Or rental car possibilities? Plattsburgh looks like an interesting place to spend a day just because it's kind of off the beaten path.
-------------------- David Pressley
Advocating for passenger trains since 1973!
Climbing toward 5,000 posts like the Southwest Chief ascending Raton Pass. Cautiously, not nearly as fast as in the old days, and hoping to avoid premature reroutes. Posts: 4203 | From: Western North Carolina | Registered: Feb 2004
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David, Given a friend's encouragement that I visit her in Canada, I decided to spend 1 night in a Montreal hotel this time & forget about the overnight in Plattsburgh. (I will then go to Ottawa on VIA Rail later the next day, so I'll have a little time in Montreal before seeing my friend.) The Montreal hotel is definitely pricier than I wanted, but I have been promising my friend to visit for ages, so I'm gonna spring. However, in my investigations elsewhere, I determined that if I did go to Plattsburgh, I would probably stay at the Best Western Inn at Smithfield, 446 Route 3, 518-561-7750. It seemed to be about 4 miles from being right downtown by the train station-—in fact, nothing I found was—-but it sounded like the best place to stay for walking to the college campus and a mall. I was uncertain, but I was told walking was not all unsafe highways that I wouldn't like). It had a pool and breakfast and $80-90/nite with Triple A discount, at least this time of year (it was a little more on weekends). The taxi company offered 24 hour service from the station; the hone was 518-561-7777; and cab fares from the train station were quoted as $6 to the hotel, plus tip.
I am sure there are also car rentals but of course did not look into them. You could check with the hotel, though; and there's probably some sort of tourist info in Plattsburgh, plus the college info office. In fact, I suppose there might be a real inn or B&B right downtown, nearer the train, but I didn't find one (& stopped looking when I decided to go all the way to Montreal--I really think the St Lawrence crossing will be cool in the dome car too!)--& maybe one is better off staying by this mall anyway. I'm not conversant with downtown Plattsburgh & would have to fine out more about it, if I do go there some time! What I have passed on the train looks nice, and pretty residential . . . I will look more carefully this time! I would also call the college (SUNY Plattsburgh) for more info, were I going.
You may also be interested in a recent NY Times travel article on canoeing on Lake Champlain, which has info on area even if one is not canoeing: "Champlain's Shores," Sept 26, 2008.
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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