Things to do / Travel Guide
Northern New York, while naturally preserved and peacefully quiet in many senses, is chock full of fun, entertaining, and competitive events throughout the year, particularly during the summer months when contests, marathons, and parades are in season. From live music to “the world's largest garage sale” to rustic fairs, try to visit northern New York when some of these regional highlights are taking place.
January
Kick off the new year with a real taste of northern New York's frigid waters at the annual New Year's Day Polar Bear Swim in Lake George. The event, also called the Polar Plunge, draws hundreds of brave souls who flock to shiver and shout in the icy waters.
At the beginning of every January, Mount Van Hoevenberg Sports Complex in Lake Placid hosts the three-day Geoff Bodine Bobsled Challenge, named for the legendary NASCAR driver and co-owner of Bo-Dyn Bobsled Company. NASCAR drivers drive the bobsleds, while NY Army National Guardsmen act as brakemen, around the last nine corners of the Lake Placid bobsled track. This is a fun-spirited competitive event, with all proceeds going to charity.
February
Saranac Lake is home to the Eastern United States' longest-running Winter Carnival, with the first held there in 1897. The event has grown into a ten-day festival every February, each time centered around a different theme. The carnival includes sporting events, such as snowshoe and ski races, dramatic and musical productions, as well as a Gala Parade and a Kiddie Parade. The real highlight of Saranac's Winter Carnival is its world-renowned Ice Palace, constructed over six weeks leading up to the carnival and made, on average, of 1,500 blocks of ice taken right from nearby Lake Flower. Two spectacular fireworks displays are set off above the impressive Ice Palace.
For a real winter treat, head to Lake George in February when its frozen surface and nearby shorelines play home to the Lake George Winter Festival. Held each weekend, the festival features numerous events including motorcycle and ATV racing, snowmobile jumps, dog pulls, outhouse races, cook-offs, and family events.
Creative and competitive spirits should head to Dynamite Hill in Chestertown (north of Lake George) for their annual Krazy Downhill Derby & Broomball Tournament towards the end of February. Broomball teams compete on the ice, but the real feature is the Downhill Derby in which contestants craft their own crazy sleds and send them sliding (or so they hope) down the hill.
For some family fun, enter your kids in the Lake Luzerne Annual Ice Fishing Contest! Also held near the end of the month, children up to the age of 16 can compete, with parental supervision. First, second, and third prizes are awarded to the children who catch the three largest fish. Hot dogs, hot chocolate, and other treats are on site as well.
March
The New York Whitetail Classic Sportsman's Show wants you to catch buck fever. For a real taste of the rough and rugged Adirondacks, this two-day show and awards banquet in mid-March draws loads of hunters to the Roaring Brook Ranch in Lake George. Seminars, exhibits, and safety courses are on hand, while the show also features one of the area's largest displays of trophy whitetail deer.
Caffeine-lovers should not miss the annual Chocolate & Coffee Festival held at Adirondack Community College in Queensbury in mid- to late March. Over 20 vendors serve coffees, sweets, and other treats during this day-long festival featuring live music from local musicians, raffles, door prizes, children's activities and more.
April
In early April, Whiteface ski area in Lake Placid celebrates the arrival of spring with Pond Skimming, an annual event that combines snow and water skiing. Contestants take turns trying to skim their way across a pond on their skis, many wearing fun and unique costumes. The Pond Skimming competition is open to anyone who wants to enter.
As the snow melts, spring is warmly welcomed to northern New York with the Adirondack Garden & Flower Show. Held annually at the Lake George Forum in Lake George, the spectacular exhibits of this weekend show include landscape displays, floral arrangements, horticulture exhibits, and lectures on gardening.
May
For 50 years, the first weekend in May has brought northern New York the highly anticipated Hudson River White Water Derby. Heading off from the town of North River, at the headwaters of the Hudson River, canoe and kayak races are featured in this event, with novice slalom and giant slalom contests held. Numerous prizes are given away, as well as fireworks lighting up the sky upon the race's completion.
Newer to the calendar of events in northern New York is the Wine Tasting Festival hosted by the Pendragon Theatre at the Interlaken Inn & Restaurant in Lake Saranac. Over 40 wines from around the world are featured, as well as a selection of specialty beers and gourmet foods by Chef Richard. Entertainment and a silent auction also take place at the event; reservations must be made in advance, with tickets costing $75 per person.
Lake George's Red, White, and Brewfest, held at the Lake George Forum, kicks off the summer in late May with a fun event celebrating America's brewing heritage. Visitors get a true taste of local flavors - from New York State microbrew tasting, to chicken wing and rib cook-offs. This all-day event also includes live music and is quite family-friendly, with all proceeds benefiting the Lake George Association. Prices differ, depending on whether you are tasting, just looking, or under 21.
