Do you want to plan an Adirondack getaway this summer? If so, this list of the top ten Adirondack destinations will help you find the perfect area to plan your mountain vacation.
The Adirondack Mountains are the real crown jewel of New York State. This pristine mountainous region has something for everyone, from spectacular views, hiking, camping, boating, fishing – and more.
There are many towns scattered throughout the Adirondack region of New York. Some of the towns are very small and offer only the most basic amenities, and others are larger and host a large number of tourists each summer season.
The list below includes both small and large towns. Which will suit you best depends on the type of trip you want to plan, so I have included basic information about each town that should help you decide whether it has what you are hoping to find for your Adirondack trip.
Tupper Lake
Tupper Lake is a small town right in the middle of the Adirondacks with the same name as the large mountain lake where it is located. The lake of Tupper Lake is about 11,000 acres and is located in both St. Lawrence and Franklin counties.
The town of Tupper Lake is a five hour drive from New York City, Boston, and Buffalo, and only about 2.5 hours from Montreal and Ottawa. Since Tupper Lake is has a year-round population of over 3,000 people, the area has plenty of amenities for tourists to enjoy.
Popular activities in Tupper Lake include the Wild Center Natural History Museum, the Adirondack Sky Center and Observatory, plenty of shopping and restaurants, and an endless supply of outdoor activities like boating, fishing, and swimming.
Lake Placid
Lake Placid is arguably the most famous on this list of Adirondack towns because it hosted the Olympic Winter Games in 1932 and 1980. There was even discussion about whether the Olympics would be held again in Lake Placid in 2026, but this idea was shelved after the US Olympic Committee decided to not to pursue any American bids for the 2026 winter games.
During most of the year, the town of Lake Placid only has about 2,500 residents. However, during the peak summer tourist season, the population of the area swells to over 10,000.
While this does mean that the town is more crowded than some of the other less-popular Adirondack places, you will find Lake Placid to be well-equipped for hosting large numbers of tourists. There are luxury hotels and resorts, plenty of restaurants, several grocery stores, two museums, spas, salons, and a plethora of outdoor recreational activities for every member of the family.
In other words, if you are looking for a beautiful mountain trip with a lake view and you don’t mind seeing other people while you are there, Lake Placid should be first on your list.
Cranberry Lake
The town of Cranberry Lake sits on the shores of pristine mountain lake with the same name. Years ago, cranberries were harvested from the bogs on the shores of the lake, which is one of the largest in the Adirondacks.
Public access to Cranberry Lake can be found at the state-maintained public boat launch or at the state campground on the lake. I cannot emphasize enough how beautiful this lake is, and it is perfect for a quiet mountain vacation far away from the hustle of the city.
Cranberry Lake is a small town of only about 200 people, though this number does increase a bit during the summer tourist season. Because the town is very small, provisions like groceries would need to be purchased ahead of time.
There are some private rentals in the Cranberry Lake area, including some that can be found on sites like Airbnb and VRBO. In addition, camping spots are plentiful at the beautiful and reasonably priced Cranberry Lake State Campground.
There is one small motel called the Coyote’s Den on State Route 3 right in the heart of the village (315-261-0352).
Lake George
Lake George is the name of a town and a village located on the shores of a lake also named Lake George. It is well-known in the state of New York as a popular vacation destination for people from the New York City area because of the short, 3.5 hour drive between the two locations.
It’s also less than an hour from Albany and 2.5 hours from Montreal! Essentially, it’s a gorgeous mountain town within a short drive from millions of people, which helps explain its popularity.
Also, it’s known as the original American vacation destination. People have been seeking a break from city life in the Lake George area for more than two hundred years.
Because people have been vacationing for so long in the area, the town has been able to fully develop its tourism industry. This means that there is literally everything that you need and could want to do in Lake George, or the nearby Queensbury.
While there are many things to do in and near Lake George, some of the most popular activities include visting the Million Dollar Beach, luxury shopping and eateries, Fort Henry Museum, lake cruises, as well as plenty of other outdoor recreation activities typical of the Adirondack region.
Saranac Lake
Saranac Lake is located off of New York State Route 3 in the middle of the Adirondack region. It has the status of being the most populated town in the Adirondacks, which means it has a lot to offer in terms of amenities.
There are a variety of small hotels, inns, bed and breakfasts, as well as four star hotels to choose from for comfortable lodging. Downtown Saranac Lake is home to many excellent restaurants and bars, too, which means that there is literally something for everyone here.
