8 Fairy-Tale Small Towns In The Adirondack Mountains

Located entirely in New York, the Adirondack Mountains offer majestic lakes, valleys, cliffs, and peaks. Adirondack Park is the largest publicly protected area in the contiguous U.S, offering various opportunities for adventure, culture, history, and beautiful views. Enjoy every bit of the Adirondack Mountains and surrounding areas in these eight fairy tale towns.

Saranac Lake

Less than one mile of vertical climbing will take enthusiastic tourists to some of the most incredible views in town. Hike up Baker Mountain for panoramic views of Saranac Lake, Lake Flower, and the High Peaks. Start the hike at Moody Pond, or add an extra mile of relaxing hiking to the journey by starting at Berkely Green. Historical and literary fans will appreciate visiting The Robert Louis Stevenson Cottage Museum for a different kind of relaxing venture. The famed Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the author of Treasure Island, once resided in Saranac Lake, and today the museum honors his legacy. Although he only lived in town for six months, his impact has lasted a lifetime. The preserved collection of Stevenson’s personal belongings and related material is owned and operated by the Stevenson Society of America and is the world's first site dedicated to Stevenson. Take a spin on the Adirondack Carousel for a unique attraction involving art, history, and entertainment. The classic carnival ride features 25 animals, all hand-carved by artists selected for their skills, sophistication, characteristics, and quality. The animal choices are meant to resemble an animal found in Adirondack Park.

Lake George

Start your stay in Lake George with a beach day. Shepard Park Beach provides 350 feet of sandy shoreline for visitors to relax and bask in the sun or partake in a swim, in no other than Lake George. An amphitheater and outdoor stage for live music and other entertainment are on the beach. Another enticing site found on the shore of Lake George is the Fort William Henry Museum. History comes to life during fort tours in which guides take visitors through fort life, including the realities of war, tales of bravery, strategy, and surviving, all during the French and Indian War. For an extra exciting history remake, don’t miss the musket and cannon demonstrations! For a final eccentric tourist trap, walk through the haunted halls of the House of Frankenstein Wax Museum. Take a self-guided tour through the mass of monsters living in the house: some move, some talk, and some even scream. Be prepared for whatever they throw at you because once you ascend the stairs, there’s no turning back.

Wilmington

Explore all the beauty the mountains have to offer in the town of Wilmington. Start your hike through the Adirondacks with a thirty-minute stroll to one of the most majestic views provided in town. The High Falls Gorge features four waterfalls cascading into a deep mountain crevice. Traverse the bridges, glass floor, and groomed path to bring yourself close enough to the falls to feel the mist on your face. Bring yourself even further into the depths of the mountains with a drive up Veterans’ Memorial Highway. The historic stretch of road is the only highway to the top of Whiteface Mountain. The eight-mile jaunt will take you to Whiteface Castle at the top, built out of local stone, featuring a diner and souvenir shop. Adventurers who prefer to view the mountains from below can spend the afternoon at Wilmington Town Beach. The sandy beach sits on the shores of Lake Everest and provides a panoramic view of the Adirondack Mountains range. Relax on the beach, paddleboard the lake, or hike the nearby path to explore everything this park offers.

Tupper Lake

Get wild in Tupper Lake at The Wild Center. The 115-acre park is intended for people and nature to coexist through exploration. Indoor and outdoor exhibits provide countless hours of entertainment for visitors. Head outdoors and hike woodland trails, canoe through the river on the grounds, or explore the famed Wild Walk. Afterwards, go inside where films, live shows, and animals await you to enjoy. If you haven’t gotten all you thought you could have at The Wild Center and still need more nature, lace up your boots for a hike to Coney Mountain Summit. Featuring a 360-degree view from the top, the enchanting sites include Tupper Lake and Horseshoe Lake Wild Forest. For the thrill seekers, save your hike for dark for some immaculate stargazing. Tupper Lake is known for its dark skies and celestial views. If you’re going to be in the town of Tupper Lake, you might as well spend some time at its namesake body of water. Tupper Lake Waterfront Park offers fishing, boating, grilling, activity courts, and a unique Wild Center Waterfront Exhibit feature. The center extending to the lake includes interpretive signs and interactive stations explaining Tupper Lake's logging and railroad industry heritage. Learn about the history of log rolling and climbing like a true lumberjack.

