10 of the Most Welcoming Towns in The Adirondack Mountains

The Adirondack Mountains in New York represent some of the most picturesque scenery in the Eastern portion of the United States. The small towns in this region offer a variety of attractions, including outdoor pursuits, historical landmarks, plenty of shopping, dining, and opportunities to kick back and unwind in friendly communities with inviting atmospheres. Here is a list of 10 of the Most Welcoming Towns in The Adirondack Mountains. 

Hope

Located within Hamilton County, New York, along the eastern region of the Adirondacks, the small town of Hope experienced growth in its early years. However, over time, the population dwindled as the economy changed. Hope’s population remains low to this day, and as a result, this welcoming town upholds a sense of a small-town community where everyone cares for each other.

The great outdoors welcome visitors, especially since forest lands have overtaken the abandoned places in Hope, morphing from former roadways into inviting hiking trails with views of lakes and waterfalls. Hope enjoys a low crime rate and offers all the amenities guests look for in an inviting small town, such as shopping, dining, and cultural attractions.

Long Lake

Centrally located within Hamilton County, New York, the welcoming small town of Long Lake in the Adirondacks extends a warm community charm in a family-oriented place. With plenty of affordable lodging in the region, including hotels, motels, and cabins, Long Lake has something for everyone while offering year-round outdoor activities.

Locals welcome you to enjoy birding, boating, camping, hiking, and golfing, to name a few, while enjoying the unmatched scenery surrounding the area. Known for its panorama of lakes, forests, and trails, Long Lake is a prime locale to visit for outdoor enthusiasts, and the locals welcome visitors to enjoy the splendor of their small town within the Adirondacks along with them.

Keeseville

Keeseville, New York, spans both Clinton and Essex Counties and is a 35-minute drive from the Canadian Border. This attractive small town enjoys a population of 2,500 people and welcomes visitors to participate in all that Keeseville offers.

One of the main attractions in this region is the breathtaking Ausible Canyon, known as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks, and folks can participate in year-round, family-friendly activities. Kayaking, tubing, and rafting are available at Ausible Canyon, as well as hiking and guided tours. Locals welcome guests in the heart of town to enjoy their brewery, food trucks, and live entertainment. Keeseville is also in proximity to the State Wildlife Management Area.

Saranac Lake

National Geographic magazine declared Saranac Lake “One of the Best Places to Live," which is no wonder why. Offering year-round access to a variety of outdoor fun, this charming Adirondack Town welcomes visitors with open arms, offering breathtaking views of the Adirondack Mountains as you climb to the summit of Ampersand Mountain or enjoy the downtown area full of shops, hotels, and eateries. Whatever your taste for adventure, Saranac offers something for everyone.

Reputed to have a laid-back atmosphere, visitors will enjoy the inviting mood of this historic town while visiting such locations as the Saranac Lake Laboratory Museum, which was once a research laboratory for tuberculosis but is now an interesting place to visit to learn about its history. Each season offers its own brand of fun in Saranac Lake, and according to the time of year, visitors can enjoy fishing, hiking, skiing, boating, and tours focusing on the colorful foliage in the Fall. Visiting the Adirondack Carousel will be a treat for all ages. Located in the region’s William Morris Park, the Adirondack Carousel consists of 24 native animals carved in a vintage style, offering an unforgettable experience for all ages. Saranac Lake also provides guided fishing, hunting, and hiking tours.

Queensbury

Queensbury, New York, is partially located within the boundaries of the Adirondack Park, the country’s first Forever Wild nature preserve consisting of 6 million acres of untouched wilderness. It offers a variety of attractions to welcome visitors, ranging from skiing in the wintertime on nearby West Mountain to spend a fun-filled day at the Six Flag Great Escape Amusement Park in the summertime.

Queensbury also offers golfing, shopping, and eateries in a relaxed atmosphere surrounded by mountain views. Visitors will be welcome to enjoy a sample of locally made spirits at the Springbrook Hollow Farms, produced with local ingredients. Queensbury also offers uniquely themed restaurants such as the Silo Restaurant and Country Store and The Log Jam Restaurant, and roller-skating at The Fun Spot! making this a welcoming destination within the beautiful Adirondack Mountains.

Bolton Landing, New York

Located in Upstate New York, Bolton Landing has been welcoming visitors to this charming town in the Adirondack mountains for years. Creative writers, artists, and musicians have been attracted to Bolton Landing since the late 1700s, and today, Bolton Landing still offers an attractive atmosphere for anyone wishing to escape to a quiet, laid-back getaway.

