Things to do

Glens Falls New York: 19 Things To Do And Attractions

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Things to do in Glens Falls NY include visiting museums and partaking in water sports. This town is filled with outdoor adventures and cultural experiences. 

Glens Falls, a town with a rich history dating back to the 18th century is also referred to as the "Gateway to the Adirondacks" due to its proximity to this popular wilderness area. Besides, it offers a mix of cultural attractions, outdoor recreation, and a strong sense of community.

Whether you're interested in exploring the arts, enjoying outdoor adventures, or simply experiencing small-town charm, Glens Falls has something to offer residents and visitors alike. Here are some of the best things to do in Glens Falls.

1. Adirondack Theatre Festival

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The Adirondack Theatre Festival is a professional theater company known for its summer season of new and contemporary plays and musicals. ATF offers a platform for emerging and established playwrights, composers, and artists to showcase their work.

The festival typically runs from late June through mid-August each year. The productions often include world premieres and regional premieres of plays and musicals. It has featured a wide range of productions, including dramas, comedies, and musicals, covering various themes and genres.

Address: 50 Elm St

2. West Mountain Ski Resort

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West Mountain Ski Resort is a popular ski and snowboarding destination and one of the ski resorts in the Adirondack region of Upstate New York. It offers a variety of winter sports activities and amenities.

Key features and offerings at West Mountain Ski Resort include:

  • Skiing and Snowboarding
  • Snow Tubing
  • Ski and Snowboard Lessons
  • Terrain Parks
  • Lodge and Amenities
  • Summer Activities like mountain biking, hiking, and scenic chairlift rides.

Address: 59 West Mountain Road

3. The Hyde Collection

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The Hyde Collection is an art museum known for its diverse collection of art, including European and American works. The museum is situated in a beautiful historic house known as Hyde House, which is surrounded by lovely gardens.

The museum's collection includes paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and more. It is housed in a beautiful neoclassical mansion that is a work of art in itself and provides an elegant backdrop for the art on display.

Address: 161 Warren St

4. Chapman Historical Museum

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The Chapman Historical Museum serves as a center for preserving and sharing the history and heritage of the Glens Falls and Adirondack region. The museum is housed in the DeLong House, a beautiful Georgian-style mansion dating back to the 18th century.

The permanent collection includes a wide range of historical artifacts, photographs, and documents that tell the story of the Glens Falls area. It also hosts rotating exhibitions that explore different facets of the region's history.

Address: 348 Glen St

5. Adirondack Balloon Festival

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The Adirondack Balloon Festival is an annual event held in the town of Queensbury and the city of Glens Falls. It typically takes place over several days in late September. The festival is primarily known for its breathtaking hot air balloon launches.

Balloonists from all over the country come to participate, creating a colorful and captivating display as dozens of balloons take to the sky. During this nighttime spectacle, tethered balloons are illuminated in sync with music, creating a mesmerizing light show.

Some festivalgoers have the opportunity to take tethered balloon rides during the event. 

6. Hiking At Adirondack Mountains

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Hiking in the Adirondack Mountains is a popular outdoor activity for nature enthusiasts, adventurers, and hikers of all levels of experience. They are known for their stunning natural beauty, diverse landscapes, and abundant hiking opportunities.

They offer a wide range of hiking trails suitable for all skill levels. Whether you're a novice hiker looking for an easy stroll through the woods or an experienced mountaineer seeking a challenging ascent, you can find a trail to suit your preferences.

One of the highlights of hiking in the Adirondacks region is the opportunity to enjoy breathtaking panoramic views from the summits. The diverse terrain includes lush forests, pristine lakes, cascading waterfalls, and rugged cliffs.

7. Adirondack Winery

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The Adirondack Winery is a popular winery that produces a variety of wines, including reds, whites, rosés, and fruit-infused wines. Most of their products are inspired by the Adirondack lifestyle and natural beauty of the region. 

Adirondack Winery offers a diverse selection of wines, catering to a range of tastes. Their wines are crafted from grapes sourced from vineyards in New York and other regions. In addition to traditional grape wines, the winery is known for its creative fruit-infused wines. 

The winery has a tasting room where visitors can sample a variety of wines. It hosts events and tours throughout the year, providing opportunities for guests to learn more about winemaking and enjoy special experiences at the winery.

Address: 285 Canada St

8. Prospect Mountain

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Prospect Mountain is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, and tourists, offering a range of activities and breathtaking views. This scenic drive takes you up the mountain and provides numerous pull-off points with panoramic views of Lake George and the surrounding area.

For those who prefer hiking, Prospect Mountain offers a network of hiking trails that lead to the summit. The most well-known trail is the Prospect Mountain Trail, which provides a challenging but rewarding hike with stunning vistas along the way.

9. Gore Mountain

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Gore Mountain is a well-known ski resort located near the town of North Creek. It is one of the premier ski destinations in the region and offers a range of winter sports activities and outdoor recreation options.

