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

Hough Peak

Hough Peak

Viewpoints

1 Day Treks

Mountain Peaks

Hough Peak is located in Essex County, New York. Named after a former county commissioner named John Hough, the peak stands at an elevation of 1,800 feet. It is one of the highest points in Essex County and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The peak makes for a great spot to take pictures or just enjoy some peaceful outdoor recreation. You can take a hike up the peak and enjoy spectacular views of the Adirondack Mountains.

Iroquois Peak

Iroquois Peak

Viewpoints

2-5 Day Treks

Mountain Peaks

Iroquois Peak is a mountain located in Essex County. It has an elevation of 4,840 feet and is part of the Adirondack Mountains range. The peak's summit offers views of the Ausable Valley and High Peaks region. It is known for its abundance of wildlife, including bears, moose, porcupines, and other animals. It is also home to many species of trees, plants, and birds that inhabit the area. Hiking trails are available for visitors to explore the mountain and its surrounding lakes and rivers.

Jay Covered Bridge

Jay Covered Bridge

Bridges

Old Ruins

Jay Covered Bridge, located in Essex County, New Jersey, is one of only two remaining covered bridges in the state. Dating back to 1855, Jay Covered Bridge was constructed by George Washington “Wash” King and spans 36 feet across the Trout Brook. The bridge was originally used for horse-drawn vehicles and wagons, but today it is open to foot traffic only, as the weight of vehicles could compromise its structural integrity.

Jay Mountain

Jay Mountain

1 Day Treks

Mountain Peaks

Jay Mountain is located in Essex County, New York. It is part of the Adirondack Mountains and is a popular destination for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. The highest peak on Jay Mountain, 4,729 feet above sea level, offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside and Lake Champlain to the east. The mountain is home to abundant wildlife including black bears, deer, coyotes, and more.

John Brown Farm State Historic Site

John Brown Farm State Historic Site

Iconic Buildings

Old Ruins

John Brown Farm State Historic Site is a historic state park located in the small town of North Elba, Essex County, New York. The site is named after John Brown, an abolitionist who moved to the area in 1849 and used it as a base for his anti-slavery activities. Today, visitors can explore the farmhouse where he lived and the grounds where he once held meetings and strategy sessions. Visitors can also learn about Brown's life and legacy through a variety of educational activities.

Lake Champlain Bridge

The Lake Champlain Bridge was a bridge that spanned the length of Lake Champlain in Essex County, Canada. Built in 1929, it was one of the longest bridges in North America at the time. The two-lane road bridge connected New York and Vermont on either side of the lake. It was a vital link for both states and provided an important transport connection for goods and people. The steel truss bridge was designed and built by the American Bridge Company.

Lake Colden

Lake Colden

Lake/ River/ Ponds

Lake Colden is a popular destination for hikers, climbers, and paddlers alike. Located in the High Peaks region of Adirondack Park in Essex County, New York, Lake Colden provides visitors with spectacular views of Mount Marcy and Algonquin Peak. The lake is also accessible from the Ausable Lakes Trail System and can be reached by taking the trail to Lake Colden, or by taking the route from Mount Marcy.

Lake Harris Campground

Lake Harris Campground

Lake/ River/ Ponds

Outdoors- Other

Lake Harris Campground is a popular destination for campers in Essex County, New York. Located just outside of the Adirondack Park, Lake Harris Campground offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and forests. With over two dozen campsites available, it’s easy to find the perfect spot for your next camping trip. The campground also features a boat launch, a dump station for RV campers, and plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy.

Lake Placid Olympic Museum

The Lake Placid Olympic Museum is located in Essex County, New York and serves as a living memorial to the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics. The museum houses memorabilia from these historic games, including artifacts from the Miracle on Ice hockey game between the United States and the Soviet Union. Additionally, visitors can explore interactive exhibits featuring stories of athletes who competed in both games.

Lake Placid Olympic Ski Jumping Complex

Lake Placid Olympic Ski Jumping Complex

Man-made Structures- Other

The Lake Placid Olympic Ski Jumping Complex in Essex County is one of the most iconic sites connected with the 1980 Winter Olympics. The complex, which consists of three ski jumps, was designed by renowned Skandinavian ski jumping architect Lasse Ottesen and built under his direction. It includes a 90-meter hill (large), 110-meter hill (normal), and 120-meter hill (ski flying).

