Skip to main content
Be prepared with helpful travel tips!
  • See & Do
    • See & Do
    • See all
      • See all
      • Seasons
        • See all
        • Spring
        • Summer
        • Fall
        • Winter
      • Accessibility
      • Arts
      • Attractions
      • Downtown
      • Health & Wellness
      • History
      • Live Music
      • Parks
      • Shopping
      • Stories
      • Weddings
  • Outdoors
    • Outdoors
    • See all
      • See all
      • Hiking
        • See all
        • Nature Walks
      • ADK Guides & Tours
      • Birding
      • Boating
      • Camping
      • Cross-Country Skiing
      • Cycling
      • Downhill Skiing
      • Fishing
      • Golfing
      • Ice Fishing
      • Mountain Biking
      • Paddling
      • Snowmobiling
      • Snowshoeing
  • Eat & Drink
    • Eat & Drink
    • See all
    • Cafés & Coffee Shops
    • Craft Beer & Cocktails
    • Restaurants
  • Events
    • Events
    • See all
    • Adirondack Snowshoe Fest
    • ArtWorks ArtMarkets
    • Can-Am Rugby Tournament
    • Celebrate Paddling ADK
    • First Night Saranac Lake
    • Plein Air Festival
    • Winter Carnival
    • 3rd Thursday Art Walks
  • Stay
    • Stay
    • See all
    • Cabins & Cottages
    • Camping
    • Inns, Lodges, Bed & Breakfasts
    • Resorts, Hotels, Motels
    • Vacation Rentals
  • First Time Visitors
    • First Time Visitors
    • See all
      • See all
      • Accessibility
      • Downtown
      • Getting Here
      • Greater Region
      • Stories
      • Seasons
        • See all
        • Spring
        • Summer
        • Fall
        • Winter
  • Local
    • Local title-header
      • Live Here
        • See all
        • Meet the Locals
        • Real Estate
        • Town of Harrietstown
        • Town of North Elba
        • Town of St. Armand
        • Village of Saranac Lake
      • Do Business Here
        • See all
        • Chamber Job Board
        • Essex County IDA
        • Franklin County Economic Development Co.
        • Professional Services
        • Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
      • Community Initiatives
        • See all
        • Arts & Culture Master Plan
        • Downtown Revitalization Initiative
        • Saranac Lake Brand
        • Village Community Development Department
What can we help you find?
  • See & Do
      1. See & Do
      2. See all
        1. See all
        2. Seasons
          • See all
          • Spring
          • Summer
          • Fall
          • Winter
        3. Accessibility
        4. Arts
        5. Attractions
        6. Downtown
        7. Health & Wellness
        8. History
        9. Live Music
        10. Parks
        11. Shopping
        12. Stories
        13. Weddings
  • Outdoors
      1. Outdoors
      2. See all
        1. See all
        2. Hiking
          • See all
          • Nature Walks
        3. ADK Guides & Tours
        4. Birding
        5. Boating
        6. Camping
        7. Cross-Country Skiing
        8. Cycling
        9. Downhill Skiing
        10. Fishing
        11. Golfing
        12. Ice Fishing
        13. Mountain Biking
        14. Paddling
        15. Snowmobiling
        16. Snowshoeing
  • Eat & Drink
      1. Eat & Drink
      2. See all
      3. Cafés & Coffee Shops
      4. Craft Beer & Cocktails
      5. Restaurants
  • Events
      1. Events
      2. See all
      3. Adirondack Snowshoe Fest
      4. ArtWorks ArtMarkets
      5. Can-Am Rugby Tournament
      6. Celebrate Paddling ADK
      7. First Night Saranac Lake
      8. Plein Air Festival
      9. Winter Carnival
      10. 3rd Thursday Art Walks
  • Stay
      1. Stay
      2. See all
      3. Cabins & Cottages
      4. Camping
      5. Inns, Lodges, Bed & Breakfasts
      6. Resorts, Hotels, Motels
      7. Vacation Rentals
  • First Time Visitors
      1. First Time Visitors
      2. See all
        1. See all
        2. Accessibility
        3. Downtown
        4. Getting Here
        5. Greater Region
        6. Stories
        7. Seasons
          • See all
          • Spring
          • Summer
          • Fall
          • Winter
  • Local
      1. Local
        1. Live Here
          • See all
          • Meet the Locals
          • Real Estate
          • Town of Harrietstown
          • Town of North Elba
          • Town of St. Armand
          • Village of Saranac Lake
        2. Do Business Here
          • See all
          • Chamber Job Board
          • Essex County IDA
          • Franklin County Economic Development Co.
          • Professional Services
          • Saranac Lake Area Chamber of Commerce
        3. Community Initiatives
          • See all
          • Arts & Culture Master Plan
          • Downtown Revitalization Initiative
          • Saranac Lake Brand
          • Village Community Development Department

