Essex County - 69 Attractions You Must Visit

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About Essex County

Essex County, New York is a popular tourist destination and offers visitors a wide variety of attractions to suit their interests. From the scenic Adirondack Mountains to the local historic sites, there is something for everyone. Visitors can choose to explore the many museums, galleries, and cultural attractions, or take in the stunning natural views on hikes, bike rides, or other outdoor activities. The area is also known for its farm-to-table cuisine, local craft beer, and wineries. Additiona

Types of Attractions in Essex County

Activities Around

List of Attractions in Essex County

Adirondack History Museum

Adirondack History Museum

Iconic Buildings

Museums

The Adirondack History Museum in Essex County is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of the region. Established in 1968, it is one of the most comprehensive collections of artifacts and information about the area’s past. The museum focuses on everyday life from pre-Colonial times through today, with exhibits exploring areas such as Native American culture, the Revolutionary War, and the growth of industry.

Algonquin Peak

Algonquin Peak

Viewpoints

2-5 Day Treks

Mountain Peaks

Algonquin Peak is the second highest mountain in New York State and the highest peak of the Adirondack High Peaks region. Located in Essex County, Algonquin Peak stands at an elevation of 5114 feet above sea level. The peak is located within the High Peaks Wilderness Area of the Adirondack Park. It is a popular destination for hikers and climbers, and offers stunning views from the summit.

Allen Mountain

Allen Mountain

Viewpoints

1 Day Treks

Mountain Peaks

Allen Mountain is a popular hiking destination. The mountain stands at 4,340 feet tall and offers spectacular views of the Adirondack High Peaks region to the north. It’s a challenging hike with steep grades and sections of rocky terrain, but it’s well worth the effort when you reach the summit! The trailhead is located in the town of Keene, and it’s an 8-mile round trip. Along the way you can expect to see a variety of wildlife such as black bears, coyotes, foxes, and bald eagles.

Armstrong Mountain

Armstrong Mountain

Viewpoints

2-5 Day Treks

Mountain Peaks

Armstrong Mountain is located in Essex County, Virginia. It is a part of the Blue Ridge Mountains and reaches an elevation of 2,526 feet above sea level. The mountain has been designated as an Important Bird Area by the Virginia Society of Ornithology due to its large population of breeding birds from a variety of species.The area surrounding Armstrong Mountain is home to a variety of wildlife and vegetation.

Ausable Chasm

Ausable Chasm

Outdoors- Other

Ausable Chasm, located in the Adirondack Mountains, is a natural wonder and one of the most popular tourist attractions in New York. The chasm has been created by centuries of erosion from the Ausable River which flows through it. With its towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and unique rock formations, it is easy to see why this spot is so beloved. Visitors to Ausable Chasm can enjoy a variety of activities, such as hiking trails, guided tours, fishing, and rock climbing.

Avalanche Lake

Avalanche Lake

Lake/ River/ Ponds

Avalanche Lake is a pristine, glacial lake located in the High Peaks Wilderness Area of Essex County, New York. The lake is situated at an elevation of 2,420 feet and has a surface area of approximately 8 acres. It is encircled by towering mountain peaks and lush green forests, making it a picturesque destination. The most popular activities in the lake area include camping, fishing, hiking, canoeing and kayaking.

Basin Mountain

Basin Mountain

Viewpoints

2-5 Day Treks

Mountain Peaks

Basin Mountain is a mountain located in Essex County, New York. It reaches an elevation of 4,022 feet (1,227 m) and has amazing views of the nearby lakes and valleys. The mountain is part of the High Peaks region where hikers can explore various trails including those to Basin Lake, Marcy Dam and Beaver Meadow Falls. The treks are challenging but rewarding, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape, including Lake Placid and Whiteface Mountain.

Big Slide Mountain

Big Slide Mountain

Viewpoints

2-5 Day Treks

Mountain Peaks

Big Slide Mountain is a part of the Adirondack High Peaks in Essex County, New York. The mountain stands at 4,240 ft above sea level and is located in the eastern middle region of the Adirondacks. It can be accessed from the route 73 and 86 trailheads.The views from its summit are spectacular, offering amazing panoramas of nearby mountains and lakes. The mountain is a popular spot for hiking, backpacking, horseback riding, and climbing.

Cascade Mountain

Cascade Mountain

Viewpoints

2-5 Day Treks

Mountain Peaks

Cascade Mountain is located in Essex County, New York. It rises to a peak of 3,859 feet and offers stunning views and spectacular scenery across the Adirondack Park. The mountain's summit is accessible by a moderate 2.2-mile hiking trail from the Cascade Pass parking area near North Hudson.The mountain is composed of an igneous rock called gabbro, which contains a variety of minerals. These give the mountain its characteristic dark color and make it stand out among its surroundings.

