Ausable Chasm, NY - billing itself as "the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks" is a shamelessly…read moreambitious boast for an attraction that I'd more accurately describe as Watkins Glen with the consumer interface of Bushkill Falls, but there's no denying Ausable Chasm is a fun, scenic, and daring adventure for all ages! We came during the off season at the end of April, before the more high thrills activities like rafting & tubing, riverwalk, Via Ferrata adventure trail, rappelling, rock climbing, etc. were open for the season (usually around late-May to June through autumn). That was no problem as we are visiting with our toddler who isn't old enough to do most of these activities anyway, and, as we discovered, it was actually perfect and to our advantage, since as first-time visitors we only wanted/had time to explore the chasm itself. And as there were very few other visitors on a weekday, it was as if we had this private park all to ourselves! No need to jostle for views/photos, can enjoy lunch & snacks at the best picnic tables by vista points, and it's also more pleasant than hiking in hot summer, though many of the trails are shaded. The basic "trails only" admission is about $20 for adults & teens, $12 for kids 5-12, and free for under 5. All the other activities have additional fees, which can add up so you might explore packages, or even stay overnight at their campground & cabins. We are a family of hikers so wanted to do the whole perimeter and see the entire gorge (about 2 miles). But if you only wish to see the exciting parts and leave time for other activities, then you can turn back halfway and do the shorter loop (1 mile if you do the Inner Sanctum Trail which I 100% recommend as this is the "signature" trail along the canyon's edge. But note it has many stairs up & down). We took the Inner Sanctum (yellow) trail, crossed over to Big Dry Chasm and hiked to the Whirlpool Basin Overlook at other end, then looped back around on the orange trail via Little Dry Chasm. The trails are well maintained, with most of the outer edge trails on comfortable soft padded ground. They're mostly well marked except the end part is not really shown clearly on the park map so I used AllTrails. The orange trail (Dry Chasm Trail) is marked as more difficult, but it's basically just a regular wooded hiking trail that's not paved, with rooty and rocky sections. The park is very walkable for most able-bodied people. Even our 3yo was able to hike the whole thing by himself, with a bit of help over the orange trails. We loved our visit and are excited to come back when our child is older to do more activities! Will update my review when we've had a chance to experience all the action-packed adventures the park has to offer. TIP #1: No trail maps are given out so take a photo ar a screenshot. But there are maps placed along the trails marked with where you are. TIP #2: Porta-potties only on either end of the trails, so I recommend taking your nature break before setting out. TIP #3: There's a cafe by the Welcome Center but it's only open seasonally. Bring water. No garbage bins along the trails (cos bears!) so trash is carry-in carry-out.

This place is the best. Great for families. Do the explorer package with river walk...ropes…read morebridges are awesome. Boat is mild, it's not white water rafting. Very safe. Go here and enjoy!

Great way to experience Montreal! Prepare for several hours (we were there 12:30 - 3:30) of fun…read more The activity seemed to be popular for all groups - families, tourists, bachelor parties - and the company did a great job separating groups accordingly. While the rapids were pretty intense, there were enough breaks in-between for beginners. The activity was a work-out, but not overly rigorous. You had the chance to paddle together and work together as a team, were directed by experienced staff, and had several moments where you went right into the rapids. There was also some down time for relaxing and jumping into the water. The staff was fantastic! They were friendly, provided the background and history, gave great instructions, and all had a wonderful sense of humor. They were able to explain in both French and English and really made the experience memorable. We'd highly recommend as this was the highlight of our visit.

SO MUCH FUN!!!!! Jo is the best! I went while on a girls…read moretrip with 5 friends and it was 100% our favorite part of the weekend!! It isn't constant rafting rapids so you get "breaks" of calm waters so you aren't overwhelmed. Great for beginners like us! You hit 4 rapids and on the fourth one you have the option to jump out of the raft. Sounds insane (or we thought so) but we did it and it was so amazing!! Something we will never forget. You also have a chance to jump out and swim after you're done rafting for a few moments, as well. You're able to rent wetsuits and crocs on site. And the guides are willing to take your photo beforehand or afterwards. The one "concerning" thing is how they wash the wetsuits after you've worn them. They simply dunk them in a bucket of water... lol.