Fall Events: a blaze of glory!

Watch Video
Be prepared with helpful travel tips!
Pamela Merritt
September 07, 2016

Our gorgeous fall season brings special events which embrace many of Saranac Lake's favorite things. Exploring nature, our love of art, music, and drama, and our amazing history all combine to create a wonderful experience.

From morning until night, there's the special crispness of fall air and the technicolor glory of our marvelous autumn season. We not only have the right mix of trees for maximum color, we have the perfect frame for this picture: our rugged mountains and crystalline lakes.

Come celebrate this season with us!

love of nature

Be at the finish line when the determined paddlers of the 

Adirondack Canoe Classic come into the Lake Flower docks. Also known as the 90-Miler, it will take place from September 9-11 this year. Don't miss the spectacular ending as up to 275 canoes, guideboats, kayaks, and even the occasional "war canoe" pull up at the downtown lakeshore.

Three days of camping and paddling along the "Highway of the Adirondacks"
Three days of camping and paddling along the "Highway of the Adirondacks"

This three-day, 90-mile, camping & canoe race has drawn competitors from as far away as New Zealand to "paddle in the wake" of this area's earliest routes; the waterways of the Adirondack region. Beginning in Old Forge, the competitors camp each night and follow the 5.25 miles of carries included in that 90 miles.

This chain of lakes, rivers, and carries were popularized by Adirondack guides as a wilderness journey for their guests. It also serves as the beginning of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail. Every fall since 1983, enthusiasts recreate (with modern equipment) the journey through the same forests. 

Trace this famous water route from the earliest settlers of the area.
Trace this famous water route from the earliest settlers of the area.

For some, it doesn't matter how fast they finish. The point is the journey. Often it is several generations of a family, or a wilderness-loving group, as much as it is real racers looking for a serious challenge. 

It takes the Moose River through the Fulton Chain of Lakes, and then on to scenic Raquette Lake. This leads to Forked Lake, Long Lake and the Stony Creek Ponds, and the Indian Carry to Upper Saranac Lake, location of many of the most storied and elaborate compounds of the Great Camp Era. Then they take Bartletts Carry — for so long the only route from Upper to Middle Saranac Lake, and on through Lower Saranac Lake and the rest of the Saranac Chain of Lakes, for a triumphant landing in Lake Flower. 

Canoeists paddle 90 miles from Old Forge in the Adirondack Canoe Classic - 90 Miler Race.
Canoeists paddle 90 miles from Old Forge in the Adirondack Canoe Classic - 90 Miler Race.

If we aren't quite ready for that epic journey, we can start off more easily with the Thursday Night Kayak Tours. Bring your own boat or rent one at the docks.

Follow along as experienced guides share their favorite routes along Lake Flower with its many camps, Oseetah Lake with some of the most beautiful shorelines and rugged bluffs, and the forest preserves along Kiwassa Lake. They happen every Thursday into October.

Paddle kayaks on Lake Flower. We saved you a seat!
Paddle kayaks on Lake Flower. We saved you a seat!

