16 Best Things to Do In Plattsburgh, New York (& Nearby!)

Set along the shimmering shores of Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh blends waterfront beauty with layered history and vibrant local culture.

Plattsburgh, also known as the Fort City, is situated in New York on the western bank of Lake Champlain and is 10 miles south of the Canadian border. The city played a major role during the War of 1812, where the Battle of Plattsburgh helped bring the war to an end. Today, Plattsburgh is known for its beautiful waterfront, vibrant culture, lively nightlife, public art and murals, historical locations, natural spaces, and a wide range of attractions drawing visitors from all around the world.

Visitors can explore the Cornerstone Bookshop, home to thousands of books, walk along the beautiful Plattsburgh City Beach, learn history at the War of 1812 Museum, or explore the brewing culture of Plattsburgh at famous breweries like Oval Craft Brewing. Moreover, the city also features several attractions nearby, including Ausable Chasm, which offers adventurous hiking opportunities, or Grand Isle, offering beautiful Lake Champlain views, biking trails, and more, making the region perfect for every preference.

Below is the list of the best things to do in Plattsburgh. Check them out and make your trip a memorable one!

If you are a fan of book reading and peaceful settings, then Cornerstone Bookshop is one of the best Plattsburgh attractions to visit. This bookshop has been open since 1975 and features three floors filled with more than 80 thousand books covering fiction, non-fiction, art, academic disciplines, memoirs, horror, Shakespeare, children’s science, African American studies, and Adirondack history. The store offers a warm and vintage vibe with lofty shelves, wooden stairs, and little nooks where you can relax and read your purchases. Combine your visit with a stop at the local restaurant or café nearby to enhance the experience. The store also offers local delivery, curbside pickup, and shipping, and is closed on Mondays.

The War of 1812 Museum tells visitors the story of the 1814 Battle of Plattsburgh, which contributed to the end of the War of 1812. The main exhibit, Allan S. Everest Interpretive Center, takes visitors through the naval and land conflicts in detail and discusses the reasons behind the war. A sizeable interactive battlefield diorama provides a simple and visual representation of military movements around the region, including Cumberland Bay. Other displays at the museum include scale replicas of American ships, “Fate of the British Fleet,” and a copy of Britain’s covert instruction to assault Plattsburgh. Visit the Pike’s Cantonment Archaeology Exhibit, which is home to the rebuilt cabin and items from Zebulon Pike’s winter camp. The museum also has a museum store, a small theater, and a gallery.

If you are a beer enthusiast, then Oval Craft Brewing is a great spot for you. This brewery is housed inside a former U.S. Air Force facility and features a vintage vibe. The owner, Jessy Jolicoeur, has been brewing since 1997 and specializes in well-crafted small-batch beers. On tap, you can find a range of options, including New England IPAs, oatmeal stouts, and easy-drinking selections like Prom Night Cherry, which is a smooth blonde ale, or Life Choices Pale Ale, which features mild tropical flavors. Other pours include Simplicity Pils, Rock Eater, Oval Local, Pepe’s Plaid, and CAMP, as well as cider and occasionally barrel-aged options. The tasting room has a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere with rotating guest taps and minimal food choices. You can also go on a quick tour to find out how beer is manufactured.

Plattsburgh City Beach is a beautiful summertime destination in Plattsburgh that features more than a mile of sandy beachfront along Lake Champlain and offers clear views of Vermont’s Green Mountains. Visitors can swim in the lifeguarded area from 10 AM to 6 PM, hire kayaks, play beach volleyball, or just relax by the lake. The beach also has picnic tables, showers, outdoor grills, and a nearby nature trail that is great for a quick stroll. Visit the Cabana Beach Bar, which serves soft-serve ice cream, snacks, and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks from 11 AM to 9 PM. The beach also features food trucks serving local cuisine. Moreover, a beach stage hosts live events and performances, making it one of the best places to visit in Plattsburgh to spend a full summer day.