Wow. Jet boating with Saute-Moutons was definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Montreal. I…read morehighly recommend it, but it's not for everyone. It's thrilling, it's exhilarating, and sometimes, it's even scary. This is like a roller coaster ride on the water. And you will get completely soaked, from head to toe, over and over. If getting repeatedly hit and completely doused with large volumes of cold water is not your idea of fun, then do not go on this ride and stop reading now. However, if you're looking for a little excitement in your life and want something different to do, this definitely fits the bill. If you're concerned about safety, our guide pointed out upfront that Saute-Moutons has not had a single fatality since opening for business in 1983. What to expect is pretty simple: 1. You show up to the docks/Saute-Moutons 45 minutes prior to departure. You check in, sit through a tutorial, and review safety procedures. 2. You check your bags/belongings at a counter into a secure room. You change into clothes for the ride. 3. Clothes: Wear a swimsuit or anything you don't mind getting completely soaked. Bring a towel and a complete change of clothes, including footwear in case you decide to wear your own footwear on the boat. Saute-Moutons provides low-quality sandals with strapped-in heels that you can use, included with your ticket price. The water is cold and you will be traveling at high speeds so you will get cold. Saute-Moutons provides sweaters (fleece pullovers). Don't be afraid to layer up. You then put a jumpsuit on. Then you put a poncho on. After that, it's the life vest. Even though you have all of these layers, make no mistake, every crevasse of your body will get wet. Do not bring any loose objects with you onto the boat. You risk losing it. There are pouches on the back of each seat where you can store items such as waterproof cameras, but I don't recommend bringing much else. The water comes in at quite a force and it will easily knock off things like glasses/sunglasses and loose footwear. You might even considering bringing spare contacts because if you're not careful, the force of the water could knock the contacts off your eyeballs. 4. Once everyone is checked in, briefed, and dressed, they are loaded onto an aluminum boat. Ours had two 700 horsepower engines (1,400 horsepower total). Powerful. We made our way south down the St Lawrence River, around Nuns' Island, to the Lachine Rapids. Along the way, our guide narrated and gave us a river tour of Montreal. 5. The fun happens at the Lachine Rapids. Basically, the captain of the boat goes around in circles, in the rapids, trying to smash the front and sides of the boat into huge oncoming waves. You'll go up waves, down waves, and crash directly into them. The captain times a lot of the hits and most of them are huge, dramatic, and downright jolting. To get an idea of what I'm describing, just search YouTube for videos of Saute-Moutons. I must note the videos do not completely do what you actually feel in person justice. Sitting in the boat at rest, the water can get as high up as your belly/chest. The boat gets filled with water (it later drains out). Prepare to get water from the St Lawrence River in pretty much every orifice of your body except for, probably, those in your nether regions, which should be protected by at least two or three layers. I sat on the far right side of the boat (starboard). The first wave the captain smashed into us struck the right side of the boat first. I can only describe it as a rude awakening. It was literally like a roomful of cold water crashed into me from above and from the side. Whoosh. I got a direct hit of water into my right ear. The first hit set the tone for the rest of the ride. People were laughing hysterically, including myself, at how crazy the whole situation was and what we had gotten ourselves into. During the ride on the rapids, the guide (one of two Saute Moutons employees on board) continues to commentate. Our guide also took photos and videos of us with a GoPro. That media was available later on Saute Moutons' website. At one point, he handed us a shampoo bottle and had us pass it around. We literally washed our hair during the ride. 6. The ride lasted about an hour. We made our way back to the docks, all soaked, some cold. They have changing rooms so you can change into a new set of clothes. Consider bringing a large waterproof bag to put your wet swimsuit/clothes in. Todd "the Legend" was our guide (I think that is what he wanted us to call him). He was hilarious. It appears he's been doing this for years and multiple times per day. I'm not sure where he gets his energy from and how he's able to be "on" all the time. Not only is he informative, but he's very friendly and entertaining. He's like a comedian. Prices vary depending on season. We paid about $70 Canadian each after all was said and done. That included tax and tip. I thought it was worth it.

