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A belt of skyscraping jagged peaks formed a billion years ago, the breathtaking Adirondack Mountain range in New York State is one of the best places to spend a weekend. Five hours northwest of Boston and four hours north of New York City, this unspoiled wilderness is easily accessible with major transport routes and offers beautiful alpine accommodations, exciting outdoor activities, and unique experiences in and around its scenic small towns. Explore these welcoming communities against the beautiful backdrop of waterfalls, rivers, valleys, and forested peaks. You’ll need more than a weekend to discover all the hidden gems of the Adirondack Mountains, but two days is a great start.

Lake Placid

A lakeside town deep in the heart of the mountains, it’s no surprise visitors love Lake Placid. Just as its name suggests, this beautiful community is a laid-back, tranquil destination where you can easily spend a few hours just strolling down the main street, which winds around Mirror Lake. There’s a 2.7-mile pathway that traverses the perimeter of the lake, offering incredible views in every season. If you want to get onto the water, you’ve lots of options — rent a kayak, canoe, or paddleboard to enjoy its calm waters, or charter a sailboat to launch from the public dock.

The lakeside promenade also leads to the trailhead for Cobble Hill, an easy hike up a small mountain for jaw-dropping views of Lake Placid and the peaks of the Adirondacks beyond. For more gorgeous scenery, spend an afternoon on the Franklin Falls Loop, a scenic 46-mile drive around the Whiteface and McKenzie mountains.

Lake Placid has hosted the Winter Olympics twice, but you don’t have to visit in winter to see why. Visit the Olympic Museum in the Lake Placid Olympic Center to browse exhibits and displays straight from the pages of sporting history.

If you’re visiting with family, reserve rooms at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort. Located on Main Street, this European-style hotel is at the heart of the action and right on the water. For more intimate lodgings, cozy up in the Interlaken Inn & Restaurant, a quaint, 10-room Victorian bed and breakfast just a short walk from downtown.

North Creek

North Creek began as a popular skiing resort on the Upper Hudson River but has since become a year-round destination for anyone wanting to explore the Adirondacks. At the foot of beautiful Gore Mountain, there are plenty of cross-country ski trails to explore that become scenic hiking and biking routes in the warmer months.

Gore Mountain is also where you’ll find the hardest garnet in the º£½ÇÉçÇø. This ruby red stone is New York State’s official gemstone. You can learn more about its excavation, history, and use on the Garnet Mining Tour which starts at the Gore Mountain Mineral Shop and runs daily from July through to Labor Day.

You can also take a gondola ride up the slopes of Gore Mountain to enjoy stunning views from the summit. For more adventure, try railbiking with the Revolution Rail Company. Tours leave from the North Creek Railroad Station and follow the tracks over and along the Hudson for an incredible ride amid the dazzling scenery.

North Creek is a great place to glamp it up with a range of boutique campsites that provide luxurious lodgings in the heart of nature. North River Hobby Farm offers cozy cabins and four glamping tents set in 40 acres of wildflower meadows and woods. Also onsite is a wood-fired pizza oven where guests can make their own dinner underneath the stars and a store where you can buy fresh produce, handcrafted gifts, and campfire kits.

Ticonderoga

Taking its name from the Iroquois word for ‘land between two waters,’ Ticonderoga is nestled between Lake George and Lake Champlain on the LaChute River. Aside from its breathtaking scenery, Ticonderoga is also known for its fascinating past. This historic hamlet is home to Fort Ticonderoga, built by the French in 1755 and the site of many key battles in the Revolutionary War era. Today, the fort is open for tours, seasonal events, and exhibitions. There are also hiking trails to explore on the 2000-acre site, a walled garden, a 6-acre corn maze, and daily boat cruises on Lake Champlain.

