Many people visit New England in the fall to see the changing of leaves. And, I can’t blame them, I’ve been lured to visit Massachusetts and Maine in autumn, too. The Adirondacks is a great fall destination hidden in plain sight. It’s less crowded than more popular fall destinations in New England or even the Catskill Mountains in New York state.
The Adirondack Mountains provide a playground for visitors to get their fall fix by leaf peeping, apple picking, and hiking. This itinerary will take you through the northern Adirondacks, from Keene Valley to Plattsburgh, showing you the best of New York in the fall.
This fall trip itinerary focuses on three full days of adventures, you’ll need at least a five-day trip (four nights) to make the five-hour journey from New York City to the Adirondacks worth it. In this itinerary, we’ll assume your first day and last day are travel days, leaving three full days for exploring. Each day of this itinerary will be centered around a specific area you can drive to.
For more info on visiting the Adirondacks in the fall, read my Autumn Guide to the Adirondack Mountains.
Let’s get into it.
Day 1: Around Lake Champlain
On the first day, we’ll explore the east side of the northern Adirondacks near Lake Champlain and Au Sable Forks.
Apple picking at Rulfs Orchards
A fall trip to upstate New York isn’t complete without a visit to an apple orchard. Rulfs Orchard is one the most iconic in the Adirondacks. Along with apple picking, there is a corn maze and playground for kids (or adults at heart) and a shop with apple products like baked goods and fresh apple cider.
It’s only $6 for half a peck of apples, which is about 5 pounds of apples. A stop at Rulfs is a great way to kick off your fall trip in the Adirondacks because you’ll have plenty of apples to snack on all weekend long.
See Ausable Chasm
Ausable Chasm claims to be the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks. While it’s a beautiful gorge, it doesn’t live up to the hype. Entry to Ausable Chasm is $19.95 to explore its trails and see it up close. But, the best way (and the free way) to see Ausable Chasm is from the bridge on the side of the road. It’s a quick and easy stop on the east side near Lake Champlain.
Enjoy the view at Highlands Vineyards
For a glass of wine with a view, go to Highlands Vineyard. This vineyard in the hills opens up to Lake Champlain, giving you an incredible view of the lake and Burlington, Vermont in the distance.
Highlands Vineyards serves both red and white from grapes grown on their property. They even let you keep the branded wine glasses as a souvenir to take home.
If you’re more of a beer person, visit Ausable Brewing Company in the area.
Day 2: Around Lake Placid
On day two, we’ll explore the heart of the Northern Adirondacks near Lake Placid.
Hike Mt. Jo
Start your day with a morning hike around Lake Placid on the Mount Jo trail. Mount Jo is a 2.4-mile hike considered moderately challenging. On the trail, you’ll see people of all ages and dogs on leash. It takes about an hour and a half to complete and when you get to the top you’ll see why it’s so popular. The views are spectacular, especially in the fall when the leaves change.
You can park on the side of the road near the trailhead. For the exact location and more details on the trail visit All Trails.
Grab a pint at Big Slide Brewery
For lunch and a post-hike brew, head to Big Slide Brewery and Public House. At Big Slide they serve good food and great beer to wash it down.
Ride the Cliffside Coaster
The longest outdoor coaster in North America is at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, the former site of the 1980 Winter Olympics. The coaster winds through the autumn trees and the former Olympic bobsled track. It’s a super fun experience that you can’t get anywhere else.
Tickets for the Cliffside Coaster need to be reserved in advance because tickets are allocated to time slots. The tickets are on the pricier side at $55 per ride but the feeling of the wind on your face in the open-air coaster is unmatched. You can get your tickets here.
Explore Lake Placid
End your day in Lake Placid, the main village in the Northern Adirondacks. Lake Placid’s biggest attraction is Mirror Lake, which the town borders. Lake Placid is very proud of its Olympic history and is home to the Olympic Museum.
The town itself can be explored in an hour by popping into small-owned businesses like souvenir shops and ice-cream parlors. There are also plenty of sit-down dining options to choose from.
Grab a coffee or an ice cream and enjoy the view of Mirror Lake.
Day 3: Around Whiteface Mountain
Whiteface Mountain is a ski destination for outdoor enthusiasts, but it’s a great fall spot for people looking to see the changing of the leaves from above.
Hike the Cobble Lookout Trail
Many trails in the Adirondacks are challenging but the Cobble Lookout Trail is an exception. The trail was built within the last 15 years to be a more family-friendly option in the region. The trail is 2.4 miles long but only takes one hour to complete. You can find directions to the trailhead on All Trails.
Ride the Whiteface Mountain Cloudsplitter Gondola
After your hike, treat yourself to a ride on the Cloudsplitter Gondola at Whiteface Mountain. The Cloudsplitter Gondola is essentially a ski lift with cable cars that runs in the summer and fall to take you up to the summit of Little Whiteface Mountain. In the fall, you can see orange, red, and yellow hues on trees for miles as you go further into the sky.
The Cloudsplitter Gondola is located in the Whiteface Mountain ski area and costs $25 per ticket. Tickets are first come first serve but you’ll still need to wait in line when you arrive. Luckily, the line moves fast and there’s a bar in the lodge that allows you to take drinks to go so you can enjoy a beer or seltzer while you wait. Get your tickets here..
To and from the Adirondacks
On your way to the Adirondacks, you’ll want to stop for groceries. The most popular grocery store is called Tops but it’s selection isn’t the best. I recommend stopping for groceries in Albany where there’s a Trader Joe’s and many other national chains.
If you’re traveling home on a Sunday, make a stop at the Keene Valley Farmers Market for farm fresh and artisanal goods. The market is held at Marcy Airfield until the second Sunday in October.
Need more help planning your fall trip to the Adirondacks? Read this Autumn Guide to the Adirondack Mountain or comment below.
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