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Disclosure: This post was sponsored by  Mirror Lake Inn. While I was sponsored by Mirror Lake Inn, all opinions are my own.

One of the best times to visit the Adirondacks is during the fall. The air is brisk, the apples are ripe for the picking and leaf peeping will be at its peak.

Aside from the most amazing fall colors, there are also fun fall festivals and a visit to several waterfalls shouldn’t be missed.

With a ton of activities to choose from, it can get overwhelming to choose the best lake placid attractions. Worry no more, because we have the 6 best things to do in Lake Placid NY during the fall season.

View the fall foliage at the top of White Face mountain.

One of the most scenic views in the Adirondacks is at the top of White Face Mountain. With views for miles, it will feel like you are in another place. From lakes to mountains, you will have it all. Add the fall colors to that view and it will feel like magic.

How to get there:

You can either hike to the summit or go the easier route by driving up to see the view.

If you are adventurous and prefer to hike you can head to the main route along the Wilmington Trail which is around 5.2 mile, one-way hike from NY 431 to the summit of the mountain.

If you prefer to drive, you will have the most scenic fall views by driving on the Veterans Memorial Highway. It will take you straight to the entrance and a short hike will lead you to the summit. Climbing up can be a bit tiring but the views are worth the work.

The Cost:

The entrance fee to Whiteface mountain is $16 for vehicle and driver, additional passengers are $9, children 6 and under are free, and bicycles are $11 unless you have a bicycle season pass which is $55.

Stay and get pampered at Mirror Lake Inn

If you want to have the most relaxing experience in Lake Placid then staying at Mirror Lake Inn is a must. Get pampered at their spa and enjoy incredible views of Mirror Lake from your windows.

They also offer a wide range of activities that you may never want to leave. From watersports to cooking classes they have it all!

Mirror Lake Inn also provides world-class meals from their award-winning restaurants.

Looking for fine dining? Visit The View restaurant which has received Lake Placid’s only AAA four-diamond “Exceptional” rated restaurant.

If you want a more casual dining experience, you can also check out Taste Bistro & Bar. They offer the most scrumptious seasonal foods that will be a welcome after a long day of hiking and exploring.

If dining with a view is what you want, then check out The Cottage Restaurant and Café. The restaurant is situated right at Mirror Lakes edge which offers amazing views of the lakes and mountains. During the summer you can even paddle up to the deck and stop for a meal! Their lobster roll can’t be missed, so make sure to give it a try.

You can also relax at their award-winning spa which offers facials, body treatments and massages that will be a welcome after a long day of adventures.

How to get there:

From New York City, Mirror Lake Inn is approximately a 5-hour drive taking the Taconic State Parkway to I-87 N.

You can find more info on how to get to Mirror Lake Inn here.

How to book:

You can book directly at Mirror Lake Inn. They check all travel booking search engines to make sure that you are getting the best deals at their site.

Fall for the waterfalls at High Falls Gorge

Just a short drive from Lake Placid and only a mile from Whiteface Mountain Ski resort is the Adirondack’s most beautiful 30-minute scenic walk. Experience the breathtaking High Falls Gorge with the best views of fall foliage.

How to get there:

High Falls Gorge is approximately 5 hours from New York City and 1.5 hours from Lake George.

From I-87 Going South:
Take Exit 34 (Ausable Forks). Turn left to Route 9N southbound. Turn Route 86 West in the town of Jay. High Falls Gorge is just 1 mile from Whiteface Ski Center.

From I-87 Going North:
Take Exit 30 (Keene/Keene Valley). Turn left following Route 73 west towards Lake Placid. Turn right on River Road. Turn right onto Route 86 East. High Falls Gorge is 5 miles on the left.

The Cost:

Winter adults: $14

Children 4-12: $10

Snowshoe package November -April (Includes day pass to waterfalls, snowshoes, and snowshoe trail admission).

Adults: $26

Children 4-12: $16

CLOSED: OCTOBER 28- NOVEMBER 28 2019

Visit the Lake Placid Farmers market

The Adirondacks have many farms and you can tour several of them to see organically grown vegetables and livestock. The farms offer mountain potatoes, organic cheeses, grass-fed beef and so much more that you can find at the Lake Placid Farmers Market. You can see a list of farms here that you can visit.

fall in lake placid

Location:

Jewtraw Park, Station Street Lake Placid, NY 12946

When:

Wednesday, 2-6 pm

June 12th-October 9th

Visit Octoberfest and enjoy the fall festivals at Lake George

One of the best times to visit the Adirondacks in the fall season is during their annual Octoberfest Festival that is held in October. The heart of Lake George is transformed into a Bavarian street fair where everyone can celebrate the start of the fall season.

Where:

Lake George – Canada street across from Shepard Park.

When:

Check the dates and times here.

These fall activities in the Adirondacks are some of the highlights of the season but there are a ton of things to do in the Adirondacks. So get out there, enjoy the crisp air, and go on the most beautiful scenic drives. The season does not last very long so take advantage of these Adirondack attractions.

As the holiday season is here, it has reminded me of one of my most memorable New Years Eve.  Aaron and I decided to go on a last minute adventure to the Chimney Bluffs in upstate New York.

With over 5 hours of driving, it was not a short ride to this destination. Packed and ready we headed out and arrived to have it almost all to ourselves. The hike to the bluffs was a pretty easy one, we decided to walk near the water, which will get you a lot closer to the bluffs themselves. I tried walking up the bluffs but it was muddy and very fragile – crumbling to the touch, so be careful while exploring.

Chimney Bluffs New York

The scenery is unlike any other hiking spots we’ve been to before in New York, it almost feels like the South West, made even prettier with the snow on the ground. We continued to walk to the end of the Bluffs and then found a path that lead to the higher grounds with birds eye view of the bluffs and sea.

