7 of the Most Charming Towns in The Adirondack Mountains
One of the great beautiful landscapes in the US is tucked away in Upstate New York: the Adirondack Mountains. There are more than 100 peaks in this range, with the tallest being Mount Marcy at 5,343 feet. This relatively small mountain range has many charming small towns that offer great mountain views, small businesses, hiking trails and much more. Get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city by visiting seven charming small towns in the Adirondack Mountains.
Lake Placid
This small mountain town is filled with gorgeous views and significant history. In the middle of town rests Mirror Lake, a beautiful body of water that offers paddling, swimming, fishing, and hiking. But the real hiking attraction here is the 46 Peaks, which are just outside of town. By hiking up all 46 of these mountains, you can receive a 46er patch. Lake Placid is also a must-visit for lovers of sports history, as it was the home of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympic Games, which you can learn more about at the Lake Placid Olympic Center, which offers exhibits and memorabilia. You can also experience the thrill of the games yourself by taking a bobsled ride at the Olympic Sports Complex. Before you leave town, do not forget to check out some of the local businesses, including The Bookstore Plus and the Adirondack Trading Company.
Lake George
Known as the Original Vacation spot, Lake George is renowned for its many beautiful lakes in upstate New York and charming attractions. One such place is Glen Lake, a charming spot with calm waters for paddlers and anglers. There is also a restaurant called The Docksider right next to the launch site. Speaking of dinner, you can take a dinner cruise directly on Lake George itself. For other attractions in town, consider exploring the Fort William Henry Museum, Lake George Expedition Park, or The Festival Commons at Charles R. Wood Park. Lake George is a great place for shoppers, and there are two outlet malls in town: Factory Outlets of Lake George and Adirondack Outlet Mall.
Queensbury
Located in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains, Queensbury is a fun small town with great access to hiking trails and thrilling adventures for people of all ages and skills. The Gurney Lake Recreation Area offers 13 miles of mountain biking trails and 4 miles of gentler hiking trails. Other hiking spots include Rush Pond Trail, Meadowbrook Nature Preserve, and Hudson Pointe Nature Preserve. This charming town has plenty to do within the town limits as well, including a classic drive-in movie theater called Glen Drive-In and the Six Flags Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom. Queensbury is also close to several small towns, including Lake George, making this an ideal central location for your larger Adirondack journey.
Saranac Lake
No list of charming small towns in the Adirondack Mountains would be complete without mentioning Saranac Lake. This town is renowned for its cute cottage architecture and its connection to art in general. There are many art galleries in town, including the Adirondack Artists' Guild Gallery, NorthWind Fine Arts, and the Small Fortune Studio. Saranac Lake is proud of its natural wonders as well, such as the loon, a unique bird with a haunting call, which you can learn more about at the Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation. There are many ways to view the natural wonders in Saranac Lake, whether that is hiking at the Mt. Pisgah Recreation Center, renting a sailboat, or learning how to fly at the Adirondack Aviation flight school. This town is one of a kind.
Wells
Nestled in the southern portion of the Adirondacks is the overlooked gem: Wells. This small town of just over 570 people has a lot of charm, which is on full display in its quaint small businesses like The Wells Edge Country Store. For waterfall lovers, Wells should definitely be on your list of places to visit, as there are many scenic waterfalls in town. These include Austin Falls, East Jimmy Creek Falls, Griffin Falls, Tenant Creek Falls, and Auger Flats and Falls River Walk. In addition, the town is close to Oak Mountain, which provides snowboarding and skiing in the winter. If you want to get to know the locals, consider visiting the Revival, a former church converted into a meeting place for concerts and open mic nights.
Old Forge
Located in the Central Adirondacks, this small town of just over 570 people has plenty of things to do and places to explore. McCauley Mountain, located just outside of the town, provides skiing with 633-foot vertical drops along with mountain biking. You can also take a relaxing ride through the mountains on the Adirondack Railroad, which runs to Beaver River. The railroad also provides Railbikes so you can peddle your way across the old tracks yourself. Other attractions in town include the Enchanted Forest water park, which has over 50 rides, Calypso's Cove Family Fun Park, and the Strand Theatre, an Art Deco locale with a free museum inside. Speaking of the Beaver River, you can see it and its wildlife firsthand by taking a one-hour narrated cruise with the Norridgewock Tour Boat company.
Ticonderoga
When it comes to historic places to visit in New York, Ticonderoga is a must-see. Located between Lake George and Lake Champlain, this town's most famous destination is Fort Ticonderoga, an 18th-century fort that played a key role in the early days of the American War of Independence. You can either see the fort in person or hike up Mount Defiance to get a beautiful view of it and nearby Lake Champlain. Speaking of hiking, the La Chute River Trail will take you for three miles to the La Chute Waterfalls, along with a playground and fishing spots. This charming town also has a bit of a futuristic appeal since it hosts the CBS-licensed Star Trek Original Set Tour, which provides an accurate recreation of the sets for the show. Lastly, don't forget to check out some of the other historic sites in town, such as the Hancock House and Liberty Monument.
There's no place quite like the mountains to recharge. With its fresh air, beautiful sites, strenuous hikes, and crystal clear lakes, the Adirondacks are a vacationer's paradise with world-class small towns to showcase. These charming mountain towns provide quaint boutique shops and art galleries, fishing and boating destinations, and more. The next time you go to New York, don't just visit NYC; also consider some of the small towns in the Adirondack Mountains.
