Live history - make your own history here!
Travel back in time to 1777 and witness General Burgoyne's British army march into Fort Ticonderoga, September 7-9. Muskets and cannons echo from the legendary Fort as you listen to stories from the lips of occupying British soldiers fresh from the battlefront.
The hills ring with autumn festivals like Wilmington’s Festival of the Colors on September 8. Breathe in the fall colors with games and family fun, Adirondack arts and crafts. The Whiteface area boasts miles of mountain biking, road cycling and fall fishing, while affordable lodging packages extend your fun.
Gore Mountain in North Creek tempts visitors with fall events like Downhill Mountain Biking Camp on September 15, an exhilarating run for cyclers age 10 and older that includes expert instruction and a gondola ride to the summit. On September 30, The Leaf Cruncher is Gore’s challenging 5K trail run. And the Gore Mountain Harvest Fest fills a weekend with live music, arts and crafts, kid fun and hearty fall food, October 6-7. Admission is free.
A packed calendar at the Lake George Arts Project includes the 2012 Jazz Weekend at Shepard Park in Lake George. Admission is free to this weekend of diverse sounds, September 15-16, including Emilio Solla, Sachal Vasandani, Warren Wolf, John Tank and Grammy-winning John Benitez.
Extreme leaf peeping awaits as the 40th Adirondack Balloon Festival takes to the air, September 20-23 in Glens Falls and Queensbury. After viewing scores of giant balloons float skyward, you may choose to book your own balloon flight. Kids’ activities, live music, fireworks and a car show round out the weekend at New York’s largest hot air balloon fest.
Adirondack Villages are doing their fall cleaning at the World’s Largest Garage Sale in Warrensburg, September 29-30, an annual event that draws vendors from across the nation and more than 100,000 shoppers seeking antiques, memorabilia, furniture and so much more. Between shopping, enjoy Warrensburg’s golf courses, hiking trails and quaint antique shops.
The hills are ablaze during Whiteface Mountain’s Flaming Leaves Festival, October 6-7 at the Olympic Jumping Complex. Watch North America's top ski jumpers compete, play some lawn games, check out the craft tables and take the chairlift to the summit of the 120-meter ski jump for an eye-popping view of miles and miles of autumn leaves.
The Natural Stone Bridge & Caves beckon you to a billion-year-old marble cave for self-guided Exploration Tours down a natural stone step nature trail, past potholes and grottos, tranquil pools and waterfalls. No reservations needed but bring a walking stick.
Roll down one of New York’s highest peaks at Whiteface Mountain Bike Park, open weekends through October 14, where you can shuttle to beginner and intermediate routes or ride the gondola to more expert terrain. Bike ‘n Stay packages are available to let you linger and enjoy the peak foliage.
Adirondack Canoers will long remember a trip to Fish Creek, Rollins Pond, Buck Pond, or the Saranac Lake Islands. Besides miles of waterways, you’ll find island camping with serene waterfront views. Sites include Babbling Brook, Fish Creek, Ponderosa Campsite, Deer River Campsite, Blue Jay and High Falls Park.
For more travel ideas, visit the Adirondack region.