What To See and Do in New York

Ausable Chasm - Sometimes referred to as the Grand Canyon of the east, Ausable Chasm is the oldest natural attraction in the US, established in 1870. Once used as a backdrop for movies, this 1,000 acre wonderland is now an educational and recreational experience. Walk the trails, raft the Ausable River (right) and just take in the breathtaking terrain that began forming 500 million years ago.

Elizabethtown - The County Seat of Essex County, this quaint valley village 9 miles west of Westport is a must see for sightseeing, shopping and playing.

Essex - One of the most unspoiled collections of Federal and Greek Revival village architecture in rural America. The hamlet of Essex, founded in the 18th century, was listed in its entirety on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. Essex's quiet integrity, sense of history, intact architecture, beautiful location on Lake Champlain, antique, craft and other shops richly reward the independent visitor seeking an alternative to over-commericalized resort communities.

Lake Placid - New York's Olympic Region is one of the great playgrounds of North America, offering year-round fun and excitement. Nestled in the northeastern portion of the Adirondack wilderness of New York State, the rugged mountain scenery, heavy winter snows, and a pleasant summer climate combine to make the Lake Placid region a popular tourist year-round resort. The Olympic facilities used for the 1932 and 1980 Olympic Winter Games, Santa's Workshop, Highfalls Gorge and other tourist attractions make this area fabulous for family vacations!

Lake George - The southern end of Lake George is alive with events, cruise ships, arcades, mini-golf, wax museums, hiking and biking, shopping, night life and the famous Fort Wm. Henry Historic Museum. The northern end is a quiet respite in the heart of the Adirondacks.

Other Attractions

The Adirondack History Center Museum & Colonial Garden - Operated by the Essex County Historical Society, the museum features three floors of exhibits focusing on the history, social and military background of the Adirondack area. The Colonial garden provides visitors a beautiful display of color with formal beds of annuals and perennials. The Essex County Adirondack Garden Club maintains the gardens.

Adirondack Museum - Praised as "the best of its kind in the world" by the New York Times, the Adirondack Museum (Blue Mountain Lake) tells the stories of how people lived, worked and played in the Adirondacks. Historic structures include rustic cottages, a log hotel, hunting cabin and one-room schoolhouse.

Adirondack Scenic Railroad - The Adirondack High Peaks Wilderness Train adventure is a 20 mile round trip from Lake Placid Station to Saranac Lake Union Depot. You can depart from either station. Be sure to take the time to walk through the village of Saranac Lake or the famous Lake Placid before heading back. You can spend the day or just a few hours - 45 minutes each way with a 1/2 hour layover.

Adirondack State Park - The Adirondack Region of Northern New York includes the 6 million-acre Adirondack Park, surrounding countryside and the entire western shore of Lake Champlain. The region is best known for its mountains (including the highest peaks in New York) and lakes (more shoreline than Vermont and New Hampshire combined). But villages, farms, museums, restaurants, artisan shops and a wide variety of accommodations also characterize the Adirondacks.

Bouquet River - Ample fishing sites along the river offer easy access to try your hand at catching trout and salmon. Canoe or kayak in the spring or fall when the water levels are up, or just enjoy the natural beauty.

Cobble Hill Golf Course - One of the oldest golf courses in America, built in 1896, this Elizabethtown, NY course offers nine challenging holes interspersed with tall pines and spectacular mountain views. The course is open from May through September.

Craig Wood Golf & Country Club - Named after one of the greatest golfers of his time, the Craig Wood Golf and Country Club offers a challenging round of golf in a spectacular setting. Beautifully situated near Lake Placid and the Olympic Village, Craig Wood offers a 6,554 yard, par 72 municipal course.

Fort Ticonderoga - The Fort is much more than a restored military fortress. Your visit will include rich and varied offerings including costumed interpreters, 30-minute guided tours, a world class museum, daily musket demonstrations, and self-guided tours of the Fort.

Great Escape and Splash Water Kingdom - In Lake George, NY with over 135 rides, shows, and attractions including seven roller coasters and a full water park.

John Brown Farm State Historic Site - The grave of famed abolitionist John Brown is located on the farm he worked in the years preceding the fateful 1859 raid on the Harper's Ferry Arsenal. In addition to his restored home, illustrated displays detail Brown's emergence as one of the country's most passionate opponents of slavery.

Olympic Regional Development Authority (ORDA) - This New York State agency operates the facilities built for the XIII Olympic Winter Games, held in Lake Placid in 1980. These include the Olympic Center, which houses three ice skating rinks and the Lake Placid Winter Olympic Museum; the Olympic Sports Complex at Mount Van Hoevenberg, site of the biathlon range and the only bobsled and luge runs in the U.S., offering bobsled rides both in winter and summer; The Olympic Jumping Complex, home to the Kodak Sports Park Freestyle Jumps and the 90- and 120-meter ski jumps (with an observation platform atop the 120-meter tower).

Santa's Workshop, Northpole, NY - The magic of Christmas comes alive again when you visit with Santa Claus at his home and workshop, a village of alpine flavor nestled on the side of Whiteface Mountain. Founded in 1949 and designed by Arto Monaco. it is known as the forerunner of the present day theme parks in the U.S.

Whiteface Mountain - Most ski areas consider summer the season with six months of bad skiing. Whiteface, however, becomes another world. Put those boots and warm clothes in storage and bring out the shorts. Whiteface offers a daily nature trek, a drive up the state's fifth highest mountain, a gondola ride, mountain biking and fall festivals.