These Small Towns in the Adirondack Mountains Have the Best Historic Districts
The Adirondack Mountains are renowned for their topography, terrain, and unique geographical features. The mountains’ formation dates back millions of years, and the area has proved to be an exceptional retreat during the fall and spring. However, that is not the only aspect that puts the mountains on the map. These small towns in the Adirondacks have enriching historic museums, districts, and tours, making them perfect destinations for an enriching and educational trip.
Lake Placid
Lake Placid has earned its reputation as the hub for athletics in the Adirondacks since it hosted the Olympic Winter Games in 1932 and 1980. However, its history dates further than that. The country’s first winter resort was founded in the 1920s and has been a popular destination for competitive winter sports events. You can take a look at the exact timeline in the Lake Placid Olympic Museum, which is located in the downtown of Lake Placid. The Lake Placid-North Elba Historical Museum showcases the rich history of Olympians and artists who contributed to the town. The museum has operated the Lake Placid Railroad Station since 1967 and will guide you through the intricate journeys of the Stedman and Moses Collection of Glass Plate Negatives, as well as memorabilia from Olympian Jack Shea and American superstar singer Kate Smith. If you want to get active, you can stroll by the scenic Mirror Lake or swim in the Lake Placid Public Beach south of the lake.
Tupper Lake
Tupper Lake is frequented for its accessibility from major cities in upstate New York since it is less elevated than other towns in the Adirondacks. The town earned its name from the European Settler Hansel Tupper, who discovered it and transformed it into the primary log exporter of New York. You can learn more about this lumber boom at Tupper Lake Museum. The Tupper Lake Wild Center is a great destination for fishers and hikers since it incorporates both outdoor activity and education tours in its programs. The center focuses on the geographic factors that formed the Adirondacks and the mountains' biodiversity and vegetation. The best time to visit is during August when kayaking events and group hikes are organized. Events celebrating the town’s logging history are held, with Annual Woodsmen’s Days organizing fun outdoor activities such as ax throwing.
North Creek
North Creek is located on the upper side of the Hudson River and earned its reputation as the “Gateway to Freedom” since it was part of the route slaves took on their way to Northern America. The Revolution Rail Bike Tour tells the story of these slaves in an interactive set of activities, including railway biking and tubing down the Hudson River. These activities are held in the summer when temperatures are warm, and they involve transportation from the bottom of the mountain through the Adirondack Open Air Express. Railway biking takes about 45 minutes to complete and is open to children using the child-friendly pedaling instrument. This exercise is physically demanding since participants must rely on their physical strength to move the multi-person pedal machine. This is followed by a 2-hour tubing activity that takes participants down the Hudson River. The elaborate adventure tour is organized by Beaver Brook and Adirondack Adventures and takes 4 hours in total, including shuttle transportation to the railway and hiking. Other programs organized by the Revolution Rail Bike Tour include whitewater rafting in the Hudson River and hiking deep in the woods. These activities are open to people of all ages with a weight benchmark of 50 pounds. For a more laid-back retreat, you can visit the North Creek Golf Club and enjoy its breathtaking views.
Newcomb
Newcomb was initially destined to be a mining town, with Tahawus village being the heart of operations in 1843. However, after the iron boom was over almost two decades later, Tahawus became a ghost town. The historic blast furnace stands tall in the abandoned area, along with abandoned equipment and lodging from that time. The Newcomb Historical Museum explores the town's past and provides a detailed exposition of the rich history of Newcomb and its ghost village, Tahawus. The exhibit changes themes every year, with this year’s one being Celebrating Educational Excellence in Newcomb. The most unique feature of the museum is the Bissell Room and its book collection, which includes Tahawus Cloudsplitter, volumes of Roosevelt Wildlife Station, and family files. President Theodore Roosevelt frequented the town to hunt as well and was made president upon the death of President McKinley in the train station on Route 28N, making it a historic part of the area. Henderson Lake can be visited by taking the Tahawus Tract, with wild streams and bogs. It is recommended to take the Indian Pass Trail and move canoes on wheels since the short 0.3-mile hike that leads to the lake. Despite its location, the trails are accessible, and the few visitors who have canoed in the lake's waters have seen Santanoni Peak and Mount Colden.
Ticonderoga
Ticonderoga is known for its infamous fort, Fort Ticonderoga. The best time to visit is during the fall since the Living History Event 1775: British Prisoners of War is held on the 11th of November. The event walks through the history of the Revolutionary War and the role played by the town during that time. Americans claimed victory following the triumphant battle along the Richelieu River in the fall of 1775. The British war prisoners were kept at the fort, which has been renovated and made into a gallery commemorating the detainees and their families through guided tours and exhibitions. The Mount Defiance tours also provide a glimpse of the strategic locations of the war as it is located on a mountain that overlooks the fountains and all the possible locations of incoming troops. The Ticonderoga Museum exhibitions showcase collections of 18th-century military artifacts and warfare documents. The town is also an ideal destination because of its proximity to Lake Placid and Saratoga Springs. Lake Champlain is the perfect place to enjoy the evening if you're looking for a scenic sunset.
Indian Lake
Indian Lake is one of the less crowded towns in the Adirondacks and is home to Blue Lake Hamlet, where the Blue Lake Museum is located. The exhibit closes in winter, and it is generally advised to visit the area during the fall and spring when the weather is warm. The gallery has been open for 60 seasons and provides a comprehensive view of the history of Black Communities in the Adirondacks in the Adirondack Library Series featured in the gallery’s collections. The most recent additions are the indigenous language learning section and Wilderness Stories Introduction Theatre, which provides a review of the way of living adopted by the people who have experienced the rough terrain of the mountains. You can also visit part of the Adirondack Park while in this town. The museum gives a sneak peek of the park since it introduces it and covers the unique terrain and species that inhabit it.
Elizabethtown
Elizabethtown is the county seat of Essex County and is populated by almost 600 people. The small town is also home to the Adirondack History Museum. The Northway Exhibition guides visitors through the change in Adirondack residents after the construction of the Adirondack Northway. The exhibit also organized lectures that discussed the history of the Underground Railway and escape routes taken by slaves to escape slavery. Films and documentaries about establishing major routes and roads are displayed to understand the effects of transportation on Civil War developments. The town is also a great spot for a retreat due to the educational opportunities and its proximity to hiking trails in the Adirondack Park.
Unearthing History in the Adirondacks' Quaint Towns
Think twice if you plan to visit the Adirondacks to enjoy its rocky mountains and forests! There’s more to these unique mountains since they have claimed important spots in American History. These towns have a rich history and educational opportunities such as hikes, tours, and even railroad biking. Make sure you add these towns to your list to make the most out of your trip to the Adirondacks.
