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  • The Best of Both Worlds


    One visit and you’ll realize how lucky you will be to call Plattsburgh home.

  • Location, Location, Location!


    No matter the season, the Adirondack Coast is one of the most beautiful places on earth.

  • How lucky you will be to call Plattsburgh home


    No matter the season, the Adirondack Coast is one of the most beautiful places on earth.

  • Walkable & Lively Downtown


    Downtown restaurants and shops are a short walk from campus.

  • Walkable & Lively Downtown


    Downtown restaurants and shops are a short walk from campus.

Our Location


Our location is singular — it boasts a small-town feel with big city amenities. Mountains, lakes, history, arts, excitement and serenity — we’ve got something for everyone! You'll love to call Plattsburgh home.

The Great Outdoors


Aim High!

Breathtaking: That’s the word most people use to describe their first drive through the Adirondacks into Plattsburgh. SUNY Plattsburgh sits just outside the Adirondack Park, an outdoor enthusiast’s dreamland. With over 6 million acres to explore — bigger than Yellowstone, Everglades, Glacier, and Grand Canyon National Park combined — you’re sure to find a new favorite hobby. 

Within the park are 46 major mountain peaks and there’s a special club reserved for those intrepid climbers who conquer them all — Become a Forty-Sixer. Looking for a quick climb? Take a short drive south to a local favorite like Rattlesnake Mountain or Poke-O-Moonshine — the climbs are short but the payoff is anything but!

In the winter, ski Whiteface Mountain, the venue for the 1980 Winter Olympic alpine skiing competitions. While you’re there, it’s only a short trip into the Village of Lake Placid for some ice skating (and some major people-watching!).

Valley Adventures

Mountains not your thing? That’s ok, too! There are plenty of walking trails and cross-country skiing options within minutes — Point Au Roche State Park, Ausable Marsh and High Falls Gorge, just to name a few. There’s even a hiking and biking trail along the Saranac River right on campus — check out the Saranac River Trail.

Plattsburgh is also located on the shore of Lake Champlain and with miles of shoreline and sandy beaches right outside your door, there’s a waterfront activity sure to pique your interest. Take a kayak lesson or learn to stand-up paddle board. Try ice fishing when you come back to campus in February. Or, simply let the sound of the waves relax and inspire you after a full day of classes. 

Experience the Region with Friends

Join an outdoor recreation-focused club like our Ski and Snowboard Club, Outing Club, Biketopia or the Environmental Action Committee. See our full list of clubs and organizations.

Arts, Entertainment & Cultural Hubs


Downtown Plattsburgh

Take a ten-minute stroll from campus into downtown Plattsburgh to experience a show at the historic and newly renovated Strand Theatre.  The Strand Center for the Arts also offers tons of activities — take a class, view an exhibition and browse artisan markets throughout the year.

While you’re exploring downtown, grab a coffee from one of our local shops and head to MacDonough Monument overlooking Lake Champlain — it’s a great spot to chill and people watch. Ready for something to eat? In our downtown alone you’ll be able to choose from a dozen eateries and food shops (within a 10-mile radius, dozens more). If you’re looking for North Country staples, try a michigan or poutine. Delis are student favorites for off-campus lunch. For dinner, taste the world — choose from Greek, Himalayan, Mexican, Thai, Japanese, Italian and American cuisine.

Want More?

Montreal, the second-largest city in Canada, is about an hour away — and so are Burlington, Vermont and the Olympic Village of Lake Placid. Students shop, eat, explore and see concerts in all three places. History buffs will never get bored here, either. As a key site in the Battle of 1812, Plattsburgh and the surrounding region proudly celebrates our heritage with museums, annual reenactments and festivals. 

Ready to see More? VISIT SUNY PLATTSBURGH

Regional Activities & Resources


SUNY Plattsburgh is itself a major intellectual and cultural center for upstate New York — but that’s just a start. Explore the Lake Champlain Valley Region and beyond.

 

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