7 Offbeat Towns In The Adirondack Mountains To Visit In 2025
The Adirondack Mountains in Upstate New York are undeniably beautiful. This region has everything you need for a peaceful retreat: sweeping mountain views that change colors in the fall, waterfalls, and charming historic towns. If you want to blend unusual, quirky attractions into your next trip to the Adirondacks, be sure to check out these small towns. From hidden lounges in an old 1920s Ford Model T factory in Upper Jay to a year-round Christmas-themed amusement park in Wilmington, the Adirondack Mountains are full of surprises!
Saranac Lake
Saranac Lake, located in upstate New York, lies not far from Lake Champlain. This sleepy community, with its delightful city streets shadowed by the mountains within Adirondack Park, is the perfect spot for a little urban exploring and nature retreats. You can get to know Saranac Lake better by visiting the historic Saranac Laboratory Museum or simply taking a ride on the vintage Adirondack Carousel. While it’s a beautiful town to visit in the fall when the leaves change, the best time to visit is actually in the winter.
What makes Saranac Lake unique is its annual Winter Carnival and Ice Palace. The festival is held every February and is one of the oldest winter festivals in the US, dating back to the late 1800s. It’s a great time to socialize with the community during the harsh winter through fun events and even better food. But the real attraction at the festival is the Ice Palace! Residents harvest ice blocks from Lake Flower every year to build a castle-like palace that glows at night.
Ticonderoga
Not too far from the Vermont border is Ticonderoga. At first glance, Ticonderoga is your average Adirondack retreat. The historical village hosts lovely attractions like King's Garden at Fort Ticonderoga, which is one of the oldest cultivated landscapes in the country. You can also learn a little more about the deep history of Ticonderoga by visiting Fort Ticonderoga, a fort built by the French that played a crucial role in the American Revolutionary War.
When you’re ready to explore sites off-planet, the Star Trek Original Series Set Tour is a must-see for Trekkies. The immersive experience recreates sets from the original series, like the bridge, sickbay, and transporter room, and recently added the Galileo shuttlecraft (the real prop from the series). The site has attracted fans—and even cast members—from the series who travel to Ticonderoga to experience this one-of-a-kind tour.
Blue Mountain Lake
For the true Adirondack experience, look no further than Blue Mountain Lake. Think of it as a summer camp for adults (and kids, too!). The best time to visit Blue Mountain Lake is in the summer when the Adirondack Experience opens for business! Situated on almost 120 acres on the shores of Blue Mountain Lake, this open-air experience has over 20 buildings that offer classes and interactive exhibits of the area's rich history. You can also go for a hike at Minnow Pond or climb the ADK fire tower for a better view.
If you can’t make it to Blue Mountain Lake in the summer, the fall is just as exciting! While the changing leaves are just part of its appeal, it’s also when the community hosts the annual Rustic Furniture Fair. It’s a great place to admire rustic furniture pieces from artisans who come from all over the country! And if one particular piece catches your eye, it is also available for purchase.
Long Lake
With a population of just under 1,000, Long Lake is a hidden gem nestled along the calming shores of Long Lake, which connects to the Raquette River. Mountains and water views are not in short supply in Long Lake, with peaceful retreats like Owl’s Head Mountain Trailhead and Lake Eaton Campground. One of the best places to visit in Long Lake is the historic Adirondack Hotel, which opened in the 1850s and provides amazing waterfront views in the heart of town.
While Long Lake may be famous for its waterside attractions, the best time to visit is during the Long Lake Winter Carnival, held every January. No matter the weather, be it snow, cold, or the occasional January rain, the carnival always takes place! The tight-knit community comes together in the bleakness of January to engage in live music, ice sculptures, and the family-friendly event of the Cardboard Sled Races.
Tupper Lake
Settled along the shoreline of Raquette Pond, Tupper Lake is a nature lover’s paradise. Whether you’re watching the sunset at Tupper Lake Waterfront Park or grabbing a brew at the cozy Raquette River Brewing, there are so many opportunities to take in the breathtaking views at Tupper Lake. But for the ultimate nature experience in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains, Tupper Lake takes things to the next level at The Wild Center.
The Wild Center is part natural history museum, part outdoor playground. The sprawling 115-acre campus is dedicated to educating its guests about the local wildlife of the Adirondack Mountains. However, it’s so much more than an outdoor natural history museum! The center also includes the Wild Walk, which takes you to the top of a four-story treehouse, over swinging bridges, and by a human-sized spider web.
Wilmington
The small city of Wilmington lies in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains. It’s a beautiful community with natural wonders found in the untouched Adirondack Wildlife Refuge and Rehab Center, and Flume Falls, a popular swimming hole with scenic waterfalls. In the summer, you can work on your tan at Wilmington Beach. However, if you’re in the mood for winter-themed activities (even in the summer), Wilmington has you covered.
Northwest of central Wilmington is something a little out of the ordinary: Santa's Workshop. This winter-themed amusement park is open year-round, and it is one of the oldest continuously operating theme parks in the country. It’s so special that it even inspired Walt Disney! He loved it so much that he sent his engineers to use Santa’s Workshop as inspiration for parts of Disneyland. The park, which is entirely Christmas-themed, offers vintage rides, live reindeer, and the adorable Santa Claus Memory Lane.
Upper Jay
With a population of just under 300 residents, Upper Jay is a secluded, untouched hidden gem that feels like stepping back in time. Upper Jay has some amazing hiking trails and nearby parks, like the Three Sisters Preserve and High Falls Gorge. It’s a great place to take in the fresh air and explore the beautiful scenery of the Adirondack Mountains. However, the best part about Upper Jay isn’t the scenery, but the unexpected surprises downtown.
Central Upper Jay has charming spots like Adirondack Mountain Coffee Cafe—but nothing tops the quirky Recovery Lounge. While most of Upper Jay feels like a sleepy, historic village, Recovery Lounge is quite the eclectic space. Inside the repurposed 1920s Ford Model T factory, you’ll find creaky wooden floorboards, mismatched vintage sofas and lounge chairs, and dim mood lighting that sets the stage for indie bands, theater productions, and community events.
Offbeat Adirondack Escapes You’ll Never Forget
When you need to retreat to the mountains in 2025, skip the touristy hubs. These small communities offer so much more than picturesque views (though they have those, too). From the Star Trek Original Series Set Tour in Ticonderoga to exploring a real ice castle in Saranac Lake, these offbeat Adirondack escapes are anything but ordinary. You can celebrate Christmas in the middle of July in Wilmington, or climb a four-story treehouse in Tupper Lake. So, pack a bag and get ready to experience Upstate New York’s offbeat side!
