The leaves have fallen and the snow is on its way but there’s no time like the present to get away for a few days to the Adirondack Region of New York. Less than a day’s drive from major cities throughout the northeast, this area of the country offers beauty and bounty for the intrepid traveler.

Hike, paddle, stroll, enjoy the sweet taste of an Adirondack harvest and feel the first snows of winter. From ice skating to meteor showers – the Adirondacks offer exciting seasonal fun.

This November, the height of the Leonid Meter Shower falls on November 17th. Star parties are especially popular in the Adirondacks, where clear night skies are unaffected by city lights and visibility is spectacular. The Adirondack Loj in Lake Placid will host Meteor Mania starting at 10 pm to view Jupiter through a telescope. After midnight, the show really begins, and experts are expecting thousands of Leonids to streak across the night sky.

Get into the Holiday Spirit this November with Lite Up the Village in Lake George November 28. This event includes caroling, a visit from Santa and tree lighting in Shepard Park. Strung with thousands of lights, the Canadian Pacific Holiday Trail will travel from Whitehall to Plattsburgh November 30. Non-perishable food items will be accepted at Ticonderoga, Port Henry and other depots for regional food pantries. Put on your dancing shoes and kick up your heels at the Great Adirondack Snowdance December 5 at Melody Lodge in Speculator. The fun starts at 5 pm with a bonfire, buffet, fireworks and family fun.

Enjoy a weekend of fun, shopping and more during the Holiday Village Stroll December 11-13 in Lake Placid. Events, shopping promotions and live entertainment make this weekend a great way for families to enjoy old-fashioned holiday Main Street fun.

The Adirondack Park, named for the Adirondack Mountains that lie within its boundary, offers some of the best opportunities in the United States for both recreation and relaxation in a superb natural setting. The Park is larger than Yellowstone, Yosemite, Glacier, Grand Canyon and Great Smokies combined. Its six-million-acre wilderness areas are an outdoor-lover's paradise and the Adirondack Regional Tourism Council can provide information about planning a vacation in the region. Call 800-487-6867 or log onto VisitAdirondacks.com for videos, package listings, events, activities, restaurants, lodging and maps.