The Adirondack Mountain region is one of the most gorgeous and most hidden attraction zones in the entire state of New York, the region filled with outdoor recreation options, fun dining experiences, and unbeatable New York state scenery.
In the second part of our 5 part New York State’s Hidden Gem series we will be exploring the Adirondack's most popular attractions, foods, and cultural highlights.
The Adirondack Mountains are about 160 miles in diameter and 1 mile high, taking up a large portion of northeast New York state. The Adirondacks are comprised of 12 distinct districts that each provide a unique landscape, like a large patchwork quilt of adventure! Hike in the High Peaks Wilderness of the Lake Placid region or bike between the wineries on the Coast region. You can even dive into the sunken shipwrecks of the Seaway region before you explore the breathtaking orchards and glowing aspen, sugar maple, and sweet birch forests of the Tug Hill region. There are endless recreation options in the Adirondacks!
Here are the 12 regions of the Adirondacks, according to Visit Adirondacks:
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- Tupper Lake Region
- Malone Region
- Adirondack Coast
- Saranac Lake Region
- Whiteface Region
- Lake Champlain Regin
- Lake Placid Region
- Schroon Lake Region
- Lake George Region
- Adirondacks. Experience It!
- Adirondack Tug Hill.
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- Adirondack Mountains
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- A tent on a heavily wooded camp site in the Adirondacks.
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- Sunset over an Adirondack lake
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Here are the regions top attractions:
Whiteface Mountain - Whiteface Mountain is one of the absolute best places to ski, no mountain in the east reaching higher than this one. While you are here you will have to take advantage of the many recreational activities regardless of the season, such as the popular Adventure Zone, Cloudsplitter Gondola Rides, Veteran Memorial Highway, Alpine Expeditions, mountain biking, yoga on the mountain, disc golf, or any of the many 90-minute nature treks and hikes. This mountain skiing trail here hosts many major national and international skiing events annually, as well.
Adirondack Museum - This massive museum complex provides 22 modern exhibition galleries and historic buildings, as well as many lush grounds affording sweeping views for guests to explore. The exhibits tell the unique story of the Adirondack region and its people, deepening the appreciation of locals and tourists alike for the region. The topics inside range from boating to logging, the exhibits together telling the story of how this location was once a lumber camp, turned summer hotel, turned museum.
Fort Ticonderoga Pixabay Public Domain
Fort Ticonderoga - This site is one of the most significant and oldest historical places to visit in North America. Fort Ticonderoga tells the story of how armies of Great Britain and France struggled to control the location and also where a generation later American’s fought to establish a free nation. Here you will see the site of the very first Lake Champlain battle, which happened between two tribes in 1609. A century later this site saw the French and Indian War, in which many day-long battles took place around 1758 and 1759.
Wild Center - This large museum sits on an 81-acre site in the Tupper Lake region. It contains a small collection of science-based exhibits and programs designed to look at the relationship between men and nature. All together the exhibits comprise a vital and necessary experiment in peaceful and natural living. The award-winning center holds all of these exhibits, trails, a river and pond, multimedia shows, and many hands-on experiences.
Blue Mountain Lake - Here at Blue Mountain Lake you will find arts, shops, eateries, and several guided boat tour options. The scenic drives, tours, hiking trails, and wildlife viewing opportunities are astoundingly picturesque, so be sure you bring your camera! At Blue Mountain Lake there are practically endless opportunities for outdoor adventure, this area being a paddlers and fishers paradise. You can angle, kayak, boat, swim, bird, hike, climb, or photograph your day away here without giving it a second thought.
Shopping -
- Factory Outlets of Lake George
- Adirondack Trading Company
- Adirondack Artists Guild
- Old Forge Hardware
- The Crossroads
- Charlie Johns Store
Food -
- Indian Lake Restaurant and Tavern
- Adirondack Chocolates
- Acorn Pub and Eatery at Oak Mountain
- Lake Street Cafe at the Adirondack Hotel
- Lake Placid Pub & Brewery
- Big Mountain Deli & Creperie
- The View
- Adirondack Dog House
Stay tuned for our next part in this 5 part series, featuring Cooperstown, NY, and check out Part 1: Corning!
Sunset over Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks of New York from the top of Mt. Mansfield Vermont, USA Stockfresh
