ESSEX COUNTY
Keeseville New York
ATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
1. Ausable Chasm
GRAND CANYON OF ADIRONDACKS | KEESEVILLE NY
Ausable Chasm, known as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks, is America's oldest natural attraction. This breathtaking mile-long gorge was carved by the Ausable River through 500-million-year-old sandstone rock. Visitors can explore the chasm via adventure trails, walkways, and self-guided tours. The attraction offers adrenaline-pumping experiences along with the opportunity to witness rare fossils and stunning natural beauty. Located at 2144 Route 9 in Keeseville, Ausable Chasm provides a unique blend of history and adventure for nature enthusiasts.
2. North Star Underground Railroad Museum
HISTORIC FREEDOM HAVEN | AUSABLE CHASM NY
The North Star Underground Railroad Museum in Ausable Chasm preserves and shares the remarkable history of the Underground Railroad. This hidden gem offers a warm and inviting atmosphere filled with rich narratives and artifacts that tell powerful stories of those who sought freedom. The museum features exhibits highlighting significant events, personal stories, and the local impact of the Underground Railroad in the North Country. Educational programs, guided tours, and special events like lectures and reenactments add depth to the visitor experience, making it an enlightening destination for history enthusiasts and families alike.
3. Harmony Golf Club
ADIRONDACK GOLFING | KEESEVILLE NY
Harmony Golf Club, located in the heart of the Adirondacks in Port Kent, boasts a rich history spanning over 100 years. The course features 14 holes for golfers to enjoy, set against the backdrop of beautiful Lake Champlain. While the golf course is currently closed until Spring 2025, the driving range remains open until snowfall. The club also offers a renovated clubhouse with fine dining options overlooking the lake. Harmony serves as a premier venue for weddings, receptions, and events, catering to groups of up to 250 people.
4. Adirondack Architectural Heritage
HISTORIC ARCHITECTURE | KEESEVILLE NY
Adirondack Architectural Heritage (AARCH) is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the historic architecture of New York State's Adirondack Park. Founded in 1990, AARCH promotes public understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of the region's architectural heritage. The organization's offices are housed in the historic Ausable Horse Nail Company building in Keeseville. AARCH played a crucial role in saving Camp Santanoni, an Adirondack Great Camp, which now attracts over 15,000 visitors annually, showcasing the importance of architectural preservation in the area.
5. Ausable Brewing Company
FARM-BASED CRAFT BEER | KEESEVILLE NY
Ausable Brewing Company is a farm-based nanobrewery owned and operated by brothers Dan and Dylan Badger. Located on 140 acres in the Champlain Valley, just east of the Adirondack High Peaks, ABC is dedicated to serving high-quality ales, lagers, and house sodas in a relaxed atmosphere. The brewery focuses on consistency, quality, and creativity, offering a unique tasting experience exclusively on-site. Visitors must take a scenic drive through some of the Adirondack Park's best farmland to enjoy ABC's craft beers, making it a destination for beer enthusiasts seeking a genuine farm-to-glass experience.
6. Mace Chasm Farm
LIVESTOCK & BUTCHERY | KEESEVILLE NY
Mace Chasm Farm in Keeseville is a sustainable livestock operation that also performs on-site butchery. The farm raises grass-fed beef and sheep, while pigs, chickens, and turkeys forage on pasture and are supplemented with grains and whey. All animals are rotationally grazed, ensuring high-quality meat and eggs. The farm prepares a variety of fresh and smoked cuts, as well as fresh sausages and sandwich meats using herbs from their fields and organic spices. Mace Chasm Farm also features a food truck, offering farm-fresh meats directly to customers.
7. North Country Creamery
GRASS-FED DAIRY EXCELLENCE | KEESEVILLE NY
North Country Creamery is a 115-acre, 100% grass-fed dairy farm located on Mace Chasm Road in Keeseville. Owners Ashlee Kleinhammer and Steven Googin operate this small-scale, premium dairy, producing cheese, milk, and yogurt from their on-farm, grass-fed milking herd. The creamery is Animal Welfare Approved and Non-GMO certified. In addition to dairy operations, they run the Clover Mead Cafe & Farmstore, offering their dairy products along with a variety of farmstead, organic, and local produce. The café serves baked goods and made-to-order sandwiches throughout the year.
8. Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain
GATEWAY TO THE ADIRONDACKS | CHESTERFIELD NY
Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain, located in Chesterfield, is a minor peak of the Adirondack Mountains standing at 2,180 feet. Known as the "gateway to the Adirondacks," it offers sweeping views of the High Peaks and Lake Champlain from its summit, which features a disused fire lookout tower listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The mountain is popular among hikers and rock climbers, with its stone cliffs attracting enthusiasts from both the U.S. and Canada. It's considered the Adirondacks' best climbing location, offering a variety of challenging routes for experienced climbers.
9. High Peaks Wilderness Area
ADIRONDACKS' CROWN JEWEL | ESSEX COUNTY NY
The High Peaks Wilderness Area in Essex County is the crown jewel of the Adirondack Park. This vast wilderness encompasses numerous peaks over 4,000 feet, including Mount Marcy, New York's highest point. The area offers extensive hiking trails, ranging from easy walks to challenging backcountry treks. Visitors can experience pristine forests, alpine meadows, and crystal-clear lakes while enjoying activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, and wildlife viewing. The High Peaks region attracts outdoor enthusiasts year-round, with opportunities for winter sports like snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
10. Port Kent-Burlington Ferry
LAKE CHAMPLAIN CROSSING | PORT KENT NY
The Port Kent-Burlington Ferry provides a scenic transportation link across Lake Champlain, connecting Port Kent, New York, to Burlington, Vermont. This historic ferry service offers passengers breathtaking views of the Adirondack Mountains and Green Mountains during the crossing. The ferry accommodates both vehicles and foot passengers, making it a convenient option for travelers and commuters alike. Operating seasonally, typically from late spring through fall, the ferry ride itself becomes a memorable part of the journey, allowing visitors to experience the beauty of Lake Champlain while traveling between two vibrant destinations.