Adirondacks NY Fall Foliage 2009 Travel and Tourism Information

by COLORMEFALL

Thanks to Ron Ofner of Visit Adirondacks for providing the following information about Autumn in the Adirondacks.

Foliage.org: What are the projected dates for the Adirondacks 2009 peak foliage season?

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

Foliage.org: 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 14 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.

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

The Adirondacks boast of 14 Adirondack North County Scenic Byways – perfect for leaf peepers with plenty of fairs, festivals and cozy lodging properties along the way. From the Revolutionary Byway, a 158-mile road connecting Port Ontario to Albany, to the Seaway Trail, a National Scenic Byway crossing more than 450 miles of gorgeous countryside, the byways are sure to afford spectacular view of the Adirondack Foliage. Click here for a map of byways

List of 14 Adirondack North Country Scenic Byways:
1. Lakes to Locks Passage
2. Seaway Trail
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
13. Revolutionary Byway
12. Mohawk Towpath Byway

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

• Adirondack Museum 22nd Annual Rustic Fair – Blue Mountain Lake – Sept. 5-6
• Festival of Colors – Wilmington/Whiteface Region – Sept. 12
• Inlet Fall Festival – Inlet – Sept. 19-20
• Adirondack Balloon Festival – Queensbury – Sept. 24-27
• Fireworks Cruise – Lake George Steamboat Company – Sept. 26
• Oktoberfest – Malone – Sept. 27 (518) 483-3740
• Adirondack Harvest Festival – Adirondack Museum, Blue Mountain Lake – Oct. 3-4
• Flaming Leaves Festival – Lake Placid/ORDA – Oct. 10-11
• Gore Mtn Harvest Festival – Oct. 10-11
• Annual Harvest Festival – Long Lake – Oct. 10
• Lake George Brewers Octoberfest – Adirondack Pub & Brewery – Lake George – Oct. 17
• Pumpkin Festival Old Forge – Oct. 24 .

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 fireplaes 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.

Foliage.org: 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

Old Forge – The Falling Leaves Craft Show – Sept. 5, Harvest Family Music Festival – Sept. 12, Gun Show and Adirondack Expo Oct. 2-4, Falling Leaves Craft Show – Oct. 3 & 10, Pumpkin Festival Oct. 24

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

Foliage.org: 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 – Sept. 17-20
• Warrensburg – World’s Largest Garage Sale – Oct. 3-4
• Saranac Lake – Robert Louis Stevenson Cottage and Tearoom
• Old Forge – Webb Historical Association
• Bolton Landing
• Lake George – Scherer’s Antiques
• Peru A Poor Man’s Collectibles
• Plattsburgh Town & Country Antique Shop
• Queensbury Glenwood Manor Antiques

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

Fright Fest at the Great Escape Oct. 2 – Nov. 1
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 High (and Low) Peaks – Many hikes are perfect for families with easy-to-access trail heads and spectacular rewards at the top. For hike ideas and suggestions, click here.

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

• 1000 Acres Ranch Resort Rodeo – Stony Creek, NY
• Herkimer Diamond Mines – Hermiker, NY
• Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course – Bolton Landing, NY
• Adirondack Scenic Flights – Lake Placid, NY
• Great Adirondack Corn Maze – Gabriels, NY
• Scenic Northwoods Gondola Skyrides – North Creek, NY
• Upper Hudson River Railroad – North Creek, NY
• Ausable Chasm – Ausable Chasm, NY

Foliage.org: Please name a few helpful resources for discovering the Adirondacks inns, B&B’s, and boutique hotels?

Visit Adirondacks is a one-stop-shop where you can find everything you need to book your Adirondack Adventure- from lodging packages to room availability.

Foliage.org: 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!

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