The buzz and bustle of summer fun is now in the rear-view mirror, with end-of-year activities and cold weather fun just over the horizon. Fall is upon us, with its brilliant foliage and shorter daylight hours, and now feels like the perfect time to pause for a breath, take a break, and settle in for a few days to rest and rejuvenate. Now that the kids are back in school, maybe you're looking for a relaxing weekend getaway where the whole family can chill, or maybe you find yourself checking the "empty nester" box and are looking to fit in a few of those activities that you've always wanted to do but never seemed to have much time for. One of the best places to experience some decidedly low-key fun is the haven of Tupper Lake. Here are a few ideas to add to your activities checklist to keep you busy (but not too busy!) during your Tupper Lake-ation.

Go wild for The Wild Center

At the top of the list of wonderful things to experience in Tupper Lake is The Wild Center, the Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks. This inspirational, educational and award-winning destination is a fantastic place to explore a little or a lot about the natural world - at your own pace. Indoor and outdoor live and interactive exhibits and experiences, like Wild Walk, Forest Music, Patrick Dougherty's Stickwork, Barney Bellinger's Welded Steel: Shape, Form & Light and the new Climate Solutions exhibit guide you to discover the story of the Adirondacks and explore ways people and nature can thrive together. Resident otters, porcupines, owls, freshwater fish and other ambassador animals will make your visit delightful and memorable. The Wild Center also features a full museum store, a cafe, and was designed and built to be accessible to everyone. Visit The Wild Center's website to plan your visit, reserve an admission ticket and view scheduled special events and seasonal operating hours.

Good for what ales you

Take a leisurely lunch break and sample some brew at Raquette River Brewing, a micro brewery producing small batch, hand crafted Adirondack ales. Grab a bite to eat from the on-site Food Truck Alley, and enjoy the chill company and mountain air as you kick back in the unmatched atmosphere of the brewery's outdoor seating area. If the weather isn't as spectacular as the suds, there's plenty of seating inside the beer hall, which has a cozy fireplace and boasts one of the longest bars inside the blue line. Before you leave, select some goodies to take with you - Raquette River Brewing offers brews to go and a large selection of brewery apparel.

Happy bike trails to you

For a no-stress bike ride, check out the Junction Pass and Crossroads trail, a great outing for riders of all ages and abilities. The trail includes places to stop for lunch, options for shopping, and even the town town park! Cyclists will be thrilled to find water bottle refill stations and "fix it" bike stations where useful tools are available in case you find that you need to make an adjustment or a repair along the way. Watch for Tupper Lake's new branded bike racks - coming soon!

Another wonderful option for cycling is the Adirondack Rail Trail! The 34 miles of flat, scenic and historic trail stretching from Tupper Lake to Lake Placid is suitable for road bikes and is accessible year-round. Cyclists will find many points of access to the trail, and pass by many amenities during their ride on this multi-use trail that links Tupper Lake, Lake Clear, Saranac Lake, Ray Brook and Lake Placid.

Supper and a song

As the leaves are falling, there's no place better to land for a relaxing evening of dining and live music than P-2’s Irish Pub. This family-owned business has been in operation since the mid-1960's, and is locally known as "the place to be in the Adirondacks". With a fantastic atmosphere and live music scheduled through the fall, who could argue with that? On a chilly evening, settle in at a cozy table to enjoy some delicious pub fare. With a selection of jumbo wings, juicy burgers, salads and lots more, you're sure to find something to your liking. Wash it down with a Guinness or a craft brew – P-2's has a selection of beers on tap including options from local breweries Lake Placid Pub and Brewery and Raquette River Brewing. Seating is also available on the outdoor patio for those wonderful warm fall evenings. Keep a keen eye on P-2's website for their live music schedule.

A scenic drive (or destination)

There is no shortage of scenic drives in and around Tupper Lake. Head out on any road, in any direction, and you're virtually guaranteed to enjoy the views, especially during the majestic season of fall. The drive south on Route 30 from Tupper Lake to Long Lake (approximately 22 miles) is especially lovely and a favorite of many. This spectacular stretch of road features a scenic pull-off between Raquette Pond and Tupper Lake, and breathtaking views of Blue Mountain on the approach to Long Lake. Looking for a stop along the way to stretch your legs and hike a bit? Try Bog River Falls for a lovely walk with views to write home about, or explore another scenic destination in the area.

Fall is an amazing time of year to visit the Crossroads of the Adirondacks. Whether it's your first visit or your hundredth visit to Tupper Lake, you're sure to find something wonderful to come back for!