5 of the Quirkiest Towns in The Adirondack Mountains
Located in Northeastern New York, the Adirondack Mountains are famous for their stunning natural scenery. The small towns of the Adirondacks have a unique charm and some quirky attractions. Towns like Ticonderoga offer unique historic landmarks such as the Kissing Bridge. Other towns have unique festivities. Wilmington has its own North Pole, and Speculator has an annual Maple Fest. These are only a few of the quirky attractions in these mountain towns. Here, we will explore the quirkiest towns in the Adirondack Mountains and what they offer.
Tupper Lake
Tupper Lake in autumn, located in the Adirondack Mountains of New York.
Another quirky town in the Adirondack Mountains is Tupper Lake. Known for its open skies and maple syrup, the town is a paradise for stargazers. The high elevation and minimal light pollution from neighboring cities make for perfect views of the night sky. The Adirondack Sky Center and Observatory in town is the perfect spot to enjoy some starry views. They have high-powered telescopes to look through and amateur astronomers who give short talks at the center.
Those who would rather check out the town during the day should head over to the Wild Center at Tupper Lake. You get to learn about the surrounding natural area and even discover how to make maple syrup. Outside there is the unique opportunity to experience a tree-top view of the Adirondacks on the Wild Walk, a series of tall bridges. There are tree houses and wildlife to spot along the way.
Tupper Lake also has an opportunity for hikers to participate in a quirky challenge, the Tupper Lake Hiking Triad. The challenge is family-friendly and suitable for hikers of all levels. For the challenge, hikers take on three peaks: Mount Arab, Coney Mountain, and Goodman Mountain. The reward is stunning panoramic views.
Ticonderoga
Ticonderoga is another town known for its unique outdoor experiences. Here you will find the LaChute River Walk Trail. This is the trail that connects Lake George to Lake Champlain and goes about four miles into town. Starting at the Ticonderoga Heritage Museum, the trail shows off some of the town's history. Some interesting landmarks easily spotted from the trail include the past pulp mill grindstones, the historic restored Frazier Bridge and the Richards Dam.
Another historical monument you can see off the trail is Fort Ticonderoga. Built by the French, the Fort dates back to the 18th century. While today it offers stunning views of Lake Champlain, the fort has a history as more than a picturesque spot. Fort Ticonderoga was a strategic point for the French and Americans because of its convenient port access.
Near Fort Ticonderoga is another iconic landmark in town, the Kissing Bridge. The romantic spot is a steel bridge near the Falls of Clarion overlooking Ticonderoga Creek—the perfect place to stop with your lover and a quirky but iconic town landmark.
Saranac Lake
If you are looking for a mountain town for history buffs, Saranac Lake is your place. The beautiful town has unique landmarks, making for a quirky historic road trip. One of the town's landmarks, the Historic Saranac Lake Museum is part of the History s' Peaks Adirondack Museum challenge in the High Peaks region. The challenge is to visit six cultural heritage sites and get your museum card stamped. When you complete the challenge, you can purchase a historic patch or sticker to commemorate your experience.
The museum is fantastic to visit on its own since it elaborates on Saranac Lake's history as a tuberculosis treatment destination. There are local history, science, and patient care exhibits featured at the museum.
Beyond the museum, Saranac Lake has other interesting historic landmarks. One is the Robert Louis Stevenson Cottage. Robert Louis was a Scottish novelist, essayist, poet, and travel writer. The cottage is the home where the author stayed with his mother while he was recovering from illness. Today, the cottage still has all the original furniture and décor.
Another historic landmark to visit is the Bartok Cabin. This is where Hungarian composer Béla Bartók spent the last summer of his life. He wrote two pieces while at the cabin: his Third Piano Concerto and Viola Concerto. Tours of the cabin are available by appointment.
Speculator
Speculator is a charming town with endless opportunities for outdoor recreational activity. The tiny town has around 400 residents and is north of the 2,966-foot Speculator Mountain. With such a small town, it's no wonder there is some quirkiness.
Ordinary activities, such as hiking, mountain biking, skiing, and camping, are popular in the area. In the winter, snowmobiling is one of the top activities, and there are 750 trails to explore. The summer is the perfect time to explore the thousands of acres of pristine forest. A strange spot to stop at on your adventures is the Kunjamuk Cave. This is a mysterious 15-foot-deep cave that makes people question if it was manmade or not.
In the spring, Speculator hosts its own Maple Fest, celebrating all things maple. The fest starts with a pancake breakfast at the local Inn and moves into craft fairs, Irish Road bowling, Pond Skimming, and tours of local sugar shacks. Anyone with a sweet tooth should put attending the fest on their bucket list.
Wilmington
Located just 20 minutes from the famous Lake Placid, Wilmington is a wilderness wonder. The town is close to Whiteface Mountain and is the perfect place to stay for skiing, snowboarding, hiking, or mountain biking adventures on the mountain. In town, there are also opportunities for an outdoor adventure. There is a 22-acre privately owned nature park called High Falls Gorge. The park has hiking trails for all hikers. A unique feature of the trail is that the primary path leads travelers to a wooden bridge fixed to the side of the gorge cliff face. On the gorge, the brave can try out one of the two glass floor walkways. The walkways go above the gorge, showing the roaring waters and amazing views from below.
Besides the natural scenery, Wilmington attracts visitors because it hosts its own North Pole. The quirky festivities happen annually from June to December. There is a Santa's Workshop, live reindeer, elves, and storybook characters. Whether you are young or old, the festivities are sure to bring out cheerfulness in everyone with their quirkiness.
Uncover the Charm of Adirondack's Quirkiest Towns
These small towns all have unique attractions and quirks, making for a memorable vacation spot. If you are planning a trip to the mountains this year, there are no better destinations than these towns. Whether you are looking to explore the surrounding nature of the mountains or want to experience a charming town, these quirky Adirondack Mountain towns are sure to bring a smile to your face.
