Exploring the Best of the Adirondacks in New York

The Adirondacks is a 6.1-million-acre mountain range in northern New York State. Home to numerous lakes, historical attractions and resorts, the mountain range boasts 46 high peaks, with most elevations exceeding 4,000 feet. The region is also home to than 3,000 lakes and ponds, including Lake George and Lake Placid. Established in 1892, Adirondack Park is the largest publicly protected landmass in the contiguous U.S.

Vintage shops and art galleries dot the rustic streets of more than 100 towns and villages in the region. Whether you want to shop all day, kick back in the hotel spa, or take the hike of a lifetime, your customized brand of adventure is always available in the Adirondacks. The next time you travel to upstate New York, take a road trip to explore the sights in this amazing area.

Discover Historical Points of Interest

Learn more about U.S. history by visiting Ticonderoga, a French fort which played a significant role in the Revolutionary War. Watch a re-enactment of the Battle of Carillon or take a guided tour of the Colonial Revival Garden to find out more about this key part of history. Additionally, during the summer, the Fife and Drum Corps plays reveille and duty tunes on a daily basis.

The Fort William Henry Museum and Restoration in Lake George commemorates the British outpost used to protect the area from French invaders. The museum offers military demos and educational tours with cannon firing and musket loading demonstrations.

Visit the John Brown Farm State Historic Site in the town of North Elba for a first-hand look at the home and grave of U.S. abolitionist John Brown. Take a guided tour of the house, or hike on the trails surrounding the property.
 

Get in Touch with Nature

Take time to view the indoor and outdoor nature exhibits at The Wild Center in Tupper Lake once you’ve driven through the center of Adirondack Park. Paddle along the Raquette River to glimpse marsh habitats or join an after-dark wildlife photography tour. The Hall of the Adirondacks features exhibits with turtles, fish, plants and birds and you could also spend a few hours watching otters dive at the daily Otter Encounters.

If you prefer your animal encounters in a natural habitat, take a drive to the Indian Creek Nature Center in Canton. It features 7.9-miles of trails and provides a haven for many species of birds, amphibians and mammals, as well as 400 varieties of trees and plants.

Get some retail therapy

Shopping in the Adirondacks ranges from modern to unique and interesting. Named one of the top olive oil stores in the world by Olive Oil Times, the family-owned Saratoga Olive Oil sells the freshest imported oil, plus a selection of sea salts, balsamic vinegar and gift baskets.

Make a pit stop at the Lake Champlain to buy thrift and vintage treasures from one of the region's cozy gift shops. Elizabethtown Thrift Shop offers glassware and furniture in addition to clothing, while the Adirondack Attic in Keene provides a selection of hard-to-find clip-on earrings, stone necklaces and vintage clothing, all displayed in a rustic country house.

Dive Into Arts and Culture

Lake Saranac and other small towns in the Adirondacks boast thriving artist communities. Lake Saranac ArtWorks provides a list of local galleries, studio tours and other cultural events throughout the year, including ‘Northern Current’ also known as ‘Hobofest’, as well as poetry readings. An Art Walk also takes place on the third Thursday of every month.

More than 30 local artists have exhibited their work at the Adirondacks Artists Guild Gallery on Main Street in Saranac Lake. The Guild rotates exhibits every month and features a variety of formats, from landscape paintings to black-and-white photography and handmade jewelry.

Relax at Serene Spas

Unwind from driving with a visit to one of the Adirondacks' luxury spas. The Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa offers luxury accommodations and a full-service spa. Rejuvenate your entire body with a Thai massage or pamper yourself with a maple body scrub.

The Skana Spa at Oneida's Turning Stone Resort Casino offers many treatments derived from the local Indian culture, including the Harmony Massage with sunflower and jasmine. Relax in a mineral bath or soaking tub after a morning of exploring or relieve dry skin with a hydrating aloe wrap. The spa offers a popular Strawberries and Cream Mani/Pedi during Oneida's annual Strawberry Festival.

If you're looking for fewer frills, then work up a sweat at Hot Yoga Lake Placid. Classes include Bikram Fusion, Warm Vinyasa and Bikram Express.

Make Time for Hiking

For beginners, Big Slide Mountain near Keene Valley loops from the trailhead to three smaller summits known as The Brothers and leads to greater views as the elevation rises. Mount Marcy offers backpackers one of the area's more challenging mountain treks. The 14.8-mile loop includes Lake Tear of the Clouds, the highest lake in New York state at an elevation of 4,293 feet.

Hike or bike in the wilderness at Great Camp Sagamore. Originally built as a luxury retreat for the Vanderbilt family, the camp is now used for lodging, meetings and special programs, such as the Roots and Branch Music Workshop, which gives aspiring musicians the chance to study with seasoned local performers.

If you're into challenging sports, Rock and River offers guided tours with rock climbing, ice climbing, slides, snowshoeing and hiking in the High Peaks, where the company also offers two cozy lodges.

Find the Perfect Camping Spot

Park your car or RV and settle down in Fish Creek Pond Campgrounds in Saranac Lake for a few days. Most campsites offer pristine sand and water views. Camping areas situated around Square Pond and Fish Creek Pond provide easy access to boating and fishing. White Pine Camp offers restored rustic cabins on a site once used as President Calvin Coolidge's summer home. If you prefer basic accommodations, Nick's Lake Campground in Old Forge offers non-electric campsites with showers and bathrooms along several of the loops.

Get Set for Family Fun

Spend a day with family or friends in Queensbury at the Six Flag’s Great Escape and Splashwater Kingdom which offers 135 rides, as well as a host of exciting shows and attractions. Satisfy your inner thrill seeker with a ride on Sasquatch, a 192-foot drop tower. When you're ready to chill, cool off in the water park's Bonzai Pipeline.

For a different approach to relaxation, take a ride on the Adirondack Scenic Railroad and marvel at the beauty of the foliage throughout the region. The train departs from four stations: Utica, Thendara, Saranac Lake and Lake Placid.

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