6 Best Towns In The Adirondack Mountains To Visit In 2024

For generations, tourists have flocked to the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York to experience its beautiful landscape of mountains, forests, lakes, and more. The Adirondacks region is a great year-round destination, with lots of charming small towns and abundant outdoor activities no matter the season. If you are thinking of heading to the Adirondacks in 2024, check out our list of six great towns that should be on your travel list.

Au Sable Forks

Historic Graves Mansion on College Street in Au Sable, New York. Editorial credit: John Arehart / Shutterstock.com

The village of Au Sable Forks sits along the fast-charging Au Sable River, which rushes through the beautiful Au Sable Chasm on the way to the calmer waters of Lake Champlain. Tourists come throughout the year to explore the chasm’s trails and discover fantastic vistas of the forests, waterfalls, and cliffsides. Downtown Au Sable Forks, with landmarks like the opulent Graves Mansion, is also great for a walking tour any time of year. Consider coming to Au Sable Forks (or any other Adirondacks town) on April 8, 2024, for a near-total view of the upcoming solar eclipse.

Lake Placid

The village of Lake Placid hosted the Winter Olympics in both 1932 and 1980 and has a great collection of world-class winter sports venues and ski slopes. But, no matter the time of year, you can soak up the winter sports experience by checking out the exhibits and activities at Lake Placid’s fantastic Olympic Center. Also, the town is home to not one but four lakes, offering changing seasonal views and activities. If you prefer warm weather sports, come to cheer on (or join) the competitors in the Lake Placid Marathon (June 9, 2024) or Ironman Triathlon (July 21, 2024).

Saranac Lake

Saranac Lake lacks the name recognition of its neighbor, Lake Placid (10 miles to the east), but has a strong claim as the prettiest little town in the Adirondacks. The natural beauty, clean air, and cool breezes off of four nearby lakes made Saranac Lake a health destination for the well-to-do in the late 1800s, and many beautiful homes and resorts from that era remain. Visit in early February 2024 to experience the town’s famous Winter Carnival, or come any time of year to hike the 5-mile Ampersand Mountain Trail and get a magical overview of Saranac Lake and its surroundings.

Queensbury

The town of Queensbury, situated between Lake George and the Hudson River in the southeastern Adirondacks, has big tourist draws throughout 2024 and every year. From late spring through early fall, the Six Flags Great Escape amusement park is a major attraction, while West Mountain Ski Area takes on the mantle from winter into early spring. In between, during autumn, Queensbury offers unparalleled fall foliage views along the Warren County Bike Path. The presence of SUNY Adirondack also gives downtown Queensbury a nice boost of energy during the school year.

Saratoga Springs

Saratoga Race Course, the oldest active sporting venue in the United States, brings crowds to Saratoga Springs during the horse racing season that runs from July into September. In addition to horse racing, Saratoga Springs is known as the site of a key 1777 face-off during the American Revolution, an event commemorated at the Battle of Saratoga Historical Park. For visitors more interested in music than either horses or history, Saratoga Springs hosts its Jazz Festival (June 29-30, 2024) and nearby Lake George holds its Music Festival (August 11-22, 2024).

Ticonderoga

British, French, and American forces spent decades battling over control of Fort Ticonderoga, which sits at a strategic spot along the Lachute River between Lake Champlain and Lake George. Fortunately, 2024 visitors to the historic fort can peacefully observe battle re-enactments in March, July, and September or calmer activities like apple picking and a corn maze in autumn. Beyond the fort, Ticonderoga has a nice downtown area and many spots that offer great views. One of the most famous (and romantic) views comes from the classic wooden bridge known as the Ticonderoga “Kissing Bridge.”

11 Ideal Destinations For A 3-Day Weekend In The Adirondack MountainsIn addition to its natural wonders, visitors can also explore a handful of charming small towns within the region, each offering unique places to shop and dine. With so many things to do and places to explore, the Adirondack Mountains are an ideal destination for a three-day getaway.

Approximately 12 million visitors come to the Adirondacks each year, drawn by the region’s natural beauty, convenient location, and reputation for all-season fun. If and when you join those millions of visitors in 2024, use our guide of six great towns as a starting point for your exploration. Give yourself time to tour the region and uncover even more small towns to add to your own personal list of Adirondacks gems!

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