There are road trips you take to get somewhere.

And then there are road trips where the getting there is the whole point.

Add peak fall color, rolling backroads, fresh cheese curd, Croghan Bologna, maple everything, and a few stops you probably wouldn’t have discovered otherwise, and you’ve got a pretty good argument for clearing a spot on your October calendar.

Welcome to fall on the Lewis County Cuisine Trail.

Come Hungry. Take the Long Way.

The Lewis County Cuisine Trail winds through the backroads of Lowville, Copenhagen, Castorland, Croghan, and the surrounding area, connecting visitors with some of the foods and producers that make this corner of Northern New York special.

We’re talking dairy farms, locally made cheeses, maple products, farm-grown goods, Croghan Bologna, local restaurants, and plenty of opportunities to bring something delicious home with you.

In the fall, there’s an added bonus.

The drive itself is spectacular.

October transforms the rolling hills and forests of the region into shades of red, orange, yellow, and gold, which means your trip from one stop to the next becomes part of the experience.

For once, nobody is asking, “Are we there yet?”

Taste What Makes Northern New York Different

The Cuisine Trail isn’t about finding the fanciest meal in town.

It’s about tasting something that tells you a little bit about where you are.

Lewis County has a rich agricultural history, and you’ll see it firsthand as you travel between farms, small communities, markets, producers, and restaurants.

This is a place where food traditions are passed down, local ingredients actually mean local, and there’s a decent chance the person behind the counter can tell you exactly where your food came from.

Yes, You Need the Cheese Curd

Consider this your official permission to make snacks a significant portion of your itinerary.

Fresh cheese curd is one of the quintessential tastes of Northern New York, and if it squeaks when you bite into it, you’ve done well.

Grab a bag for the road.

Tell yourself you’re bringing some home. Grab a bag for your sister. Whether or not it actually makes it to her is none of our business. 

You Can’t Leave Without Croghan Bologna

There are local specialties.

And then there’s Croghan Bologna.

Produced in the village of Croghan for generations, this regional favorite has become one of the foods most closely associated with Lewis County.

Slice it for sandwiches, put it out with cheese and crackers, or slice off a piece with your pocket knife and eat it directly out of the package while standing next to your car.

We’re not here to judge. We get it. 

Make Room for Maple

Northern New York knows maple.

The region’s maple-producing tradition gives you plenty of opportunities to stock up on syrup and other maple products while exploring the Cuisine Trail.

And although maple season itself arrives in late winter and early spring, we’re willing to argue that maple tastes particularly appropriate when you’re surrounded by orange leaves and wearing a sweater.

Science probably supports us.

Stop at the Farm Stands

One of the best parts of taking the backroads through Tug Hill and the Black River Valley is discovering the places you didn’t necessarily plan to visit.

In the fall, roadside stands and local markets can be filled with apples, squash, pumpkins, late-season produce, baked goods, and other locally made finds.

If you see a handwritten sign that looks promising, pull over.

That’s part of the trip.

Don’t Forget to Look Up

We know.

There’s cheese.

It’s distracting.

But between stops, take your time.

The Cuisine Trail carries you through some beautiful stretches of Northern New York countryside, and fall is when the landscape really gets to show off.

Turn off the urge to find the fastest route. Put the phone down. Take the backroad. Pull over for the view.

You aren’t behind schedule.

This is the schedule.

Make a Day of It

You could certainly pick one or two destinations along the Cuisine Trail and call it a day.

But where’s the fun in that?

Give yourself a full day to explore. Start in the morning, choose a handful of stops that sound good, and leave some room in the schedule for whatever you discover along the way.

Pack a cooler for anything that needs to stay cold, bring an empty tote for everything you inevitably buy, and maybe don’t eat a huge breakfast.

Trust us on that last one.

Better yet, turn your drive into a full fall weekend in Tug Hill. Pair the Cuisine Trail with a hike, book a local cabin or campsite, and give yourself another day to explore.

Need more info? You can visit the official site here.

This project is supported by a grant awarded to Lewis County from New York State’s Empire State Development and the I LOVE NY Division of Tourism.