Strand Center for the Arts is a historic theater and art center in downtown that was originally constructed as a vaudeville theater in the 1920s and is on the National Register of Historic Places. The theater went through a $4 million restoration and combines modern amenities with iconic Old Hollywood charm, featuring red velvet trimmings, magnificent arches, and a Classical Revival style. The theater can accommodate 950 people and hosts comedy acts, concerts, theater and dance productions, and film festivals. The theater also offers gallery events, artisan fairs, community studios, youth workshops, and scholarship programs that give children access to art education. It is open from Wednesday through Saturday and serves as an important element of the cultural past of Plattsburgh.

Point Au Roche State Park is an 856-acre park situated on the northwest side of Lake Champlain and features a combination of open and wooded sections. Visit the sandy beach at Connor’s Bay, which is sheltered and has picnic tables, barbecue grills, and a swimming area. Hikers and cyclists can enjoy the beautiful views of the Green Mountains and La Roche Reef, where a buoy marks the site of the historic Point Au Roche Lighthouse. The park is also home to trails such as the Forest Trail, Lookout Point Trail, and Shoreline Trail that pass through forests, marshes, and a lake. Boating, kayaking, fishing, and canoeing are popular in summer, while winter offers snowshoeing, ice fishing, and cross-country skiing.

Bluff Point Lighthouse, also known as Valcour Island Light, is a historic lighthouse situated on Lake Champlain and is the sole lighthouse on the lake that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was constructed in 1874 to direct boats around the island’s west side and was in use until 1930. It resembles a square home with white-framed windows and a red-painted top portion, unlike a typical lighthouse, and is surrounded by trees with views of the deep blue lake. It is currently a part of Adirondack State Park and runs as a museum by the Clinton County Historical Association, including displays on the island’s geology and ecology, lighthouse construction, the Fresnel lens, and the keeper’s family life. It is accessible by boat through the sail ferry replica at the Champlain Valley Transportation Museum.

Plattsburgh Air Force Base Museum is situated on the site of the former Plattsburgh Air Force Base and preserves its Cold War history. The museum is home to exhibitions about the 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Strategic Air Command, and the base’s involvement in events like the Vietnam War and the Cuban Missile Crisis. Visitors can also see restored aircraft, engines, records, pictures, and artifacts describing the lives of men and women who served. The highlight of the museum is the Cardboard Trainer, which is a replica of the FB-111A cockpit with authentic switches and controls. The museum also works with Plattsburgh Aircraft Restoration Group to maintain display aircraft such as FB-111A and B-47. Outside the museum, visit the Clyde A. Lewis Park, which displays additional aircraft.

Kent Delord House Museum is a historic house that was constructed in 1797 and is the oldest residence in Plattsburgh. It is situated at the mouth of the Saranac River on Lake Champlain and was enlarged into a two-story, wood-frame building with a gable roof and a pedimented entry after Delord bought it in 1810. After the death of Fannie Delord Hall in 1913, the house and artifacts were preserved and turned into the museum. Today, the museum provides a window into North Country life in the 19th century by preserving the original furniture, records, artwork, and domestic objects from three generations of the Delord family. The museum also offers special events, educational activities, and guided tours, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.

Plattsburgh, New York, is also a great place to shop for vintage and antique items. Visit the Antique & Variety Mall, which is located on Margaret and Cornelia Streets and features a vast array of antique items. The Vintage Vault, which is housed in a former bank, has a huge Jean Arthur mural in the back, as well as antiques and vintage apparel. Visit Jam Vintage, which offers a good assortment of shirts, sweatshirts, and coats that are second-hand, while Town & Country Antique Shop, situated a few miles north of State Route 22, has been selling American furniture and antiques for almost 50 years. Lastly, Cone & Casket is a unique shop that offers strange things, funny presents, and antique treasures.

Exploring Things To Do Near Plattsburgh opens the door to scenic islands, dramatic gorges, charming small towns, and cultural gems just a short drive away. Let's get in!