I got tickets for this though the GoVieuxPort.com website as part of the Nautical Getaway package…read moreand it was worth every penny (especially at a 40% discount)! I had a guest from out of town so we brought her with us for the ride. Even my 70 year old mom joined in though she was quite nervous about the experience. However, the ride was way safer and more fun than expected. We got there 45 min early and they play old promo videos to keep you entertained while you wait. You can definitely take this time to go to the bathroom/drink water and even strip down to your swimwear (whatever you're wearing on the boat). Presentation really starts at the 30 min mark. They go over the trip details and send everyone off to check their bags and get their sandals (if needed). NOTE: if you want to sit up front in the boat, you'll have to hustle to be first to check your bags and suit up and run over to the boat because those are the coveted seats!! We were slow so we ended up sitting in the last row. It's still a good experience, especially with my mom on board but I felt it was just a touch on the tamer side than what I wanted. Being this close to the Lachine rapids is such a thrill!! The pale turquoise waves look awesomely beautiful and fast! The curls that the waves made were absolutely stunning!! For me it was really a visual treat. We went on a hot day and our departure was at 5pm so the water had the whole day to warm up and was a tepid 23°C in August. When you hit a good wave, the water floods and drains out the back of the boat so after a huge wave crashed on the boat, we had water right up to our knees!!! I think we must've done 5 loops of going up and coming down the rapids and then it was a very speedy ride back to the Old Port. You'll appreciate the free hair drying portion of the ride as the wind whips your hair dry! The staff were helpful, funny, warm and personable. The owner Jack made you feel super welcomed. In fact, he asked us if it was our first time, he joked why did we wait so long to come see him! Here's my recommendations, if it's not 30°C out, you may feel a touch chilly in the 15 min speed ride to and from the rapids, especially after getting wet! Wearing a poncho keeps you warm and your hair almost dry because it comes with a hood. Even if it's your first time, try to sit at least 3 rows from the back because during the ride out, the engine is loud so you won't here anything the tour guide is saying even on the speakerphone. Also, you'll get a more immersive (literally) experience!! Be the first one out to the pier if you want front row seats. At the back, we still got totally soaked but we weren't really baptized in the river like those in the front rows. Sometimes we saw waves but they never reached the back of the boat. I brought my goggles cause I wore contacts but they fogged up a bit so I couldn't see how awesome the waves were but I put them up in between rounds. The water isn't a spray... More like a pounding so it can knock things loose. Bring a hair tie to keep your hair out of your face. Take the 5pm ride if you want a warm water experience. It was hot out but the sun wasn't overbearing. When the water filled the boat it was nice and tepid. If you can bring a waterproof GoPro to capture the waves cresting as the boat prepares to dive into the waves, it's the most epic thing ever! Alternatively you "can" bring your phone and during the ride back to the Old Port our tour guide offered to take pics and videos on people's phones. Great experience and if you're from Montreal, you gotta try it at least once!

Great kayaks, great place and super people…read more We have been here every time we visit this area. Probably 5 different visits and it is always reliable and great. This year the river was a bit low for our tandem kayak but we still had a wonderful time.

Was able to get up to Vermont this past weekend for my yearly trip! I'm always looking for kayak…read morerentals as I don't want the hassle of transporting. Luckily this place is here and as always it was a seamless experience! If you're a Vermont resident (not me unfortunately), you get 10% off your rental. The Cupboard Deli is nearby and is a great place to stop and eat.

Our guide Frank was awesome.. really energetic and really kind!…read more The overall manager could have been a little more organized and polite, but other than that, it was a great time!

Great guide. The rapids around class 3 so it was great fun. Just wish they were a little more…read moreorganized, there were a lot of sitting and waiting.

Extremely enjoyable summer activity awaits you at canal lachine at H20 Adventures. For my sister's…read morebirthday celebration, we go kayaking at canal lachine. The staff is friendly and helpful. Payments are contactless. One side , you will find all the clean equipments (paddle, life jackets), and when you are done with your activity, your bring you dirty equipments on the other side. At H2O adventures, you can Kayak, Pedaling, ride the canoes and go on electric boats. We enjoyed Kayaking for 1 hour. The staff helped us to us loaded into the boat, and then we go into the canal. The scenery of the canal Lachine was serene. Plus, Excellent exercise for the arms. I know I don't have upper arms muscles yet, but I do feel slight strong... lol. Definitely recommended, hop on your adventure before the summer ends.

**Keep an eye on their website for operating hours as COVID has things changing up a little here…read moreand there** They have taken steps to change their processes to clean all jackets/paddles etc between uses, arrows on the ground etc. I purchased a summer pass for Kayaking with H20 and I am very happy about it! The season passes are an excellent value for anyone living in the area. They have a an easy to use online reservation system, and staff/ownership were super responsive and friendly both by email and in person. The equipment is in great shape and my boat is in the water waiting for me at my rental time. NOTES: they DO have lockers, but you need to bring a lock.

