I came to the Customs and Border Protection building for my interview for NEXUS, which had to be…read morescheduled in advance. The interview process requires you to meet with someone from both the US and Canada. You set up your interview on the Trusted Traveler Website. Typically 3 slots are available at any time, meaning there will be 6 desks, and you will go to 2 of them (American representative first if you are an American citizen). Everyone there was pleasant and friendly and willing to answer any questions. The entire process goes fairly quickly, and after your 2nd interview, you receive verbal instructions and an information packet, and everything else comes in the mail in 8-10 days. It might not be immediately obvious how to get to the building, since you can't easily see it from I-87, and the access road is actually off US 9. But when you schedule your interview, you receive written directions, and navigation should be able to get you there easily. This process is independent of the border crossing gates, however, getting NEXUS does allow you to use one specific lane for entry.

The Champlain-St. Bernard de Lacolle Border Crossing connects Champlain, New York, and…read moreSt-Bernard-de-Lacolle, Quebec, on the United States-Canada border. It is the terminus of Interstate 87 in the US and Quebec Autoroute 15 in Canada The route is the primary corridor between Montreal, also it is the second-busiest USA-Canada border crossing that is not located at a bridge. Agents at the border asked normal routine questions and they were good. Both U.S. Interstate 87 and Autoroute 15 on the Canadian side are four-lane divided limited access highways. Champlain-Lacolle is the only major land crossing between New York and Canada that does not involve a river crossing. while coming to NY, there is a Duty-free gift shop just before the port of entry. did some liquor shopping for friends...

The obelisk at the center of the square opposite Plattsburgh City Hall is the 135-foot-tall (41 m)…read moreMacdonough Monument that honors the victory of American soldiers and sailors in the Battle of Plattsburgh, also known as the Battle of Lake Champlain. It was the end of the final British invasion of the War of 1812 and it took place in September 1914. Lieutenant (later Commodore) Thomas Macdonough, commanding the American naval forces on the Lake, established a secure base at Otter Creek (Vermont), and constructed several gunboats. Among them, the USS Eagle, USS Saratoga, the USS Ticonderoga and the USS Preble. The British were able to construct the HMS Confiance along with the gunboats Chubb, Linnet and Finch. Many of the British dead, not including the officers, were buried in an unmarked mass grave on nearby Crab Island, the site of the military hospital during the battle, where they remain today. On a normal day, the monument is open and can be climbed. There are 156 steps to the top and a 360 degree view. [Review 1611 of 2024 - 524 in New York - 22634 overall]

Plattsburgh is the county seat of Clinton County. It is on the northwest shore of Lake Champlain…read moreopposite Burlington Vermont. Plattsburgh was the site of Battle of Valcour Island in 1776, one of the first naval battles of the Revolutionary War. It was also the site of the Battle of Plattsburgh which took place in September 1814 where the United States victory ended the final British invasion of the northern states. Plattsburgh was founded by Zephaniah Platt in 1785 and incorporated in 1815. City Hall was designed by architect John Russell Pope, who was also responsible for the the National Archives and Records Administration building (completed in 1935), the Jefferson Memorial (completed in 1943) and the West Building of the National Gallery of Art (completed in 1941). This was one of his earlier works, constructed in 1917. The Classical Revival style features a projecting entrance portico with six Doric columns. I spent a couple of days here, exploring and enjoying the hospitality of the town. There are some excellent beer breweries, some great coffee and of course, the New York harbor for the Lake Champlain ferry to Vermont. In July, the temperatures are fabulous. The weather was hot, the skies were clear and the Lake is beautiful. [Review 1614 of 2024 - 527 in New York - 22637 overall]

The guys were nice and professional. Quick in and out. It goes to show how smooth the experience…read morewith ICE and border agents when you don't act like an entitled idiot. Which we saw while we were there. Keep up the good work guys, you're doing your hob right.

Make sure you aim to try and avoid between 4-7 pm for rush hour. We waited about 45-1 hr to get…read morethrough the line. Leaving was a little more thorough than coming into Canada. They ask a lot more questions about your visit and what you've brought back with you and your group. We just visited Montréal for the day to see the Biodome (which ended up closed). We only left with some syrup and coffee. You pull up to an open booth and hand them your passports. They will look them over and ask a few questions about you and your visit. Then if you're good, you're off!