8 Main Streets Where The Adirondack Mountains Comes Alive
The Adirondack Park, the largest protected area in the contiguous US, draws millions each year not only for its four-season recreation and mountain scenery, but also for the main streets that give its towns their character. Lake Placid is rich in Winter Olympic History, and its Main Street pays homage to that through the Lake Placid Olympic Museum. Ticonderoga's Montcalm Street embraces its proximity to the La Chute River through trails and events along the water. There is even a Courthouse Gallery located inside the historic Old Warren County Courthouse Complex in Lake George. All of this and more is awaiting you along these 8 main streets in the Adirondacks.
Saranac Lake
Main Street is one of the more historic streets in Saranac Lake, which was first settled in 1819 by Europeans when Jacob Moody built his house. Main Street looks much different today from what it did then, with the addition of many establishments dedicated to the arts, like the Waterhole Music Lounge, a multi-tiered outdoor music venue which stands out for its “Party on the Patio” series, a free outdoor concert held every Thursday night from May to October.
NorthWind Fine Arts is but one of many art galleries in Saranac Lake, showcasing art in a variety of media, from acrylic, oil, and watercolor paintings to jewelry and nature photography.
As Main Street bends east on its intersection with Broadway, the Charles Dickert Memorial Wildlife Museum appears. It contains a collection of over 100 taxidermized animals native to the Adirondacks, a library, and access to genealogy resources.
Lake Placid
Multiple buildings on Lake Placid’s Main Street incorporate a Neo-Classical style as they were designed by local architect Floyd Brewster, a member of a Lake Placid pioneer family. But Lake Placid’s real claim to fame was hosting the Winter Olympics in 1932, and then again in 1980.
The Lake Placid Olympic Museum is housed inside the Lake Placid Olympic Center, which was built in 1932. The museum celebrates Lake Placid’s Winter Olympic legacy, showcasing collections of Olympic artifacts like torches, pins, uniforms, equipment, and more.
Directly access Mirror Lake from Main Street at Mid’s Park, a year-round green space with views of Mirror Lake and the surrounding mountains. Step back in time to Emma’s Lake Placid Creamery, a 50s-style ice cream parlor with four soft-serve flavors, including their signature maple crème.
Ticonderoga
Montcalm Street is the primary downtown corridor in historic Ticonderoga, running perpendicular to the La Chute River. Historically, the development of the village has been dictated by the river’s steep topography and its depression.
Bicentennial Park on Montcalm Street fronts the La Chute River. The park is popular year-round with visitors following trails along the water, accessing a small boat launch, and enjoying picnics. In winter, the park is popular amongst snowshoers and cross-country skiers.
Heading west on Montcalm Street, you will reach Ticonderoga Arts, which exhibits and sells art in a variety of mediums that include painting, photography, pottery, wood, textiles, printmaking, sculpture, and jewelry. The Hancock House, a replica of Thomas Hancock's former Beacon Hill home in Boston, displays a collection of furniture and objects from the 18th and 19th centuries.
Lake George
Canada Street is the busiest and most central street in Lake George, where there are several historic buildings, like the Old Warren County Courthouse Complex. The Courthouse Gallery is housed inside the complex, accessible from the side entrance of the courthouse. The gallery showcases six to eight exhibitions yearly from regional and national artists.
Shepard’s Park is adjacent to the courthouse complex that grants direct access to 350 feet of sandy beach frontage that is the perfect setting for swimming, picnicking, and taking in excellent views.
Fort William Henry is an interactive history museum that brings the French and Indian War to life through live demonstrations and reenactments. This former British-occupied fort is filled with exhibits containing weapons like muskets and cannons, and details of the lives of soldiers.
Tupper Lake
Although Tupper Lake has two downtowns because in 1940, the original village of Tupper Lake and the village of Faust formed to create the Tupper Lake of today, Park Street is where the bustle of downtown is centered. To learn more of Tupper Lake’s history, visit the Tupper Lake History Museum, which narrates Tupper Lake’s early history, the fire of 1899, and the subsequent town’s rebuilding, and the lumber and logging industries from the town’s past.
Reandeau’s Swiss Kitchen is the go-to breakfast spot in town, standing out for its warm and friendly atmosphere and the generous portions of traditional American classics like blueberry pancakes. Alternatively, visit the historic Adirondack State Theater that first opened its doors in 1914 and still operates to this day.
Speculator
While it does not have a traditional main street, New York State Route 30 passes through the main business district in town. The centerpiece of Speculator is the Speculator Department Store on the corner of Route 30 and Route 8. It is one of the oldest continually operating businesses in town, first opening its door in 1949, selling a wide range of Adirondack souvenirs such as prints, artwork, and pottery, as well as a quality selection of outdoor wear.
The Judy Nelson Art Gallery displays oil, watercolor, and pastel paintings, which mainly depict local lakes, streams, and mountains. The Village Social Diner is in the center of town and close to popular snowmobile trails, although it is open year-round. They are open for breakfast and lunch, which is favored by locals and residents alike.
Long Lake
Long Lake may be small, but Main Street has a lot of life and variety to it. The Long Lake Town Beach is centrally located in the middle of this small Adirondack town, where you can swim out into the middle of Long Lake and take in views of the Seward Mountain Range in front of you. The beach has two swimming docks, watercraft rentals, a gazebo, and public restrooms. It also has restaurants within walking distance, like the Waypoint Café.
The Waypoint Café is directly across from the beach, serving breakfast items and light bites like coffee, pastries, quiche, and avocado toast. Farther down Main Street, Hoss’s Country Corner has been in business as an authentic general store since the early 1900s. Many items are available, such as hand crafts, souvenirs, and even summer foods like sliders, hot dogs, and ice creams.
North Creek
North Creek began as a logging camp in the early 19th century, but it has since turned into a four-season resort town. Main Street is lined with many antique shops and country stores, showcasing North Creek’s history and artistry. Main Street stands out with the North Creek Mosaic Project, a large-scale art project that saw a 180-foot stretch of plain concrete wall transformed into a massive public art piece, depicting mosaic bears, people tubing down the Hudson River, and skiers.
For unique merchandise and Adirondack-themed gifts, the Hudson River Trading Company has you covered. The store’s theme revolves around Lodge and Camp, but it is mixed with items supplied by antique dealers. The Barking Spider is a full-service bar on Main Street that pairs classic handheld items like burgers, wraps, and quesadillas with a wide beer and cocktail selection.
For the communities of the Adirondack Mountains, main streets are the cultural focal points, shaped by the surrounding landscape. For many, the Adirondack Mountains are a gateway to outdoor activities like hiking, swimming, and skiing. The best main streets in the Adirondacks often incorporate their natural surroundings into their bustling downtown areas, like Lake George, which has Shepard Park directly on Main Street for accessing the lake, as well as popular establishments downtown. The 8 main streets on this list highlight the best of the Adirondack Mountains.