Here are some key features and highlights of Gore Mountain:

  • Skiing and Snowboarding
  • Terrain Parks
  • Snowmaking and Grooming
  • Lodging and Dining
  • Ski School and Lessons
  • Nordic Skiing
  • Scenic Gondola Rides
  • Hiking and Biking
  • Mountain Adventure like tubing and mountain biking

10. Fort Ticonderoga

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Fort Ticonderoga is a historic fort and museum with a rich history and significance in American colonial and Revolutionary War history. Originally built by the French in the mid-18th century, it today serves as a museum.

It offers a wide range of exhibits and educational programs. Visitors can explore the historic fort, see artillery demonstrations, and learn about the history of the site through interactive exhibits. The fort features beautiful gardens and scenic views of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains.

Address: 102 Fort Ti Rd

11. Adirondack Sports Complex

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The Adirondack Sports Complex is a multi-sport facility and a versatile indoor sports complex designed to accommodate various sports and recreational activities.

The centerpiece of the complex is a large indoor turf field that can be used for a variety of sports, including soccer, lacrosse, baseball, softball, and football. The turf field allows for year-round play, regardless of weather conditions.

Address: 326 Upper Sherman Ave

12. The Shirt Factory

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The Shirt Factory is a historic commercial building built in the late 19th century. Over the years, the building transitioned from its original industrial use to become a vibrant hub for artists, artisans, and small businesses. It has been repurposed to accommodate a variety of creative and commercial enterprises.

It is also known for its art studios, where local artists and artisans work and showcase their creations. It provides a space for painters, sculptors, jewelers, photographers, and other artists to practice their craft and connect with the community. The Shirt Factory hosts retail shops and boutiques.

Address: 71 Lawrence St

13. World Awareness Children's Museum

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The World Awareness Children's Museum promotes cross-cultural awareness, diversity, and education for children. It provides interactive exhibits and programs designed to inspire curiosity, respect, and understanding of different cultures and global issues.

This museum in New York features a variety of hands-on and interactive exhibits that allow children to explore different cultures, traditions, and global topics. It also offers arts and crafts activities that allow children to create their own multicultural artworks, masks, and crafts.

Address: 89 Warren St

14. Explore Crandall Park

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Crandall Park is a public park that features a playground area with swings, slides, and other play equipment suitable for children of various ages. It's a popular spot for families to bring their kids for outdoor play. The park has designated picnic areas with tables and benches.

It has basketball courts, tennis courts, and ball fields where people can enjoy casual match games or organized events. The courts are typically open for public use. Crandall Park offers walking trails and paths that are ideal for leisurely strolls, jogging, or walking your dog. 

Address: Fire Rd

15. Cooper's Cave Ale Company

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Cooper's Cave Ale Company is a craft brewery and a popular destination for beer enthusiasts. It is known for producing a variety of craft beers. Their beer selection often includes a range of styles such as ales, lagers, stouts, and IPAs.

The brewery typically has a tasting room where visitors can sample a variety of their beers. This is an opportunity to taste different brews, learn about the brewing process, and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with fellow beer enthusiasts.

Address: 2 Sagamore St

16. Glen Drive-In Theater

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The Glen Drive-In Theater is a classic drive-in movie theater located in Queensbury, near the city of Glens Falls. It offers a nostalgic and unique movie-watching experience for visitors of all ages. The Glen Drive-In typically opens in the spring and closes in the late summer or early fall.

It is an outdoor movie theater where patrons watch films from the comfort of their own vehicles. The theater often has multiple screens, allowing it to show multiple movies simultaneously. It's a great place for families with children to enjoy a night out.

Address: 983 US-9, Queensbury

17. Charles R. Wood Theater

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The Charles R. Wood Theater is a prominent cultural and performing arts center. The theater serves as a premier venue for a wide range of performing arts events, including live theater productions, musical performances, dance recitals, concerts, and more. It is a hub for cultural and artistic experiences.

It hosts professional theater companies, local theater groups, and touring productions. These performances cover a variety of genres, from dramas and comedies to musicals and children's theater. In addition to hosting professional productions, the theater is actively engaged with the local community.

Address: 207 Glen St

18. Water Sports At Lake George

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Lake George is a prevalent destination for water sports and recreational activities. With its crystal-clear waters and picturesque surroundings, the lake offers a wide range of opportunities for water enthusiasts.

Here are some of the most popular water sports and activities to enjoy at Lake George:

  • Swimming
  • Boating
  • Fishing
  • Jet Skiing
  • Water Skiing and Wakeboarding
  • Tubing
  • Parasailing
  • Scuba Diving
  • Sailing

19. Downtown Glens Falls

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Downtown Glens Falls offers a mix of shopping, dining, cultural attractions, and community events. It is home to a variety of boutiques, specialty shops, and galleries. The area features a diverse culinary scene with restaurants, cafes, and eateries offering a range of cuisines. 

This part of town embraces its cultural side with art galleries, theaters, and museums. The downtown area hosts a variety of events and festivals throughout the year. These events include art festivals, music performances, food festivals, and holiday celebrations.

Stroll through the downtown streets to admire the well-preserved historic architecture, including charming Victorian-era buildings.