Peru provides a peaceful setting close to Plattsburgh and recreation
Situated between the shores of Lake Champlain and the Adirondack Mountains, Peru offers quiet living close to outdoor recreation. “It’s in the heart of apple country, and a bit more of a farming community,” says Kira Witherwax, a Realtor with Re/Max North Country. Its setting offers a sense of seclusion, but many choose to call this town home for its proximity to Plattsburgh. “Peru sort of blends into things in Plattsburgh,” she says. “Many residents commute there for work, and it’s 10 minutes tops into the city.” Outdoor experiences are a short trip away, from boating and fishing at Lake Champlain to exploring Ausable Chasm, known as the "Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks."
Outdoor fun includes hiking, fishing, white water rafting and more
Heyworth Mason Park is along the riverfront and has an off-leash dog park and access point to The Little Ausable River Trail, a forested multiuse pathway. The green space also hosts the Peru Town Market, which runs on Sunday mornings once a month throughout the summer. Lake Champlain borders to the east, and the Peru Boat launch is open to the public for dropping off boats or kayaks. Ausable Chasm, a sandstone gorge, is also nearby in Keeseville. “That’s a really cool place,” Witherwax says. “It’s beautiful there, and they do white water rafting." Rafting is one of several paid activities, which include rope courses, tube tours and trails that all provide views of the Rainbow Falls cascades. Several of the Adirondack Mountains' many hiking destinations are within 50 miles.
Architecture spans from the 1800s to present day
The town primarily consists of single-family homes. These range from 19th-century Victorians and traditional styles to midcentury ranch and split-level styles, plus a few new builds. Homes sit close together on quiet streets near the center of the community, where mature red and silver maples blanket lawns in yellow and orange leaves in the fall. Plots can reach just over 10 acres in the area’s rural outer portions, where barns are a common sight and crop fields stretch into the horizon. Depending on size and condition, prices range from $110,000 to $435,000. Peru also has a CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Peru’s location offers easy drives to regional destinations
Interstate 87 passes directly east, offering commuters a straight-shot drive into Plattsburgh. The city is home to Plattsburgh International Airport and Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital. The interstate also leads 33 miles north to the Canadian border, where travelers can reach Montreal, less than 120 miles away. “People like to drive up there,” Witherwax says. “It’s the closest big city to us and has a major international airport. They also have amazing markets. We will go for the day, eat lunch, buy the produce and whatnot.” State routes 22, 228 and 442 are also accessible from town, connecting the area to the greater region.
Locals shop and dine in town or head to Plattsburgh for more options
Though small, Peru offers several spots for grabbing a bite to eat. Pasquale’s Restaurant and Bar is known for its chicken wings, and Sweet Treats has been a local go-to for a scoop of ice cream for over three decades. Shoppers pick up groceries from Grand Union Supermarket and other essentials from Dollar General. Orchards dot the area’s outskirts, selling locally grown apples and fresh produce. Ruffs Orchard, just east, also sells fresh-baked goods, pumpkins in the fall and has an on-site petting zoo. “You can go on wagon rides there and pick your own apples,” Witherwax says. She also mentions that most locals travel 13 miles north into Plattsburgh to shop at larger grocers like Market 32 and Champlain Centre’s 50-plus indoor retailers.
Peru High School students can get a head start on college credits
Students start their education at Peru Elementary School, which earns a B-minus from Niche. Peru Middle School has a C-plus, and Peru High School scores a B-plus. The high school partners with Clinton County Community College to offer the College Advancement Program, allowing enrolled students to earn high school and college credits simultaneously
Seasonal events bring locals together
For almost 50 years, locals have celebrated the area’s agricultural roots with the annual Applefest. Held on a Saturday in late September, the fall tradition includes a parade through town, craft fair and live music. The Kids Fair and Festival takes place the weekend prior at Babbie Rural and Farm Learning Museum. The annual two-day event features pumpkin painting, cider pressing, butter making and several other children's activities.
Written By
Matthew Simmons
