Two Road Trips & Two Lakes in the New York Adirondacks
In a hurry, you can get yourself from The Sagamore Resort to Lake Placid Lodge in 90 minutes. But when you take the road less traveled and split that trip into two separate touring legs – one night spent at The Sagamore Resort, the next spent at Lake Placid Lodge – expect an intimate look at this region that includes scenic climbs amongst the mountains and lakes and other must-hit waypoints.
Leg One: Southern NY to Lake George
Starting from southern New York state, make your way north on Interstate 87 (aka “The Adirondack Northway”). You’ll know you’ve arrived when you spot the first hills rising into the towering 4,000-foot Adirondacks and “the queen of American lakes.”
Mineral Springs [Saratoga Springs, NY]
Saratoga Springs, with its 18 mineral springs and bounty of fall fun, is an ideal spot to stop, stretch cramped legs, and refresh. Walk the award-winning Main Street, book a private mineral therapy bath (historically believed to have healing powers), or take a tour of the mineral springs and see if you can taste the subtle differences in taste due to each spring’s unique mineral and chemical makeup.
Two Great Museums in Close Quarters [Glens Falls]
Located less than a minute from each other in downtown Glens Falls are two exceptional museums: The Hyde Collection and The World Awareness Children’s Museum. Comparable to that of a major metropolitan museum, The Hyde displays such works by artistic icons like Rembrandt, Peter Paul Rubens, Edgar Degas, and Pablo Picasso, while the later museum focuses on bringing our diverse world – in a fun, hands-on play space – to children. While both are temporarily closed for now, planning a future visit is a must.
Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course [Bolton Landing]
This high wire, tree-top adventure course is set in the heights of an Adirondack forest, about 15 minutes from the banks of Lake George and The Sagamore Resort. Offering more than 1.5 miles of adrenaline pumping fun, the seven courses are divided by level of difficulty and feature obstacles like zip lines, wobbly bridges, Tarzan rope swings, and cargo nets.
Where to Stay: The Sagamore Resort [Bolton Landing, NY]
On its own private 70-acre island 10 miles north of the town of Lake George and right on the lake itself, The Sagamore Resort has long delivered the classic Adirondack escape, right on down to the Kelly green trim. Whether you are one-part of a couple looking for a place to celebrate a special anniversary or families seeking that annual tradition to be passed down across generations, The Sagamore is where they have turned since the 1880s.
Leg Two: Lake George to Lake Placid
This leg of your New York road trip will land you squarely in the midst of the Adirondacks. Continue to travel north along Interstate 87, lined by dense pine forests, but don’t forgot to stop in some of the major villages along the way before branching northward to your final destination: Lake Placid Lodge.
Natural Stone Bridge & Cave [Pottersville, NY]
You’ll come face to face with one of the largest marble cave entrances in the eastern US at this scenic, riverside hiking area. In fact, much of the geological features are still being slowly shaped by the Trout Brook that runs through its heart. For a quick peek, take the self-guided nature trail that, within an hour’s walk, skirts you past waterfalls, incredible potholes, and of course, several grotto-like surface caves.
Sugar House Creamery [Jay, NY]
This farmstead creamery nestled on 23 acres of steep hillside pasture is home to a herd of 12 Brown Swiss cows and a lovely little farm store that sells cheese, meat, and raw milk produced on the property, along with other goods from neighboring farms and artisans. Think honey and preserves, yarn and sheepskins, pound cake and bread – perfect souvenirs to remember your Adirondack road trip by. While the store is open Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., you can book your own 30-minute Monday timeslot to ensure solo access to the farm store.
Downtown Lake Placid [Lake Placid, NY]
Hugging the western edge of Mirror Lake for just about a mile, Lake Placid’s downtown combines the charm of an Adirondack alpine village with pedestrian-friendly shopping that offers both name-brand outlets and boutiques carrying hard-to-find labels. Not to mention, there’s plenty to check out in the way of Olympic heritage – owed to the fact that the town hosted both the 1932 and 1980 Winter Games.
Where to Stay: Lake Placid Lodge [Lake Placid, NY]
Lake Placid is a natural destination within the heart of the Adirondacks. And just far enough outside of town to be a true retreat, you’ll find Lake Placid Lodge, hand-built in the Arts and Crafts tradition but with a modern spin. Originally built in 1882 as a private camp, the lodge first became a hotel in 1946. After a massive fire in 2005, a team of architects and scores of local artisans rebuilt the lodge that stands today, a tribute to the Adirondack Great Camps of the Gilded Age millionaires where the idea of taking a break from the digital rat race is an everyday event. The lodge is also a great option for that couple’s getaway you’ve been dreaming about for years.
**Please confirm details with business/attractions prior to visiting due to possible restrictions.
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