70 4 Reach our advertisers at: ADKDining<strong>Guide</strong>.com • ADKS<strong>to</strong>resandGalleries.com • ADKEntertainment.com • ADKAccommodations.com
71 Visi<strong>to</strong>rs looking for a classic Adirondack vacation spot need look no fur<strong>the</strong>r than <strong>the</strong> Town of Minerva. Located just minutes off <strong>the</strong> Northway in <strong>the</strong> sou<strong>the</strong>rn part of Essex County, NY Minerva has been a favorite year-round destination or base camp for Adirondack <strong>to</strong>urists since <strong>the</strong> late 1800s. Founded by farming families after <strong>the</strong> Revolutionary War, Minerva’s economic his<strong>to</strong>ry includes iron mining, tanning, milling and logging. Today <strong>the</strong> focus is on <strong>to</strong>urism, recreational boat building and forest products. Minerva, which was incorporated in 1817, covers 162 square miles with over 60% of its land in <strong>the</strong> “forever wild” ADK Park Preserve. Visi<strong>to</strong>rs <strong>to</strong> Minerva will find that Minerva Lake, with its beautiful beach, playgrounds, pavilions, campground, bathhouses and food stand serves as <strong>the</strong> hub of <strong>to</strong>wn summer activities. The <strong>to</strong>wn-wide Minerva Day celebration culminates with a vibrant fireworks display at Donnelly Beach, and will take place on Saturday, July 6th. The Gregson Bro<strong>the</strong>rs Band will play before <strong>the</strong> fireworks, and Finger Diddle will play in Courtney Park on Sunday <strong>to</strong> end a perfect Minerva Day weekend. Winter activities include ice fishing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and a Town maintained sledding hill for kids. The Hudson and Boreas Rivers flow through Minerva, providing recreational fishing, whitewater rafting and canoeing opportunities. Many <strong>to</strong>p-rated hiking trails start and end in Minerva including hikes for Moxham Mountain, S<strong>to</strong>ny Pond and Blue Ledges. ADK Park land acquisitions in <strong>20</strong>13 added additional camping, hiking, biking, paddling, snowmobiling and horseback riding access <strong>to</strong> lands in nor<strong>the</strong>rn Minerva which have not been open <strong>to</strong> <strong>the</strong> public for <strong>the</strong> past Reach our advertisers at: minerva 100 years. Birders and o<strong>the</strong>r nature enthusiasts should keep Minerva on <strong>the</strong>ir radar screens for interesting sightings and species. The summer Concerts in <strong>the</strong> Park series will open its fifth season: • June 12th with a performance by Lake Effect • July 17th Blonde Roots • August 14th Finger Diddle for our final concert! The Concerts take place from 6:30 - 8:30, and desserts are offered by <strong>the</strong> parents of Minerva Central School students at each concert. If you’re looking for an au<strong>the</strong>ntic Adirondack experience or a base camp for fur<strong>the</strong>r adventures, look no fur<strong>the</strong>r than Minerva. Conveniently located just minutes from Northway Exit 26, Minerva offers year round amenities and adventures including Minerva Lake, Donnelly Beach, <strong>the</strong> Minerva Campgrounds, boating, fishing, hiking, ice fishing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, biking, birding, hunting and so much more! We offer scenic views, comfortable isolated sites, tennis, basketball, bocce and pickleball courts, horseshoe pits, concession stand, restroom and bathhouse facilities, and best of all, Donnelly Beach. Stay at <strong>the</strong> Minerva Campgrounds Spring <strong>to</strong> Fall (518-251- 2869), find a room at one of our local Cottages or B&Bs, or start looking for your next home. Come for a day, a week or come <strong>to</strong> stay. You’ll find <strong>the</strong> essence of <strong>the</strong> <strong>Adirondacks</strong> in Minerva, NY. Minerva is located within a 90 minute drive of Albany, 2 hours of Burling<strong>to</strong>n, VT, and 40 minutes north of Glens Falls. ADKDining<strong>Guide</strong>.com • ADKS<strong>to</strong>resandGalleries.com • ADKEntertainment.com • ADKAccommodations.com