This is a small business whose headquarters on the river hardly encompass more than a beach hut and…read moreparking lot. They offer speed boat cruises and rafting trips. I have only tried the rafting so far, and it was absolutely amazing. The Lachine rapids are quite a bit more impressive when you are rafting then when you observe them from the shore, and the ride was quite wild on occasion. This said, the rafts are bigger and more sturdy than others I have used for white water rafting on smaller rivers. There are 8 people to a raft plus a guide who will graciously fish you out of the water should you happen to fall in. As I did. The rafting trip itself takes about 3 hours, including the return trip upstream in an old school bus. Prior to the rafting the group gets a short lesson in safety, and everybody is equipped with a helmet and life vest. And prior to the safety instructions you can wait, and wait, and wait. This is why I am only giving this three stars. I was told to be on site by 1 pm, and then nothing happened till 3 pm. Since there is not much around and I was alone, I was pretty much bored out of my mind by that time. I think the reason was an error in planning or communication, because some other customers arrived later. Since you have to reserve your spot at least one day ahead via the phone, I don't quite understand why they did not ask all of us to be there at the same time. Anyhow - the rapids are amazing and this company is the only show in town for rafting, so I would go again (and bring a book).

What an experience! It's exciting but not completely dangerous thanks to a dedicated and well…read moretrained staff. Our guide Bill has a great personality making the activity fun as well as informative. I live near another river and know the power of water and Les Excursions staff do a great job of keeping the guests safe. I was amazed how the dips in the rapids quickly evolved from small spaces to large openings that look like they will swallow you up. I've never experienced this on the smaller river I live near. I went late in the season (mid September) but the water was still warm. Facilities are minimal, but they have all you basically need as well as free parking which is a plus.

What a great spot for a venue into Burlington! Right on the water and extremely well priced! We…read morehosted my sister in laws baby shower in the large classroom and it was the perfect size for thirty guests. It was nice to have tables and chairs provided, too! John, my contact, was such a lovely man! So easy to work with, albeit a little tough to get ahold of. Email worked best! And don't plan on having alcohol unless you can afford a very pricey (and unfriendly) bar option- that was my one complaint!

I don't want to sound cliched but I've wanted to learn how to sail a boat since I was about 10…read moreyears old and I'm an adult now. I thought it would be awkward and I'd be the oldest or least experienced person in the class but not even close. Everyone is welcomed here. The courses were casual and comfortable and taught me basic skills to get me independently out on the water. And the CSC staff were knowledgeable, friendly, kind, patient, and supportive throughout my experience. And once you've learned how to sail, if you don't have a boat or a place to put one... the rentals and reasonably priced season pass practically guarantee you (and any friends or family you might want to bring along) at least a couple hours a day out on a sailboat (or a kayak or paddleboard if there's no wind lol) for the whole summer. It's hard to beat sailing on beautiful Lake Champlain on a sunny and breezy summer day!! If you've ever wanted to sail but couldn't or were hesitant... it's not too late and this is a great place to do it!

TLDR; Really wanted a kayak Umiak advertised. Was worried it would be sold before I could get…read morethere. Was assured no worries. Gave them my credit card info etc. to hold the boat. Arrived as it was leaving with another customer. I was very interested in a kayak Umiak advertised on their website. I called and spoke to Brian on Sunday to confirm it was there. He advised it was there. I explained that I was VERY interested and was concerned it would be sold before I could come see it. I was assured it was fine and not to be concerned. Monday we had a snow storm. I called and spoke to Brian. I explained I was really wanted that kayak and was worried it would be sold before I could get there. I provided Brian with my credit card info etc. and asked if he could consider it SOLD. He took all my info and said he wouldn't charge the card until I got there but that the Kayak was mine. I spoke to another person there Tuesday and explained that, as it was a 14' kayak, I'd like to come with a trailer but couldn't be there until Saturday. I was assured that my name was on that kayak, they had even just wiped it down for me and it would be ready for me Saturday. I explained again that I was concerned about it being sold before I could get there but was assured it was fine. Saturday I arrived just as the kayak I had "purchased" was leaving in the bed of another persons pickup. Brian apologized, said he had messed up, etc. none of which does me any good. A specific trip was made to Stowe. If I'd had any indication I should get there earlier I would have. I'm not sure if this is incompetence or a lack of ethics on their end but unfortunately I, as a consumer, have no recourse but to complain. Maybe someone in the future will be aware that this is not a business that lives up to it's word.

We had a great time doing the meet and greet for the sled dogs. My husband and I learned quite a…read morebit actually, and the presentation was enjoyable and very informative. Of course, the best part of all was meeting the dogs and getting to love on them. It was definitely something that I recommend if you're looking for an hour to be with some sweet animals, learn something new and not spend a lot of money.