8 Best Things to Do on New York's Adirondack Coast

This blog post was written in partnership with The Adirondack Coast

Most New Yorkers are familiar with the Adirondacks, but you may not realize just how massive this region actually is. Spanning roughly 6 million acres (about one-fifth of New York State) the Adirondack Park is the largest publicly protected area in the contiguous United States. In fact, it’s bigger than Yellowstone, Everglades, Glacier, and Grand Canyon National Parks combined!

But here’s something even frequent Adirondack visitors may not realize: this incredible region has a coast!

Stretching along the western shores of Lake Champlain, the Adirondack Coast combines everything you love about the Adirondacks with beautiful waterfront scenery. And with Lake Champlain stretching 120 miles from north to south, there are plenty of opportunities to get out on the water!

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I had the pleasure of visiting the Adirondack Coast for the first time this summer. The area absolutely blew me away! From charming downtowns and mountain views to sandy beaches, incredible food, history, and outdoor adventures, it felt like truly, there’s something here for everyone.

The Adirondack Coast is an absolute dream during the summer months, and if you’re planning your own trip, these are 8 of the best things to do on New York’s Adirondack Coast!

Table of Contents

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1. Experience The Mill

For one of the most unique stops on the Adirondack Coast, make your way to The Mill in Westport. Housed inside a transformed 1950s grain mill, this creative space is a little difficult to put into one category. But that’s what makes it so cool!

The Mill brings together regional art, incredible food and drinks, live entertainment, events, and community all under one roof. You can wander through the galleries admiring the artwork, grab a bite or a drink, catch a live performance, and simply spend some time soaking in the atmosphere. The industrial character of the former mill has been preserved throughout the space, creating such an interesting contrast between the historic building and the contemporary art inside.

And then there’s The Knock, The Mill’s hidden speakeasy-style bar. Tucked away within the property, it feels like discovering a little secret and adds yet another unexpected element to the experience.

The property is also used for special events and performances. With programming that ranges from live music to comedy and other cultural events. There are even beautifully designed loft-style apartments on the property where visitors can stay overnight.

2. Go Kayaking on Chazy Lake

Another great way to enjoy the water while visiting the Adirondack Coast is to spend some time kayaking on Chazy Lake. Rent a kayak nearby, or bring your own if you have one, and head out for a relaxing paddle surrounded by some seriously beautiful scenery.

Chazy Lake is tucked into the valley between Lyon and Ellenburg Mountains. Here, you truly get the best of both worlds! Gorgeous views across the water with the Adirondack Mountains rising in the background. The lake covers more than 1,800 acres and has about 11 miles of shoreline, giving you plenty of space to explore.

I launched near Chazy Lake Beach, which is a beautiful spot in its own right with a small sandy beach, picnic areas, and views of the surrounding mountains. Once you’re out on the lake, though, you really get to appreciate just how peaceful this area is. There’s something about seeing the mountains from the water that makes the scenery even more impressive.

Whether you’re looking for a little outdoor adventure or simply want to enjoy a leisurely paddle, kayaking Chazy Lake is such a fun way to experience another side of the Adirondack Coast. And on a warm summer day, it’s pretty hard to beat being out on the water with views like these!

3. Have Dinner at Valcour Brewing

For dinner with a side of history, head to Valcour Brewing Company in Plattsburgh. This local craft brewery and restaurant is housed inside the historic Old Stone Barracks, which was built beginning in 1838. It’s the last remaining structure from a planned quadrangle of early U.S. Army barracks! The building was eventually restored and transformed into the home of Valcour Brewing Company, making it a really unique place to grab a meal while visiting the Adirondack Coast.

The building itself is very beautiful! And I love that such an important piece of Plattsburgh’s history has been preserved and given a new life. Inside you’ll find plenty of historic character, but on a beautiful summer day, I highly recommend grabbing a table outside. Their patio is huge and was one of my favorite parts of the restaurant. It has such a relaxed atmosphere and is the perfect place to unwind after a day of exploring.

The menu has a nice variety of options along with their own craft beers. I went with the chicken tacos, which were delicious!

4. Explore the Former Air Force Base

After dinner at Valcour Brewing Company, take some time to wander around the surrounding area, which was once part of the Plattsburgh Air Force Base. The base played an important role in U.S. military history, particularly during the Cold War, when it served as a Strategic Air Command base. It officially closed in 1995, but much of the former base has since been transformed and repurposed.

One of the coolest remnants of that history is the pair of massive military aircraft on display near the former base: a B-47 Stratojet and an FB-111A. Both aircraft types were once stationed at Plattsburgh and served with the 380th Bombardment Wing.

What I loved most was how close you could actually get to the aircraft. You can walk right up to them- and even underneath them, which really puts their enormous size into perspective. Even if you’re not a huge aviation or military history person, they’re incredibly impressive to see up close!

