6 Bicycle-Friendly Bed & Breakfasts in St. Lawrence County
Content Sponsored by St. Lawrence County, NY
If you're into biking and bike trips you won't want to miss out on the plethora of biking trails St. Lawrence County has to offer. Whether you're just getting into the sport, or you're more experienced and looking for a really challenging route, St. Lawrence County has it all. You can even bike to Canada and back!
Did you know there are actually bed and breakfasts throughout the area that specifically cater to cyclists, and which happen to be near enticing bike routes? If you stay at one of the following B&Bs you can easily plan a biking trip that can be catered to any level of biking experience.
Embark on a scenic bike ride, experience an authentic bed and breakfast, and have an amazing trip in St. Lawrence County.
1) 24 East Main Street Bed & Breakfast
Located in Canton, the 24 East Main Street Bed & Breakfast strikes the perfect balance between an old-time feel and modern conveniences and technology. You'll be able to choose from a number of rooms: the Studio Suite, the Tower Suite, the Rouse Room, the Master Suite, and the Fleur de Lis. Each has its own charms and accommodations. For instance, the Studio Suite can accommodate up to five people and includes a private kitchen, or you could stay in the Fleur de Lis for the best view of the sunset in the centuries-old house.
When you stay at 24 East Main you'll have easy access to the Lake Placid and Saranac Lake regions, as well as the St. Lawrence seaway and Ottawa, Ontario. For those with college kids studying at Clarkson or SUNY Potsdam you'll be just a short drive away.
Being in Canton, you'll have access to several bike routes. The St. Lawrence Seaway Ride is rated as quite easy, a 1 out of 4, and starts right in Canton. The entire route is 52 miles long - don't feel obligated to complete the entire ride in one day!
Or you might consider the Indian Creek Tour, rated 2 out of 4 in difficulty. This ride varies between flat terrain to slightly rolling country roads between Canton, Morley, Rensselaer Falls, and around the Indian Creek Nature Center.
And, there's also the Frederic Remington Ride, where you can make a stop at the famed Frederic Remington Art Museum.
2) Hidden Meadow Inn
You'll get a full Shaker-style hot breakfast after sleeping on a Swedish TempurPedic bed when you stay at the Hidden Meadow Inn in Norfolk. The 20-acre estate consists of gardens, lawn sports, nearby hiking, birdwatching opportunities, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on nearby groomed trails, and you'll have a prime view for a picture-perfect sunset.
Find links to various bike routes right on their website: Bike Upside Down Lollipop/Hidden Meadow Inn to Postwood Park, the Twin Rivers Bike Loop from Hidden Meadow Inn, and more. The Bike Upside Down route is about 36 miles long and the Twin Rivers Bike Loop is about 88. Hidden Meadow Inn also links to helpful mountain biking tips, articles, and videos right on their website under the "Attractions" tab.
3) Way Back In Bed & Breakfast
Farm fresh eggs, birdwatching opportunities, and more - you can enjoy a peaceful, country-quiet amtosphere at Way Back In Bed & Breakfast in Ogdensburg. Although they're "way back in" from the road, they're close to the aforementioned Frederic Remington Art Museum, the heart of the Seaway Valley, and Ottawa, Canada, is just an hour away.
As with 24 Main Street, you'll also be close to the Frederic Remington Ride at the Way Back In. On this ride you'll pass through the Indian River Wildlife Refuge, Rensselaer Falls, Heuvelton, and parts of the Oswegatchie River until you reach the museum. The Frederic Remington Museum houses one of the most extensive collections of his works in the world. This bike route, although long if you're completing the entire ride, is only rated a 2 out of 4 in difficulty with some rolling or small hills.
Another option would be the 46-mile Massena-Ogdensburg portion of the Great Lakes Seaway Trail, which provides picturesque views of the St. Lawrence River and the Raquette River.
4) Rocky Top Bed & Breakfast
The Rocky Top Bed & Breakfast in South Colton is situated on a serene and secluded 660-acre estate that is perfect for an Adirondack getaway. You'll find a number of activities to partake in on the property year round, including walking trails, camping in the forest, two observation towers, prime stargazing opportunities, fishing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and of course, biking.
You might want to check out the South Colton Loop while staying at this bed and breakfast - but only if you're a veteran biker! This is a challenging bike ride that should only be attempted by experienced cyclists. It's 41 miles long and is rated a 4 out of 4 in difficulty, meaning the route is very hilly with no flat terrain and moderate to steep climbs. Some sections of the route are dirt and some are steep downhill sections with some rough pavement.
The South Colton Loop route goes through the Adirondack foothills and loops through South Colton and Colton, which are just outside of the Adirondack Park. There is an ideal stopping point around mile 32 after a particularly steep climb that offers views of the St. Lawrence River Valley.
5) Akins Acres
The owners of Akins Acres have been residents of Canton and St. Lawrence County for nearly 40 years. They have a passion for home-style cooking - they use pure maple syrup from Sugar Bush Lane around the corner and bake their own bread and English muffins. And just wait until you try their famous frittatas! This bed and breakfast welcomes a number of outdoor recreation enthusiasts: bicyclists, paddlers, hikers, and cross-country skiers.
Akins Acres is in Canton, where you'll have your pick of a variety of bike routes: the St. Lawrence Seaway Ride, the Morley-Bucks Bridge-West Potsdam Loop, the Indian Creek Tour, and more.
6) White Pillars Lodging
You'll be staying at a former Civil War vintage homestead when you stay at White Pillars Lodging. This is an elegant bed and breakfast with twelve luxury bedrooms/suites in three adjacent buildings on 160 acres; they also have four waterfront cottages on a nearby lake and river, so they accommodate a wide variety of travelers. All rooms have private baths, at least two beds, and some have Jacuzzis, fireplaces, and private sleeping porches.
As with 24 Main Street and Akins Acres, White Pillars Lodging is in Canton, where you'll have access to a number of options for bike routes ranging from easy, to a little more challenging with some light rolling terran, to quite demanding with little flat terrain and moderate hills.