September Hits Its Stride: An Adirondack Weekend Worth Planning
The 90-Miler. Photo courtesy ROOSTADK.com.
September is beginning to make its move in the Adirondacks. A few maples are flashing red and orange, mornings have a little more bite, and summer is slowly giving way to the season that tends to steal the show around here.
The calendar is transitioning, too. Teddy Roosevelt Weekend in Newcomb reaches back into Adirondack history, while paddlers tackle 90 miles of lakes and rivers during the legendary Adirondack Canoe Classic, better known as the 90-Miler.
At Silver Bay, the Mountain Music Festival brings live music to the shores of Lake George, and Wilmington gets remarkably well-timed with its annual Festival of Colors.
That’s only part of what’s happening September 10–13. ADK Taste has hand-picked the events that look especially worth the drive, the detour or the extra layer this week—not everything on the calendar, but a curated collection of reasons to get out and see what early fall is bringing to the Adirondacks.
The leaves are just getting started. The weekend, however, is ready to go.
See more of our curated guide to current and upcoming events in the Adirondacks.
Here’s what’s happening across the Adirondacks this weekend.
Nearly 1,500 classic cars, hot rods and muscle cars roll into Lake George for the 37th Adirondack Nationals. From the Show & Shine to nighttime cruises on Canada Street, find out what to know before you go.
Ready to go the distance? The Old Forge Marathon returns with races from a 5K to an Ultra 50K—plus multi-race challenges, gravel cycling and the Ky-Tri. It’s four days of endurance sports with a distinctly Adirondack twist.
Apple season has arrived. The annual Apple Warrensburgh Apple Festival returns on September 11 with local apples, cider donuts, baked treats, cider pressing, farmers, artisans and live music—a deliciously Adirondack way to get an early taste of fall.
125 years ago, Theodore Roosevelt raced through the Adirondacks toward the presidency. Newcomb and North Creek bring the story back to life with reenactments, Great Camp tours, theater, film and events held in the very places where history happened.
The Adirondack Canoe Classic returns, sending 275 boats across 90 unforgettable miles from Old Forge to Saranac Lake. Here's where to watch, what to expect, and why the 90-Miler remains an Adirondack tradition.
Don’t paddle past this story. →
Silver Bay’s Mountain Music Festival pairs bluegrass, folk and Americana with an intimate historic campus, lakeside lodging and early-fall Adirondack scenery. Here’s why this young festival deserves attention.
Gravel, fall scenery, craft beer and pizza: Handlebarley returns to North Hudson with a 43-mile Saturday ride through Ironville and Moriah, plus Sunday’s scenic spin to Boreas Ponds. Ride one day—or make a weekend of it.
Flannel season starts early in Wilmington. The Festival of Colors returns with food trucks, Adirondack makers, live music, pumpkin painting and the all-important cupcake contest. Here's why this hometown favorite deserves a spot on the fall calendar.
Twigs, bark, antlers and plenty of imagination: the annual Rustic Fair returns to ADKX September 12–13 with 40 makers showcasing handcrafted furniture, art and rustic design. Come for the fair, then make a day of exploring Blue Mountain Lake.
Branch out at the Rustic Fair. →
Cheers to 12 years! Ausable Brewing Company celebrates with specialty beer releases — including a nostalgic favorite and something brand-new — plus live music all day and a special menu from Northern Feast.
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Ongoing events and exhibitions.
Remember Storytown, roadside motels, classic attractions, and the family vacations that defined Lake George? Bolton Museum's newest exhibit brings the golden age of Adirondack tourism vividly back to life.
Six giant trolls are taking over The Wild Center this summer. Created from reclaimed materials by world-renowned artist Thomas Dambo, these whimsical guardians invite visitors to explore the Adirondacks through art, storytelling, and environmental stewardship.
Simple, useful—and unexpectedly modern. “Form and Function: The Beauty of Shaker Design” brings rarely exhibited Shaker furniture, tools, and everyday objects to The Hyde Collection, marking 250 years since the Shakers first settled in upstate New York.
Upcoming Adirondack events.
It’s never too early to start planning your next adventure in the ADK.
Look up! The Adirondack Balloon Festival returns with 60+ balloons, sunrise launches, special shapes, food, crafts and the dazzling Moonglow. Here’s when to go—and what to know before heading to Queensbury and Glens Falls.
Lake George swings into fall as Jazz at the Lake returns for its 42nd year. The free weekend pairs nationally recognized jazz with lakefront performances at Shepard Park, plus barbecue, pierogi, wood-fired pizza and more.
Mark your calendar for the annual Sasquatch Festival in the historic Champlain Valley town of Whitehall, NY, bringing together Bigfoot believers, cryptid-curious travelers, researchers, live music fans, and families for one of the Adirondacks’ quirkiest and most unexpectedly beloved pop culture events.
Big foot, big….?→
America's Story Runs Through the Adirondacks
From Fort Ticonderoga and Teddy Roosevelt to the Miracle on Ice and the birth of the American vacation, the Adirondacks helped shape the nation.
To see all our recommendations for upcoming events in the Adirondacks, visit our events page.
Ultimate Guide to the Adirondacks
Your insider’s guide to exploring the Adirondacks—where to go, what to eat, and the experiences that make this place unforgettable.
ADK Talks Podcast
Love the Adirondacks? You’ll love our podcast. We take listeners beyond the guidebooks and into the heart of the Adirondacks. We share stories from the people behind the best places to eat, shop, stay and explore in the ADK. Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
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It’s early morning, and the mist hovers above the glassy surface of your favorite Adirondack lake, undisturbed but for the rhythmic dip of your paddle. The only sound is the gentle ripple of water breaking against your canoe. The air is crisp, carrying the scent of pine and the promise of another perfect day in the Adirondacks. Your worries are left ashore, traded for the serenity that only paddling these waters can provide.
You’re not just wearing any shirt. You’re donning an invitation to adventure, to explore the thousand lakes and secret inlets of the North Country.
Our Adirondack Paddler’s Long-Sleeve Tee is made of the softest cotton. It's perfect for layering or wearing on its own. It’s designed for those who know the joy of a paddling in the Adirondacks, who’ve felt the thrill of a canoe gliding silently through mirror-still waters.
This ultra-cotton long-sleeve tee is perfect for Adirondack paddlers of all kinds—canoers, kayakers, SUPs, guide boaters and more. It is a clear comfort winner in any season.
There are no side seams for a relaxed fit. The shoulders are taped for improved durability. We love that the cotton used for these shirts is environmentally friendly.
Check the size chart; friends and family tell us this long-sleeved tee may run a little small.