Vacation In The Adirondack Mountains

The Adirondack Mountains are a beautiful mountain range that provides some of the most spectacular views in New York State. Located near Lake Placid, New York, and about four hours northwest of New York City, this mountain range is perfect for a family vacation.

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The Adirondacks are one of the most beautiful natural regions in the world. Located in upstate New York, they have everything you could want from mountain vistas to peaceful lakes. Here are a few ways to enjoy this beautiful part of the world while you’re on vacation.

You’ve just booked your flight to the Land of the Adirondacks, and the real decision is where you want to go. Of course, you want to spend some time on those epic lakes – but there’s so much more to do! There are hikes on a mountain range with cliffs, beautiful trees, and incredible views. So what can you do on your vacation? Here are my recommendations for your visit to the Adirondacks.

Vacation In The Adirondack Mountains

Adirondack Park is a gift to all who discover it.

Great visionaries from Ralph Waldo Emerson to Henry David Thoreau have drawn inspiration from the forest canopy of the Adirondacks, writing of its enchanted mountain peaks, and igniting passions to explore the depths of nature. Larger than Yosemite, Everglades, Yellowstone, and the Grand Canyon combined, the Adirondacks are a natural splendor that promises adventure. Crest any of the 46 High Peaks to see why this park is deemed “forever wild,” stroll charming villages to feel warmth and liveliness in the farm-to-fork restaurants, or explore historic fortresses that take you through the centuries. You’ll find a lot to love in the Adirondacks.

Updated 1/6/22

Remember to social distance and wear a mask as required by state guidelines. Call ahead and check websites and social media to make sure attractions are open and available.

Three Things You Can’t Miss | Family Fun | Spend the Day | Spend the Weekend | Spend the Week | Hotels & Stays | Where to Eat | Getting There

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.