Adirondacks New York

Adirondacks Travel Tips

A visit to the Adirondack Mountains region is best spent enjoying the great outdoors. Look beyond the luxurious cabin complexes built for yesteryear's local millionaires, and you'll find that the region holds a treasure trove of adventure activities. You can hike up High Peaks one day and kayak through the St. Regis Canoe Area the next. You can even take an airplane tour over Tupper Lake village or paddle down Old Forge's famous canoe route. And when you're ready to snuggle in your sleeping bag, you'll find that there are plenty of campgrounds waiting for you. But there's more to the Adirondacks than the beautiful wilderness; you'll find another main draw is the bustling town of Lake Placid. Home to the 1932 and 1980 Winter Games, the little village proudly displays its Olympic history. And after the first snowfall, Lake Placid and its quaint neighbor, Saranac Lake, turn into winter wonderlands, complete with world-class ski slopes and an après-ski lifestyle for your inner Olympian.

Why Go: For some, a quiet mountain retreat is just what the doctor ordered after an exhausting wedding. And on the East Coast, there is no better place to seek refuge than in the Adirondacks. You'll discover that this area has year-round charms: spring greenery, summer hiking, fall foliage and winter skiing. Find a quaint bed and breakfast in one of the smaller towns, like Tupper Lake, to minimize your hotel expenditures and to optimize the intimacy.

Best Times to Visit Adirondacks

The best time to visit the Adirondacks is from May to August, when the weather is warm and the top sites are open for longer hours. But the region can get crowded this time of year, so you should book your accommodations at least two seasons in advance. November to April is the best time to experience the winter sports season in full swing, but be prepared for single-digit temperatures. The shoulder months of September and October are generally less crowded, but in smaller hamlets like Paul Smiths businesses start closing up shop for the winter season.