7 Gorgeous Adirondack Mountains Towns To Visit In 2023
The year 2023 may be approaching its end, but there is still time to create memorable travel memories before 2024 arrives. To make the most of the remainder of 2023, look no further than the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York. The Adirondacks region is a great year-round destination but is perhaps at its most spectacular through the autumn and into the winter holidays. Late year in the Adirondacks means unsurpassed fall foliage, fun community festivals, and the arrival of snow on the mountains. Check out our list of seven gorgeous Adirondacks towns that definitely deserve spots on your end-of-2023 travel list.
Au Sable Forks
The village of Au Sable Forks once thrived due to paper mills that were powered by the fast-running water of the Au Sable River, which passes through the Au Sable Chasm on its path into Lake Champlain. While this natural setting was great for industry in earlier times, it now makes Au Sable Forks one of the most picturesque tourist destinations in the Adirondacks. Explore the chasm’s trails to unlock amazing views of the forests, waterfalls, and cliffsides, no matter the season. Then, head into town for a walking tour of downtown Au Sable Forks, passing by impressive structures like the Graves Mansion that speak to the wealth gained from the paper industry.
Lake Placid
The name Lake Placid conjures up images of winter excitement due largely to the town’s role as host of the Winter Olympics in both 1932 and 1980. Not surprisingly, for an Olympics host, Lake Placid still has world-class winter sports venues and ski slopes that draw visitors in large numbers once the snow starts falling. However, even if you are not a skier or ice skater, head to Lake Placid to explore the Olympic Center’s great exhibits on memorable events like the 1980 “Miracle on Ice.” Also, be sure to check out the scenery surrounding the town’s four lakes (Mirror, East, West, and Placid), which change with the seasons but are always captivating.
Paul Smiths
One of the largest college campuses in the world resides in the little Adirondacks village of Paul Smiths, which was named for a wilderness resort hotel owner from the early twentieth century. Paul Smith’s College has only about 1,000 students but has a massive 14,000-acre campus, most of it forested and/or situated along the shoreline of St. Regis Lake. Walking the campus is an Adirondacks highlight any time of year. Start at the college’s Visitors Interpretive Center to begin your exploration of roughly 25 miles of trails that twist and turn throughout the campus’s natural landscape. Even if peak fall foliage has passed, the sight of the first snowfall of the season is mesmerizing!
Queensbury
Queensbury is a lovely community nestled between Lake George and the Hudson River in the southeastern Adirondacks. The town’s biggest summertime attraction, the Six Flags Great Escape amusement park, stays open on fall weekends until the end of October for “Fright Fest” and “Kids Boo Fest.” Queensbury’s other big tourist draw, West Mountain Ski Area, opens (weather permitting) at the beginning of December. But Queensbury is still a great place to visit in November! The charming downtown area is always buzzing with students from SUNY Adirondack, the local university. And, when you get a nice autumn weather day, be sure to take a ride on the Warren County Bike Path to uncover spectacular vistas of Lake George.
Saranac Lake
Located less than 10 miles west of Lake Placid, Saranac Lake is definitely in the running for the title of loveliest town in the Adirondacks. With four nearby lakes (Lake Flower and Upper, Middle, and Lower Saranac Lakes) providing steady breezes of fresh air, it is no wonder that Saranac Lake became a health destination in the late 1800s for those seeking relief from diseases like tuberculosis. Many of the grand homes and resorts from that period remain, giving Saranac Lake a timeless look and feel. While walking through town is a feast for the eyes, you can get an even greater view by hiking the 5-mile Ampersand Mountain Trail to an elevation of over 3,000 feet.
Saratoga Springs
The town of Saratoga Springs is home to Saratoga Race Course, the oldest sporting venue in active use in the United States. While the horse racing season at Saratoga typically runs from July to early September, there are still plenty of reasons to visit Saratoga Springs later in the year. Even if you are not a history buff, start your visit at the Battle of Saratoga Historical Park to learn about the critical 1777 battle during the American Revolution. Then, spend some time strolling and shopping in town, making sure to take note of the many historic buildings that remain from the town’s mid-1800s heyday as a health resort due to its mineral springs.
Ticonderoga
Fort Ticonderoga, which was controlled by the French, British, and Americans at different points in its history, sat at one of the most strategic locations in eastern North America. This spot, along the Lachute River in the small gap between Lake Champlain and Lake George, also happens to be one of the most picturesque locations in the Adirondacks. Take time to tour the historic fort, which offers a corn maze and apple picking in the fall, then head into the town of Ticonderoga to enjoy its many charms. While you are there, be sure to take some pictures at the classic (and romantic) covered bridge known as the Ticonderoga “Kissing” Bridge.
The Adirondacks region is a prime travel destination for late 2023, early 2024, and really any time you can make it there. The stunning natural beauty, charming small towns, and great year-round attractions bring around 12 million visitors each year to the Adirondacks. Treat the seven gorgeous towns we have listed here as only a starting point. Plan out a scenic road trip or two and explore the region to discover some towns to add to your own personal list of Adirondacks gems!
