March Maple Days & Year Round Farm Fun

Adirondack Gold, Valley Road, Hidden Hollow and Toad Hill are all farms in the business of producing sweet maple treats, but each farm has its own unique history and story to be told. Fuel the day of fun with a country Pancake Breakfast at Valley Road Maple Farm, complete with fluffy pancakes drizzled with pure maple syrup and delicious maple sausages from Oscar’s Adirondack Smokehouse. Tour the area’s distinctly different sugar shacks to learn how maple syrup, maple sugar, maple cream, and candy is produced and take part in activities like tree-tapping and wagon rides. Sample the flavors of each farm’s unique products and visit their gift shops for your favorite flavor to bring home.

Yes folks, the sap is running and Thurman Maple Days are the perfect way to chase away those winter blues with a visit to the Lake George area's four largest maple sugar houses, all located in Thurman and Athol, NY, minutes from Lake George Village.

You will definitely want to take the time to discover local, hidden gems along the country roads along the way. Stop into Nettle Meadow Farm for a sampling of award-winning goat and sheep cheeses. Buy products, meet the sanctuary animals and marvel at the historic and beautifully restored gambrel-roofed barn as you tour the farm. Don’t miss Martin’s Tree Farm, just down the road. Learn the principals of sustainable forestry and see selectively cut maple that bears the indications of maple tapping from years past. Kids can make a bead or a paper box while Mom browses the gift shop for unique, hand-made items. Wrap up the afternoon with a visit to Peru Llama Farm. Capture a photo with a sweet, wooly llama, learn about farm life and see an exhibit on llama behavior.

Can’t make March Maple Days? There are lots of maple goodies and “sweet” for everyone at the annual Maple in April Festival along Rockwell Street, Hadley. The festival begins late April with a French Toast Breakfast and the Lil’ Sugar Dust-off Car, Truck & Cycle Show offering great music, food, and interactive fun. Maple sugaring demonstrations, craft and food vendors, kids activities, pony and wagon rides, train rides, birds of prey and dog agility demonstrations.

With countless battles, terrible disease, harsh climate and hundreds of years of history, it should come as no surprise that Fort William Henry Museum is home to inhabitants of the afterlife. Dive into its paranormal past and experience the hauntings firsthand with a guided ghost tour of the fort by day or spooky candlelight tour by night. Within walking distance in the village of Lake George there is a peculiar “Mystery Spot.” Legend says it was the spot where a great Native American god shouted his wisdom for the mountains, lake, and landscape to hear. Today, the spot stands as a perplexing audio phenomenon that has stumped scientists and visitors alikestand in the center and speak out loud and your voice will come back louder than when it left, almost as if you are talking inside a cone! The afternoon offers free time activities to eerie explorers. Sample locally produced wine and food products at Adirondack Winery and Lake George Olive Oil Company or take a relaxing cruise on the pristine waters of the “Queen of American Lakes,” 32-mile long Lake George.

Hear haunted tales during a tasty trip to Barkeater Chocolates in North Creek. Once a family home, Barkeater Chocolates was the site of a tragic accident that took the life of a child. Years later, the owners passed away inside the house in two different rooms. Since being converted into a chocolate factory and shop, nearly every employee has a spooky experience to tell. Book a group lunch or dinner at the beautiful Sagamore Resort . Enjoy gorgeous views of the lake and mountains as you hear the accounts of the reported and repeated ghost sighting that have earned The Sagamore the designation of one of the top 10 most haunted hotels in the country! Six Flags Great Escape is host to upstate New York’s largest and most terrifying Halloween celebration. During the month of October, the park is completely transformed into Fright Fest , a frightfully fun festival with scares around every corner.

Recount the region’s storied past and awesome mysteries with this tour of the haunted North Country! Groups can investigate the mysterious things that go bump in the night with this spooky tour. Whether its good natured fun or serious historical research you’re looking for, this itinerary is sure to be a hair-raising adventure. meetlakegeorge.com