2. Rouses Point
While most people on route to Canada drive straight through the village of Champlain, the North Country village to the east called Rouses Point is a quaint and historic destination right on Lake Champlain. The village of about 2,200 takes its name from Jacque Rouse, a French Canadian soldier who fought alongside American forces during the American Revolution. The village was first settled by Canadian refugees who were given tracts of land for their services in the war, and reportedly Rouses Point was the first port-of-call for the second commercial steamboat in the world. The village was an important economic center located just a mile south of the Canadian border, as well as a crucial stop on the Underground Railroad.
Much of the action in Rouses Point is centered around Lake Street, which features many waterfront homes. Rouses Point contains the remains of Fort Montgomery on Lake Champlain, as well as a historic Amtrak station. Montgomery Street Waterfront Park offers pristine views of the lake. Restaurants in the village include Lakeside Coffee, Casa Capitano, and Sandy’s Deli.