenactments. Take a scenic boat tour aboard the Carillon, a 60-foot skiff offering narrated 90-minute tours around the Ticonderoga Peninsula in Lake Champlain daily. Bring a picnic lunch or reserve a boxed lunch from America's Fort Café.
Adirondack Museum — The "Smithsonian of the Adirondacks" hosts a series of fall festivals during which visitors can explore the traditions of the Adirondacks. Don't miss the Rustic Furniture Fair, where craftsmen showcase everything from beds made of twisting branches, to custom blacksmithing, and quilting.
The Wild Center Wild Walk — One of the newest family-friendly attractions, the Wild Walk at the Wild Center is a must-visit. The universally accessible trail starts at ground level and climbs gradually into the trees, offering interactive experiences around every bend. Explore a larger-than-life snag, climb to the eagle's nest for a bird's eye view, and jump into a rope spider web suspended from a platform on the walk.
Adirondack Coast Wine Trail — Includes seven wineries and cideries along the coast of Lake Champlain, offering wine events and tastings. Sample locally made vintages with a hint of cherry and apple, and ciders brewed with apples picked from a nearby orchard.
Frederic Remington Art Museum — Discover the Wild West through the artwork and sculptures of Canton native Frederic Remington. The museum's collection includes Remington's works, as well as guest exhibits and adult workshops and programs.
Ausable Chasm — Oft described as the Grand Canyon of the East, the chasm is, without doubt, breathtaking. Visitors can enjoy its many attractions as well, including whitewater rafting, rappelling, and hiking, mountain biking and lantern-lit tours of the deep, dark canyon.

The Adirondack Regions

The Adirondack Regions feature over 100 welcoming communities, mountains, lakes, verdant valleys and steep cliffs. Spanning more than six million acres, the Adirondack Mountains are home to the largest protected natural area in the lower 48 of the United States. Like a patchwork quilt, the Adirondacks are made up of twelve distinct regional destinations, each offering their own brand of Adirondack adventure. From the endless canoeing and kayaking in the Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake regions, to the extensive hiking trails of the High Peaks Wilderness in the Lake Placid Region - discover an area as diverse in geography as it is in activities and events. Bicycle between wineries on the Adirondack Coast, or dive to sunken shipwrecks in the Adirondack Seaway near the Canadian Border. You're invited to explore the Lake George Region's family-friendly attractions and discover the Adirondack Tug Hill Plateau's one-of-a-kind recreation opportunities.

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