Ticonderoga Area Autumn Splendor: Apple-Picking, Hayrides, Fall-Inspired Foods!

Ticonderoga Historic Society

Ticonderoga NY Historic Society

The Ticonderoga area is awash in the splendor of autumn, from the spectacular views from high atop Route 74 into the village, the breathtaking Lake George scenes along Lake Shore Drive into Hague and Silver Bay and the lush, bucolic scenic routes along Route 22 and the Lower Road in Putnam Station along the Champlain. Autumn in the Ticonderoga region is precious as the days get shorter and the night chill lingers come morning. During this time of year that is invigorating to the senses, there are plenty of activities to get outside and enjoy as nature’s “quieting season” takes on a life of its own.

Autumn Splendor

Northern New York has been an epicenter of agriculture for over a century.  Some orchards even date to the late 1700s.  Without a doubt, the Ticonderoga area is a great place to wander through an ancient orchard gathering apples for eating, sauce and pie making, and pressing.  October brings the magic of pumpkin patches, too, and our region has plenty of farms  and roadside stands for choosing a favorite gourd for your jack-o-lantern.  Some places accept cash only; be sure to call ahead, especially to the orchards as many of them are small, family-owned businesses.

Ticonderoga Farmer’s Market

1114 Wicker St., Across from Christopher Chevrolet in Ticonderoga
The area’s leading farmer’s market will be open on Saturdays, 10 a.m. — 1 p.m. through the end of October.  Find a variety of local vegetable, meat, maple syrup, and honey vendors.  Fall-inspired decor can be found here too.  Shopping at the market is a great way experience how our small, local-economy is thriving in the north country.

Crop Walk to End World Hunger, October 15, 2016

Starts at the Ticonderoga Heritage Museum, on the circle, route 9N
A local group will walk to raise money and awareness of worldwide hunger.  Join them! Walk a mile, two, or four while raising consciousness about the challenges of equitable food distribution at home and abroad.  Enjoy the fresh air and camaraderie with like-minded people.

Keith’s Market, 518-558-1234

109 Montcalm St., Ticonderoga, NY 12833
Local meat market with area-raised beef, chicken, and eggs for sale.  Keith’s also sells Boar’s Head brand deli meats.

Ticonderoga Natural Foods Co-op, 518-558-1414

111 Montcalm St., Ticonderoga, NY 12833
Small locally-owned cooperative market with bulk foods, local items, specialty foods, natural bath and body products, and an environmentally-conscious atmosphere.

Fort Ticonderoga America’s Fort, 518-585-2821

100 Fort Ti Rd., Ticonderoga NY 12833
Hailed as the ‘key’ to a continent, Fort Ticonderoga is steeped in a rich history.  The fort is open daily through October, 9:30 a.m. — 5 p.m. The fort offers 2000 acres and two miles of Lake Champlain shoreline to explore and marvel at the forces of history at play on the preserved land.  There is also a corn maze, a haunted trail, and the King’s Garden to visit. An intriguing gift shop offers history books, revolutionary-era food goods, and other memorabilia.  Where else could you buy ‘Gunpowder Green Tea’ or a ‘American Heritage Chocolate Block’? Young readers will enjoy browsing titles like Dear America: The Winter of Red Snow.  History buffs and revolution- enthusiasts will enjoy browsing titles like Fort Ticonderoga: Key to a Continent or 1775: A Good Year for Revolution.  The fort is a national treasure located right here in the Ticonderoga area.  Be sure to check the website for a future visit when there may be a Civil War encampment or battle reenactment going on.

Nadeau’s Farm and Garden Market, 518-585-6757

729 NYS State Route 9N, Ticonderoga, NY 12833
Nadeau’s, on route 9N south of downtown Ticonderoga, has all types of autumn goods for sale.  There are farm-eggs, apples, and many other fruits and vegetables available.  Local honey, maple syrup, and fall-inspired house decor are available too.  Mums in all sizes are for sale in brilliant reds, oranges, and yellows. The view of Lord Howe’s valley from Nadeau’s is sure to inspire.

Burleigh’s Luncheonette

121 Montcalm St., Ticonderoga NY 12883
Burleigh’s should be a national treasure.  Steeped in authentic 1950’s diner-atmosphere, Burleigh’s offers inexpensive breakfast, lunch, and dinner options.  Go for the low-priced food, stay for the genuine 1950s vibe.

Gunnison Lakeshore Orchard, 518-597-9222

Crown Point, NY
Gunnison’s is an apple-orchard near the shore of Lake Champlain a few miles north of downtown Ticonderoga heading toward the Champlain Bridge.  The orchard offers pick-your-own or pre-bagged apples, a bakery selling all-things-apple, baguettes, croissants, and other assorted bakery delights.  The farm store is a treasure-trove of autumn-inspired home decor and gifts.

Billy Bob’s Orchard, 518-547-8309

720 County Rte. 2, Putnam Station, NY 12861
Billy Bob’s is open Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m. — 4:30 p.m.  A full-fledged, fall-fun destination, Billy Bob’s offers: maple syrup, cider, jams and jellies, hay-bale photo opportunities, a pumpkin patch, corn stalks, squash, zucchini, tomatoes (if there are any left!), and assorted gourds.

Sbardella’s Orchards, 802-345-2704

141 Manchester Rd., Whitehall, NY 12837
Small and beautiful orchard near the city of Whitehall, birthplace of the American Navy.  Sbardella’s accepts cash only for their assortment of upstate-grown apple varieties.  Find: MacIntosh, Honeycrisp, Cortland, Red Delicious, Ida Red, Empire, and Jonamac.

Ledge Top, 518-597-3420

Crown Point, NY
Small, family-owned apple orchard with a nice variety of apples to buy or pick.  Off-the-beaten path and beautiful for a peaceful Adirondack experience.

Scarecrow Display

Downtown, Port Henry, NY
Local Port Henry residents have been hard at work putting together their annual downtown scarecrow display.  Brightly dressed scarecrows filling the streets are sure to delight and young and old visitors alike.

HalloweenFest, October 28, 2016 — October 31, 2016

Downtown, Ticonderoga, NY
HalloweenFest is now a four day long event in downtown Ticonderoga.  With a four-day calendar full of events geared toward all ages, this year’s festival is sure to enchant witches and wizards both local and visiting.

Clinton County

North of the Ticonderoga Area, NY
Beyond our area, travelers will find more centuries-old orchards, hayride opportunities, scarecrow trails, pumpkin patches, picnic areas, and expansive views of the Lake Champlain valley.  As Aristotle once said, “In all things of nature, there is something of the marvelous.”  So whether you have a day or a weekend, hit the road and find your new fall favorites in the natural splendor and marvel of New York’s Ticonderoga area.

 

 

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