The One Adirondacks Town Everyone Should Visit At Least Once
In the very heart of Adirondack Park, you will find one town everyone should visit at least once, the village of Saranac Lake. Although it is the largest entity within this public preserve spanning six million acres, the beauty of this place lies in its enduring charm. Unlike many mountain settlements that have been intentionally transformed for tourist appeal, this place has remained a gem worth seeking out in New York. This place, where creative juices flow at the same measured pace as the river through this village, offers both the ruggedness of the outdoors and the richness of its culture.
A Place of Revolutionary Healing
The community has become famous, but not for gold or timber. The connection to a medical breakthrough has made Saranac Lake historically significant, which began with a pioneer named Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau. He came to this town in 1876 with what was believed to be an incurable case of tuberculosis. He found that not only did the invigorating mountain air revitalize his spirits, but that his health was restoring. This direct experience inspired him to open the country's most effective treatment center five years later.
The scientific essence of this movement is preserved in the Saranac Laboratory Museum. This museum is located within the walls of America's first tuberculosis laboratory, dating back to 1894. It offers a deep look at this scientific history, beginning with exhibits that explain the development of medical science and life in the mountains for those who got a second chance at life. It is located downtown and is open Tuesday through Saturday.
Even literary history was shaped by this period. The Robert Louis Stevenson Cottage on Stevenson Lane is where the actual author of Treasure Island lived out the harsh winter of 1887 under the tutelage of Dr. Trudeau. The cottage is today a museum containing actual relics, such as Stevenson’s writing desk from which came "The Master of Ballantrae," and pieces of furniture, including a fireplace mantelpiece etched by actual smoke damage from Stevenson's often-forgotten smoldering cigars.
Local Life and the Spirit of Community
The downtown village is pedestrian-friendly and filled with independently owned stores and local businesses that foster a strong sense of regional pride. Blue Moon Cafe is very visible on Main Street. It is far more than just an establishment for a quick bite. Rather, it is an essential cultural anchor within the community that roasts its own coffee and showcases the works of local artists.
Down the street, The Village Mercantile is an example of the community's special connection. It is the first town-owned department store in New York, and it got rolling in 2011 by selling shares to community members at $100 each. When you step inside, you encounter a retailer that offers everything from clothing to prepare you for the harsh winters of the mountains or top-quality cooking utensils, preserves, and camping gear. It is definitely the go-to destination for finding that special souvenir that didn't come from a factory thousands of miles away.
Where to Stay
When you step out of the front door of the Village Mercantile, you will see one of the centerpieces of the entire town: Hotel Saranac. This boutique hotel began life in 1927 as the Adirondacks' first fireproof hotel, serving as the area's social hub for many years. Following an extensive, painstaking restoration, the hotel has reopened under the Curio Collection by Hilton umbrella, seamlessly marrying its Roaring Twenties charm with its current luxurious standards. Its Great Hall, on the second floor, was inspired by the Davanzati Palace in Florence, Italy, boasting wooden-beamed ceilings and gargantuan chandeliers.
The Great Outdoors: Peaks and Paddles
In Saranac Lake, the wilderness is all around the edges of the town. The village has inspired a challenge that, in turn, has drawn hikers from all over the country: the "Saranac Lake 6er Challenge." This invitation-only hiking challenge asks hikers to climb six summits surrounding the village. The most well-known and most accessible of these summits is Baker Mountain. The trailhead lies at the edge of Moody Pond, just a short hike from the village center. While the climb is a mere 0.9 miles, it is quite steep, making for a great hike that ends with a spectacular view of Lake Flower, the McKenzie Range, and the far-off High Peaks.
If your passion lies more in water activities, Lake Flower might be worth checking out. The cove of Lake Flower encompasses more than 24 miles of waterways. There are outlets along the shores where you can rent a kayak, a canoe, or a stand-up paddleboard, such as HK Waterfront or Saranac Lake Marina. The proximity of waterways makes it extremely easy to enjoy the Adirondacks.
Nearby Towns
Saranac Lake itself offers the perfect home base for driving excursions to the larger region around the north side of the Adirondacks. To the east, just a nine-mile drive away, lies the village of Lake Placid. This town offers world-class dining, hosted two Winter Olympic Games, and has a lively shopping district.
To the west, approximately 18 miles away, is Tupper Lake and The Wild Center. This internationally recognized natural history museum is a must-visit destination when traveling with children. Their "Wild Walk" is a boardwalk that lets you experience the forest floor from the treetops, including a gargantuan "spider web" climb for the kids.
For an experience a bit off the beaten track, the hamlet of Bloomingdale is just a few minutes’ drive north of the park boundary. It gives you a taste of rural Adirondack culture and features Hex & Hop Brewing Tap House, an interesting location where they brew their own beers and meads with Adirondack honey and hops.
The most significant buzz in local travel these days is undoubtedly the Adirondack Rail Trail. Spanning 34 miles, it is a multi-use trail situated along a former rail corridor. It offers a relatively flat trail from Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, and finally, Tupper Lake. The Adirondack Trail is a breakthrough for this region, as it will finally give cyclists, hikers, and cross-country skiers a chance to explore these three famous mountain resorts without a car. The trail traverses wetlands and old train trestles, offering visitors an entirely new perspective.
A Village for All Seasons
Saranac Lake is a place that rewards those willing to explore all it has to offer. It is a place that takes pride in being decidedly different, as evidenced by their eclectic Winter Carnival, with an enormous ice palace constructed from ice beams harvested from their lake, and their lively summer concert offerings. It is also an area where you could begin the day at the top of an adventurous mountain and finish at a one-of-a-kind luxury hotel, without sacrificing an ounce of small-town charm. Whether you are interested in the history of the cure era, the rush of the 6er hike, or the simple joy of a peaceful paddle out on Lake Flower, Saranac Lake provides a mountain experience that suits you.
