Clinton County: History, Art and Landscape

Clinton County is a destination for anyone who wants to explore history from different perspectives: museums focus on rural life, the Underground Railroad, and the American Revolutionary War. There is also art, agricultural heritage, and a connection to Lake Champlain. You can shape your vacation plans around what interests you most: culture, nature, or outdoor activities.

Lake Champlain and Valcour Island

Clinton County borders Lake Champlain; fishing is one of the region’s outdoor activities. Valcour Island offers a distinct historical focus: the Battle of Valcour Island was the first naval battle of the American Revolutionary War. The island is accessible only by boat—a key point to consider when planning a visit.

More than seven miles of trails wind around Valcour Island, passing quiet beaches, several campgrounds, and the Bluff Point Lighthouse. The campgrounds mentioned are accessible only by paddleboat. The island’s historical significance, hiking, and special access requirements offer a different focus from a museum visit. If you include the island in your travel plans, you can account for the boat access from the outset.

Museums and History

The Babbie Rural & Farm Learning Museum explores rural life and agriculture in the Champlain Valley and the Adirondacks before the 1950s. The museum includes a fully functioning blacksmith shop, offering a tangible glimpse into traditional crafts. Those interested in everyday life and agricultural history will find a different perspective here than in an exhibition about military events.

The North Star Underground Railroad Museum focuses on the hidden history of the Champlain Line of the Underground Railroad. Its exhibits tell the stories of enslaved people who traveled through northeastern New York State and the Champlain Valley on their way to Québec and Ontario. This makes the history of an escape route a cultural focus in its own right.

The Clinton County Historical Association hosts lectures, workshops, special exhibitions, and guided tours of the surrounding area throughout the year. The Allan S. Everest Interpretive Center is on permanent display at the War of 1812 Museum. The subjects range from local history and guided activities to a permanent exhibition.

Art and Rural Traditions

The Rockwell Kent Gallery in SUNY Plattsburgh’s Feinberg Library displays paintings, prints, drawings, ceramics, and textiles. Separately, SUNY Plattsburgh’s Rockwell Kent Collection contains more than 5,000 cataloged works of art, objects, and ephemera. Clinton County offers art lovers several specific points of interest, without limiting a visit to a single art form.

Agriculture is also part of the region’s history. Parker Family Maple Farm has been in operation for more than 130 years; its long history is an example of the area’s agricultural character. At Banker Orchards, visitors can pick their own apples. The Acres of Apples loop passes through five different apple orchards and by the largest dairy farm in Clinton County. These facts highlight different aspects of agriculture: a long-established farm, picking your own apples, and a route through several orchards.

Choose a Vacation Focus for Your Accommodation Search

When looking for a vacation rental in Clinton County, you can start by deciding which themes you want to shape your stay. Museums, exhibitions, and guided tours offer a different focus from apple picking, fishing, or the trails around Valcour Island. Access to Valcour Island by boat is a practical factor; cultural and agricultural themes offer other points to consider when making your choice.

Explore More Places

You can also take a closer look at Plattsburgh and Champlain as destinations.

Explore more destinations: Steuben, Chemung, Tioga County, Greene, Dutchess, and Otsego.

Go to the main travel overview: New York.