Fall in the Adirondacks.

The Adirondacks in upstate New York offers beauty in all four seasons. From snow to green trees to the changing leaves in the fall, you can be assured that there is something for you to do and see no matter when you come. My favorite time of year here is the fall. With it's quilt of colors spread throughout the trees and over the Whiteface Mountains, it's one of those places you will not soon forget. This fall I will not have the pleasure to visit the Adirondacks due to the eminent birth of my twin sons and current bedrest status. I can write about it, which will allow me to relive my previous falls and visits to this beautiful place!

High Falls Gorge, NY

1. Peeping. Peeping is the act of viewing fall foliage. There is little need to get out of your car to view the spectacular display of color that this part of the country offers. Route 9N, toward Lake Placid, off Highway 89 allows for close-up viewing and wide panoramic views. There are several areas that allow you to pull off and view the scenery. This is a wonderful inexpensive activity in this area.

Whiteface Mountain, view from the top.

2. Whiteface Mountain Gondola Ride. Whiteface Mountain is located on Route 9N toward Lake Placid. It was home to the downhill skiing events during the 1912 and 1980 Winter Olympics. The Gondola Ride takes you to the summit and allows you a 180 view of the Adirondack area. The weather during the end of September and early October is chilly, bring a coat as it can be breezy at the top. Your ticket purchase also offers you one free family photo, with the Adirondack valley views in the background. It is taken and processed while you are on at the top. We brought our own camera and they were more than willing to use our camera to take the photo too. It was the perfect fall experience and offered the best views of the Adirondack area.

Young Ski Jumper, Lake Placid Olympic Ski Jumping Complex.

3. Lake Placid Ski Jumping Complex. The Lake Placid Ski Jumping Complex was created for the 1980 Winter Olympics. It is home to future ski jumping Olympic athletes. There are scheduled practice jumping times and competitions that you can attend. Your purchased ticket allows you a lift to the top viewing areas and the top of the highest ski jumping tower. Our fall visit last year allowed us to view young atheletes practicing their jumping.

4. Lake Placid Downtown. Lake Placid, home of the 1980 Winter Olympics houses several antique shops, a few outlets, souvenir shops, boutiques, and lots of small to medium-sized restaurants. There is parking after the outdoor speed skating rink and along the streets through town. It is almost always brimming with families arriving for various sports competitions. My favorite shops is one called Fortunes of Time and is indicative of many of the other shops along the main street. It offers souvenirs and unique craft and jewelry items. There is also a Gap Outlet.

Owls Head Mountain Rustic Furniture and Quilt Shop

5. Adirondack Shops. Shopping is an art form in the Adirondack area. The shops and small boutiques carry some of the best items for your cabin, cottage, or lodge-style homes. Leather furniture, wooden birch-tree frames, and lamps made from old vintage ski's. Some of my favorite shops are The Adirondack Decorative Arts store located in Lake Placid and two levels with higher-end cabin-style linens, furniture, and accessories. Lake Placid village is home to many more of these stores.

Heading out of Lake Placid down Route 9N toward Keene, NY the Owls Head Mountain Rustic Furniture and Quilt Shop offers more Adirondack furniture, those famous Adirondack chairs, quilts, linens, baskets, and lots of other fun unique items.

6. Picnics in the Adirondacks. From small sandwich style take-out restaurants to sit-down meals, eating in the Adirondacks will leave you full and happy. One of my favorite places is Casara's off of Route 3 in Plattsburgh. It's about 25 minutes from the Route 9N cut-off in Plattsburgh. You order your sandwich the way you like it and add chips, homemade cookies, salads, or soup to the order. Take it to go on your peeping outing and eat it along the way or find a place to pull off for a picnic.

Cedar Run, on the corner of Hwy 73 and Route 9N in Keene, NY is another fun way to enjoy the great food int he Adirondacks. They have two sections to this restaurant; a take and go section with pre-made dinners and sandwiches or a dine-in area. They even have a peanut and butter jelly sandwich for the picky eaters.

Further up Route 9N in Lake Placid, there is a Subway, Mcdonald's and our favorite lunch sandwich Charlie's. It's right on main street and offers BLT's, Ruben's, kid's meals, and deli sandwiches. They have an extensive menu, including taco salad and a separate dinner menu for a more formal evening dinner.

There are several fun cabins and lodge style hotels in the area, including, a fantastic clean stylish Marriott in the area. Even if the Adirondacks are not in your fall plans this year, remember to get and see those fall leaves and enjoy the cooler temperatures! There is always next year!

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