June
Throughout the month of June, the Lake George Opera leaves its theater in Saratoga Springs for Opera on the Lake. Pushing off from Steel Pier, guests cruise around the quiet evening waters of Lake George aboard the Lac du Saint Sacrement, serenaded by the Lake George Opera's apprentice artists. Refreshments provided on board as well.
Barbecue lovers flock to the annual I Love Barbecue Festival, where over 30 teams compete to capture hearts and stomachs. Around 8,000 attendees hungrily feast at the I Love Barbecue Festival, set up on the Olympic Skating Oval in Lake Placid. All money raised at the event goes to local charity. It runs in late June, sometimes into July as well.
The one-week Lake Placid Horse Show has been going on in Lake Placid for over 30 years. As one of the country's largest equine events, it draws many members of the United States equestrian team as well as some of world's finest horses. Competitions in Hunter and Jumper categories make it a fun event to watch, with close to $500,000 in prizes awarded. The event takes place from late June to early July.
July
For around 50 years, the Annual Lake Placid Free Skating Championships have showcased figure skaters of all levels. The weekend event in early July includes free skating competitions as well as short and long programs for women, men, juniors, juveniles, and seniors. The contest draws a sizeable crowd of supporters and admirers.
Also in early July, Lake Placid hosts a new competition, the Lake Placid International Regatta, a canoe and kayak sprint race for various distances and ages. Held on Mirror Lake, spectators can watch this exciting all-day event from Mirror Lake Public Beach.
In late July of every year the fearless join the Ironman USA competition in Lake Placid. It's an intense competition, absolutely only for those who have trained for its grueling demands: swimming 2.4 miles, biking 112 miles, and running 26.2 miles. The swim is done in Mirror Lake, followed by the two-loop bike course, and finally ending with a run four loops around downtown Lake Placid.
August
Old boat lovers will love the Antique Boat Show and Auction, sponsored by the Antique Boat Museum, held in Clayton in the Thousand Islands area of northern New York. The weekend event has been held in early August for over 30 years, and draws thousands of people coming to admire the antique skiffs, launches, and classic runabouts.
Top Bluegrass bands from all over the United States and Canada gather every August on McCauley Mountain in Old Forge for the Fox Family Bluegrass Festival, “where the deer and the mandolins play!” This four-day festival around the middle of the month is filled with music, children's events and activities, and musicians' workshops. Those who purchase four-day tickets in advance gain camping access on the grounds as well.
September
For a look at distinct Adirondack craftwork, don't miss the Adirondack Museum's annual Rustic Fair. Showcasing original work by talented craftspeople, the two-day fair is held on grounds of the Adirondack Museum in early September. Thousands of visitors browse and buy the furnishings made of roots, twig, bark, and other natural materials, or stop to watch craftspeople demonstrating their techniques right there. Historic rustic furniture from the museum's collection is also on display.
Hundreds of hot air balloons take to the northern New York skies during the annual Adirondack Balloon Festival in Glens Falls. The majority of activities in this four-day festival in late September, now going on for over 30 years, are held at Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport. This includes the flight of balloons of varying special shapes, as well as live music performances. Look for the “Moonglow” in Lake George Village, when hot air balloons take to the night sky, followed by spectacular fireworks above the water.
October
A pack-rat's dream, or something different for the curious visitor, the World's Largest Garage Sale takes place on Main Street in downtown Warrensburg the first weekend in October (or sometimes the last weekend in September). From antiques to old toys to hats, hardware, and vintage clothing, you can find just about anything here. Vendors come in from all over the country to unload their inventory. Food vendors also sell tasty home-made treats.
Autumn is ushered in in true Adirondack style during early October's two-day Adirondack Harvest Festival. From old-fashioned cider pressing demonstrations to hay wagon rides, all held on the lovely grounds of the Adirondack Museum in the central Adirondacks, all activities are included with the price of general admission. Come admire pumpkins, hay bales, apple pie, and corn stalks at one of northern New York's newest events!
November
Bull riding, barrel racing, saddle bronc riding, team roping, steer wrestling, bareback riding, and tie-down roping are some of the events spectators of the Annual Adirondack Stampede Charity Rodeo can enjoy. Held in early November at Glens Falls Civic Center in downtown Glens Falls, this two-day rodeo is nearing its 20th year running, with a majority of the proceeds donated to charities that help kids and families in the Glens Falls area.
December
During “A Holiday Weekend in Bolton Landing,” holiday shoppers can shop, dine, and stroll through the charming town of Bolton Landing, sitting on the shores of Lake George. This weekend hosts restaurant specials, with shops serving holiday refreshments, hayrides, entertainment, and more to delight visitors.
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