Recommendations for summer weekend stuff in the eastern Adirondacks?

campfire at a lakeSean emails:

My friends and I are meeting up for the weekend at a lake-house just east of Keeseville this coming June. Having never stayed in that area, I was wondering if any of your readers might have recommendations for things to do, places to eat, etc. Thanks!

Keeseville is on the Clinton/Essex county line along the Ausable River. It's roughly about as far north as Burlington (but, you know, on the New York side of Lake Champlain.) We're guessing there's a bunch of good summer stuff to do around there.

So, got a suggestion for Sean and his friends? Please share!

photo: Casey Normile

Comments

We booked an airbnb nearby and a trip to Ausable Chasm later this summer.

The Ausable Chasm would be close and is super fun.

There's a ferry that can bring you across Lake Champlain from Port Kent to Burlington, and back. Burlington is an awesome town.

It might not all be as obvious as AuSable Chasm, but there's a lot of nice stuff in the region around Keeseville. First - get thee to Mace Chasm Road. It is lined by a creamery, meat and veggie farms, and even has a brewery - the AuSable Brewing Company. If you're a foodie or into local beer, it's a great road to explore and spend the afternoon. Further south, Essex is lovely historic community with nice shops - and you'll find more farms and things in the Boquet Valley to the west of it. The mountain views are beautiful in that area, so it is worth just even heading that way for a drive to see the old farmhouses, the green fields, and the mountains rising in the distance. If you like fire towers, Poke O'Moonshine isn't far and has a great view. And if you like hiking in general, check out CATS (Champlain Area Trails) for a map and descriptions of a number of trails in the area. And, of course, don't forget to enjoy that lake house - just bring your bug spray. June is black fly season!

Check out the waterfalls just north of Keeseville - pretty cool!

The ferry ride across the lake from Port Kent to Burlington (one hour) is awesome. When landing in Burlington, walk up the hill to Church Street. I guarantee you will not be disappointed. Plenty of restaurants to eat al fresco. Some interesting shops as well. Be sure to have a "Michigan" if you wander up toward Plattsburgh (10 minutes).

Poke-O-Moonshine Mt./ firetower

If you are a Star Trek fan, you could drive a little south to Ticonderoga and tour the Enterprise at the Star Trek Original Series Set Tour.

Just guessing that you are staying in Port Douglass or Port Kent?

Port Kent has the ferry landing. Park and walk on and walk around Burlington for a day, then take the ferry back.

Port Douglass has Keeseville's beach on Lake Champlain.

Willsboro has some seasonal restaurants.

And to the person talking about Mace Chasm road.....I grew up in Keeseville....its so different now (This is the Keeseville I know: http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/14/nyregion/14courts.html)!

Essex has lots of antiquing if you're into that.

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