Family Weekend: The weekend when your mom embarrasses herself and you by getting a bit too hyped about playing a loud game of foosball in Pub 56. Whatever your parents’ idea of fun is, there are plenty of activities to enjoy with them during Family Weekend. You can always look at the list of scheduled events for the weekend, but for those looking for other things to do, look no further.
Walk the campus trails:
Both the Kip and Saddlemire trails offer scenic views of woods, the Grasse River, and farmland surrounding campus. Start off in the morning to refresh yourself with some crisp autumn air and see the beginning of the leaves changing. Maybe the horses will be out grazing on the Saddlemire trail or maybe you’ll see some dogs too.
Enjoy local breakfast places:
The Bagelry is a well-known local option for breakfast, but there are plenty of other quality breakfast places to try out. The Hideaway Café in Colton has plenty of homemade breakfast options, and is a short drive from SLU. In Potsdam, Soul Waffle has all of the waffles you can dream of (I highly recommend the tater-tot waffle). And in Madrid, Anastasia’s Bakery has coffee, homemade pastries and baked goods, including some vegan and gluten-free options.
Visit a farmer’s market:
The Canton Farmer’s Market is open on Friday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the Potsdam Farmer’s Market is open on Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Support local vendors and peruse their yummy produce and fun crafts. You never know what you’ll find!
Participate in some local fall activities:
In the mood for some apple or pumpkin picking? Fobare’s Fruits in Rensselaer Falls has both and a corn maze! You can also pick apples more locally at Canton Apples. Good for snacking, pies and other baked goods, or attempting to make an apple smoking apparatus.
Shop local:
Canton’s Main St. may seem small, but there are plenty of gems to be found. Luna Boutique has women’s fashion, jewelry and accessories galore, while Tauny sells local North Country and Adirondack products. The NOLA General Store recently opened and features eco-friendly and local items, candy and a food counter featuring a potato bar. And almost next door is Nature’s Storehouse, where you can shop for both knickknacks, groceries and food!
Take advantage of the Adirondack’s various attractions:
Leaf colors are almost at their peak, and a short drive to the Adirondacks can give you a great view of their beauty. See them while hiking, or just driving the long, winding roads through the park. Beyond the typical outdoor attractions, the Adirondacks also offer various museums and exhibits. The Wild Center in Tupper Lake is only a little over an hour drive away, and gives you the chance to see birds, animals and experience the different ecosystems the Adirondacks have to offer. If you’re more interested in the park’s history involving people, rather than the environment and wildlife, The Adirondack Experience in Blue Mountain Lake can show you that.
Whether it be sight-seeing or just drinking wine out of paper cups on the quad with your mom, the North Country can offer a variety of activities and experiences for you and your family. Maybe after doing some of these fun things, they’ll be less likely to notice how dirty your dorm room is.