For those who want to keep their feet on the ground, choose from Paul Smith's College VIC mushroom nature walks.

indulge in the arts

Our Artist At Work Studio Tours now have expanded event dates to reflect their popularity. This is when our local artists open up their studios for visitors.

Adirondack Rockware makes their own glazes from native rocks. Gorgeous stuff!
Adirondack Rockware makes their own glazes from native rocks. Gorgeous stuff!

Over thirty artists participate, and their work ranges from painting and photography, ironwork and woodcarvings, pottery and ceramics, to quilting, fiber arts, and jewelry. This is their opportunity to discuss their work, share new directions, and often, feature studio specials which give us an opportunity to indulge at a discount.

It makes for a fantastic group outing, whether we are artists ourselves, or just appreciators.

There's also the Third Thursday Art Walks which fill our historic downtown with sidewalk artists, musicians, and general festivity. Last one this year is September 15th.

Third Thursday Art Walk in progress, with most of downtown celebrating art and music.
Third Thursday Art Walk in progress, with most of downtown celebrating art and music.

We don't neglect music or drama, either. Thursdays also feature the Free Party on the Patio at the Waterhole, a beloved summer and fall tradition, with many popular bands, both local and regional.

Intense performances characterize the classic American drama, "The Glass Menagerie."
Intense performances characterize the classic American drama, "The Glass Menagerie."

The fall drama at Pendragon Theatre this year is Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie. This classic of the American Theater has only four actors and features deep feeling and the interplay of reality and memory. This technique was pioneered by the playwright in this, his first amazing success, which went on to win the New York Drama Critics Circle Award in 1945. The play will run through October 9th. 

Seek out all of our live entertainment.

explore our history

Fall is a beautiful time to experience a White Pine Camp Tour. This classic Great Camp was the scene of many interesting historical events, and influenced architecture throughout the Adirondacks. It was also the Summer White House of Calvin Coolidge in 1926.

The tour takes visitors through the many different buildings of White Pine, a common, early approach to the dangers of fire. Instead of many different rooms in a large building, this practical design gave each room a building.

A highlight of the White Pine Camp Tour is the exquisite teahouse, one of the most photographed buildings in the area.
A highlight of the White Pine Camp Tour is the exquisite teahouse, one of the most photographed buildings in the area.

There are also unusual places, like the game and bowling building with its self-propelled ball return, the long scenic walkway to the original boathouse, and the lovely Japanese teahouse on its own island — a iconic, much photographed, symbol of White Pine Camp. 

Explore Saranac Lake's unique cure history with a variety of historical walking tours. The Trudeau Sanitarium Tour and the Historic Downtown Walking Tour are full of stories and interesting architecture.

The famous chapel on the Sanitarium grounds is a scenic highlight of the Trudeau Tour.
The famous chapel on the Sanitarium grounds is a scenic highlight of the Trudeau Tour.

Every Saturday, from 9am to 2pm, there's the glorious Saranac Lake Village Farmers' Market. The lovely lakeside setting, in Riverside Park, is a short distance from the boat dock and our walkable downtown. There's treats and artisan crafts along with the tasty farm items for sale.

Our Famers' Market has something for every age, every interest, everybody!
Our Famers' Market has something for every age, every interest, everybody!

No one need walk away hungry or empty-handed. That could be our motto around here.

Find the right place to stay. Love our dining. See our Calendar of Events.


