8 Coolest Small Towns in the Adirondack Mountains for a Summer Vacation
The Adirondack Park, with its world-renowned range of mountains, was created in 1892 by the state of New York and covers over six million acres, which is nearly three times the size of Yellowstone National Park. This largest park in the contiguous United States covers one-fifth of the Empire State; it is free to enter, while the small towns welcome tourists to set off on the adventures of a lifetime.
The Adirondacks encompass over 2,800 lakes and ponds and over 1,500 miles of rivers. Visit one of these coolest towns in the Adirondacks this summer for endless lake fun, pristine forest hikes, conquering peaks, and camping under the stars. Each town unique from anywhere else in the nation will imprint on your mind with cool attractions and natural wonders all around.
Keeseville, New York
Another town minutes from Ausable Chasm, Keeseville is a hidden gem of the Adirondacks, which makes it perfect for a scenically tranquil summer vacation. The picturesque hamlet near the prized natural possession is full of attractions and a drinking scene like no other for post-hike, rafting, tubing, or rock climbing. Stop by the Ausable Brewing Company, a small brewery and one of Upstate New York's best. Enjoy a cold brew day or evening, along with food trucks and live music outside during the summer. The Mossbrook Roots Flower Farm is a must-visit for a scenic walk through its beautiful landscape.
Spend a day wondering around Adirondack View Vineyard and Lavender Field, comprising a 13-acre farm spread and vineyards with tastings and stunning views. Mace Chasm Pottery festoons local art works like beautiful ceramic pottery, where you can find unique decor to buy and display a truly one-of-a-kind piece at home. Get souvenirs for others from Adirondack Baer Antiques and some freshly made yogurt and cheese from the North Country Creamery to enjoy upon your return. The scenic Port Kent Ferry trip to Vermont from town is worth extending your vacation by a day or two.
Lake George, New York
Lake George is a cool town synonymous with chill outdoor activities surrounding its eponymous "Queen of American Lakes." The town's iconic dinner cruises, vibrant festivals, whitewater rafting, and ziplining make Lake George the most sought-after destination during the summer. Less than an hour's drive from Ticonderoga and 3 hours to New York City, you will be surprised by the competitive edge this little village has in comparison to other Adirondack mountain destinations, with everything it offers like cool camping at one of the 186 Lake George Islands, where 154 of them allow overnights.
The town with the narrow oligotrophic lake is located at the southern base of the Adirondack Park, stretching into the upper Great Appalachian Valley. Share a bottle of red on a romantic cruise at sunset, enjoy a tubing adventure with your family, or visit the Adirondack Adventure Center for ziplining above the trees. Aside from the 32-mile-long, 3-mile-wide center of attention, seek out cool in-town attractions that offer the same beachy vibes, like mom-and-pops, evening entertainment, and unique shopping opportunities.
Long Lake, New York
Much like its name suggests, the lake with a cool, quint town along its shores is an endless summer destination for water pursuits and lakeside recreation for 14 miles, like world-class fishing, dining cruises, and seaplane tours. Take a scenic hike to the beautiful Buttermilk Falls along the Raquette River, perfect for a picnic with mist in your face, sunbathing, and occasional dips. The lake brims with largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and northern pike, so bring your rod and reel and your own dinner to cook over an open fire as you watch the sun setting into the water.
Choose an atmospheric stay at a rustic lakeside cabin or the famed Adirondack Hotel from the 1850s, across the beach and close to everything. Venture into town for antiques and quirky local shops, like Hoss's or the Adirondack Trading Post!, cute cafes, and visit the Adirondack Museum. Adrenaline junkies love the half-hour tour over the Adirondack High Peaks with Helms Aero Service for the panoramic views of mountains and lakes wound around the earth's curvature.
Saranac Lake, New York
The scenic heart of the Adirondacks, Saranac Lake, is a little picturesque American town on the shore of the beautiful Lake Flower. This summer destination for adventurous souls sits amid six mountains, dubbed the Saranac 6. Hike to climb them all and become an official "Saranac Sixer." The nearby Saranac River is a paddler's paradise, flowing into Flower Lake and the Saranac Lakes around it, broken down into an upper, middle, and lower portion. The town is a true heaven for water lovers and sunbathers to sprawl on a bank of their choice.
