Activities - Things to Do .

THE CUPOLA HOUSE ON LAKE CHAMPLAIN is open year round.  If you can pull yourself away from "our view", you may want to consider the following.

TROUT season begins April 1st. Take a short drive to the Boquet or Salmon River and plunk a fly for native rainbow & brown trout.  Or... walk down to the big lake and cast for landlocked salmon and lake trout.  Bring 'em home and grill them on your porch!  Later in the season, the BASS FISHING gets "hot".

HIKING, BICYCLING, CANOEING, KAYAKING and BIRDING are the most popular daily activities during three seasons.  There are too many trails, peaks, walks and paddles to mention that are less than an hour away by car.  The closest is 6 miles south at Split Rock Preserve.  The Split Rock Reserve is a 3000 acre tract with a variety of trails which skirt Lake Champlain.  Bald eagles and falcons are often seen scouting the cliffs.  This area is great for BACK COUNTRY SKIING in winter. For more skilled and equipped outdoor enthusiasts, there is excellent ROCK CLIMBING just 12 miles north at Poco Moonshine Mt.  This past winter the ICE CLIMBING there was great.

GOLFERS can choose from ten challenging courses within a 1/2 hour drive.

Rent a POWER BOAT or SAIL BOAT and explore from sun up to sun down or CRUISE the lake on the Philomena D.

VISIT the following nearby points of interest in NEW YORK - Ausable Chasm, Fort Ticonderoga, Crown Point Historic Site, Adirondack History Museum, 1812 Homestead.  The VILLAGE OF ESSEX is an attraction itself and has a full schedule of summer theatre, music concerts, exhibits, and special events.  Check www.essexnewyork.com for a list.

LAKE PLACID, with it's numerous Olympic sites, is only 45 minutes away.  While you are in the high peaks area take a SCENIC TRAIN RIDE to Saranac Lake or take the TRAM up Whiteface Mt. for spectacular views of the Adirondacks.

Closer to home...just hop on the Essex-Charlotte FERRY on Lake Champlain and in twenty minutes land in VERMONT.  Then drive five minutes to the world renown Shelburne Museum, tour the VT Teddy Bear factory or Ben & Jerry's, shop and dine in downtown Burlington, attend a classical concert and fireworks display on the lawn at Shelburne Farms then catch the late ferry & head back to the quiet, comfy CUPOLA HOUSE.

Want to visit a foreign country?  No problem!  MONTREAL, CANADA - a cultural hub of our area, is only 1 1/2 hours away!

Make your reservations at the CUPOLA HOUSE and begin your North Country Adventure at Split Rock Preserve, Salmon River, Lake Champlain, or any of the other wonderful area attractions. Licensed outdoor guide / owner Donna Sonnett will be happy to help you plan your agenda.