ADK autumn events - we've got them:

Race into perfect color

Cheers to the season

Miles and history

Showing our true colors

Our festive history

Forecast: vivid events

Autumn along the ADK Coast

Three days of camping and paddling along the "Highway of the Adirondacks"
Three days of camping and paddling along the "Highway of the Adirondacks"
Trace this famous water route from the earliest settlers of the area.
Trace this famous water route from the earliest settlers of the area.
Canoeists paddle 90 miles from Old Forge in the Adirondack Canoe Classic - 90 Miler Race.
Canoeists paddle 90 miles from Old Forge in the Adirondack Canoe Classic - 90 Miler Race.
Paddle kayaks on Lake Flower. We saved you a seat!
Paddle kayaks on Lake Flower. We saved you a seat!
Adirondack Rockware makes their own glazes from native rocks. Gorgeous stuff!
Adirondack Rockware makes their own glazes from native rocks. Gorgeous stuff!
Third Thursday Art Walk in progress, with most of downtown celebrating art and music.
Third Thursday Art Walk in progress, with most of downtown celebrating art and music.
Intense performances characterize the classic American drama, "The Glass Menagerie."
Intense performances characterize the classic American drama, "The Glass Menagerie."
A highlight of the White Pine Camp Tour is the exquisite teahouse, one of the most photographed buildings in the area.
A highlight of the White Pine Camp Tour is the exquisite teahouse, one of the most photographed buildings in the area.
The famous chapel on the Sanitarium grounds is a scenic highlight of the Trudeau Tour.
The famous chapel on the Sanitarium grounds is a scenic highlight of the Trudeau Tour.
Our Famers' Market has something for every age, every interest, everybody!
Our Famers' Market has something for every age, every interest, everybody!

