11 Prettiest Towns In the Adirondack Mountains
With over 100 towns and villages, The Adirondack National Park is the second largest national park in the United States, Alaska being the first. With many state-supported campsites, resorts, and other tourist attractions, there is a lot to enjoy. There are many options for adventure. The views from mountain tops will steal your breath, while the lush forests will soothe your soul. These pretty, charming towns offer the best of the natural beauty, small-town charm, and historical intrigue this area of New York State is known for.
Lake Placid
Known as the "Olympic Village" of the Adirondacks, Lake Placid has hosted the Winter Olympics twice. Once in 1932 and more recently in 1980. While it may be popular for its winter activities, there is plenty to do in Lake Placid all year long. Enjoy spring and summer sports, including mountain biking, birding, boating, and golfing during the warmer months.
Take a scenic walk on the Mirror Lake Loop, a 2.7-mile walk around Mirror Lake. Or, take a scenic, gentle walk lined with plaques displaying the names and elevations of the Adirondack's 46 high peaks. The loop will take you down toward Mainstreet, where you can enjoy boutique shopping and diverse dining options. Stop by the Adirondack Trading Company to buy all of your souvenirs, from sportswear to pine soap, and you'll be sure to find something for everyone back home. Have a family meal at the Dancing Bears Restaurant or a sweet treat at the Bluesberry Bakery.
Wells
Known for its summer attractions, Wells is right on the NY-30, making it a no-brainer destination. The town offers plenty of opportunities for hiking, biking, camping, canoeing, kayaking, snowmobiling, and other outdoor sports. A relatively easy hike, Augur Falls, is a popular choice because of its beautiful waterfall. Other outdoor activities include exploring the interesting pieces at the Sacandaga River Sculpture Park and enjoying the beautiful views from the foothills of the Adirondack mountains. During the first week of August, Wells celebrates Old Home Day. A celebration of the town that includes a parade, a beauty contest, swim races, rides, games, exhibits, and food.
Lake George
One of the most popular attractions at Lake George is taking one of the several lake tours run by the Lake Geroge Steamboat Company. Enjoy Summer and Fall sightseeing cruises on one of three historic steamboats. Perfect for families with tight schedules and small children, the Minne-Ha-Ha is one of the last steam paddle wheel ships in America and does 6-hour long cruises every day and a Friday night Pirate Adventure Cruise. Take a family-friendly dinner cruise on the Mohican, the oldest continuously operated tour boat in America, which was launched in 1908. The 190-foot-long Lac du Saint Sacrement is the largest cruise ship on the inland waters in New York State and offers two-hour sightseeing lunch and dinner cruises and a Champagne Brunch cruise on Sundays.
On land, there are still plenty of things to do. Embark on a self-guided tour along the Adirondack Craft Beverage Trail, with over 20 breweries, wineries, and distilleries to choose from. For history lovers, check out Fort William Henry, which operated as a fort between 1755 and 1757 during the French and Indian War.
Lake Pleasant & Speculator
Within the town of Lake Pleasant, the village Speculator rests. Incorporated in 1925, the village is a bustling center for activities, including downhill skiing, mountain biking, tennis, swimming, and more. After WWI, Speculator became known worldwide when it became the training site for heavy-weight boxers. Boxing champions included Gene Tunney, Max Baer, and Max Chmelling all called Speculator their preferred training location. Speculator also has one of the most extensive signed mountain bike trails. The two loops, one being 13.7 miles long and the second 7.2 miles long, are well-marked and can be accessed from parking lots near the area.
As the name suggests, Lake Pleasant is a pleasant place to be. The roughly 9.6-mile lake has crystal-clear waters and makes for a picture-perfect picnic spot. A popular angler spot, Lake Pleasant has a robust population of rainbow and brown trout and smallmouth bass.
Ticonderoga
Situated by Lake Champlain and Lake George, Ticonderoga is well known for its history. The area has seen many battles during the French and Indian War and the American Revolutionary War. Visitors can take guided tours of the historic Fort Ticonderoga and Mount Defiance to learn about Ticonderoga's unique role in American history.
Drive along Lake George and Lake Champlain or the Lachut River Walk Trail. Visit the historic Hancock House, which is a replica of the Hancock Manor on Boston's Beacon Hill.
Wilmington
Just 20 minutes away from Lake Placid, Wilmington is home to Whiteface Mountain, one of the high peaks of the Adirondacks. The winter fun doesn't stop there, however. The North Pole is a magical community home to one of the first theme parks in America: Santa's Workshop, which has been delighting children and adults since 1949.
Enjoy charming Christmas lights, weekends with Santa, and classic park rides, shows, and shops. Santa's Workshop was Walt Disney's inspiration for his theme parks, and he even sent engineers to Santa's Village to learn how to create the same type of magical experience. As Santa's official home away from home, visitors can explore the official North Pole Post Office and send a letter from Santa to any child at Christmas time. Check out the Bake Shop for some Christmas cookies, and visit the reindeer at the reindeer barn. Of course, no visit to Santa's Workshop would be complete without visiting the toy shop, an interactive shop for children with toys, coloring activities, and slides.
