Your Glens Falls Bucket List: Must-Do Activities, Events & Dining

Whether you’re a lifelong resident or a visitor staging your North Country adventures, these are the ideal spots that define the spirit of “Hometown USA.” From cheering on the local hockey team, to exploring a world-class art museum, and browsing through dozens of independent shops, you’ll love hitting up all these Glens Falls bucket list items in this community-oriented small city.

Glens Falls Parks & Spectator Sports

• Crandall Park: Take a stroll through the city’s quintessential green space, home to summer concerts, disc golf, and the community's favorite monuments.
• Warren County Bikeway: Bike or walk this scenic, paved trail that winds through the woods to connect downtown Glens Falls directly to the shores of Lake George.
• Adirondack Thunder Hockey: Feel the roar of the crowd at the Harding Mazzotti Arena as you cheer on the city’s professional ECHL team.

Glens Falls Arts, Culture & Historic Charm

• The Hyde Collection: Step inside a historic 19th-century mansion to view a world-class art collection featuring works by Rembrandt, Picasso, and Degas.
• The Queensbury Hotel: Enjoy a cocktail by the fireplace or a meal at Park & Elm in this "Grand Dame" hotel that has anchored the city’s social scene since 1926.
• Crandall Public Library: Explore this architectural cornerstone of downtown to browse the stacks or discover local history within the renowned Folklife Center.
• Adirondack Theatre Festival: Catch a professional - and often hilarious - production at the Charles R. Wood Theater during festival season - many of these actors go on to Broadway and further acclaimed acting roles.

Glens Falls Local Flavor & Unique Finds

• New Way Lunch: Experience a true local rite of passage by ordering a round of their world-famous "dirt dogs" with the works at this century-old landmark.
• The Shirt Factory: Wander through three floors of a converted factory filled with eclectic artist studios, specialty boutiques, and hidden local treasures.
• Rude Betty: Visit this vibrant downtown shop for a curated selection of unique gifts, stationery, and home decor delivered with a fun, modern attitude.
• Cooper’s Cave Ale Company: Grab a flight of craft beer (or soda!) or take the kids for a scoop of premium ice cream.
• Rob & Deb's Frozen Dreams: Join the line at this iconic walk-up window for a soft-serve ice cream cone - the unofficial signal that summer has arrived in Hometown USA.

Glens Falls Top Annual & Weekly Events

The Big Annual Festivals

• Adirondack Balloon Festival: Look to the skies every September as nearly 100 hot air balloons take flight from the Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport in one of the most magical spectacles in the Northeast. Part of this festival also takes place at Crandall Park.
• Glens Falls Brewfest: Now a full weekend-long event, Glens Falls Brewfest welcomes guests to sample brews, take brewery tours, and take part in games and activities, all to support the Feeder Canal Alliance.
• Glens Falls Wing Fest: Every April, downtown transforms into a foodie’s paradise as local restaurants compete for the title of "Best Wings," allowing you to stroll the streets and sample dozens of unique flavors. There's also a hot wing eating contest!

Summer Weekly Staples

• Take a Bite: On Wednesday evenings in July and August, downtown restaurants take to the sidewalks to offer $5 "small bites," turning a mid-week stroll into a delicious culinary tour accompanied by live street music.
• Thursday Market Food Truck Corral: Make your way to The Shirt Factory every Thursday evening during the summer for a community block party featuring the region's best food trucks, local artisans, and live entertainment.

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