Related Stories

Decidedly Different Entertainment
Fall Flavors
Summer Programs for Kids
Saranac Lake is Fall-tastic for Kids!
Best Off The Beaten Path Fall Foliage Finds
Explore Your Inner-Artist at ADK ArtRise
Black History in Saranac Lake
'Tis the Season
The Time Traveler's Guide to Saranac Lake
Saranac Lake Adventure Travel
Three Fantastic Fall Hikes in Saranac Lake
A Fall Vacation with Hot Sara
Norman Ridge Ride
In Her Studio
Fall Fishing in the Adirondacks
Lost Among the Rows
A Decidedly Different Fall Day in Saranac Lake
Fall Events
Fall Fun in Saranac Lake
Decidedly Different Saranac Lake
Cycling Loops in Saranac Lake
Don't Miss the Amazing Lawn Serpent!
Hot Town, Summer in the Village
My, How You’ve Grown: 40 Years of Pendragon Theatre
Walking the Walk: ArtWalks in Saranac Lake
An Artist's Haven
Finding Winter Finches — and other Cold-Weather Species
6 Must See Winter Carnival Events
The VIC's Black Pond Loop
A Day on McKenzie Mountain
A Fall Hike up St. Regis Mountain
Fall Paddling in the Adirondacks is Amazing!
Beat the Heat!
Saranac Lake Trail Running
Fall for Saranac Lake
The creation of an Adirondack gem
Hiking and Birding in Bloomingdale Bog
Extreme Art: Painting Inside the Blue Line
The VIC: It's Luxury Hiking!
Walking the Walk: 20 years of ArtWalks in Saranac Lake
The Great Adirondack Birding Celebration!
'Round the Mountain Canoe Race - An Event For All Paddlers
Three of Saranac Lake's Best Paddling Routes
The art of Pink House
Canoodlers and Lawn Chair Ladies
Getting First Night Ready
Calling All Rock Hounds
Crafting an art evening
Feeling Grateful
Paddling Jones Pond in the Fall
A Fall Hike Up Mount Baker
An Evening Paddle on Lake Clear Outlet
The sound of healing
Azure Mountain Adventure
The Great Adirondack Corn Maze
A Fall Paddle on Little Green Pond
A Fall Paddle on the Floodwood Loop
Top Three Loops for Foliage
Five Fab Fall Viewpoints
Fall Migration is in High Gear!
When the twenties roared
Fall Seasons Cold Water Paddling
4 Go-To Paddling Destinations for Fall Foliage
Gorgeous leaves, all access
Be there at the finish!
An Evening Paddle on Middle Pond
Crossbills and Boreal Birds
The hidden fun in Lake Clear
McKenzie Road Bouldering
Not just a walk in the park
Rugby — A Gentleman’s Sport
Six Nations, First People
Our lodging? It's different.
Vroom! Daffest Derby creator shares memories
Slow paddle to Oseetah
Maple, sweetener of the future!
The coolest St. Paddy's Day
Get out and art!
Winter Carnival Invention: Arctic Golf
2016 Most Popular Blogs
We can dash through the snow
Get it together — First Night Saranac Lake
Cross Country Skiing in Lake Clear
Enjoying Late Fall Cold Fronts And Their Migrants
In plein site
A tree for the whole family
Great Fall Birding!
Dia de Muertos at Pine Ridge
A Fall Paddle On Lake Clear Outlet
The Possibilities Of Fall Birding
A Fall Hike on Baker Mountain
Choose to stay... in the past!
Ampersand: A Family Tradition Realized
Fall Events: a blaze of glory!
Zooming Around in the Fall
A Rainy Day Birding Trip in Madawaska
Planting seeds
A Ride That Takes You Off The Beaten Path
Don't miss the summer's coolest events
History Is Cool: The Lab Museum
Hotel Saranac: Then and Now
Tucker Farms - three seasons of goodness
An "event-full" spring
Some assembly required
Wonderful Weddings in Cool Places
Five Fun (and obscure) Facts about Saranac Lake!
All things maple, in one weekend!
Saranac Lake Classic: the Cure Chair
Saranac Lake Arts Beacon
Carl Ballantine, comedy magic
Love among the cure cottages
Yeah, we're cool - no matter what we're wearing!
Gray Jays!
Fun with Ice: Saranac Lake Creativity
2015 Most Popular Blogs
First thing's first: An insider's guide to First Night Saranac Lake
Winter Events You Won't Want To Miss
Trotting for Turkeys
Shopping without the stress
Adirondacks' Masterpiece
John Brown's Other Bodies
Excellent October Birding!
Five top tips for cooking the hunt
Brighton: Dusk 'til Dawn
Unleash Your Inner Picasso
Paddling and Hiking Around Little Green Pond
Camping in the Cold (Disclaimer: This is NOT a How-To Guide)
A Cool Adirondack Adventure
Daddy Longlegs Love Burlap
Fall Warblers and Other Migrants!
Upcoming Fall Events
Enjoying Late Summer Wildflowers!
Martha Reben: Staring down the Great White Plague
How to have fun at the Art Opening
Stevenson Cottage - small outside, a world inside
Hiking with the Crew up Baker Mountain
Riding the Rails, Adirondack style!
July is when things heat up!
A Wonderful Wellness Weekend
Coming Home to Saranac Lake
Cycle Adirondacks: Pedal On Over
Saranac Inn, golf with a taste of Scotland
Learning to Love Every Season
Adirondack Cure for Cabin Fever
