Things to do in Plattsburgh, New York

Plattsburgh might be small but the folks here know how to have fun. The overall atmosphere in this town is one of relaxation and calm. It’s a great place to relax and unwind after a long few months of work and constant stress. They have gorgeous natural attractions which you can enjoy all year round. As the Northern part of New York, not much is known about Plattsburgh which is why we’ve put together this list of the 10 best things to do when you visit the city. 

Go to the Point Au Roches State Park

This park is perfectly located on the northwestern shore of Lake Champlain. Open and forested areas intertwine to create a magical setting that’s perfect for enjoying a picnic under the sun. Did we mention they have a sandy beach and a good ol’ fashioned concession stand? Yep! And there’s plenty of space and facilities to play volleyball, softball, and other outdoor games. Boating and fishing are also available for “outdoorsy” types, and you’ll be glad to know that there are 60 designated mooring sites in Point Au Roche particularly in the Deep Bay area. 

The Nature Center is the perfect place for families and nature lovers to enjoy breathtaking views of the shoreline, marsh, and forest. You can take a walk, bike or hike through the provided trails.

Visit the Champlain Valley Transportation Museum

The Champlain Valley Transportation Museum is ideally located on Lake Champlain’s museum campus. It was built to celebrate and explore this region’s rich transportation history, including the historic Lozier Automobile Company. If you’re wondering just who would create a museum centered around the automobile industry, it was actually founded in 2000 by car and history buffs and it features a diverse range of transportation types.  

Get a Tan at the Plattsburgh City Beach

This beach is one of the biggest freshwater beaches in the entire country and it boasts breathtaking views of the legendary Green Mountains. Not only can you enjoy a refreshing swim in these waters, but you can also rent a kayak by the information booth, or enjoy an intimate picnic and outdoor grill. If self-catering’s not your thing there’s also a Cabana Beach Bar and Taco Shack available. This is in addition to the showers and restrooms where you can freshen up after a long walk along the nature trail. 

Visit the Clinton County Historical Association and Museum

The Clinton County Historical Museum is a historic landmark based in Plattsburgh’s Museum Campus. It was built in the 1800s on land provided by the US Army and it has an extensive collection of Native American relics and artifacts that date back to the pre-colonial era. Here, you’ll also get an exclusive look at Captain Edwin Murphy’s scrapbook as well as an impressive Redford Glass collection. 

Go to the Country Dreams Farm

This farm has a year-round list of activities that you can partake in, either individually or as a family. You’ll have fun in the pumpkin patch and acorn maze during the fall, while sleigh rides are very popular during the winter. Guests are given warm blankets so as to not freeze and the Belgian draft horses amble gently along the Adirondack Mountains, where you’ll go through enchanting forests. During the spring and summertime, this farm will make your country dreams come true with a petting zoo, which is a hit with kids! 

Enjoy Art at the Rockwell Kent Gallery

As the name implies, this gallery is dedicated to showing the works of legendary artist, Rockwell Kent. Not only that but it offers a never-before-seen view of the artists’ own personal life which makes it a great resource for art students. If you want to get a better understanding of the art scene in the 20^th century, this gallery is the place to go. Here, you’ll find an extensive exhibition of Kent’s work including prints, drawings, design art, dinnerware, books and even travel souvenirs from his different trips around the world. 

Visit the Kent-Delord House Museum

The Delord family line saw its demise in 1913 when the last of its descendants Fannie Hall passed away. Her “historical relics” were donated to a local museum. Initially, Fannie’s servant became the house’s caretaker but after a decade of dedicated service, she passed on and the house became a museum. Here you’ll find three generations worth of personal items, books, letters, furniture, dinnerware, and family portraits. 

Enjoy Wine at the Elfs Farm Winery and Cider Mill

Elfs Farm Winery and Cider House is where the ADK Hard Cider and Adirondack Cider Company originate. It’s owned and managed by the Frey Family which grows a variety of apple, fruit and grape wines. The family started cultivating cold climate grapes back in 2006 after which they produced the first hard ciders and wines. The outdoor patio here is the perfect place to relax while you take in the laid-back scenery. Tastings are available all week long for wine and cider, except on Mondays.

Learn More About War at The War of 1812 Museum

Thanks to the Battle of Plattsburgh Association, visitors can now access the town’s War of 1812 Museum in impeccable condition. The Association has committed itself to maintaining this museum for future generations and it shows in the condition of the artifacts and their passion for educating people about the significance of the Battle of Plattsburgh in the context of the 1812 war. The museum includes the Press-Republican Theatre as well as the KeyBank Gallery. 

Consider the Lake Champlain Angler Fishing Charter

As the name implies, Lake Champlain Angler Fishing Charter is all about angling. They provide well-priced charters for two 21-foot Outlander vessels. Each boat comes with four-stroke outboards powered by 115-horsepower as well as cutting-edge riggers, electronics and trolling motors Simply put, they are an angler’s dream, and you can enjoy an 8-hour trip with your buddies or your family for just $375. And that’s for up to 4 people, which is the amount of cargo the boats can handle. There are different packages available to suit different pockets, including four to six-hour options, as well as group rates if you want to hire several vessels.