12 Nicest Small Towns In The Adirondack Mountains
The Adirondack Mountains are located in the northeastern corner of New York State. While most visitors flock to New York City and visit famous landmarks like Times Square or the Empire State Building, where they enjoy the modern amenities a big city has to offer, the Adirondack Mountains provide a contrast of natural landscapes consisting of 3,000 lakes and ponds, 2,000 scenic trails, and 46 mountain peaks over 4,000 feet in elevation.
The Adirondacks region sprawls over 6 million acres and is sparsely populated. It is the largest protected area in the contiguous United States—bigger than Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, and Glacier National Parks combined. The area provides ample opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking, paddling, camping, fishing, and skiing. From Lake Placid to Ticonderoga, discover 12 of the nicest towns in the Adirondack Mountains.
Lake Placid
Lake Placid gained international attention as the host of both the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympic Games. This legacy is commemorated at the Lake Placid Olympic Museum which holds North America’s second largest Winter Olympic artifact collection. Lake Placid is accessible year-round. Hire a paddleboard in the summer and spend an afternoon on Mirror Lake, located in the center of town and known for its reflective water.
Alternatively, when the lake freezes over in winter, dog sleds cruise over the snow-covered ice, cross-country skiers make trails across the lake, and even hockey games take place. The Lake Placid Toboggan Chute is in full swing during the winter months. This converted ski jump stands 30 feet tall and sends riders 1,000 feet across the frozen surface of Mirror Lake.
Lake George
Lake George is situated on the shores of the lake with which it shares its name. Lake George has earned the reputation of America’s “Original Vacation Spot” due to renowned outdoorsman William H. H. Murray’s books: “Adventures in the Wilderness,” which inspired people to create their own adventures in the Adirondacks. Prospect Mountain is one of the most popular hikes in Lake George, with the trailhead conveniently located in town. The steep and challenging trail rewards hikers with a panoramic view of Lake George and the surrounding Adirondacks.
Fort William Henry Historic Fortress and Museum is an authentic reconstruction of the original 1755 British fortress. The site is known for the 1757 siege during the French and Indian War. Visitors today can enjoy guided tours, musket and cannon demonstrations, and interactive exhibits that show what life was like for 18th-century soldiers. For a more relaxing time in Lake George, spend an afternoon at Million Dollar Beach, which has picnic areas with grills, opportunities for swimming, and a public boat launch.
Saranac Lake
Saranac Lake is the largest town in the Adirondacks with a population of just under 5,000. Its unique history is well documented at the Saranac Laboratory Museum, which features exhibits on local history, science, and tuberculosis patient treatment due to the town’s past as a care center. For a family day out, William Morris Park is a popular choice for families with young children who enjoy the playpark and riding the Adirondack Carousel, which is conveniently located within the park.
The trailhead for one of the best peaks in the Adirondacks is located in Saranac Lake. Baker Mountain is a nice, moderate hike for new climbers to prepare them for tackling one of the famed 46 High Peaks. The quick ascent on Baker Mountain makes it great for hiking solo or with the whole family.
Speculator
Speculator is situated on the shores of Lake Pleasant and is known for its year-round outdoor activities, from hiking and paddling in the summer to skiing at Oak Mountain in the winter. It is located a half-mile from the town of Speculator and features terrain to accommodate skiers of every level, whether they want to learn the basics at Oak Mountain ski and snowboard school, or put their skills to the test on one of the 22 trails they have.
For a fun, family activity in Speculator, visit Mini Route 66, a collection of tiny buildings no bigger than 98 square feet that has been inspired by its famous counterpart. The buildings include a barbershop, general store, and schoolhouse. The Sacandaga River Walk is a trail that leads through woods and wetlands, signposted with pictures of the area’s plant life. Picnic tables and a small dock for kayaks and canoes are located at the end of the trail.
Long Lake
Long Lake is known for the 14-mile-long lake of the same name, which the town sits beside. It is also known for its year-round events. Throughout the summer, Long Lake Town Beach hosts a variety of family-friendly events, as well as other amenities such as swimming docks and watercraft rentals. The Long Lake Winter Carnival is a one-day festival held every year in mid-January at the Mt. Sabattis Recreation Center. It features ice sculpture carving demonstrations, live music, and a fireworks display.
Buttermilk Falls are located on the south end of Long Lake. Because the hike to the falls is so short, it is perfect for the whole family, regardless of age and fitness level. The sound of water rushing over the falls can be heard from the parking lot. There are also picnic benches and swimming areas directly below the falls.
Ticonderoga
Ticonderoga is located at the confluence of Lake George and Lake Champlain. It is an ideal location for those who love lakes, mountains, and historic landmarks. Ticonderoga played a significant role in the United States’ military history, an aspect that is still seen throughout the town today. History buffs can visit Fort Ticonderoga, which is located on the outskirts of town. This historic fort was the site of many battles during two major wars: the French and Indian War and again during the Revolutionary War. It holds a collection of military material, offers guided tours, and features rotating and permanent exhibits.