Ticonderoga

Rich in history and heritage, the small town of Ticonderoga has military roots that visitors are welcome to explore and immerse themselves in. Witness historical reenactments of army marches, encampments, and dramatic battles on the 2000 acres of America’s most historic landscape. Built on the shores of Lake Champlain and tucked between the Adirondack Mountains and the Green Mountains, Fort Ticonderoga has become a major cultural destination, museum, historic site, and learning center. To get an aerial view of the military compound, venture up Mount Defiance. The summit of the 840-foot-high hill is accessible by car or on foot, and features cannons overlooking the fort. Check out the Ticonderoga Heritage Museum for a final historical stop in Ticonderoga. The museum features the town's industrial history and includes exhibits related to Ticonderoga Pulp & Paper Company, International Paper Company, American Graphite Company, and Delaware & Hudson Railroad.

Warrensburg

Before exploring Warrensburg, learn all about the quiet, mountain town between the Schroon and Hudson Rivers. The Warrensburgh Museum of Local History tells the town’s story dating from prehistoric times through today, with exhibits related to geology, industry, community life, and local traditions. Although the ’h’ has been dropped from the town name, the museum contains documents from the original spelling. After some extensive learning, opt for the outdoors at Hackensack Mountain. Rising 1,357 feet above sea level, this smaller-scale mountain is known for its contributions to architecture more than anything. Many of the old buildings in the historic district have been built with rock quarried on the hill. Three trails intersect for 3.5 miles of hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. For a last destination in this alpine village, the Hudson River Recreation Area allows its visitors to enjoy themselves by swimming, boating, hiking, horseback riding, and more.

Glens Falls

For a spiritual and holistic journey, lose yourself in the tranquility of the Adirondack Salt Cave. Massages, cupping, and Reiki are just a few of the services offered, or spend some time in the salt cave. The Himalayan Salt environment incorporates sights, sounds, lighting, and textures to provide a calm, relaxing, and rejuvenating experience. Test out multiple Halotherapy systems to find out which one best serves you. For countless hours of experience, spend time at Crandall Park. Amenities are available for all ages, including volleyball and tennis courts, a playground, exercise equipment, a disc golf course, and more. The park also houses monumental tributes like The Peace and Victory Monument and the Korean Veterans Memorial. Both historical monuments are dedicated to local soldiers who lost their lives during the war. For more historical anecdotes, history buffs will be pleased with a stop at the Chapman Museum. The museum shares the stories of the people who have lived and worked, raised families, attended school, and thrived in this town. Each story is unique and fascinating, but also connects the experience of locals to visitors.

Lake Placid

Home of the first Winter Olympics in North America, Lake Placid has become synonymous with extreme winter activity. Learn about the 1932 and 1980 Olympics at the Lake Placid Olympic Museum. Exhibits range from getting the torch to Lake Placid, the first Lake Placid Olympics, what it takes to be an Olympian, art from the games, and more. After learning about the Olympic history, visit the spot where the games were held—the Olympic Jumping Complex. Although amateur skiers are prohibited from partaking in the sky jumping, tourists can go zip-lining and ride the Skyride Experience. A gondola takes viewers from the base of the sky to the top of the 128-meter jump, offering views of Lake Placid and the Adirondack Mountains. For those looking to spend some time away from the Olympic Village, visit the John Brown Farm State Historic Site. Hiking, tours, and reenactments are offered at the home of the famed abolitionist. Brown’s grave site is also located on the property. The attraction also features an exhibit titled "Dreaming of Timbuctoo," and shares the story of Timbuctoo, a farming community created by local abolitionist Gerrit Smith for Black families to migrate to the Adirondacks and homestead.

Most people think of New York, and they think of New York City. The lights, traffic, restaurants, and hustle and bustle make The Big Apple the big attraction. But hidden in the depths of the state are quaint, charming, majestic mountain towns. Lakeside retreats, hilltop views, and historical monuments are just a few of the timeless attractions in these eight fairy tale towns in the Adirondack Mountains.