Bolton Landing enjoys waterfront panoramas from nearby Lake George and historic architecture. Still, if that’s not enough to lure you in, this welcoming community also proudly boasts a variety of lakefront activities, such as watercraft rentals, fishing charters, and marinas. Visitors will also enjoy a ride on the lake aboard a steamboat or larger boats offering tours of Lake George.

Wilmington

Tucked between the West Branch of the Ausable River and best known for its Fall Foliage, Wilmington, New York, is the most welcoming small town in the Adirondacks. Visitors who seek to enjoy the splendor of the autumnal seasons, where the variety of fall colors is at the peak of their transition in this stunning Adirondack region, will not be disappointed when they visit here.

This locale is also very popular with tourists in the winter months as it is home to Whiteface Mountain, the site of the 1980 Olympic Downhill Ski races. What makes Wilmington even more welcoming, especially to nature lovers, is the fact that 62% of the town of Wilmington is State Forest Preserve, affording a distinction of rugged and wild beauty where visitors can enjoy skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling in the winter months and hiking, swimming, and mountain biking in the summer months. Wilmington also offers guided tours via a smartphone application, offering interactive and informative excursions around town for those who wish to explore the locale at their own pace.

Saratoga, New York

Historically noted as a health and wellness locale due to its abundant mineral springs, Saratoga, New York, has grown into so much more over the years. It is a welcoming place for visitors to enjoy within the Adirondack Mountains region. These days, Saratoga prides itself as a cultural hub, offering choice entertainment in venues such as the Universal Preservation Hall, originally built to be a Methodist Church in 1871. It is a prestigious center for the arts venue with state-of-the-art lighting and sound, making it a must-see for visitors.

Saratoga is also bestowed with the distinction of being the location for the Battle of Saratoga, and history buffs will enjoy a visit to the Battle of Saratoga Historical Park during their stay here. Congress Park is Saratoga’s best-known mineral spring, flowing year-round with carbon-dioxide-rich waters full of important minerals. Visitors will feel at home as they relax and unwind in this welcoming locale within the Adirondacks.

Glens Falls

Glens Falls is a welcoming destination within the Adirondacks for visitors who enjoy culture and the arts. There are various attractions, including performing arts, musicals, rodeos, dance, and more. Glens Falls also has a drive-in theater if you’re looking for more relaxing activities.

A bright spot on the map for families is the World Awareness Children’s Museum, located in Glens Falls, where their mandate is to share and exchange the visions of children from all over the globe to introduce children to the diversity of our world. Glens Falls also offers a variety of eateries, a theatre festival, and unique locations such as Cooper’s Cave Overlook, which was made famous by the novel The Last of the Mohicans by author Finamore Cooper.

Plattsburgh, New York

Having been involved in three wars in its lifetime, the town of Plattsburgh is a rare gem within the Adirondacks. It welcomes visitors to embrace its rich contribution to the history of the United States. The Battle of Plattsburgh during the War of 1812 represents three wars here. Situated on Lake Champlain, just 35 miles from the Canadian Border, Plattsburgh also enjoys a unique flare due to the bilingual signage in use here, reflecting its ties to French/Canadian neighbors. Plattsburgh proudly offers a wealth of cultural attractions and shops to welcome visitors and various restaurants and galleries.

The Plattsburgh City Hall is a valued architectural building, designed by architect John Russell Pope, who also designed The National Archives building as well as Washington D.C.’s Jefferson Hall. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy Plattsburgh on foot or bicycle, offering plenty of trails that welcome guests to reap the benefits of the great outdoors in such locales as the Trail and Riverwalk Park. Also, each year, Plattsburgh hosts a bass fishing tournament and offers a variety of water activities on Lake Champlain, including fishing, boating, sailing, windsurfing, and scuba diving.

 Discover the Heart of the Adirondacks

The Adirondacks are a prized region for their natural beauty, made all the more attractive by the small towns that welcome visitors year-round to enjoy the region's splendor. Whether it is outdoor adventures such as fishing, hiking, or boating on the region lakes such as Lake George, or dining, shopping, and taking in a little history at such places as the location of the Battles of Plattsburgh, the Adirondacks offer welcoming attractions in laid-back hideaways making this memorable locale within the eastern portion of the United States well worth visiting.