Vacation In Adirondack Mountains
Vacation in the Adirondack Mountains is relaxing and rejuvenating. Getting by with a little help from nature, many rustic establishments have been built among the forest and mountains, minutes from one of 40 rock climbing locations.
There is no doubt the Adirondack Mountains are some of the most beautiful mountains in all of North America. The local culture is also very rich and there are lots of outdoor activities here that attract tourists from across the globe. This is where we went on vacation with our family last year and it was truly fantastic. Here are a few things to keep in mind if you’re planning to go here on vacation.
A vacation in the Adirondack Mountains can take you on an exciting adventure that you will not want to forget. In fact, the Adirondack Mountains are a nature lover’s paradise with a wide variety of natural attractions to visit and enjoy. Enjoy an active day while hiking through a forest or canoeing down a beautiful lake. Or spend an afternoon relaxing in the mountains at one of the locally owned spas or resorts. Visitors can also enjoy seasonal events such as outdoor summer concerts during July and a fun holiday festival during December. Swim into a world of relaxation with all Adirondack vacation rentals and hotels available for your comfort and convenience.
Vacation In Adirondack Mountains
For over 300 years, the Adirondack Mountains have been our home. The gateway to the northern Adirondacks in New York State is at the southernmost tip of Lake Champlain, where you will find Ticonderoga, NY. Ticonderoga holds a fascinating history; it’s where Benedict Arnold betrayed the Americans during the Revolutionary War, and where the Iroquois Confederacy signed their historic peace treaty with the United States. Visitors can tour Fort Ticonderoga to learn more about this history while they enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Champlain!
THREE THINGS YOU CAN’T MISS
Wild Center and Wild Walk
The 115-acre Wild Center is a natural history museum that draws you into the vast beauty of Adirondack Park and brings a new perspective to nature. Don’t miss the museum’s Wild Walk treetop trail, where you can get a bird’s-eye view of the Adirondacks while walking through the network of bridges, a giant woven “spider’s web,” and an observatory deck designed like a nest.
Winter Olympic Experiences
Home to the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics, Lake Placid is a hotspot where you can tour the Olympic Museum and Hall of Fame (the new Exhibit Gallery will be free to all guests while they work on their new, permanent location in the Olympic Center), ride up in the air on the Cloudsplitter Gondola to Little Whiteface and take in the bird’s eye view soaring over streams, ski trails, steep rock faces, and thick forests, zig-zag your way down Mt. Van Hoevenberg on the Cliffside Coaster, test your adrenaline on the Sky Flyer Zipline, and much more.
46 High Peaks
Summit any of the 46 High Peaks, look down on hidden lakes and granite rock faces, and absorb the beauty of Adirondack Park that is “forever wild.” Mt. Marcy (pictured) in Lake Placid is the highest in the state at 5,344 feet. Beginners may enjoy Cascade Mountain and Porter Mountain, also in Lake Placid. Climbers who have conquered all the peaks are recognized as the Adirondack 46ers.
FAMILY FUN
High Falls Gorge
Beautiful waterfalls are that much closer at High Falls Gorge, where kid-friendly trails bring you to four waterfalls on a 22-acre nature preserve. Providing safe, easy access for visitors of all ages, this park is perfect for scenic walks, picnics, and views of the Ausable River as it cascades over granite cliffs and into the ancient gorge. Have a casual lunch onsite at the River View Cafe.
Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course
If you’ve ever dreamed of flying or jumping from branch to branch like a bird or a forest animal, the skilled team at Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course near Lake George is here to help! Reserve your time online and get up in the air with the tree-top challenge obstacle course, six aerial adventure courses, zip lines, jumps, rope swings, slides, and ladders—it’s a thrill for the whole family.
Natural Stone Bridge and Caves Park
Take the family to visit the largest marble stone entrance of the east and a natural wonder of the Adirondacks! At Natural Stone Bridge and Caves Park, you can go on a self-guided tour and walk the above-ground nature trail with the family and view waterfalls and gorges, then have fun at the 18-hole disc golf course, or purchase tour tickets and take the kids on a gemstone mining adventure.
SPENDTHE DAY
Ausable Chasm Falls – Photo by Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau
Wrapping along the shores of Lake Champlain, the Adirondack Coast is New York’s eastern treasure, home to geologic wonders, waterfront retreats, and civil history. Head to Plattsburgh City Beach, one of the largest freshwater beaches in America, for sandy shores, kayaking, and sweeping views of Lake Champlain. Crest the waves with your rental canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard from Adirondack River Rentals—it’s a fun way to get out on the lake.
Fed by Rainbow Falls to the south, Ausable Chasm is one of Earth’s true beauties and a must-see when visiting the region. Hike the Inner Sanctum Trail and look straight into the 150-foot sandstone gorge, walk Elephant’s Head Vista to view the plunging waterfall, or float down the deep canyon river with a skilled tour guide. Right next door, you’ll find the Ausable Chasm campground featuring tent sites and cabins for rent, plus North Star Underground Railroad Museum. The museum explores the history of the Champlain Line, which led people to freedom by steamboats and canal boats on their journeys north.Back To Top
SPENDTHE WEEKEND
Saturday
Cruise beautiful Lake George with the Lake George Steamboat Company. Offering scenic cruises around the southern basin, islands, and Paradise Bay, it’s the best way to experience the lake’s natural beauty and still have time for a full day of activities. An Adirondack icon since its establishment in 1817, the historic steamboat also offers special entertainment, moonlight cruises, and meals on the water. For a bird’s-eye view of the lake, check out Parasailing Adventures, where you can fly two or three people at a time, guided by a professional crew.
Explore Lake George Village, lined with restaurants and boutiques; the area’s down-to-earth vibe blends with its vibrant downtown to create a charming mountain community. Check out specialty shops, dine by the marina, then walk to Shepard Park or Million Dollar Beach for sandy shores, picnicking, and swimming. You’ll also find family-friendly activities and nightlife.
Sunday
Visit The Hyde Collection Art Museum and Historic House, a fine arts museum with a range of collections from Renaissance paintings to contemporary photography as well as work by Picasso, van Gogh, and Rafael. Set in the Hyde House, a restored 20th-century mansion listed on the US National Register of Historic Places, the museum is known for its unique displays and devotion to cultural education.
Enjoy lunch, craft beer, and a tour at Davidson Brothers Brewing Company. Home to the only brick kettle brew system in New York, the brewpub is serving up a variety of in-house ales including their signature IPA and Oatmeal Stout.
If you’re a shopaholic, head to the Factory Outlets of Lake George, just 15 minutes from downtown Glens Falls, for top brands at a price that won’t break your wallet.