8 Most Relaxing Towns In The Adirondack Mountains

In the Adirondack region of New York State, relaxing comes naturally. Lake Placid features a walkable downtown and a public swimming beach within the same few blocks, so there's no need to sit in traffic or hunt for a parking spot. In Old Forge, a boardwalk-style dock traces the western shore of Old Forge Pond. And Saranac Lake's Main Street puts you steps from both a wildlife museum and an artists' gallery to round out the cultural offerings. Pair these attractions and amenities with fresh mountain air, and feel the grind slow to a halt.

Lake Placid

Lake Placid has become one of the top vacation destinations in the Adirondacks, and its easily walkable downtown center has a lot to do with it. Visitors can access virtually everything they need within a single block. You can grab a coffee and a hearty breakfast at The Breakfast Club, pick up a bestseller at The Bookstore Plus, and then plop down on the grass in front of Mirror Lake, which runs directly along Main Street. Swimming is a cinch thanks to a public beach located on the lake's south end.

If you do feel like venturing outside of town, you can give your taste buds a vacation at multiple acclaimed restaurants like Salt of the Earth Bistro on Sentinel Road or Forty Six in nearby Keene, both known for their innovative farm-to-table menus. Cap off the night with a cone of Maple Creme ice cream at Emma's Lake Placid Creamery, a beloved local staple for decades.

Elizabethtown

For a healthy dose of nature with a touch of history, head to Elizabethtown, sandwiched between the Champlain Valley and the High Peaks. Adventure seekers often begin their trips at the Blueberry Hill Trail network, consisting of 30 trails for different experience levels and myriad overlook points across the Giant Mountain Wilderness. More advanced hikers might prefer the climb to the summit of Hurricane Mountain, which provides 360-degree views of the High Peaks, Lake Champlain, and even the Green Mountains of Vermont.

Elizabethtown is also home to the Adirondack History Museum, where you can explore more than 6,000 artifacts and pieces of art chronicling the history of the Adirondack region, particularly Essex County. Meanwhile, The Deer's Head Inn is the oldest tavern in the Adirondacks, open since 1808 and restored in 2016, and it remains a top choice for lovers of locally sourced meat and seasonal cooking.

Old Forge

Situated along the Fulton Chain of Lakes, Old Forge is a prime destination for swimming, kayaking, boating, and fishing. During the warmer months, locals can often be seen cooling off at Old Forge Public Beach on First Lake, or strolling the boardwalk-style dock that runs along the western shore of Old Forge Pond, enclosed by a thick barrier of trees. If you're in the mood for some exercise, the hike to Bald Mountain stretches around 1.8 miles round-trip and rewards you with marvelous panoramic views of Fourth Lake and the surrounding countryside. After a full day of hiking, kick back with a beer at Fulton Chain Craft Brewery, specializing in bold lagers and ales. And on Sunday evenings in July and August, the Music at the Old Forge Lakefront series brings several hours of free live music right to the water.

Speculator

With just over 400 full-time residents, Speculator is a small, quiet town with outdoor attractions that speak volumes. The Sacandaga Park and River Walk provides a serene 1.5-mile path along the Sacandaga River, and Speculator's public beach invites you to swim in Lake Pleasant. A more challenging hike can be accessed at Oak Mountain, which culminates in sweeping summit views of Lake Pleasant, the Sacandaga River Valley, and the High Peaks.

Oak Mountain's ski area also houses the Acorn Pub and Eatery, where you can chow down on sandwiches, burgers, and chicken wings with one of six craft beers on tap. Another highly touted local eatery is the family-run Inn at Speculator, serving up seafood, pasta, steak, and seasonal fare in a sophisticated fireside dining room overlooking Lake Pleasant. Dishes are prepared by Michael Nalipi, a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America.

Keeseville

If immersing yourself in nature is your definition of relaxation, Keeseville is tough to beat. Since 1870, people have come to Keeseville to hike the Ausable Chasm, a.k.a. "The Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks." The gorge is cut into 500-million-year-old sandstone and runs two miles of towering cliffs and waterfalls above the Ausable River, a major site for rafting and tubing that runs through the center of Keeseville. Visitors can also swim in Lake Champlain at Port Douglas Beach, where you might be lucky enough to see a number of migratory birds, notably the black-crowned night heron and the great blue heron.

Another factor in Keeseville's sterling reputation in the hiking community is where hikers end up afterward. Ausable Brewing Company, a farm-based nanobrewery on Mace Chasm Road, pours ales, lagers, and house sodas from May through December. If you prefer wine, head over to Highlands Vineyard and sample estate-grown wines with Lake Champlain and Vermont's Green Mountains in the background.

Inlet

Like Old Forge, Inlet is located on the Fulton Chain of Lakes, so there's no shortage of calming waterfront settings. At Arrowhead Park, for example, visitors can swim, kayak, or gaze into mind-blowing sunsets along the waters of Fourth Lake. Since Inlet's scenery looks even more beautiful from high up, hikers tend to gravitate to Black Bear Mountain, a rigorous 5-mile loop featuring incredible views over the Fulton Chain of Lakes and the Moose River Plains.

The summit at Rocky Mountain, on the other hand, can be reached in just 45 minutes to an hour, and the resulting views of Fourth Lake are similarly awe-inspiring. When it's time to let loose, try the celebrated chicken wings at Screamen Eagle/Matt's Draft House, where you'll also have more than 50 draft beers to choose from in this classic sports bar lovingly known as "Inlet's living room."

Saranac Lake

Saranac Lake is a haven for people who love to walk, whether it's through a lush nature preserve or a lively downtown center. Cruising down Main Street, you could start your day with a handcrafted espresso at Origin Coffee Co. before exploring more than 100 pieces of taxidermy at the Charles Dickert Memorial Wildlife Museum, including native species like bobcats and white-tailed deer. Further up the block lies the Adirondack Artists Guild Gallery, showcasing fine art from over 30 local artists with rotating exhibits each month. As for hiking, one of the most popular spots is Baker Mountain Trailhead, located just outside town. It's a steep but fairly quick climb to the summit, where you'll be able to see Saranac Lake and Lake Flower set against the High Peaks.

Wells

The vibe is particularly easygoing at Wells due to its idyllic location along the shores of Lake Algonquin, which is directly accessible through Wells Town Beach. After a swim or a kayak ride, grab some soft serve or hard scoop ice cream at Tort's Twist, renowned for its generous portions. Art enthusiasts will be more than satisfied with the John Van Alstine and Caroline Ramersdorfer Sculpture Studios, Gallery, and Garden, an outdoor exhibit of abstract artwork with the shimmering Sacandaga River as your backdrop. For a gentle but visually captivating nature excursion, take the family-friendly trail to Augur Falls, which leads to a series of cascading waterfalls on the aforementioned river. Once you arrive at the falls, continue following the river upstream and enjoy fantastic elevated views of the rushing water.

Relaxation is a Way of Life in the Adirondacks

Relaxing is infinitely easier in the company of mountains, forests, lakes, and waterfalls. That's why the Adirondack Mountains have long been such a popular vacation destination. Each of these towns provides the very best of the region, with extensive hiking trails and lakefront beaches galore. The only challenge is choosing where to begin.