9 Perfect Destinations for a Long Weekend in the Adirondack Mountains
Planning a long weekend in the Adirondacks starts with one tricky choice: which town gets to be your home base. With dozens of small communities sprinkled across the park, picking the one can feel daunting, but we've got that covered. Maybe you want a walkable Main Street with coffee steps from Mirror Lake in Lake Placid. Maybe you’re craving something quieter like an easygoing waterfront stroll in Saranac Lake.
And when you’re ready to mix in a little wow-factor, history and nature are always right there: tour Fort Ticonderoga, or head to Tupper Lake’s Wild Center for those elevated treetop trails. From lake towns and ski hubs to family-friendly stops, this lineup has something for everyone.
Saranac Lake
Saranac Lake, popularly known as "The Capital of the Adirondacks," stretches along the border between northeastern New York's Essex and Franklin Counties, approximately 9 miles west of Lake Placid, entirely within the limits of the Adirondack Park. Formerly a lumber community and a world-renowned health resort in the late 19th century, Saranac Lake has developed over the years into a year-round holiday destination, attracting visitors throughout the seasons thanks to its setting on the northern shores of Lake Flower and near the three linked Saranac Lakes, numerous cultural properties, and endless outdoor activities.
Fishing and paddleboarding on the lakes are popular activities during the warmer months, while in the winter, the Dewey Mountain Recreation Center offers snowshoeing and cross-country skiing on well-maintained snowshoe loops and ski trails. The trek to both the Baker and Ampersand Mountains starts from Saranac Lake, rewarding backpackers with panoramic views. Further, the hamlet's history as a tuberculosis treatment center comes to life at the Saranac Laboratory Museum, while the historic Hotel Saranac offers a pleasant stay.
Schroon Lake
Ringed by tree-covered hills and two water bodies: Schroon Lake and Paradox Lake, this archetypal Adirondack town in Essex County appeals to nature enthusiasts and weekend travelers alike. The nine-mile eponymous lake is an outdoor activity hub, with anglers fishing for lake trout and largemouth bass, families using the village-owned public beach launch access off U. S. Route 9, and paddlers slipping out from the marina.
Traverse the 70 miles of foot trails that thread through the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness Area, leading to the shaded Spectacle Pond and up the wooded hills for breathtaking views of the lake. Additionally, Downtown bakeries like Great Northern Pantry, which sells handcrafted English-style classic meat pies, and home goods stores like Pine Cone Mercantile & North Woods Bread Co. are popular stops in the village center. Yearly, the Seagle Festival, the oldest summer vocal training program in the United States, brings world-class music, concerts, and family-friendly opera to the Adirondacks. Guests can rest for the night in the cozy bedrooms of The Lodge at Schroon Lake.
Old Forge
One of Adirondack Park's western gateway communities, this community along New York State Route 28 in Herkimer County is equally rich in recreational pursuits and typical American small-town charm. During summer weekends, visitors gather at the Enchanted Forest Water Safari, New York's largest water theme park, which features water rides, amusement rides, a petting zoo, a family circus show, a small museum, side-show games, and video game arcades. Just beyond the amusement park is the Fulton Chain of Lakes, providing boating, kayaking, canoeing, and lakeside relaxation. In winter, the hundreds of miles of groomed trails transform the area into a hub for snowmobiling and cross-country skiing.
Snowboarders can take a chairlift up McCauley Mountain for wide-ranging views of the distant peaks, crystal-clear lakes, and forested ridges from the summit without a strenuous hike. Housed in an age-old building on Main Street is the Goodsell Museum, whose six exhibit rooms are filled with artifacts, memorabilia, postcards, and photographs from early Adirondack life to the present day. Satisfy your pizza cravings at the Adirondack Pizzeria and rest at the laid-back Adirondack Lodge.
Tupper Lake
This serene Franklin County settlement, christened after the nearby Tupper Lake located two miles south, is an excellent basecamp for those seeking a nature-filled weekend getaway. Tupper Lake's Wild Center is a renowned natural history center that, through indoor exhibit areas and extensive outdoor trails, allows visitors of all ages to learn about the ecology and wildlife of the Adirondacks. The North American river otters splashing in their habitats, the hands-on exhibits fascinating young and old, and the Wild Walk, a raised network of treetop bridges and platforms that let tourists experience the forest canopy from unconventional outlooks, keep the adventure up here.
As the sun sets, head to the Adirondack Sky Center & Observatory, where clear northern skies and low light pollution create optimal conditions for stargazing. Moreover, engage in ample leisurely activities at the Tupper Lake Waterfront Park, sample small-batch handcrafted ales and wood-fired pizzas at Raquette River Brewing, and spend the night at the Trailhead by Weekender Lodge.
