The 9 Can't-Miss Towns In The Adirondack Mountains
Mountain towns are cozy and comfortable all year round, but they really shine during fall and winter.
When the Adirondacks put on their autumn colors, towns like Saranac Lake and Wilmington draw people in their thousands for leaf peeping and winter activities. Schroon Lake is a gorgeous lull between Lake George and Lake Placid where people can get out on the water and enjoy the view of the red and gold trees.
Each can't-miss New York state town on this list offers that classic mountain setting with a surprise or two in between.
Lake Placid
Just outside town at Whiteface, the Cloudsplitter Gondola takes passengers to the summit of Little Whiteface Mountain. The summit of Little Whiteface offers unforgetable views of the Adirondack High Peaks, Lake Champlain, and Lake Placid.
From high up, the fall leaves look like bright specks of gold, orange, and red as the trees beautify the Adirondacks. The trees look just as stunning from Mirror Lake as their reflections shimmer in the water. The lake is great for paddleboarding for a couple of hours before watching the sunset.
Lake Placid is famous for hosting two Winter Olympic Games, so sports lovers can indulge in a trip to the Olympic Center and the Olympic Jumping Complex. The jumping complex holds a zipline and gondola, and people can take an elevator to the sky deck to enjoy the views of the town. Inside the Olympic Center, people can walk up to the Herb Brooks Arena where the U.S. Men's Ice Hockey team defeated the Soviet Union in 1980.
Wilmington
Christmas time is something everyone looks forward to in Wilmington. The town is home to one of the best festive theme parks in the state, attracting thousands of visitors every year. The park, North Pole, features Santa's Workshop as well as merry rides and jolly games. It also houses the very same Christmas Village that once brought inspiration to Walt Disney.
But even before the cheerful season begins, there are plenty of reasons to explore Wilmington. There is access to Whiteface Mountain, where hiking comes with fall foliage and winter with enough snow for skiing. The Veterans' Memorial Highway leads to a pretty castle and restaurant at the top of the mountain.
Plus, Lake Everest offers a beach and the chance to kayak and canoe in the lovely fall weather.
Schroon Lake
An hour's drive south of Lake Placid leads to Schroon Lake, one of the most beautiful can't-miss towns in the Adirondacks. Schroon Lake inspires people to take their boats out on the water and dance on the decks.
The lake is surrounded by hills and forests that change with the seasons. But before they do, the summer brings plenty of opportunity for fishing and kayaking.
Schroon Lake Beach is quiet enough for a leisurely picnic, with things picking up significantly over the 4th of July weekend. The event includes the traditional chicken BBQ and parade. After 9 pm, fireworks are set off at the beach. In the fall, the Schroon Lake Fall Festival is framed by deep orange, red, and yellow hues as people enjoy good food and browse local crafts.
Lake George
A 30-minute drive south will get you to Lake George, where "Georgie" is a quirky lake monster hoax and the Fort William Henry Museum takes you back to another time. The museum features outposts where visitors can see what British soldiers' lives were like as they defended the colonies. There are also cannon and musket firing demonstrations to experience.
Before the weather turns too cold, narrated Lake George steamboat cruises take visitors around the lake, and some even go all the way to Ticonderoga and back.
A short drive away, Gore Mountain comes to life with skiers of all ages and skill levels. And there are lots of fall colors to see on the hike up Prospect Mountain (which is also accessible by ViewMobile van).
Saranac Lake
The Adirondack Carousel is a fun seasonal outing in downtown Saranac Lake, a town where creativity and natural beauty collide. The carousel features 24 hand-carved animals that are found in the Adirondacks region. It sits in William Morris Park, where families can also enjoy board games and drawing.
Art lovers will find a feast for the eyes at the Adirondack Artists Guild Gallery. The pieces here embody the beauty of the mountains and surrounding landscape. In summer, the Saranac Chain of Lakes, which consists of six lakes and two ponds, is open for kayaking and fishing.
When the weather turns and the leaf colors change, the boats on the water create a pretty small-town picture. The foliage is also spectacular along the Adirondack Rail Trail, which links Saranac Lake, Tupper Lake, and Lake Placid.
Ticonderoga
Ticonderoga is a can't-miss town for two very good reasons. One of them is the hike up Mount Defiance, and the other is the Star Trek Original Series Set Tour.
Those who love the outdoors will never forget the view of Lake Champlain from the top of Mount Defiance. During the fall, the outstanding foliage lights up the landscape surrounding the water. The hill also overlooks Fort Ticonderoga, and there is a picnic pavilion for a lazy lunch.
Star Trek fans can head down Montcalm Street before walking through the Star Trek Set Tour. The sets are rebuilds of the original and one of the biggest attractions in town. Other things to do include splashing in the Lake George waters of Black Point Beach with its "million dollar view" and hiking the trails of Bicentennial Park.
Elizabethtown
Otis Mountain is one of the main attractions in cute Elizabethtown which sits on the banks of the Boquet River. The Otis Mountain Recreation Area dates to the 1940s, and people flock here to take in the views of the Giant Mountain Wilderness Area while mountain biking across the trails.
When the fall colors turn into the bright white of winter snow, the fun continues on the groomed Blueberry Hill trails perfect for skiing and snowshoeing. The mountain scenery continues at the historic Cobble Hill Golf Course, where nine holes test even the pros.
Elizabethtown celebrates itself on the third Saturday of July every year. E'town Day features fireworks, a fun parade, live music, and great food for everyone to enjoy. And when the temperatures start cooling down in September, the Otis Mountain Get Down gets everyone on their feet, dancing to bluegrass tunes.
Tupper Lake
Those who go as far as Tupper Lake on the Rail Trail can experience the Wild Center. The complex sits in the mountains and is famous for the Wild Walk that allows visitors to walk among the treetops. Visitors who want to go even higher can head up Coney Mountain and be rewarded with a beautiful mountain view.
Those looking for a relaxed outing (on ground level) can make their way to the Tupper Lake State Theatre. The theatre dates back to 1914 and specializes in old-fashioned real-butter popcorn and one-movie screenings.
When night falls, stargazing happens at the Adirondack Sky Center & Observatory. The observatory is open year-round on clear nights.
Blue Mountain Lake
In Blue Mountain Lake, the Adirondack Experience Museum gives visitors a chance to see what life was like in these mountains more than a hundred years ago. The museum features historic buildings (and new ones) that all overlook the lake.
The town is also known for its three lakes, Blue Mountain, Eagle, and Utowana. People cool off in the water during the summer before heading to the Lake View Cafe for lunch. Blue Mountain Lake, in particular, is huge and offers access to the trail that goes up Castle Rock. The views from this rock outcropping are spectacular.
Those who love paddling in the fall can take the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, and there are plenty of fish to catch in the crystal-clear waters of the lake.
The Beauty Of The Adirondacks
The towns of the Adirondacks are gorgeous and never defined by just fall or just winter. Each one draws you in for different reasons, whether it be the forest views, the chance to row out on a lake, or just sitting on the beach with an ice-cold drink, enjoying the mountain air.
