Washington County, NY

Visit Granville

Granville sits midway between Lake George, NY and Manchester, VT, in beautiful Washington County — known to New York State Tourism as the Capital/Saratoga District, to some as the Colored Slate Capital of the World, and to others as part of the Lakes Region. Whether you're driving through, planning a weekend, or working out where to spend a long afternoon, here's what to see and do.

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Where we are

The Granville area is bordered by Vermont to the east, Hampton and Whitehall to the north, Hebron to the south, and Hartford and Fort Ann to the west. The NY Adirondacks and the Vermont Green Mountains provide the most spectacular scenery in the Northeast — Granville sits nestled between them in the Mettowee River Valley.

Many areas have panoramic views of both mountain ranges, offering breathtaking fall foliage and year-round beauty.

Things to see

Pember Museum & Library

A Victorian gem founded in the 19th century. Franklin Pember donated his large natural history collection — including specimens now extinct and of great value to modern researchers. The Pember Library on the first floor holds one of the most extensive literary collections in the area, with genealogical resources visitors use to research their ancestry.

The Pember Nature Preserve, eight miles south on Route 22 in Hebron, offers more than two miles of trails through 125 acres of forest, fields, and wetlands along Black Creek.

pembermuseum.com · pember.sals.edu

Slate Valley Museum

Opened in September 1995 to pay tribute to the slate workers, their families, and the way of life that built Granville. The museum presents the historical, cultural, and technical story of the slate industry through photographs and artifacts.

Located on the Mettowee River across from the Pember Library and Museum.

Mettowee Park

Newly developed and situated along the Mettowee River, with the entrance at the Church Street Bridge. Trails to explore, cleared swimming areas, picnic tables and grills, and two brand-new regulation pickleball courts.

Things to do

In winter

Granville boasts about 52 miles of trails connecting to unlimited miles in the surrounding area. Middle Granville is home to the Border Riders Snowmobile Club. Ice fishing, skating, and sleigh riding are favorite local activities.

For downhill skiing, Washington County offers Willard Mountain less than half an hour away. West Mountain in Glens Falls, NY, and Killington, Okemo, and Bromley ski areas in Vermont are all within an hour's drive.

In summer

Mettowee Park trails, swimming, and pickleball; Pember Nature Preserve hiking; cross-country trails for hiking and biking; year-round scenic drives through the Mettowee Valley.

Year-round

Panoramic views of both the Adirondacks and the Green Mountains; fall foliage; the Slate Valley region itself, which extends about 24 miles along the NY/VT border from Granville/Rupert north to Fair Haven, Vermont.

Where to stay and eat

Granville's lodging and dining options are run by local businesses — chamber members and area institutions. Browse the directory for current listings, hours, and contact information.

Lodging

Inns, B&Bs, and motels in the Granville area.

Browse listings →

Restaurants & Taverns

Where to eat, from family diners to the Thursday-night pork roast supper.

Browse listings →

Did you know?

Slate is more than scenery here. Granville's quarries are some of the most distinctive in the world.

  • The only working red slate quarries in the world are in the Granville area — a very high-quality slate with a 200-year life expectancy.
  • The red in Granville's unfading red slate comes from iron-rich soils exposed to an oxygen-rich environment as they eroded.
  • Harvard's Memorial Hall (1878) displays roofing from the two most important slate-producing regions of New England — red shingles from Granville, green from Fair Haven, VT, and black from Monson, ME.
  • Slate was first discovered in Middle Granville in 1850; the first quarry opened in 1852, run by William R. Williams.
  • Telescope Folding Furniture Co. (now Telescope Casual) moved to Granville in 1921. During WWII, Telescope produced up to 2,500 army cots per day.

When to come

Granville's calendar runs year-round, with anchor events that draw the community together:

Annual Yard Sale WeekendTown-wide · multi-day
Summer Concert SeriesWeekly outdoor concerts
Summer Arts FestivalSummer
Autumn Leaves Car Show35+ years running
Lighted Tractor ParadeHoliday season + caroling
Annual Tree Lighting"Granville's Hallelujah"

See the full calendar →

Looking to put down roots?

If you're thinking about relocating or already calling Granville home — there's more to explore.

Living Here →

Schools, churches, recreation, and community life in Granville.
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