9 Small Towns in The Adirondack Mountains to Visit for a Weekend Getaway
Nestled in Northeastern New York is a true gem for mountain lovers: the Adirondack Mountains. Containing more than 100 peaks and more than 200 lakes, the natural beauty of this region is unmatched in the US. Although New York is most well known for New York City as the travel destination, there are many small towns within the Adirondack Mountains that are perfect for a weekend getaway. There are more than 100 communities located within the mountain ranges, offering hiking, boating, shopping, and many other activities. Uncover nine small towns in the Adirondack Mountains to consider for your next weekend getaway.
Tupper Lake
This small town of just shy of 3,300 people is a fun place to go hiking by waterfalls, fish in the lake, or learn about local wildlife. Tupper Lake is famous for its stargazing opportunities. You can see the sky in all of its glory at the Adirondack Sky Center & Observatory or learn more about the wildlife in the area at The Wild Center.
Tupper Lake also has an art expo center called Tupper Arts, with many handmade crafts such as chairs made out of skis. Learn more about the history of the town by visiting the Tupper Lake History Museum. For lodging, consider The Enclave for cabin rentals.
Wilmington
In the Whiteface Region of the Adirondack Mountains, Wilmington is a fantastic place for skiing or hiking. It is home to Whiteface Mountain, a great spot for skiing the slopes or taking a ride on the gondola to the peak. You can also take a swim at the nearby Lake Everest Beach or visit Santa's Workshop, a theme park established in 1949 with a Christmas-themed village that is open both during the winter and summer.
For waterfall enthusiasts, check out High Falls Gorge, with more than 700 feet of waterfalls in the river. If you like to fish, there are plenty of Fly shops in town for fly fishing on the Ausable River. Stay at one of the Wilderness Inn Cabins or the Cadence Lodge at Whiteface for a relaxing weekend.
Long Lake
Named after a 14-mile lake, Long Lake has a small population of 374 people, but offers big experiences both on and off the water. Its beach boasts beautiful views of the nearby Seward Mountain Range, with slide and rope swings and a mini trampoline for fun activities. The waters in the lake itself are renowned for bass, walleye, and salmon. The Mt. Sabattis Recreation Area, named after Long Lake guide Mitchell Sabattis has hiking and mountain biking, along with courts for tennis and pickleball.
For lodging, consider the Blueberry Hill Motel or Adirondack Hotel On Long Lake. Long Lake is about 20 miles from Tupper Lake, so you can knock out two towns in one day.
North Creek
With just shy of 700 people, North Creek boasts a unique experience: railbiking. With Revolution Rail Co., you can ride on the railroad tracks through the mountains on railbikes along the Hudson River shoreline. Go for a gondola ride or hike Gore Mountain. Learn more about the rich history of this Adirondack town by visiting the historic North Creek Railway Depot Museum, originally built in 1871.
The Ski Bowl Park in the area offers skiing in the winter and mountain biking, tennis, baseball, and more during the winter. The area has many places to stay, such as Alpine Lodge or Gore Mountain Lodge.
Wells
Located in the southern section of the Adirondacks and close to Lake Algonquin, Wells is a fun small town to get away and recharge. It provides easier hiking trails, such as one that leads up to Augur Falls. Visitors can access the Silver Lake Wilderness area from Wells or explore the nearby ghost town of Griffin. There are numerous quaint restaurants and stores to check out in the town such as the Over Rock Cafe with a classic wood stove and the Wells Edge Country Store.
Wells is home to The Revival historic church, which is on the National Historic Register. For places to stay, Speculator and Lake Pleasant offer accommodations just up the road from Wells.
Lake Placid
Known as the Olympic Town for hosting the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics, the village of Lake Placid has many historic sites, hiking trails, and boat tours. The historic John Brown Farm is a great spot to visit both to learn about life in the 19th century and more about the famous abolitionist, who was executed in 1859 for his raid on Harper's Ferry. The Lake Placid Railroad Museum has a good deal of information about the village and the town of North Elba.
Lake Placid's best hiking trails include Ausable Chasm and High Falls Gorge, located between Lake Placid and Wilmington. Stagecoach Inn and Lake Placid Lodge are great spots to stay during your trip.
Lake George
Located in the southern section of the Adirondack Mountains, Lake George claims to be the original vacation destination, as it provides both thrilling and laid-back adventures for travelers. The Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course has aerial tree-top fun, while the Lake George Steamboat Company hosts relaxing boat cruises on the lake.
Go for a relaxing drive on Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway, with three overlooks. There are several hotels in town, as well as the Bayside Resort just outside of town.
Queensbury
While you are visiting Lake George, consider checking out nearby Queensbury. Located at the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains, this town of just over 27,000 people is a great spot for thrills. The West Mountain Ski Center, Warren County Bike Trail are great spots for skiing and biking. Gurney Lake Recreation Center in particular has more than 13 miles of mountain biking, while the VanDusen Preserve has great views at the top of West Mountain.
There are many museums in the area, such as the Old Fort House Museum. And for roller coaster lovers, Queensbury is home to Six Flags Great Escape.
Saranac Lake
Famous for its cure cottage architecture, Saranac Lake is a beautiful getaway town that boasts both historic sites and great hikes in equal measure. The lake had a history of treating tuberculosis patients, which you can learn about at the Saranac Laboratory Museum. Take a boat ride on the lake with Sail Adirondacks or hit the mountain trails at the Mt. Pisgah Recreation Center.
For the truly adventurous, visit the Adirondack Aviation Academy to take a flying lesson and see the mountains from the skies. Saranac Lake has many beautiful cottages and camps to stay at, such as Morenos Cottages.
New York has a reputation for the hustle and bustle of the big city, but that doesn't tell the true story. The Adirondack Mountains offer small-town hospitality, beautiful mountain views, picturesque lakes, outdoor adventures, and much more. By visiting this region, you can see multiple small towns at once, all of which have relaxing accommodations, hiking, and opportunities for adventure. The next time you find yourself in New York, consider staying at one of these beautiful small towns for a weekend getaway.
