Adirondack Autumn

Pumpkin display at East Branch Organics in Keene

Fall is right around the corner and it’s hands-down my absolute favorite time of year in the Adirondacks. The red and yellow leaves. The crisp temperatures. Apple picking season. Cider donuts. Corn mazes. Pumpkins. Love it all.

Around Lake Placid, leaves usually begin turning by mid-September but won’t reach full-blown peak until late September or early October. Don’t worry so much about hitting the peak week, and just enjoy the foliage at whatever point you visit. As I write this on September 1, there are already a few early trees that have started turning red.

Here’s a list of quintessential fall activities in the Adirondacks.

Leaf peeping: Whether you drive, paddle or hike, it’s easy to go leaf peeping in the Adirondacks. For an easy drive, Route 86 between Lake Placid and Wilmington is very scenic and full maple trees along side the Ausable River with mountains in the background. There are several areas to park along Route 86 and walk along the river. While you’re headed that direction, take the Veteran’s Memorial Highway to the top of Whiteface for amazing views. Just remember there’s a toll fee and the Veteran’s Memorial Highway closes for winter around October 10. Hiking and paddling are other great ways to immerse yourself in autumn. If you want to get more creative with your leaf peeping adventure, try the Sky Flyer Zipline at the Jumping Complex or the Cliffside Coaster on the old bobsled track at Mount Van Hoevenberg.

Corn Maze: Tucker Farms in Gabriels creates a unique, custom corn field maze each year. It’s quite extravagant, and typically runs mid-August through the end of October. Open Thursday - Sunday, noon - 5 pm, and flashlight nights are Friday and Saturday, dusk - 10 pm. Tickets for the maze are $10 for adults and $8 for ages 13 and younger. Cash only. They also have farm tours and a pumpkin patch. Tucker Farms is about 17 miles or 25 miles from our cottage in Lake Placid.

Apples, Apple Cider, Apple Cider Donuts: Rulfs Orchard is beloved across the Adirondacks. They sell produce at many local farmers markets, but visiting their farm in Peru is next level. Especially in the fall. This is a great place to pick your own apples and pumpkins (as well as berries and tomatoes in the summer season). Buy fresh homemade apple cider. Cruise their bakery for freshly made apple cider donuts and apple pies. Their store is open daily 6 am - 6 pm. Apple picking season typically starts by early- to mid-September and runs until the first weekend of October. Check their website for tips and a video about picking apples. They also have a corn maze that opens in mid-September. And a petting zoo for kids. Rulfs is 40 miles or about an hour from Lake Placid. It’s right off of I-87, and not too far from Keeseville if you’re doing a foodie farm tour day.

Octoberfest Beer and Hard Cider: Many of the local microbreweries put out a seasonal Octoberfest brew around September and October, and a hard cider. Try the Lake Placid Pub & Brewery for their Ectoberfest (October only), Big Slide Brewery, Ray Brook Brewhouse, Blue Line Brewery in Saranac Lake. Or just head to the Craft Beer Center in Keene to pick up mix-and-match packs of lots of different local and seasonal brews and hard cider.