5. Rent an ElliptiGO

If you’re looking for a really unique way to explore the Adirondack Coast, rent an ElliptiGO from AdirondackGO! If you’ve never seen one before, an ElliptiGO is essentially a cross between a bicycle and an elliptical machine. You stand upright and pedal your way around rather than sitting on a traditional bike seat.

I’ll admit, I was a little intimidated at first, especially considering I rarely ever ride a regular bike! But Don at AdirondackGO was so kind and helpful. He walked me through everything I needed to know, made sure I felt comfortable, and had me take a few practice laps around the parking lot before heading out. It may look a little tricky, but once you start moving, it comes surprisingly naturally.

From there, head over to Plattsburgh City Beach for a ride. Located along Lake Champlain, the beach has beautiful views across the water toward Vermont’s Green Mountains and connects to trails that make this such a fun area to explore on two wheels. You can even make a pit stop for ice cream at the beach before continuing your ride!

This was such a fun and unexpected way to experience Plattsburgh. And you definitely don’t need to be an avid cyclist to give it a try. If I can get the hang of an ElliptiGO, I promise you can too!

6. Wander around The Corner Stone Bookshop

If you’re a book lover, you absolutely need to make a stop at The Corner Stone Bookshop in downtown Plattsburgh. This is the quintessential small-town bookstore, with all of the cozy charm you could possibly imagine.

The Corner Stone Bookshop has been a staple in downtown Plattsburgh since 1975. It’s home to three floors filled with an incredible 80,000 titles. Primarily a secondhand bookstore, its shelves cover just about every genre and topic you can think of. From fiction and history to travel, local authors, Adirondack history, rare finds, and so much more!

This was one of those places where I could have easily spent hours. There are books tucked into seemingly every corner, and wandering through the shelves almost feels like getting lost in a little literary maze. It’s cozy, comforting, magical, and exactly what you hope to find when you stumble upon an independent bookstore in a charming downtown.

7. Tour the Kent-Delord House Museum

If you love history, a tour of the Kent-Delord House Museum is an absolute must while visiting Plattsburgh. Located on a beautiful street overlooking Lake Champlain and Cumberland Bay, the setting alone is worth seeing. But stepping inside the house feels like taking a trip back in time.

The home dates back to 1797, and in 1810 it was purchased by Henry Delord, a French immigrant and local merchant. The Delord family would remain connected to the house for more than a century, and today many of their original furnishings, artwork, letters, books, and personal belongings are still preserved inside!

One of the most fascinating chapters in the home’s history took place during the War of 1812. As thousands of British troops advanced toward Plattsburgh in September 1814, civilians began fleeing the city, including the Delord family. British forces soon entered Plattsburgh, occupying homes and other buildings throughout the city as they prepared for what became the Battle of Plattsburgh.

Today, you can tour the house and see rooms filled with belongings from three generations of the Delord family. I especially loved how much of the home’s history has been preserved. It really does feel like you’ve stepped into another era rather than simply walked into a museum!

8. Have a Picnic at Ausable Point Beach

With the Adirondack Coast sitting along the shores of Lake Champlain, there are plenty of opportunities to spend some time by the water. If you’re looking for a fun summer dinner idea, grab some takeout and have a picnic at Ausable Point Beach!

One place you cannot go wrong with is Whistle Stop Fusion Barbecue & Craft Mocktails in Chazy. Whistle Stop specializes in barbecue with a creative fusion twist, and their menu goes well beyond your typical barbecue fare. Their offerings and hours can vary since they also do catering and pop-ups, so I recommend checking what’s available before you visit.

Once you’ve picked up your food, make your way to Ausable Point Campground & Day Use Area, located right along Lake Champlain. There are some beautiful viewpoints along the way, but once you enter the day-use area, you’ll find picnic tables and access to the beach. The day-use area is operated by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, and there is a vehicle entrance fee during the operating season. When I visited, it was $8 per car but fees can change, so do keep that in mind.

After you eat, head down to the beach for a walk along the water. It’s such a simple way to spend a summer evening, but between the good food, fresh air, and beautiful lake views, it ended up being one of those experiences that perfectly captures what makes the Adirondack Coast so special.

Enjoy Your Time on The Adirondack Coast

Before this trip, I had visited the Adirondacks a few times, but the Adirondack Coast was completely new to me, and it ended up being such a pleasant surprise!

What I loved most about this area is the variety. You can spend the morning kayaking with mountain views, wander through charming towns in the afternoon, learn about centuries of history, enjoy dinner overlooking the water, or discover a completely unexpected place like The Mill. It has so many of the things I already love about the Adirondacks, but with the added bonus of miles of beautiful Lake Champlain shoreline!

While summer is an especially beautiful time to experience the Adirondack Coast, this trip only scratched the surface of what the region has to offer. So, the next time you’re planning an Adirondack getaway, consider heading a little farther north and experiencing the coast for yourself. You might just discover a whole new side of the Adirondacks you never knew existed!

Please feel free to leave any questions or comments below, and as always, happy travels!