How to Maximize a Four-Day Weekend: Fort Drum

Every military fort has its own particularities. Here’s how to make the best use a four-day pass if you’re stationed at Fort Drum, New York.

A four-day pass. You’ve thought about it. You’ve dreamt about it. But now that your DA-31 paperwork is due, you’re not sure what you actually want to do. You’re at Fort Drum, New York — probably with the 10th Mountain Division. What are your options?

First of all, you’re in luck! In spite of its reputation as a cold, snowy, desolate, and miserable posting — I was posted there myself, I know! — there are plenty of things to do around Fort Drum. In fact, if you have access to transportation (and someone in your squad or platoon will) in the form of a car or a truck, Fort Drum is a great place to take a four-day pass.

How so? Well, Drum is close to some unusual and highly sought-after places and activities. For outdoors-types and hunters, there’s fun all year ‘round. People who like traveling, especially from America’s South, West, or Midwest, may never have a better opportunity to visit Montreal, a special Canadian city.

Here are some of the best things to do with a four-day pass if you’re at Fort Drum.

#5: Staff Duty - No but, wait! Seriously…

This isn’t the worst thing to do with a four-day pass — it gives you massive credibility with others. If you like buying low and selling high, you can become known as a stand-up dude or chick by swapping duties and letting others enjoy a full four-day weekend. Save that money instead of blowing it all off-post. Downside: solitude, boredom, the staff duty NCO constantly dipping out to take care of personal tasks, the staff duty officer totally AWOL.

#4: The St Lawrence River

Forty five minutes to an hour north of Fort Drum is one of the world’s great rivers: the mighty Saint Lawrence. Named for a Roman Saint by the French explorer who “discovered” it (to the amusement of the Native people who’d lived there for Millenia), many towns dot the river on the U.S. side, and it is home to the Thousand Islands region, of salad dressing fame. Numerous affordable hotels exist during the summer for folks who want to enjoy some quiet river life — and AirBnbs can be found for small groups. In particularly cold winters, the river can freeze over. I’ve seen it with my own eyes.

Rent a jet ski or boat. If you like fishing, fish. You like swimming, swim. If you can make it out to an island, or go on a river cruise, there’s tons of history to be found. You’re making history in the military. Learn a little about the country you’re defending while you’re at it.

#3: Syracuse

Syracuse is between 45 minutes and an hour, depending on whether you’re driving with that sergeant from the S1 shop who just bought a used 2012 Ford Mustang or your platoon leader.

Everything that doesn’t work about Watertown is mostly fixed in Syracuse, a former industrial city that has turned the corner into the service sector. Where Watertown has a dilapidated Buffalo Wild Wings where all the lieutenants and captains hang out, Syracuse has a Dinosaur Bar-B-Q.

Where Watertown has a roiling and savage river (for which it’s named), Syracuse has a beautiful causeway. Its university is among the best in the United States, and that means endless things to do. If you like cities, you can spend three nights in Syracuse hanging out and feeling like a real person, and get back to Drum in plenty of time to relax Monday night before it’s back to formation.

#4: Lake Placid

What do you think of when you hear “Lake Placid” — a badly-plotted horror movie featuring mutant aquatic reptiles? Or a destination for New York and northeast wealthy and the site of the 1980 Winter Olympics? Both are correct, and both are also wrong if they’ve deterred you from visiting this beautiful and remote village, situated in the Adirondack mountains.

What this place is — especially for troops and veterans (there are great deals for active duty military at hotels if you look around) — is one a diamond. You can chill on the lake, go skiing if it’s winter time, or hike Mount Marcy (a tradition for 10th Mountain soldiers on or off duty). At night, grab an excellent dinner at one of the restaurants, bars, or hotels, and hit up some of the bars after.

The only problems with Placid are (1) it’s a bit of a drive — two to three hours — (2) while more affordable than you’d think for a luxury resort, it’s expensive, it WILL drain your wallet, and (3) you won’t want to leave. But you’ll have to!

#1: Canada

Montreal is three and a half hours from Fort Drum. Kingston, an hour and a half. They’re in Canada, a place you’ve probably never been. You could get to Kingston on a weekend pass, but Montreal requires a four-day. You should check them out.

This will involve crossing an international border so you’ll need a passport. Never thought you’d need one of those, huh! It can be kind of a hassle, and cost over a hundred bucks… unless you’re active duty military, in which case passports are free!

If you might be the kind of person who loves traveling to other countries, if you have an adventurous spirit, there’s no easier and safer way to do that than visiting Canada. Kingston is part of the country with a British background, and is home to their version of West Point. Montreal, on the other hand, was founded by the French, and the residents there — Québécois — speak French (well, Québécois). They also speak English, with a funny accent. Of course they do. It’s Canada, our wayward northern neighbor.

People talk up the proximity of bases to Mexico because people love visiting Mexico, but rarely talk up Drum, which is right next to Canada. The place will feel a lot less foreign than you might expect, because they’re basically a giant 51st state. Check out the nightlife, the art, the food, and immerse yourself in another culture for a few days. When you get back to base it’ll be with a newfound appreciation for Fort Drum. After all, America’s number one.

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