18 Best Things to Do in Plattsburgh, New York

By VacationIdea Staff on September 15, 2022 - Updated

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The Adirondack coast, with Plattsburgh, New York, at its center, offers great scuba diving, boating, sailing, and windsurfing on Lake Champlain. The coast boasts many beaches and parks. Bass fishing, complete with tournaments, is huge on Lake Champlain, and Ausable Chasm – a gorge that's two miles long - is a top attraction.

We recommend that you call the attractions and restaurants ahead of your visit to confirm current opening times.

1.Places to Visit: Point Au Roches State Park

Point Au Roche State Park sits on Lake Champlain's northwestern shore. It is a combination of forested and open areas, with a large area that featuringpicnic facilities and a protected, sandy beach, plus a concession stand. Guests play softball, volleyball, and other games, and fishing and boating are widely enjoyed.

In Deep Bay, Point Au Roche has 60 designated mooring sites, and its Nature Center has a range of programs available throughout the year. The park offers hiking, biking and nature trails which take visitors through areas such as forest, marsh and the shoreline. Cross-country skiing and ice fishingare also available.

19 Camp Red Cloud Road, Plattsburgh, NY 12901, Phone: 518-563-0369

2.Kids Activities Near Me: Plattsburgh City Beach

Plattsburgh City Beach, among the largestfreshwater beaches in the U.S.,is only minutes from downtown Plattsburgh, and offers a view of the Green Mountains. This unique venue includesa great stretch of beach, outdoor grills andpicnic tables, plus a Taco Shack and Cabana Beach Bar.

Visitors will also find an information booth, kayak rentals, restrooms with showers and a nature trail.

4 Beach Road, Plattsburgh, New York 12901

3.Things to Do in Plattsburgh, New York: Country Dreams Farm

Country Dreams Farm offers activities throughout the year. For a memorable fall farm experience, guests are invited to acorn maze, wagon rides, and pumpkin patch. During winter, families can treat themselves to a sleigh ride, pulled by Belgian draft horses. Warm blankets are provided, so visitors can comfortably enjoy the brisk air andthrilling scenes of the Adirondack mountains.

The spectacular ride begins by easily winding through the woods and ends with a dash through the snow. There's time for photos with the horses and hot cocoa in the cabin. A petting zoo is available during spring and summer seasons.

260 Pellerin Rd., Plattsburgh, New York 12901, Phone: 518-565-6051

4.Things to Do Near Me: Strand Center Theatre, Plattsburgh, New York

The Strand Center for the Arts has always been a key place fordeveloping arts education through presentations. The organization seeks to collaborate with other local groups and to help strengthen North Country economics.

A long-time partner with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, the Strand Center for the Arts offers a number of youth scholarships so youth can engage in ArtQuest programming and other programs designed for younger students. In addition, it has formed a partnership with the United Way to provide additional access to disadvantages children.

25 Brinkerhoff Street, Plattsburgh, New York 12901, Phone: 518-324-2787

5.Things to Do Near Me: Clinton County Historical Association and Museum

The Clinton County Historical Museum is located in Plattsburgh's Museum Campus. This historic landmark is one of the original buildings constructed as part of the Plattsburgh Post, built on land that had beenin use by the United States Army since the War of 1812. One of its featured collections is of Native American relics. Its collection of more than 1,000 artifacts testifies to the fact that a Native American population dwelt in pre-Colonial Clinton County. Captain Edwin Murphy's WWI scrapbook is also on view, plus there is a collection of Redford Glass that includes pitchers and lamps. Collection

98 Ohio Avenue, Plattsburgh, New York 12903, Phone: 518-561-0340

6.Things to Do in Plattsburgh, New York: Rockwell Kent Gallery

The Art Museum at Plattsburgh State and the State University of New York contains a complete collection of Rockwell Kent. Here is provided an excellent overview of the art, plus other aspects of Kent’s life, and gives students and scholars an unusual resource for understanding 20th century American art and of Kent's growth as advocate for social justice – and artist.

The Gallery hosts a permanent exhibition of Kent's prints, paintings, drawings, books, dinnerware, design art and more from his travels and Asgaard Farm life. The gallery also features changing exhibitions of the artist’s work.