Of course, the main reason why you should want to visit Saranac Lake is its proximity to the Upper, Middle, and Lower Saranac Lakes. Other lakes and ponds near the Village of Saranac Lake include Flower Lake, Moody Pond, Lake Colby ad MacKenzie Pond.
In addition to all of the amazing views and water fun that these lakes and ponds have to offer, there are excellent hiking opportunities available nearby. For example, Baker Mountain Trailhead, the Bloomingdale Bog Hiking Trail, and the Scarface Mountain Trailhead, are all of varying difficulties and are located a short distance from Saranac Lake.
Another unique aspect of this town is that it is located near the Adirondack Regional Airport, which many people are surprised to learn. This is a small, regional full-service airport that is serviced by the Cape Air airline which offers commercial flights to and from New York City and Boston.
Rouses Point
While Rouses Point is not technically located within the Adirondack mountains, it is on this list because it’s a super cute town that is conveniently located for access to some of the best spots in the Adirondacks. Plus, it is directly on the shores of Lake Champlain, which is bordered by the mountain system further south.
Rouses Point and surrounding area is a good place to stay if you want to visit Adirondack spots like the Flat Rock State Forest, Dunkin’s Reserve State Forest, the Lake Alice Wildlife Management Area, and even Dannemora State Forest.
It can be challenging to find lodging in Rouses Point, but there are a few bed and breakfasts, as well as private vacation rentals to be found. If you want to visit the area, but can’t seem to find a place to stay, Plattsburgh will have more options – but don’t skip visiting Rouses Point during your time in the area.
If you spend enough time in Rouses Point, you can hop over to Vermont in a matter of minutes, or take a 45-minute drive to Montreal to spend the day. These are great additions to your time exploring the Adirondacks, local natural spots like the Kings Bay Wildlife Management Area, as well as Lake Champlain.
Star Lake
If you are looking for a sleepy Adirondack town with a lake, good fishing and boating, as well as a good dose of peace and quiet, Star Lake is the place. There is very limited lodging in this town, which appears to have only one small bed and breakfast and a few private vacation rentals.
Ammenties in Star Lake include a coffee shop and gas station, both located near the Star Lake public boat launch, a locally-owned ice cream shop, a small restaurant and a Dollar General (good for basic groceries and supplies).
Camping opportunities can be found at the Cranberry Lake state campground (mentioned previously in this article). Those who are very experienced with camping in the Adirondack back country can find very primitive, remote camping at the Five Ponds Wilderness Area, which is not far from Star Lake.
Piseco
While there is almost always a lake within a short drive no matter where you visit in the Adirondacks, Piseco is especially great because there are several lakes within a short driving distance. The following is a list of lakes that you can access if you are staying in or near Piseco, NY, though it should be noted that there are several other smaller bodies of water that are not included:
- Piseco Lake
- Oxbow Lake
- Spy Lake
- Fall Lake
- Fawn Lake
- Sacandaga Lake
- Lake Pleasant
The Northville Lake Placid Trail Head, a famous LONG hike for experienced hikers (more than 130 miles!) to the Lake Placid area, is only a few minutes away from the village center. Of course, there are several other shorter hikes that one can take from this trailhead, but it’s important to note that this is a remote portion of the Adirondack Mountains and hikers should take all necessary precautions and preparations before setting out on a hike here.
Even though Piseco is only a small town of a couple of hundred residents, at most, you will probably be able to find a room at a small in or motel in the area, an Airbnb, or a campsite at the Point Comfort Campground or the Little Sandy Point Campground.
Northville
Old Forge
Old Forge is a small population center located on the shores of the Moose River, convenient to the Fulton Chain Lakes, a string of eight Adirondack lakes that is very popular with those who love water recreation, fishing, and hiking. This town is sometimes known by its nickname, the “Adirondack Base Camp”, because it’s so close to some of the most beautiful and remote parts of the Adirondacks.
There are several very small towns in this general area, so you should be able to find a small motel, bed and breakfast, or private vacation rental nearby. There are also a few campgrounds and primitive camping opportunities available in the numerous state forests and wildlife areas.
Conclusion
I hope that you get the chance to visit some of these beautiful Adirondack towns. If you have been to any of these places, or if I missed your favorite spot, please let me know in the comments.
Thanks for reading today!