Saranac Lake
Popular in the 1870s with wealthy New Yorkers looking to cure their tuberculosis, Lake Saranac still has "cure cottages" from this time lining the shores. The crisp mountain air, beautiful scenery, and walkable trails were thought to be the perfect cure for tuberculosis, which was a deadly disease at the time. With ornate stonework and original balconies, Saranac Lake is known for its historic and well-preserved architecture.
Home of the first tuberculosis laboratory in the country, which is now a museum, author Robert Louis Stevenson spent a year with his mother recovering from his bout of Tuberculosis here. The cottage where they lived, now called the "Robert Louis Stevenson Cottage," is now a museum and has been preserved, and still has all of its original furniture and decorations. The mantlepiece still has burns from where Stevenson left forgotten cigarettes. Non-tuberculosis activities include their annual winter carnival and ice fishing.
Old Forge
If you are visiting in the winter, be sure to dress warm, as Old Forge has recorded some of the lowest temperatures in New York State! Known as the "Adirondack Base Camp" and surrounded by crystal clear lakes and sprawling mountains, Old Forge has some of the most panoramic views. With popular snowmobiling, hiking, and camping spots, downhill and cross-country skiing daredevils will love the McCauley Mountain Ski Resort, which has a 633-foot drop and biking trails in the summer.
Be sure to stop by Moose River Farm, which offers year-round llama trekking for anyone eight and older. Grasse River Adventures offers visitors a true north country outdoor experience, with fishing, hiking, paddle boarding, and hunting tours.
Keeseville
Keeseville has a rich history and many historic buildings, including the Keeseville NY Stone Arch Bridge, one of the oldest stone arch bridges in the United States. This small community was established around 1812 and has 147 registered historic buildings and bridges.
While visiting, check out the North Star Underground Railroad Museum, which showcases the hidden history of the Champlain Line of the Underground Railroad and has moving exhibits and compelling stories of fugitive slaves who went through northeastern NY on their way to freedom in Canada.
A short way away lies Ausable Chasm, known as the "Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks," a privately owned sandstone gorge that is known for its views and beautiful waterfalls. With rock climbing, lantern tours, and tubing river tours, you can easily spend a day or two in Ausable Chasm, taking in the stunning sights and fun outdoor activities.
Schroon Lake
If you want to experience camping in the great outdoors in the Adirondacks, Schoon Lake is a great spot. Eagle Point Campgrounds and Pharaoh Lake Wilderness are both popular campgrounds. Eagle Point Campgrounds is a great campsite for families and is a manicured site. For experienced campers, Pharaoh Lake is an uncapped campground and is part of the Adirondack Forest Preserve.
Schroon Lake Town Beach is a public beach at the northern end, which features a roped-in swimming area and a shoreline great for picnics. Schroon Lake also has spots for fishing, boating, or paddling. The Schroon Lake Golf Course is perfect for all skill levels. Schoon Lake also has some incredible restaurants. Have a prime steak or fresh seafood at Trail Break at Schroon Lake, a rustic, cabin-like, locally-owned spot. After dinner, enjoy a night at the opera at the Seagle Festival, one of the oldest summer vocal training programs in the country. If opera is not your style, catch a movie at The Strand Theater, a local movie theatre with an Art Deco design.
Tupper Lake
Calling all stargazers, Tupper Lake has some of the most breathtaking night skies in the Northeast. Spend some time looking up at the stars at the Adirondack Sky Center and Observatory. Of course, there are also hiking trails here as well. Tupper Lake has great beginner-friendly hikes. The Tupper Lake Triad may not have the stunning views harder hikes with higher elevations have, but they are still incredibly beautiful.
Other enjoyable activities include visiting the Wild Center, a 115-acre outdoor space where visitors can get new perspectives about the ecological world of the Adirondacks. Including a tree-top trail called The World Walk, the Center also has live animals, a wide-screen theatre, guided walks, canoeing, and more. If you're feeling thirsty, enjoy a cold one at Raquette River Brewing, a popular local brewery that produces small-batch Adirondack Ales.
A Year-Round Haven for Outdoor Enthusiasts and Adventure Seekers
The Adirondack Mountains are some of the most naturally diverse spots in Northern New York State. With lakes big and small dotting the area, the Adirondacks are a nature lover's dream travel destination. Covering an area roughly 24,300 km2, The Adirondack region's peaks and valleys make it a popular adventure spot for outdoor lovers year-round.
With so many different towns with their diverse hikes, historical spots, and breathtaking views, the Adirondacks are a beautiful destination year-round. From skiing to swimming to enjoying a glass of wine or a pint lakeside or getting a glimpse of the past, these towns offer some of the best nature in the US with no shortage of activities.