Lake Tear of the Clouds

Lake Tear of the Clouds

Lake/ River/ Ponds

Lake Tear of the Clouds is a high mountain lake located in Essex County, New York. It serves as the source of the Hudson River, one of New York’s most iconic and important waterways. The lake sits at an elevation of 4,322 feet above sea level, making it one of the highest lakes in the state. Along with its incredible height, Lake Tear of the Clouds is also renowned for its stunningly clear blue-green waters and its natural beauty.

Lower Wolfjaw Mountain

Lower Wolfjaw Mountain

Viewpoints

2-5 Day Treks

Mountain Peaks

Lower Wolfjaw Mountain is situated in the Adirondack Park, Essex County, New York. It rises to an elevation of 4,175 feet (1,274 m) and is part of the Great Range. The mountain has two distinct peaks; Lower Wolf Jaw and Upper Wolf Jaw. Between these two peaks lies a deep depression known as "The Col". Wolf Jaw is part of the range's most scenic area and its slopes are heavily forested with a mix of conifers and hardwoods.

Macomb Mountain

Macomb Mountain

Viewpoints

1 Day Treks

Mountain Peaks

Macomb Mountain is a small mountain located in Essex County, New York. It is part of the Adirondack Mountains and stands at an elevation of 1,608 feet. The mountain is renowned for its scenic views of Lake Champlain and Vermont’s Green Mountains. Its summit offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding landscape as well as many opportunities for hiking, biking, camping, and other outdoor activities.

Marcy Dam

Marcy Dam is located within Essex County, New York. It is one of the oldest dams in the county and was built by John Marcy in 1851. The dam holds back a reservoir that is used for drinking water and to provide irrigation for local farms, as well as recreational fishing opportunities. The area surrounding the dam has become a popular spot for outdoor activities such as camping, fishing, and hiking.

McKenzie Mountain

McKenzie Mountain

Viewpoints

1 Day Treks

Mountain Peaks

Located in the Adirondack Mountains of Essex County, New York is the majestic McKenzie Mountain. Standing at an elevation of 3,873 feet tall, it is one of the highest peaks in the area and offers breathtaking views of Lake Champlain and surrounding valleys. Known for its stunning natural beauty, McKenzie Mountain attracts hikers from all over the world with its many trails leading to the top. In addition, the mountain is home to a variety of wildlife.

Mirror Lake

Mirror Lake

Lake/ River/ Ponds

Mirror Lake is a large lake located in Essex County. The lake covers an area of about 8,000 acres and is bordered by the towns of Willsboro and North Hudson. It has several islands, including Island Point Island, which is the largest natural island in New York state. Mirror Lake's crystal clear water makes it very popular for swimming, fishing, and other recreational activities. The lake is home to several species of fish such as bass, trout, walleye, northern pike, perch and panfish.

Mount Colden

Mount Colden

Viewpoints

1 Day Treks

Mountain Peaks

Mount Colden, is an impressive 4,715-foot peak. It is the highest mountain in the Adirondack High Peaks region and one of the most popular hiking destinations among avid hikers and nature enthusiasts. The mountain features a large summit plateau with several other high peaks nearby, including Avalanche Lake and Marcy Dam. Mount Colden is also one of the most difficult Adirondack High Peaks to summit, since it requires a strenuous 3-4 hour hike to reach the top.

Mount Colvin

Mount Colvin

2-5 Day Treks

Mountain Peaks

Mount Colvin is situated in Essex County, New York and is one of the most popular hiking destinations in the area. It is part of the Adirondack High Peaks region and has an elevation of 3,788 feet (1,155 m). The mountain offers spectacular views of Lake Champlain, Vermont and New Hampshire as well as a variety of flora and fauna. The summit of Mount Colvin can be reached via a 2.5 mile (4 km) hike from the trailhead located at the end of Ausable Road.

Mount Haystack

Mount Haystack

Viewpoints

2-5 Day Treks

Mountain Peaks

Mount Haystack is a mountain located in Essex County, New York. It is part of the Adirondack Mountains range and stands at an elevation of 2,940 feet. The summit provides views of Lake Champlain, the High Peaks region, and the Green Mountains in Vermont.The mountain was named for its resemblance to a haystack, with its nearly flat summit. It was first climbed in 1797 by Ethan Allen Crawford and his sons.

Mount Jo

Mount Jo

2-5 Day Treks

Mountain Peaks

Mount Jo is a mountain located in Essex County, New York. It stands at an elevation of 3,820 feet and is part of the Adirondack Mountains. The peak of Mount Jo can be seen from nearby Lake Placid and the High Peaks region. This area is popular for its scenic views and recreational activities such as camping, hiking, fishing, snowshoeing, skiing, and snowmobiling. The highest peak of Mount Jo is the summit of Wright Peak.

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