Lake Placid
A lauded venue for the Olympic Winter Games in 1932 and 1980, Lake Placid sits close to the southern boundary of its homonymous lake in the Adirondack Mountains, about 50 miles southwest of Plattsburgh. This Essex County hamlet charms holidaymakers with snow-clad Adirondack Park mountain peaks and wooded hills, a rich sporting heritage, exciting outdoor adventures, and an inviting town center full of quirky shops and restaurants. The recently renovated Olympic Center is a wonderful place to spend some time, as is viewing the colossal ski jumps at the Olympic Jumping Complex, or a fifteen-minute Cloudsplitter Gondola ride at Wilmington's Whiteface Mountain Ski Resort.
At the town's core, the Mirror Lake draws thrill-seekers for ice skating on well-kept tracks around the lake's perimeter or enjoying a dogsled ride on the lake. In summer, one can rent canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards to skim across the calm waters and soak in mountain views. Before retiring in the comfy rooms of the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort at the day's end, you can purchase unique gifts from Main Street's Adirondack Decorative Arts & Crafts Shop and taste traditional American fare served at the Dancing Bears Restaurant.
Ticonderoga
Named after the Iroquois term 'tekontaro: ken,' which means 'the place between two waters,' referring to the town's location between two of the Adirondack's most stunning waterways, Lake Champlain and Lake George, Ticonderoga is where deep-rooted history meets a range of outdoor pursuits. History zealots should survey the 18th-century French-built Fort Ticonderoga, situated at the narrows near Lake Champlain's southern extremity, which draws attention with its cannons, officers' and soldiers' barracks, spacious gardens, and historical reenactments of the early wars. As once viewed by soldiers, the best way to see the shoreline hemmed in by abrupt precipices and verdant mountains is by taking the Lake Champlain boat cruise, just outside the fort.
Furthermore, admire unrestricted views of the surroundings after a short hike up Mount Defiance and enjoy picnicking at the Bicentennial Park against an impressive backdrop of the cascading LaChute Falls. Science fiction fans can join the Star Trek Original Series Set Tour, where minutely recreated sets delight visitors from across the globe. De-stress after an exhausting day in the spacious guest rooms of the Best Western Plus Ticonderoga Inn & Suites.
Speculator
With 406 inhabitants as per the 2020 US Census, Speculator is Hamilton County's sole incorporated village that sits on the shores of Lake Pleasant. This 1,475-acre lake is the settlement's activity hub, where holidaymakers get to swim, kayak, paddleboard, fish, or soak in lakeside views. Trails from Speculator lead excursionists to the Kunjamuk Cave or deep into forests that support white-tailed deer.
On select Wednesday nights in summer, gather with your families and friends at the Osborne Point on Lake Pleasant to see bands perform live at the 'Music on the Point' community event. Stay the night in a suite at Lake Pleasant Lodge, which features modern amenities.
Blue Mountain Lake
Titled for the 3,750-feet-high Blue Mountain peak in the Adirondack Mountains, this idyllic village in Hamilton County is set on the southeastern banks of the namesake lake, around 90 miles northwest of the state capital, Albany. Backed by the presence of numerous guest lodges, trout and bass fish species, and two private marina launches, the 1,334-acre Blue Mountain Lake is a favorite spot for fishing, paddling, and chilling out along the shoreline. For trekkers, a hike to the top of the Fire Tower and Castle Rock presents a full-circle view of the Blue Mountain Lake and the surrounding scenery.
From late May to mid-October, scrutinize the historic artifacts, photographs, archival materials, and indigenous arts showcasing the exceptional history of the Adirondacks in the state-of-the-art galleries of Adirondack Experience, The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake. Watch concerts, theaters, gallery exhibits, workshops, and a speaker series hosted at the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts. Retire for the night in the rustic wood rooms and cabins of Prospect Point Cottages.
North Creek
The Adirondack Railway's initial northern terminus, North Creek, is a small Warren County hamlet. Gore Mountain, which sits near the settlement, is the site of the Gore Mountain Ski Resort, the state's largest ski area, where a substantial portion of high-relief terrain caters to skiers of all levels. In the summer, the melting snow turns the Nordic Trails green, paving the way for mountain biking and opportunities for fishing, paddling, and rafting on the Hudson River.
At the North Creek Depot Museum, check out exhibits on the region's railroad heritage and learn the story of Theodore Roosevelt's midnight ride to the Presidency after the death of President McKinley. General Stores like Hudson River Trading Co., selling nature-inspired accessories and housewares; restaurants like Basil & Wick's, serving classic cocktails and delectable American comfort food; and rustic-modern boutique hotels like the Alpine Lodge add to the town's inviting nature.
From Lake Placid's Olympic legacy and year-round recreation on Mirror Lake to Saranac Lake's arts scene and waterfront setting, the Adirondacks offer a range of experiences across their mountain towns. Whether marveling at mountain landscapes, hiking scenic trails, fishing and kayaking, browsing Main Street shops, or visiting museums and historic sites, these communities provide rewarding options for a long weekend.
