8 Most Quaint Small Towns In The Adirondack Mountains
From the tip of Mount Marcy, an eagle would spy a panorama of over 100 other nearly-as-impressive peaks. The Adirondacks massif covers 20% of New York State. Established as protected parkland in 1895, the ‘Dacks have over 200 named lakes and a seemingly infinite number of pools, lakes, and other bodies of water that resist definition. Get away from the crowds this fall and escape to a carefully winnowed list of the Adirondacks’ quaintest small-town destinations.
Saranac Lake
On an Adirondack trip, one is definitely going to hear some loons. Visit Saranac Lake’s Center for Loon Conservation to learn about the marsh bird. The context will enhance the experience of their haunting calls echoing across the lakes. The Saranac Laboratory Museum is an essential destination for science-history nerds. The Museum is open year-round, closed on Sundays and Mondays. The town’s website features a handy guide to trails, museums, and activities that are also wheelchair accessible. Also, strap on some waders for a 3-hour river walking tour with some experienced locals.
Warrensburg
The Warrensburg area has been a hit with kids for years as it’s the location of a well-known sleepaway camp. After dropping the kids off at the camp, spend a few quiet nights in town. Warrensburg’s population of just under 4,000 finds solace in the views from Hackensack Mountain. Admire the scenery while perambulating the loops of the well-maintained Hackensack trail. The Hudson River Recreation Area has horseback riding and wheelchair-accessible campsites. Visit Oscar’s Adirondack Smokehouse and discover what that great smell has been wafting through the mountain air all this time.
Ticonderoga
Ticonderoga is well-known to die-hard Trekkies who venture to the census-designated area to tour the sets of Star Trek: The Original Series. History is frozen at Fort Ticonderoga, where centuries-old weapons are fired. Watch them from atop Mount Defiance for a General’s view of a nation being shaped. Ticonderoga’s 3,500 residents enjoy the riverside trails of Bicentennial Park. Sugar and Spice Country Shoppe has the gift one needs to bring Ticonderoga back to friends and family. Architecture tourists are drawn to the town’s Colonial Revival historic replica of Thomas Hancock’s house. Thomas Hancock was the founding father John Hancock’s uncle.
Jay
Jay gets a lot of drive-by attention from leaf-watchers. It is the home of the Adirondack’s only covered bridge. See the surrounding beauty that has convinced Jay’s over 2,500 residents to take their respective coats off and stay a while. Just upstream from the bridge is the Jay Falls, where the Ausable River sings its foamy song. Visit the Jay Craft Center to admire and take home some world-class pottery. Plan to catch a show at the Amos & Julia Ward Theater, where the Jay Entertainment and Music Society (JEMS) programs year-round delights.
Tupper Lake
Escape to the stars at Tupper Lake, population 3,200. The Adirondack Sky Center is an observatory with a host of planned events throughout the year. Raquete River Outfitters makes enjoying an Adirondack lake easy. The company rents out canoes, kayaks, and paddle boats. Guides are available for anyone who wants an experienced paddler with them. Shuttles to and from the lake can be arranged. Tupper Lake’s The Wild Center used to be known locally as the National History Museum of the Adirondacks. Arriving at Tupper Lake’s sublime beauty will make anyone want to learn more about it.
Westport
The front edifice of The Inn in Westport, a town along the shores of Lake Champlain, welcomes visitors with a Norman Rockwell painting come to life. Westport’s 1,200 residents value art, good food, and the natural beauty that has blessed them. The beautiful Ballard Park changes with the seasons as a garden and concert venue in the summer becomes a skating rink in the winter. Check the park’s website for special events. The Gables Inn Mountain Dog Restaurant & Pub is the greasy breakfast one needs after recovering from a night of drinks at the same place. The Depot Theater serves up a professional live theater experience in an 1876 train station.
Lake George
The over 3,400 who call Lake George home love Halloween. The House of Frankenstein Wax Museum is open year-round. The Adirondack chair was invented to enjoy places like Shepherd Park. Lake George has four spots to score the perfect outlet find: The Adirondack Outlet Mall, French Mountain Commons, Log Jam Outlets, and The Outlets at Lake George. Take an aquatic Fall foliage tour with the Lake George Steamboat Company. Before leaving town, enjoy the panoramic view from atop Prospect Mountain. The Fort William Henry Museum is a popular draw for history buffs but closes as the mercury drops for the year.
Lake Placid
The beauty of Lake Placid can be previewed from the car window: three separate roadside waterfalls herald one’s entrance into the town of 2,200. Paddling in Lake Placid is as peaceful an experience as the town’s name suggests. Adrenaline-soaked white-water excursions are available in Spring as melting snow moves through the Adirondacks. After the show of peeking Fall foliage on Mirror Lake goes away, the venue becomes a pond hockey arena. For all hiking, rafting, or adventure needs in general, Lake Placid’s Outdoor Outfitters has the equipment and expertise to ensure a safe trip.
The Adirondacks were inhabited for thousands of years before European settlers arrived. While cruising through the above checklist, consider patronizing Native American businesses and selecting Native American products whenever possible. Help keep New York state beautiful by leaving no trace at campsites. Be sure to check for food packaging when leaving a picnic table. Consider filling out questionnaires and surveys at tourist info spots so small towns can know how their visitors feel.