Ausable Chasm, situated near Keeseville, New York, is among the most stunning natural wonders of the Adirondacks and is only a short drive from Plattsburgh. This two-mile-long and 150-foot-deep sandstone valley was sculpted over 10 thousand years ago by the Ausable River and features Rainbow Falls, which is a 91-foot waterfall at the southern end. It is also known as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks and is among the oldest natural attractions in the United States, established in 1870. Visitors can hike the Adventure Trail, do rock climbing, or explore the Inner Sanctum Trail in summer. Every hike is made memorable by famous landmarks like Column Rock, Mystic Gorge, Hyde’s Cave, and Elephant’s Head. You can also do rafting and tubing, which offer a calmer water experience, or go for overnight adventure packages.

The North Star Underground Railroad Museum is situated next to Ausable Chasm and tells visitors about the Underground Railroad’s Champlain Line. It is housed inside the Town of Chesterfield Heritage Center and allows you to explore the stories of people who escaped through northeastern New York on their way to Canada in the 1800s. The exhibition features multimedia presentations, historical records, and objects like leg irons. The museum also honors the courageous Black, White, and Indigenous locals who put their lives in danger to help those seeking freedom. The archive of the museum was included in the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom in 2023, and a visit here provides an insightful look at a significant period of American history.

Silver Lake Mountain is situated near Ausable Forks and is a 2,372-foot peak in the northern Adirondacks that offers a short and rewarding hike for visitors. The 0.9-mile one-way route starts on Silver Lake Road and has rocky and steep terrain. Along the way, you can enjoy views of Silver Lake, Union Falls Pond, Catamount, Taylor Pond, and the northern slopes of Whiteface Mountain from open spaces and viewpoints. The 1.8-mile round trek gains an elevation of 900 feet and ends at an exposed top that features beautiful views of the surrounding Adirondack peaks. After your adventure, make a stop at the Black Brook General Store, which is housed in a historic church and offers delicious sandwiches and snacks to visitors.

Grand Isle in Vermont, which is 14 miles long and 3 miles broad, is the biggest island of Lake Champlain and is situated just across the border from Plattsburgh. Visitors can enjoy Grand Isle State Park, which offers swimming, fishing, kayaking, and nature walks. Explore the Grand Isle Historical Society Museum and the Hyde Log Cabin to learn about local life. Head towards Hero’s Welcome General Store in the north, which offers distinctive local items, while visiting Hackett’s Orchards, which offers seasonal apple picking to visitors. Other highlights of the island include the Grand Isle Bridge and Beaver Island State Park. You can reach the island by taking the Plattsburgh–Grand Isle ferry, which is a fifteen-minute ride across Lake Champlain.

Burlington, Vermont, is a vibrant city that is situated on the eastern bank of Lake Champlain. It can be easily reached from Grand Isle in just 30 minutes. Start your exploration at Church Street Marketplace, which is a historic four-block district with stores and eateries. Art lovers can explore the Fleming Museum of Art, which is home to 30,000 pieces, while families and science enthusiasts can explore the interactive marine displays at ECHO, the Leahy Center for Lake Champlain. You can also visit Shelburne Farms nearby, which offers walking trails and agricultural education, or visit the Shelburne Museum, which features 39 buildings filled with Americana, folk art, and decorative items. Complete your trip by having ice cream at the famous Ben & Jerry’s Factory.

Highlands Vineyard is situated in Keeseville, New York, and is a family-run winery that offers breathtaking views of the Green Mountains, Lake Champlain, and Schuyler Island. The vineyard was founded in 2018 and produces estate reds, whites, and rosés from cold-hardy grape varietals that are great for North Country winters. The winery features a cozy timber-frame tasting room, which was constructed from hemlock from the site and features an Adirondack appeal. Visitors can eat from seasonal food trucks, enjoy live music, and unwind on Adirondack chairs. The vineyard began in 2012 with 250 vines and has grown to about 5,000, focusing on estate wines. The winery is situated on a hilltop and provides a peaceful haven where the homes and the lakefront are out of sight.