Things to do / Travel Guide
With so many sites to see in northern New York, guided tours provide a great way to see as much as possible without having to organize and navigate the back roads on your own. Several organizations have established themselves in the northern New York region and are known for providing up-to-date information on the best places to visit, while also serving as kind of unions for licensed guides and trained experts. The New York State Guides Association and the Adirondack Mountain Club (ADK) are recommended for tours and services, ranging from hiking and climbing, to fishing and hunting, to canoeing and white water rafting, to nature education and conservation programs.
Horseback Riding in Northern New York
A&J Riding Stable in Hammond, New York (off of State Road 37), takes its guests on half-hour and one-hour horseback riding tours around the Thousand Islands area; no previous experience is required. Not far from Lake George, look for Bennett's Riding Stable on State Road 9 North, about five miles from Interstate-87 in the Lake Luzerne area. Bennett's is a family-run operation offering from one-hour up to full-day guided trail rides, as well as a two-hour sunset dinner ride to Beach Mountain, offering excellent views of the Adirondacks, Lake George, and Lake Vanare. XTC Ranch in Lake Clear also offers horseback riding trips in the Saranac Lake area, including night rides through the snow on horse-drawn sleighs, with wintry views of the starts and mountains.
Walking Tours in Northern New York
Take a self-guided walking tour of Glens Falls. Between the Chapman Historical Museum (which includes a restored Victorian home as well as detailed history of Glens Falls) and the Hyde Collection (an impressive art museum complex and historic house) there are a variety of routes one can follow, passing nearly 30 buildings of architectural and historical interest along the way, including private homes, office buildings, and a Civil War memorial. Some of the architectural styles found in Glens Falls include Greek Revival, Gothic Revival, Italianate, and Queen Anne. Maps are available at local museums and shops.
Many of the historical sites in Saratoga Springs - and there are many - are within walking distance of each other, so a great way to see them is by embarking on a self-guided walking tour. The main road downtown is Broadway, which features architecturally and historically significant buildings. The Saratoga Race Track and the Saratoga Spa State Park are both about a mile from downtown; past Broadway take Union Avenue towards the race track. From Broadway you can also head towards the East Side Historic District, which lies between Lake and Union Avenues and features over 400 historic residences, many built in the late 1800s and early 1900s. While in Saratoga, also take in its natural mineral springs, most of which hit the surface in Congress Park, High Rock Park, and Saratoga Spa State Park. A complete guide to the springs, as well as free walking-tour maps, can be picked up at the Heritage Area Visitors Center on Broadway.
You can also walk yourself through the lovely town of Essex to take in its sites. Known as “the jewel of Lake Champlain's western shore,” Essex is home to preserved architecture from the 18th and 19th centuries, with many in the Federal, Victorian, and Greek Revival styles. A small marina and Maron Beggs Park extend along the shiny waterfront of Lake Champlain. Founded in 1765, the entire village of Essex, including a historic downtown shopping district, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
|
|
|