Follow the locals and soak in your own healing combination of fresh mountain air, pristine glacial lakes, and some vitamin D. Once a wellness community for those suffering with tuberculosis, Saranac Lake still has some of the "cure cottages" from the late 1800s. The rejuvenating getaway today with a cute downtown core is full of feel-good pursuits like retail therapy, spas, and fresh food options for anyone to get the "four-season natural beauty" that suits their style. Come back in winter for the over 120-year-long-running Winter Carnival, renowned for the massive Ice Palace on the shore of Lake Flower.
Speculator, New York
The charming town of Speculator rests picturesquely along the north foothills of the 2,966-foot mountain. Speculator Mount is among the Adirondacks' best for hikes and climbing, while the family-friendly town awaits the tired venturers with a lovely downtown for strolls, cafes, and friendly hosts for a good night's rest. Enjoy seasonal recreational opportunities this summer, like a mountain biking adventure through the rolling hills and hikes along the gorgeous forest trails.
Spend some quiet time in town, amid the slower-paced lifestyle of the locals, all while keeping an eye out for the Speculator. You can also camp out at the local Moffitt Beach, right in the middle of the Adirondack wilderness area, and utilize the Oak Mountain Ski Center any time of the year. The nearby Mini Route 66 is a really cool must-visit attraction while in this small New York town.
Ticonderoga, New York
Ticonderoga is a cool and historically significant hamlet in New York, with a namesake fort attraction, picturesque scenery, and other landmarks. The town at the meeting point of Lake George and Lake Champlain is a hidden gem that is a dream for summer vacationers looking to sunbathe and enjoy the waters among sights in peaceful tranquility. Enjoy strolls along the beautiful downtown Ticonderoga, which has been essentially a "big living history museum" since it was erected by the French in the 18th century.
The fort served strategically as an access point for the French and Americans, with a port and views of Lake Champlain. See American military history reenacted at the fort today, along with museum tours and educational activities. Families and teens love the massive corn maze that requires trivial knowledge to get out, while space enthusiasts enjoy a set tour of the Original Star Trek Series. Chase waterfalls like the Falls of the La Chute with a kayak or paddleboard, and take a sunset cruise around the lake with some farm-to-fork cuisine on board.
Blue Mountain Lake, New York
The cool village of Blue Mountain Lake, named after the High Peak, Blue Mountain, sits chill at an elevation of 3,579 feet as one of the more affluent communities in the Adirondacks and Indian Lake regions. Blue Mountain Lake, just 15 minutes from the downtown of Indian Lake, is a summer destination for outdoor attractions in the Adirondacks. Enjoy boating, camping, fishing, and hiking around the village, with high marks for a wondrous view of the surrounding alpine vistas.
Spend a day at the emerald Blue Mountain Forest, with pleasant shaded spots for a picnic like the historic Fire Observation Station overlooking the Blue Mountain Lake. Over 15,000 active travelers take on the summit trail over Blue Mountain to Long Lake. The cool town is strewn with art and opportunities to enjoy street music locally and year-round live musical performances at the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts. Stop by the town's museum, Adirondack Experience, which has 40,000 square feet of exhibitions on landscape, logging, mining, and history.
Au Sable Forks, New York
The town, as cool as its name, is an epic destination for your next summer's outdoor adventures with Adirondacks scenery. At the confluence of the east and west branches of the Ausable River, Su Dable Forks is an angler’s paradise, with plentiful brown and rainbow trout in the rivers. The star of the set, the scenic Ausable Chasm Park with the chasm, is a regional destination in itself. With the moniker "Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks," the Ausable Chasm is a joy for hikers, sightseers, photographers, and simple people on a city respite into enjoying relaxation over a picnic at the rim of one of the state's natural treasures.
Explore Ausable Chasm on a river raft tour, where the sheer cliffs of eons of earth history will encompass you on the coolest adventure of a lifetime. The park is open year round; return in winter for a truly magical experience in picturesque wonderland. Meanwhile, choose an adventure package at the park's center; from scaling the chasm to a walking tour with landmarks or the mysterious nighttime lantern tour, you will see the cool Elephants Head, Rainbow Falls, and Hyde’s Cave.
Visit one of these coolest towns this summer, and you will be in the midst of mountains, rolling hills, lakes, wetlands, ponds, and streams. Some towns sit at over 3,000 feet above sea level for a real alpine feel and natural appeal, while forty-three peaks rise above 4,000 feet.
Choose one of the lake towns to enjoy the cool summertime waters like the mighty Lake Champlain and many others, along with rivers that also aid in the region's thriving agriculture. Few know that the preserved forests you will hike through for some shade actually help filter and provide clean water for communities like the Big Apple. Take care of the Adirondacks while you are there for ecotourism.
