Bundle up and embrace spooky season chills
As the leaves change color and fall from the trees, as the days grow darker earlier and earlier, the incandescent magic of Halloween creeps into the air. It’s a special season, full of shrieks and giggles, the spectre of mystery, and themed, old-fashioned fun at area restaurants, attractions, and shops. If spooky season delights are your cup of witches’ brew, pack up the candy corn, fake blood, and caramel apples for a road trip through the mesmerizing winding roads of the Whiteface Region.
Bridge to the past
Jay, New York, has the pride of being home to the last covered bridge of its kind in the Adirondacks, a long truss bridge that spans the Ausable River. The current bridge is a reconstruction of the original, which saw decades of activity and mystery since its construction in the 1850s. The bridge is the center of a park, letting visitors stroll the bridge to imagine dark, rainy nights, masked bootleggers in roadsters, or the sound of headless horsemen racing down the wooden roadway.
We’re your number one fan
No sledgehammers here as the Adirondack Stage Rats (real humans!) present a reading of the stage play Misery, based on Stephen King’s legendary horror-thriller. Snuggle up in the cozy, quirky Recovery Lounge in Upper Jay on October 25 for an afternoon of spine-tingling performances that will keep you sleeping with the lights on.
Mysterious treasures and old-fashioned finds
For an experience that’s more mysterious than it is completely and utterly terrifying, a hunt for unusual antiques is just the thing. Located in historic Au Sable Forks, the woman-owned Arts & Antiques is full of curious delights, from atmospheric portraits of long-forgotten faces from the past to unique old books and decor. You might even pick up a gorgeous, glowy piece of uranium glass to take home and make your house spooky season-ready.
Echoes of a Land of Makebelieve
The Adirondacks have long been known for its family-friendly amusement parks, places where road tripping families could meet Santa or play sheriff. Much of these parks were the work of local artist Arto Monaco, a man who believed in the joy of children’s imaginations. His greatest work, Land of Makebelieve, was located in Upper Jay and featured whimsical, fairy tale buildings, all built at a half-scale size perfect for children.
The nearby Ausable River is prone to flooding, and the park was damaged over the years. It closed for good in 1979. Many of the pieces of the park were taken elsewhere, or eventually given to historical societies, but some elements remained, the wild woods taking over and lending the park a decayed air. What was once a joyous place filled with the laughter of children became quiet, viewed only by a few. Hurricane Irene swept away the last of the park, but its impact on the Adirondacks and Upper Jay remains.
A thrilling descent
Walls of dark rock, stretching above and below. Raging water tumbling and swirling. Trees gently swaying in the wind, their branches rubbing together in an eerie symphony. And you, perched amid it all, on a walkway deep in an ancient gorge. That’s what late fall at High Falls Gorge feels like as you descend into a gorge of the West Branch Ausable River. High Falls Gorge is a natural attraction that can be deliciously atmospheric and the perfect place for a stroll amid spooky season adventures.
“Once upon a midnight dreary…”
With their glossy black feathers and alarming intelligence, there aren’t many animals more iconic at Halloween than crows and ravens. In Wilmington, the raven gives its name to Twisted Raven, a local hotspot that embraces and combines stellar brews, fantastic food, and a bit of local lore. As darkness settles in, the Twisted Raven offers a cozy place to fill your belly and relax. Dishes such as the “Raven Hell” wing challenge or the Roadkill Burger are terrifyingly good, while special events, such as vampire movie parties and live music, ensure an October you won’t soon forget.
BYOC (Bring your own costume)
Whether your tastes at Halloween are jack-o-lanterns or jumpscares, spirits (the ghostly kind) or spirits (the warm-you-up kind), the Whiteface Region delivers with a cozy atmosphere that’s a can’t-miss. Plan your trip, pack your fangs or your witches’ hat, and prepare for chills and thrills.
Header image courtesy Mark Timberlake on Unsplash.
