This Downtown in the Adirondack Mountains Is Made For Strolling

The Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York sit among some of the region’s greatest natural resources, giving seasonal visitors and full-time residents access to outdoor recreation year-round, from boating and world-class fishing on the St. Lawrence River and Lake Champlain, to hiking amid stunning fall foliage and hitting the slopes at Olympic-calibre ski resorts. Saranac Lake is the ideal destination and jumping-off point for those visiting the region, with a highly walkable downtown that promises a perfect blend of proximity to nature alongside vibrant cultural highlights and historic landmarks.

History of Saranac Lake

Saranac Lake was first permanently settled in 1819 by trapper and guide Jacob Smith Moody, followed soon after by Captain Pliny Miller, who built a sawmill in 1822. While the area grew slowly at first, its defining transformation came in 1884, when Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau founded a pioneering tuberculosis sanitarium. At a time when TB was often fatal, Saranac Lake became an international center for treatment, research, and recovery. Patients from around the world arrived to “take the cure,” reshaping the town’s economy, architecture, and culture. Notable residents included Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson, who wrote while undergoing treatment. The town’s growth from a place of healing to the popular tourist destination and thriving town it is today was deeply rooted in its role as a tuberculosis rehabilitation center and its pristine natural surroundings, a legacy that still shapes Saranac Lake today.

To immerse yourself in the town's history, a stay at Hotel Saranac is highly recommended. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the hotel has been welcoming visitors to Saranac Lake since 1927 and sits next to the Saranac Laboratory Museum, where you can learn all about the town's origins and evolution. The hotel is an architectural cornerstone of the town and makes for a perfect home base, whether you are exploring the town on foot or widening your scope to include other nearby towns and attractions.

Drinks & Dining

First things, first. Once you have arrived in town, there are plenty of places to enjoy a meal over drinks and toast your bright idea to come to Saranac Lake. Starting from where Bloomingdale Avenue meets Church Street, just steps north of the river, you can head east until you reach The Belvedere Restaurant. The Bel, as it's known locally, has been serving Italian-American cuisine like handmade ravioli since 1933.

Over on Woodruff Street, RiverTrail Beerworks is the perfect destination for those seeking picture-perfect views along the river over cold, local brews with friends. As the town’s only riverfront brewpub, it is a popular spot in summer, but their Detroit-style pizzas are a fan favorite no matter the season.

Not far from RiverTrail, you will find Bitters & Bones on Broadway. This fun-loving destination serves up signature cocktails and craft beers that are brewed onsite, and they also host live music and community events throughout the year. The rustic design makes for a cozy atmosphere, and guests can enjoy hearty meals like burgers and cheese steaks or opt for something a little lighter, such as flatbread, tacos, or a salad.

Arts & Culture

Heading south from Bitters & Bones and back across the river, the NorthWind Fine Arts Gallery functions as a cooperative space, with its members contributing to an eclectic selection of art in a wide range of media, including oil paintings, nature photography, metalwork, and digital landscapes. Nearby, the Small Fortune Studio is owned by artist Tim Fortune, who shares pieces that showcase his interpretations and impressions of the surrounding Adirondack landscapes.

Main Street is also home to the Adirondack Artists Guild Gallery. Open since 1997, the gallery has featured many regional artists throughout the years and is yet another cooperative gallery in the Saranac Lake area. The gallery rotates monthly exhibits and supports regional events such as the Adirondack Plein Air Festival. The festival hosts 50 juried artists over the 3rd week in August and features a range of public events, including “Meet the Artists” gatherings, open painting, and themed contests.

Shopping

The streets of downtown Saranac Lake are lined with independent boutiques. The Book Nook is the perfect spot to browse titles in a wide range of genres for an afternoon of reading by the river or on the Berkeley Green across the street. Meanwhile, the Village Mercantile is the place to go for unique gifts and souvenirs. The shop carries everything from socks to soap, most of it handcrafted by local makers and artisans. And right back where we started, Academy & Main in the Hotel Saranac is stocked with high-quality, Adirondack-inspired gifts, apparel, and home decor.

Towns Nearby

Lake Placid is just 15 minutes east of Saranac Lake and features much of the same beauty, with a strong focus on outdoor recreation. Guests to the area, of course, can enjoy time by the lake and in the mountains of this two-time Olympic host town, with shopping and dining options up and down Main Street, which runs along the shores of Mirror Lake. You can also visit the Olympic Museum, and Whiteface Ski Resort is a stone's throw from downtown. A bit further north, both the actual Lake Placid and East Lake add to the natural beauty of the area.

If you head southwest from Saranac Lake for about half an hour, you'll arrive in Tupper Lake on the shores of Raquette Pond. Tupper Lake's Park Street boasts plenty of dining destinations close to the water, while those in the mood for some stargazing can head just minutes north to the Adirondack Sky Center & Observatory. The Wild Center is another popular spot in Tupper Lake to get amongst nature high above the treetops via swinging bridges, a playful spider's web, and an oversized bald eagle's nest offering sweeping Adirondack views.

Strolling Through Saranac

One wonderful part about being in Saranac Lake is that there is so much to see and do within walking distance, all while enjoying your time along the banks of the river and surrounded by mountains. Art galleries are just steps away from boutiques, pubs, and restaurants, and a walk through town places you in the refreshing air of the Adirondacks. If you are looking for a destination in Upstate New York that feeds the mind, body, and soul, come take a stroll through Saranac Lake.