Plattsburgh downtown has much to offer

By Nadia Paschal

Plattsburgh may be a small town but it has its own certain charm. If you’re new to the area, it may be overwhelming at first getting adjusted, but there is a lot to see. 

Downtown Plattsburgh is where you’ll find all of the small businesses and locally run restaurants the area has to offer. 

It’s less than a five minute drive from campus and is about a 20 minute walk, which is quite enjoyable during the summer. It’s easy to access and free parking is provided on Division Street.

STORES 

If you’re looking for some accessible and affordable clothing, the area has a few thrift shops with some diamonds hidden among the racks. 

DressCode, The Cat’s Meow and Rescued Treasures are the places to go, and you’ll not only find some nice pieces, but there’s an assortment of knick-knacks that might be perfect for your dorm or apartment that are also one of a kind. 

One of my favorite spots in the area to shop around is Workbench Collective, which opened last semester. It has an eclectic mix of items to choose from and not many students seem to know about it. The plants for sale in the window are great at drawing people inside and checking out all the other apparel they have to offer. 

Old Soul is a small artisan shop and taproom which can also be found on Margaret Street. On the market side of the store, you’re free to browse and shop around for various kinds of art in different forms from local artists. 

In the taproom, you can choose from wines, beers, mocktails and other non-alcoholic beverages, and hopefully you’ll catch one of the many bands that play there from time to time.

FOOD

Looking at the places to eat around here, there are certainly plenty to be found. One of the most popular restaurants among students is Pizza Bono, which is the perfect place to hit up during the day or late at night as they close at 3 am. Located at 93 Margaret Street, depending on what time of day you go, you’ll see the line of students out the door waiting for their next slice.

The Twisted Carrot is one place I make sure to go to every semester. It was the first restaurant I went to here, and I’ve made a tradition of dining there after I move in. With a hipster-like feel, what really sets them apart from other restaurants are their specialty deviled eggs.

If you’ve been in Plattsburgh for a while, you might already know about the best study spot, which is Chapter One Coffee & Tea. This cafe is a great place to stop and grab coffee or a pastry before you start your day and head off to your classes. I’ve spent many hours in there chatting with friends and hosting study sessions.

High Peaks Brew frequented the campus last semester and hopefully it’ll be back again soon.

This mobile coffee truck has a menu that includes varieties of tea, coffee, hot chocolate and pastries baked from scratch. All of their ingredients are locally sourced. Each week, you can check out their Instagram page to see where they’re going to be next.

Another favorite spot of mine, which fewer students seem to frequent, is Koffee Kat. With a unique color scheme and interesting furniture, this place is equally as good as Chapter One. 

From coffee to smoothies to milkshakes, this cafe is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. It also hosts bands and other interesting events from time to time.  

OUTDOORS

If you’re more of the outdoorsy type, the North Country is amidst beautiful nature. If you drive 25 minutes to Chesterfield, NY, you’ll find Poke-O-Moonshine Mountain. This destination is a popular place for those living in the area to explore and hike the trails, and the view at the top is worth the three and a half mile trek.

Point Au Roche is a beautiful state park that surrounds Lake Champlain. No matter where you are on the trails, you can get a great vantage point of the water. 

The park has a small beach as well, and although it’s not often residents might get to swim in it, it’s still a great place to relax and spend time with friends. 

This is one of my favorite places in the entire area, as it’s a great place to go and clear your head, and it’s beautiful no matter the season.

These locations do require a bit of a drive, but thankfully the shuttle service that the school provides now links students to locations where they can access the city bus system.

If you’re looking for something closer to home, located right on campus is the River Trail, which is located and leads down behind the dorm buildings. This 1.3 mile path is easy to navigate and you’ll see many students also hanging out there, especially in the warmer months.

All of the spots I highlighted in this list are my personal favorites, but there is so much more than meets the eye to this quiet little town.