Ticonderoga is not without its access to the outdoors. Bicentennial Park is located in town and is a great site for picnics and ball games. It even has a small boat launch for access to the La Chute River. La Chute Falls are also viewable from Bicentennial Park. If you follow the river upstream, you can view different waterfalls and interpretive signage providing information on the area.
North Creek
North Creek is situated on the banks of the Hudson River and is perhaps best known as a year-round outdoor recreation hub, mainly due to its close proximity to Gore Mountain, New York’s largest ski resort. In the summer months, locals and visitors alike can enjoy 14 miles of hiking trails of varying difficulty and downhill mountain biking. Winter guests at Gore Mountain can enjoy 108 trails spread across four different peaks and accessible via 14 lifts.
The town of North Creek is not without its charm. Over 700 volunteers transformed a 180-foot stretch of concrete wall with tile and glass to create the North Creek Mosaic Project—one of the largest pieces of public art in the region. The North Creek Depot Museum is housed in a 1872 railroad station that has remained almost unchanged since its construction. The museum offers group tours and alternating exhibits.
Tupper Lake
Tupper Lake is known as “The Crossroads” of the Adirondacks due to its central location in the region. It also boasts some of the darkest skies in the northeast that make for perfect stargazing. No trip to Tupper Lake is complete without a visit to the Adirondack Sky Center and Observatory which has public observing events year-round where the roll-off roof opens and allows for optimal viewing.
Tupper Lake is home to the Wild Center, which is regarded as a top attraction in the Adirondacks. A full day can be spent exploring the 54,000-square-foot indoor space, live animal exhibits, and elevated walkway in the treetops. Tupper Arts is a two-story art gallery featuring artwork from regional artists and offering classes for children and adults in a variety of mediums.
Inlet
Inlet is a small town located on the eastern end of the Fourth Lake of Fulton’s Chain Lakes. Visit Arrowhead Park to enjoy the Fourth Lake, which has a pier for docking watercrafts and a sandy public beach allowing water access. The park is used frequently in the summer to enjoy sunsets, picnics, and swimming.
Inlet is close to the quick but steep hike in the Rocky Mountains. The trail is well-marked and regularly frequented, providing a summit view of Fourth Lake and Inlet. Stay at The Woods Inn, a restored historic waterfront inn originally constructed in 1894. It boasts a blend of old-world charm and modern comfort with on-site dining, pet-friendly accommodations, and lakefront access.
Old Forge
Old Forge is regarded as the “Adirondack Base Camp” and is surrounded on all sides by almost 200 lakes. Old Forge is home to Enchanted Forest Water Safari, New York’s largest water theme park. The park includes over 50 rides, 33 of which are heated outdoor water rides, making for a fun day for the whole family.
McCauley Mountain Ski Center provides even more fun for the whole family, with 21 different slopes accommodating skiers of every level. However, McCauley Mountain isn’t limited to just the winter. It is also open in the summer and fall months, and the chair lift offers visitors a view of Fulton Chain Lakes, and on a clear day, both Whiteface Mountain and Mount Marcy are on the horizon.
View Arts Center is for residents and visitors to experience art in many ways by participating in classes, workshops, and exhibitions.
Malone
Malone is a historic village in Franklin County known for the Victorian architecture lining its streets. To learn more about its history, visit the Almanzo Wilder Homestead, which aims to educate people about rural life in northern New York from 1840 to 1875. The museum features a collection of period artifacts, farm tools, and information about the Wilders.
Malone is a great place to visit year-round, with visitors and residents enjoying time with the whole family in the springtime. William A. King Memorial Park is nestled in the heart of town and offers walking trails, picnic areas, and scenic views. In the winter, Titus Mountain Family Ski Center boasts short lift lines and uncrowded slopes with the option of both day and night skiing.
Saratoga Springs
Saratoga Springs is known as a hub for thoroughbred horse racing and no visit to Saratoga Springs should be without a stop at Saratoga Race Course, the oldest organized sporting venue of any kind in the country. It has retained its history throughout the years, with one of the most unique features of the is that horses walk through the crowd to get to the paddock for their races.
Congress Park is open year-round and offers different activities for every season. Multiple fountains, ponds, and gardens make Congress Park an ideal picnic spot in the summer months. Kids love to ride the Congress Park Carousel, a historic wooden carousel consisting of 28 carved horses with real horse hair in their tails. In the winter, Congress Park is used for snowshoeing due to its easy and navigable terrain.
The Adirondacks Await
The Adirondacks have something for everyone, for every season, whether that be relaxing in a public park, enjoying a day out on the lake, or hitting the ski slopes in the winter. Between the Olympic heritage found at Lake Placid, the abundance of ski trails in North Creek’s Gore Mountain, and the opportunities for hiking in Lake George, these towns in the Adirondacks will keep you coming back for more.