Crown Point

Crown Point

Outdoors- Other

Old Ruins

Crown Point is a town in Essex County, New York. It is located on the eastern tip of Lake Champlain, between Plattsburgh and Burlington, Vermont. The population was 1,723 at the 2010 census.The area now known as Crown Point was first inhabited by Native Americans around 2,000 years ago. The first European settlers arrived in 1759. The town of Crown Point was incorporated in 1817 from part of the town of Hague.

Cure Cottage

Cure Cottage

Iconic Buildings

Cure Cottage is a historic structure located in Essex County. It was built in 1882 as a summer retreat and healing center for those wishing to escape the "city life." The building features two-story porches and an impressive four-story main house that overlooks the surrounding coastline. Its location on a peninsula gives it stunning views of both sunrise and sunset. Inside, the main house features a large living area, four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a dining room and a kitchen.

Dial Mountain

Dial Mountain

Viewpoints

2-5 Day Treks

Mountain Peaks

Dial Mountain is a mountain located in Essex County. The peak of the mountain has an elevation of 2,376 feet (724 meters) and is part of the Adirondack Mountains. It was named after its shape, which resembles a sundial.The mountain is a popular destination for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts due to its stunning views of the surrounding valleys and lakes. It is also home to many species of wildlife, including black bears, moose, bobcats, coyotes, and numerous bird species.

Dix Mountain

Dix Mountain

Viewpoints

1 Day Treks

Mountain Peaks

Dix Mountain is a beautiful mountain located in Essex County of upstate New York. It is part of the Adirondack Park and stands at 4867 feet, making it the highest peak in Essex County. The mountain has stunning views, hiking trails, camping sites, and plenty of other outdoor activities that make it a popular destination for hikers and nature lovers alike. The mountain is named after doctor and explorer Ebenezer Dix, who was the first to climb the peak in 1844.

Esther Mountain

Esther Mountain

2-5 Day Treks

Mountain Peaks

Esther Mountain in Essex County is a popular spot for nature lovers, hikers, and outdoor enthusiasts. Located in the northern end of New Jersey's Highlands region, Esther Mountain is known for its stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The mountain contains a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, wetlands, and streams. Wildlife can often be seen along the trails or near the water.

Fort Ticonderoga

Fort Ticonderoga

Forts

Old Ruins

Fort Ticonderoga, located in Essex County, New York, is an important historical site that played a crucial role in the American Revolutionary War. Built by French colonists in 1755-1759 during the French and Indian War to protect their interests from rival nations, it was originally known as Fort Carillon. Its strategic location at the southern end of Lake Champlain made it a natural choice for both the French and later the British.

Giant Mountain

Giant Mountain

Viewpoints

1 Day Treks

Mountain Peaks

Giant Mountain is an iconic peak in the Adirondacks of New York's Essex County. Standing at over 4,000 feet, it is a favorite of hikers and climbers alike. The views from near the summit are stunning, offering panoramic vistas of the surrounding peaks and valleys.The trail to the summit winds its way through dense forests and past picturesque bogs and ponds. Along the way, visitors may spot wildlife such as moose, beaver, deer, and black bear.

Goodnow Mountain

Goodnow Mountain

Viewpoints

2-5 Day Treks

Mountain Peaks

Goodnow Mountain is located in Essex County, New York. It stands at an elevation of 1,380 feet and has two summits connected by a ridge. The mountain provides spectacular views of the Adirondack Mountains to the west, Lake Champlain to the north and east, and Vermont's Green Mountains to the south. There are several trails that lead up Goodnow Mountain, including two short trails from the trailhead and a longer loop that traverses the entire summit.

Gothics

Gothics

2-5 Day Treks

Mountain Peaks

Gothics Mountain is a 4,734-foot peak located in Essex County, New York. The mountain is part of the Great Range of the Adirondacks and sits at the northernmost edge of Adirondack Park. It offers some spectacular views to its visitors, including distant vistas across Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains. The summit itself is a large open meadow, popular for hikers and campers alike. Numerous trails crisscross the mountain leading to its summit and other nearby peaks.

Gray Peak

Gray Peak

Viewpoints

2-5 Day Treks

Mountain Peaks

Gray Peak is an unincorporated community located in Essex County, New Jersey. It is situated on a mountain ridge in the northwest corner of the county and borders Warren County to the north. The town has a population of around 5,000 and covers approximately 5 square miles. It is primarily a rural area with small pockets of residential development, mostly concentrated near its southern border.

His Majesty's Fort at Crown Point

His Majesty's Fort at Crown Point

Iconic Buildings

Old Ruins

His Majesty's Fort at Crown Point, located in Essex County, was built in 1759-1760 by the British during the French and Indian War. The fort was intended to protect the military supply route between Albany and Quebec City from French forces. It consisted of a large square fort made of logs surrounded by a defensive ditch and armed with several cannons, plus two blockhouses. The fort was never used in battle and it fell into disrepair shortly after the end of the war in 1763.

Map of attractions in Essex County

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For more information about Essex County, visit: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Essex_County,_New_York