Fall in love with Plattsburgh
Fall doesn’t get enough credit. It happens right after summer, when everyone is tan and the weather is warm, so it’s treated like the unwanted guest at a birthday party. People dread when fall begins because it means summer is officially over, and you may very well be one of those people. But if you’ve ever experienced Fall in Plattsburgh, NY, you would have to disagree. Plattsburgh is beautiful all year round, but in the fall it is especially breathtaking. Not only are the views amazing, there are so many things to do!
I’m going to give you just some of the fun things students like to do in the Fall, on and off campus. Nothing is more than an hours drive away, making these the perfect destinations for a Saturday or Sunday with new friends!
Photographed by @letiiciaand
Adirondack Rail Explorer – Railbike journey along 6 miles of railroad between Saranac Lake and Lake Clear in the beautiful Adirondacks. 1 hour from campus.
Ausable Chasm – Known as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks. There are various activities you can do like an adventure trail, biking, day and night tours, rock climbing, tubing and rafting! 15 minutes from campus.
Cumberland Bay State Park – Known as a runner’s paradise in the fall. Large natural sand beach, picnic grounds with tables and grills. Great place to go to watch the sunset/sunrise & look for Champy! 5 minutes from campus.
Country Dreams Farm – Popular pumpkin picking spot, great for Halloween time! Has a farm that you can enter to play with the farm animals (goats, mini donkeys, cows, pot-bellied pigs, horses, ponies and chickens). 10 minutes from campus.
Oktoberfest at Whiteface Mountain – Weekend-long celebration of Bavarian culture with authentic music, dancing and food. Complimentary rides, craft vendors and trips on the Cloudsplitter Gondola to the summit of Little Whiteface. 1 hour from campus.
Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain Trail – A steep, short hike to a summit with views of the High Peaks, Lake Champlain, and Mount Mansfield, VT. 30 minutes from campus.
Rattlesnake Mountain Trail – Less than an hours hike to the top. Has a view of the entire area, including Willsboro Bay, Willsboro Point, the Four Brothers Islands, Giant Mountain and Rocky Peak Ridge. The views extend to Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains of Vermont. 30 minutes from campus.
Rulfs Orchard – Popular apple picking spot. 15 minutes from campus.
Saranac Lake – Everything outdoorsy from hiking, paddling, biking, boating, fishing, golfing, horseback riding etc. 1 hour from campus.
Saranac River Trail – 1.3 mile trail behind Memorial Hall (Yes! Right on campus!), you can rent bikes for free from Memorial Hall, or you can sit and study right next to the river, there are plenty of benches to sit at! On campus.
Twin Valleys – Popular spot for club and organization retreats. Has color coded hiking trails, a volleyball set, assorted board games and a fire pit. 45 minutes from campus.
With all the activities available for you, your transition from summer to fall in Plattsburgh will be exciting, rather then dreaded. Make sure you check out #plattslife on Twitter and Instagram to see how current students have fallen in love with Plattsburgh!