Plattsburgh resides at the heart of the Adirondack Coast along the shore of majestic Lake Champlain. We are fortunate to live in a place of wild natural beauty where adventure is just outside the door.
Locals and visitors from around the world find Lake Champlain to be a source of year-round recreation and entertainment. In the summer, our sandy beaches fill with families, and the Lake is dotted with sailboats. Anglers arrive from around the country to compete in our professional fishing tournaments, filling the hotels and marinas with new visitors. Keep an eye out for our most famous resident, Champy the Lake Monster. Take a picture if you see her, but don’t touch! She was officially protected by the NY State Legislature in 1983.
The Town of Plattsburgh hosts 12 public parks, each with its own character. The park system offers disc golf, pickleball, tennis, basketball, hiking trails, mountain biking, and more. Our Parks & Recreation Department organizes an impressive array of youth sports programming as well as organized activities for all ages such as kayaking and guided hikes for seniors.
The Saranac River, which is a major leg of the 700-mile Northern Forest Canoe Trail, empties into Lake Champlain bringing with it paddlers from all over the world. The Champlain Valley is home to world-class cycling; large groups arrive from Quebec, Canada to tour the region and visit Plattsburgh along the way. We are also home to multi-generation, family-owned apple orchards and dairy farms, which support our emerging agri-tourism sector.
Plattsburgh was the site of historic and pivotal battles during the Revolutionary War and War of 1812. We have partnered with our local American Legion to develop the Battlefield Memorial Gateway, a military history and Veteran’s park on Lake Champlain which is currently under construction. We also host a seasonal Hometown Heroes banner program, located in the heart of Town Center, which honors our Town’s past and present military service members. Plattsburgh became a Purple Heart Community in 2018 through our dedication to our members of the Military.
Town Center is our urban core where hotels, shopping, restaurants, services, and entertainment are located. The Route 3 Corridor and Interstate 87 conveniently intersect in Town Center. I-87, otherwise known as The Northway, connects the populations of NYC and Montreal, making us a convenient stop for travelers, offering over 1000 hotel rooms and other amenities. With four major shopping centers, two movie theaters, several museums, countless eateries, and endless recreational opportunities, there is truly something for everyone.
The ability to make a living, access educational opportunities, and obtain quality healthcare are pivotal to a high quality of life. Plattsburgh residents have convenient access to two local Colleges and the region’s largest healthcare system. Great local restaurants, theaters, and museums have proliferated, and top-rated cultural experiences are available with Montreal only an hour away. The Adirondack High Peaks Region, Lake Placid’s Olympic Facilities, and Lake Champlain all offer world-class recreational opportunities right in our backyard.