Chimney Bluffs New York

Although a short hike, it was definitely worth the drive and gave us a unique getaway. Make sure to check out Chimney Bluffs New York for a Unique getaway.

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by  Island Packers & Santa Barbara Adventure. While I was sponsored by Island Packers & Santa Barbara Adventure , all opinions are my own.

If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I love to hike and find offbeat destinations. Well, discovering the Channel Islands was like finding my own personal heaven. Only a few hours boat ride from Santa Barbara in California are these incredible islands that seem so out of place, it makes you doubt if you are even in the U.S.  Read on to find more details on this offbeat destination!

Getting There:

There are two options of getting to the Channel islands. Option 1 is by plane via Channel Islands Aviation. Option 2 is by boat with Island Packers. We opted to go with option two and take the boat ride with Island Packers,  in order to check out some ocean wild life. Believe me, it was absolutely worth it. Due to high winds, the ocean stirred up a lot of fish and coming back from Santa Cruz Island, we were able to watch a rare feeding that attracted hundreds of dolphins and around 20 whales! It was one of the most unforgettable moments of our trip and I definitely recommend taking advantage of Island Packers whale watching tour.

What to do:

No matter which Island you choose to go to, hiking is a must! The panoramic views of the ocean and the rare and unique plants in the islands are spectacular to see. Being surrounded by nature and a worlds apart from mainland makes this hike even more special.

Sea Kayaking  with the Santa Barbara Adventure Co should not be missed when visiting the Channel islands, the incredible wildlife will be nothing that you have seen before. Discover the cave that baby seals relax on, touch and even sample the kelp surrounding the islands. Then, experience the beauty of the island from a different perspective, a view that you will not be able to see if you are just on land. Make sure to reserve a sea kayaking tour with one of the incredible guides at Santa Barbara Adventure Co.  It will be one of the highlights of your trip!

Where to Stay:

Camping in all five Islands are available all year round. However, Santa Barbara Island is currently closed due to damage from recent storms. Be sure to check the Channel Islands National Park site for updates.

Spots for each camp site is limited so book fast and make sure to reserve 1-2 months in advance. To reserve a spot visit recreation.gov. I recommend staying in one of the Islands for at least a night. Wake up early to see the Sunrise and make sure to enjoy the sunset. One of the highlights while staying over night is having the Island almost all to yourselves. All of the day trippers will be gone and you are in your own private island!

The Channel islands has been nicknamed the Galapagos of North America due to the isolation that has allowed wild life to evolve in the islands. This nickname is definitely well deserved, there are so much to do and see!

Have you been to the Channel Islands or planning to visit? Comment below and let me know!

 

I’ve been seeing so many inspiring and envy worthy stories about quitting the 9-5 job to travel. Like most of you reading this, it is also a dream of mine to just leave all of the hustle and bustle behind and create new memories with people and places that I have only dreamed about. But, what can you do when quitting is just not an option? Here are four tips to lessen your travel blues and how you can travel more often.

1)Make the most of your weekends.

I know you get tired after a long week, I do too. But you know what perks me up after a long humdrum work week? A weekend trip! Whether it’s a road trip to a different city, or a train ride to a new and quirky town, I always find the time to go. For more inspiration check out my Weekender posts coming soon!

2) Explore your city.

I am so busy looking for new and exciting places to visit around the world that I often overlook the places that are in my own town! Living in New York City, it is easy to get world class meals, the best entertainment and meet so many different types of people. You don’t live in New York City you say? Well, check out your own town! Whether big or small, you will always find something new that you have never seen or done before. When you do, make sure to comment and share down bellow! I want to see it too.

3) Take shorter trips more often.

Instead of waiting for those 2-3 week vacations, why not do a long weekend? Find a cheap and short flight where you can enjoy 2-3 full days in the area. Often times, just being out of your regular routine can really help you stick it out for a few more months until you can finally take the longer trips and adventures.

Check out Skyscanner and Airfare Watchdog to find the best deals. Make sure to shop around and check often. You never know when the best deals may come!

4) Meet other travelers in your area (or from afar).

One of the biggest reasons why I travel is the people I get to meet who have similar interests and values. It can be really tough to explain to your non-nomad friends why you would rather spend your money trekking in the Himalayan mountains instead of saving to get the latest fashion trends.

Meeting like-minded a.k.a “kindred spirits” will help boost your moral and you may even find your perfect travel mate! The best places I have found travel pals (aside from the actual trip) is on  Instagram. We’ve created a community where we support one another and discuss issues that we care about with a unique understanding of our circumstances. Because honestly, it takes another nomad to truly understand another. Am I right? There are also many meetup groups and FB groups such as Girls Love Travel who will not only inspire you to travel  but also help you create friendships along the way.

Got more tips on how to fight your travel blues? Share and comment down below!

 

Welcome Friends! Some of you may know me as Debbie, The Offbeat Trekker on Instagram. If you do, thanks so much for visiting my blog and for following me on this new journey. If you don’t know me, nice to meet you!

OBT will highlight my offbeat travel finds,  share how I motivate myself when faced with the humdrum monotony of the everyday, as well as the ups and downs of trying to live a more colorful life (read my About Me page to learn more), because let’s be honest, social media usually makes our lives look perfect, but it is far from it.

Aside from the usual travel tips, I will also share how I have created a following on Instagram even when I am not traveling full time, how I afford to travel without a sugar daddy as well as useful tips from traveling entrepreneurs who “make it work”.

I am still learning, so please bear with me as I navigate through the maze of the blogging world. Even though I love to share my experiences with you, I would also like to hear about yours and what topics you are interested in, so tell me your ideas and comment below!