101 Broad St, Plattsburgh, NY 12901, Phone: 518-564-2474

7.What to Do Near Me: Kent-Delord House Museum, Plattsburgh, New York

Fannie Hall's death on October 4, 1913 marked the end of the Delord family. In her will, she left her “historic relics” to a museum and the house to the Physicians Hospital. For a decade, Fannie's servant became the caretaker of the house, preserving not only the building itself, but the relics inside.

Today's house museum lets visitors seeportraits, dinnerware, furniture, letters, books, and personal items owned by three generations of theDelord family. A visit to the Kent-Delord House Museum provides insight into authentic objects of bygone days, plus Delord family stories.Visitors have the opportunity to connect with the past in a 200-year-old building in its original form.

17 Cumberland Ave., Plattsburgh, New York 12901, Phone: 518-561-1035

8.What to Do Near Me: The War of 1812 Museum

The Battle of Plattsburgh Association has devoted itself to sustaining the War of 1812 Museum. Toward this, the Association preserves, collects, and maintains artifacts and has launcheda nationwide educational drive to describe the importance of the Battle of Plattsburgh in the War of 1812 and in U.S. history. The KeyBank Gallery is part of the museum as is the Press-Republican Theatre.

The Association seeks to preserve local history; to create an outstanding museum about the Battle of Plattsburgh and the War of 1812; and to educate children throughout the country.

31 Washington Road, Plattsburgh, New York 12903, Phone: 518-566-1814

9.Romantic Activities Near Me: Elfs Farm Winery and Cider Mill

Elfs Farm Winery and Cider House is also home to Adirondack Cider Company and ADK Hard Cider. The Frey family offers locally grown grape, fruit and apple wines.

In 2005, the farm started offering sweet cider and in 2006, the farm began growing cold climate grapes. In 2007, the first wines and hard ciders were introduced.Its tasting room is open everyday, except Mondays, for cider and wine served by the glass and wine tastings. Visitors are invited to relax on the outside patio or enjoy a fire on colder days.

Elfs also sells maple syrup and sugar, jams, and other treats – in addition to home brew supplies.

7411 State Route 9, Plattsburgh, New York 12901, Phone: 518-563-2750

10.Activities Near Me: Lake Champlain Angler Fishing Charter

Lake Champlain Angler Fishing Charters offers outstanding and reasonably priced charters on twin 21-foot Outlander multi-species vessels. These boats are equipped with quiet 115-horsepower four-stroke outboards, and advanced trolling motors, electronics, and riggers.

Guides are equipped to jig, troll, or cast and the company provides premium rods and reels. Prices max out at $375 for an eight-hour trip, and there are no per-person additionaladd-ons, or fuel surcharges. Less expensive four-hour and six-hour trips are available. Boats can accommodate four people, but the company suggests three or fewer. Group rates are available for multiple vessels.

90 Cumberland Avenue, Plattsburgh, New York 12901, Phone: 518-578-9273

11.Things to Do Near Me: Eastern View Outfitters

Eastern View Outfitters is a year-round guide service, operated andowned by Bryce Collins, a USCG Captain,with access to some of the most productive and game-rich hunting grounds in the northeast: habitat for large populations of deer, wild turkeys, waterfowl species, and fish.

Lake Champlain is home to Atlantic Salmon, Monster Lake Trout, Brown Trout, Steelhead as well as Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike and Pickerel. The company is an insured and licensed New York State guide service with nearly 20 years of hunting and fishing experience in Vermont, New York, and Pennsylvania, as well as in other states. Private farmland, stretching for thousands of acres, is within reach of Eastern View Outfitters.

P.O. Box 2326, Plattsburgh, New York 12901, Phone: 518-569-5770

12.Things to Do in Plattsburgh, New York: iFishLakeChamplain

iFishLakeChamplain is a fully licensed fishing charter service operated and guided by Captain Mike Tarasavage. The company goes after all species of the Lake Champlain fishery, specializing in Lake Trout, and offers four-hour, six hour, and eight-hour charters, depending on the season.