DIY Adirondack style
February Fun and Games in Saranac Lake
Wedding planning with the pros
Two sides of the Trifecta
Get ready to jam at Winter Carnival
Adirondack Traditions, then and now
Wellness Resolutions: Easy does it!
An Evening Sleigh Ride in the Adirondacks
Four Seasons of High Points
Fly our Adirondack skies
A night on the town in Saranac Lake
Where to find hot beverages
The First Ski of the Season!
Healthy Holidays, Adirondack Style
A picture's worth a thousand words - epic winter events
Birding Along Lake Colby
Saranac Lake Remembers the Great War
A Guide to the Great Indoors
Fall Paddling; Being Ready for the Cold
New fun at Titus Mountain Ski Area
The Blind Owl Band: A true Adirondack band
Norman Bethune, the hero, the artist
An Apt Pair: Ampersand Mountain & Follensby Clear Pond
The biggest Cure Tour of them all
History Comes Alive in Saranac Lake
Learning to Identify Fall Leaves
The Horse Knows The Way
Paddling and Snorkeling Little Green Pond
A Red Phalarope at Little Clear Pond!
Searching for Fall Warblers and Other Songbirds
Boat Trip Massages: Two Roads to Wellness
Forks, Fests, and Flatwater: 3 Featured Fall events
Paddling Little Clear Pond
Paddling Lake Clear Outlet
See artists at work in the mountains
Hiking and Exploring Azure Mountain
An Evening Paddle on Moose Pond
A Great Place to Break Down
The Art Walk is a path to art, music, and fun!
A cure cottage tour, a step back in time
Mid-summer events in Saranac Lake
Adirondack Paddling, Choosing the Right Paddle
Adirondack Paddling - Choosing The Right Boat
Frankenstein Lives! In the old laboratory in the village
Events roundup for Saranac Lake
Roughing it in style: a tour of White Pine Great Camp
Art Event or Fun Party? BluSeed blurs the line
Daffest is just around the corner
Our lakes were born for boating
Night Time's the Right Time in Saranac Lake
Waterhole Wednesdays Feature Free Music
BluSeed Studios planning for busy spring
Spoken Word: Poetry on Stage
Thursday Night Music Jam
Breakfast & History
Mid-Winter Events 2014
Winter Carnival means live music
Building the Ice Palace
The Art of Gifts
New Years Eve Saranac Lake NY
Intimate Studio Tour With Sandra Hildreth
Art & Dining
Winter Family Events
Something to Gobble About
Less than two weeks to Sparkle Village Craft Fair!
Camera Obscura: The Renaissance Camera
Saranac Lake Art Attraction Nov 22 - Dec 28, 2013
Ducks and Otters at Lake Colby
Discover the Art of Saranac Lake
Saranac Lake: A Mecca for the Arts
Muskrats!
Hiking during Hunting Season
5 Cool Ways to Experience Art in Saranac Lake
Goodman Mountain
Ducks on the Pond
Saving Einstein
Snow up high on McKenzie
Hunkering down with Adirondack arts in late fall
Hunkering down with Adirondack arts in late fall
You Don't Paddle Into the Wind
Five things you can do in Saranac Lake on Halloween week
Hiking St. Regis Mountain
Fall at the VIC
Holistic Guiding: Immersing Yourself in ADK History & Culture
Panther Trifecta
A Fall Paddle on Jones Pond
A Fall Hike Up Baker Mountain
Sparrows Along Lake Colby
Going to Church
Visitors in My Yard
Painted Landscapes, Clay Demonstrations, and Chickens...all a part of the Artist at Work Studio Tour
A Hike Up Panther Mountain
Where the leaves are on fire with color
Artist at Work Studio Tour this week
The Colors of Late Summer
Fun family events for fall foliage season
Scarface Mountain Adventure
Bloomingdale Bog Birds
Fifth Annual Hobofest: Music, Food and Fun on the Tracks
Late Summer Yard Birds
Hobofest tops the calendar this weekend
FlavorFest at The Wild Center
Farm 2 Fork: Slow Food, Long Life
Hobofest Returns to Saranac Lake
Pianist Eugene Sirotkine performs August 6th concert to benefit Bartok Cabin
Entertaining events will keep you hopping this weekend
Top 5 Family Friendly Activities in the Saranac Lake Area
Paper Making with a Purpose at BluSeed Studios
From carousels to magic lamps - events to tickle your Spring fancy
Historic Saranac Lake "History Matters" series continues with "Clara's Rib"
A Taste of Provence at Saranac Lake's Left Bank Cafe
What can we help you find?
Sign up to receive more information.
Enter Email
Do•Stay•Eat•Shop•Events
Work Here•Contact Us•DEI•Media Kit•Privacy Policy
39 Main Street, Saranac Lake, NY 12983
Powered by the Regional Office of
Sustainable Tourism
THERE’S MORE TO EXPLORE
We’ve got the best ideas for things to do on your next Adirondack adventure, and we will deliver them right to your inbox! THANKS FOR SUBSCRIBING! Your next adventure awaits you in your inbox! Tell us more about what interests you, and we can help you plan your next trip.
MANAGE YOUR PREFERENCES