During these guided trips, guests will fish for Pike, Bass,Salmon and Lake Trout. In 2013, Captain Tarasavage earned his Coast Guard Captain's License and founded iFishLakeChamplain.com, based on his desire to share his passion for fishing. All ages and levels of experience are welcome on the Captain's outings.

Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh, New York 12901, Phone: 518-569-6850

13.Kids Activities Near Me: Cumberland Bay State Park, Plattsburgh, New York

Cumberland Bay State Park, on the west shore of Lake Champlain, is a site that's popular for day use and for those with campers because of its picnic grounds and large natural sand beach. Cross-country runners frequent the park in the fall. It is open until Columbus Day.

Amenities include campsites, food, dumping stations, pavilions, grills, picnic tables, playgrounds, showers, a swimming beach, playing fields, plus tent and trailer sites. The John Brown Farm State Historic Site, Macomb Reservation State Park, Crown Point State Historic Site, and Point Au Roche State Park are all nearby.About 10 miles away visitors will find all kinds of attractions, including antiquing, golfing, hiking, and rock climbing.

152 Cumberland Head Road, Plattsburgh, New York 12901, Phone: 518-563-5240

14.Things to Do Near Me: Champlain Centre Mall, Plattsburgh, NY

The Champlain Centre Mall has announced that its Kids Zone is now open. It's a family friendly children's entertainment venue right in the mall. Kids Zone has many inflatables and bounce houses for children of all ages, and it will offer birthday parties in the future.

K In addition to stores for every taste, there is entertainment – besides Kid Zone – at the Regal Stadium 8 – and dining in the food court at China Café, Sbarro, Taco Bell, Starbucks (inside Target), and Subway. Auntie Anne's is situated right across from Dick's Sporting Goods.

60 Smithfield Blvd. Suite 69, Plattsburgh, New York 12901, Phone: 518-561-8660

15.Oval Craft Brewing

If you’re looking for a good pint of beer to tuck into, Oval Craft Brewing is at your service. The brewery is owned by Jessy Jolicoeur, who has been honing his homebrewing craft since 1997 and has even completed courses with the American Brewer’s Guild as well as Chicago’s Seibel Institute. Visitors to Oval Craft Brewing can find anything from stunning New England IPAs to noteworthy Oatmeal Stouts on tap to sip on and enjoy good company with. If you are new to craft beers, some of the crowd-pleasers include the Prom Night Cherry, a blond ale perfect for newbies, and the Life Choices Pale Ale, with its tropical scent and light mouthfeel. The icing on the cake? This brewery is housed in a historic location circa the 1890s that was originally used as a carriage house by the army.

111 Ohio Avenue, Plattsburgh, New York 19201, Phone: 518-324-2739

16.Bluff Point Golf Resort

Vacation like an American president or the New York elite at Bluff Point Golf Resort, the oldest golf resort in the United States. Founded in 1890, Bluff Point is located right along the scenic shores of the peaceful and vibrant Lake Champlain and features breathtaking vistas of the historic Valcour Island and the Green Mountains of Vermont. Frequented by business tycoons like the Vanderbilts and Astors, and various US Presidents, the Bluff Point’s Golf Course was planned and devised was Albert W. Tillinghast who also designed courses like the Baltusrol Golf Club and Bethpage Black. Visitors can capitalize on a golfing weekend through the resort’s various packages and bring the family along for good measure.

75 Bluff Point Drive, Plattsburgh, New York 12901, Phone: 518-563-3420

17.Champy’s FunCity

Walking into Champy’s FunCity is a lot like walking into a child’s ultimate wonderland. It is no surprise as Champy’s came to life after its owners dreamed of building a space for families to come together in perfect fun-filled harmony. Champy’s FunCity features nine different areas for all children to enjoy such as a laser maze, bumper cars, a mini-bowling alley, and even a laser tag arena. Champy’s is also home to Splash Park, an indoor water facility with 105-foot and 84-foot water slides, a glow-in-the-dark 9-hole mini-putt course, and Ballocity Softplay, a three-story structure that is perfect for adventurous kids. Not to be forgotten is the FunCity Arcade, which features more than 40 popular arcade games and hundreds of redemption prizes to boot.

411 New York 3, Plattsburgh, New York 12901, Phone: 518-563-2095