For more history, visit the Ticonderoga Heritage Museum downtown, where you can also pick up the LaChute River Interpretive Trail, a 0.25-mile self-guided walk along the river and through its busy past as an agriculture and industrial center. If you’re lucky enough to catch some sunshine, why not spend a day at the beach? Ticonderoga has a public beach on crystal clear Lake George where you can kayak, swim, paddle, or simply sunbathe.

Just south of Ticonderoga, you’ll find the perfect place to unwind and watch the sunset dip over the mountains. The Inn on Lake Champlain is a beautifully furnished 1870 Victorian farmhouse with four guest bedrooms, a dining room, and a wraparound porch where you can while away the hours enjoying the view. And it’s quite a view. Set in 440 acres of lush farmland in the heart of Adirondack Park, the Inn is bordered by mountains to the west and the glittering waters of Lake Champlain to the east.

Malone

In the northern Adirondacks, close to the Canadian border, Malone may be a small town but there’s lots going on in this vibrant community. History fans and book lovers will enjoy touring the Almanzo Wilder Homestead, the 1800s farm of Almanzo Wilder, who would grow up to marry the author of the Little House on the Prairie series, Laura Ingalls. Back in town, take the Malone Downtown Walking Tour to see the town’s many historic landmarks, including the First Congregational Church, a stop on the Underground Railroad.

Just outside town, you can have an adventure on horseback, spending the day at Mayville’s Relax and Ride Stables. Riders of every ability are welcome and will be matched with the perfect horse so you can comfortably explore one of their seven scenic trails, which are especially popular in autumn when the fall foliage is in full color.

Just west of Malone is Harrigan House Bed and Breakfast, a charming Victorian farmhouse decorated with antique furnishings and surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens. Perfect for an intimate couples' weekend retreat, the historic property offers three guest suites, a library, dining room, parlor, porch, outdoor fireplace, and hammocks for relaxing on the grounds.

Saratoga Springs

Also known as the ‘spa city,’ historic Saratoga Springs first became popular for its mineral springs and is now a thriving vacation town with enough to keep you busy all weekend long. Start your visit by checking out those famous springs with a trip to Saratoga Spa State Park. Here, you’ll have your pick of ten pavilions. Drink your fill of the healthy waters at several points around the park or take a luxurious dip in the Roosevelt Baths.

Saratoga is also known for its horse racing, which dates back to 1847. The Saratoga Race Course is the oldest rack in the United States and is open from mid-July to Labor Day. From race tracks to battlefields, Saratoga Springs National Park marks the site of two Revolutionary War battles. The Visitor Center is open year-round and the park also includes a network of hiking paths with gorgeous views over the Hudson Valley.

Don’t just view history; stay in it! The Union Gables Inn is a Queen Anne-style mansion located in the heart of Saratoga Springs’ historic district. This upscale boutique hotel features in-room fireplaces, a heated outdoor pool, a spacious porch, and an acre of grounds with sitting areas and fountains.

Lake George

On the shores of beautiful Lake George, the town that shares its name, is only 200 miles from New York City, making it a popular weekend destination. You can’t come to town without seeing its central attraction, the lake. The Lake George Steamboat Company has been taking tourists on the water for over 200 years, operating sightseeing cruises, fall foliage tours, and more.

Just outside town is the Fort William Henry Museum, where visitors are immersed in the life of a British fort in the 1750s. At this family-friendly attraction, you can take a haunted history ghost tour, see military demonstrations, and play 18th-century games. The fun continues at Lake George Expedition Park, where towering dinosaurs peek through the foliage. This outdoor amusement park features rides, rollercoasters, nature trails, and more.

There are plenty of resorts, hotels, and motels by the water in Lake George, but for something a little different, why not stay the night in a castle? The Erlowest is a historic lakeshore castle built in 1898 with extensive grounds within steps of the water. The property has a range of rooms, from suites to townhouses and cabins to villas. Also on the grounds are an award-winning restaurant and heated lakeside pool.

A Magical Weekend In The Adirondacks

These picturesque towns in the Adirondack Mountains are perfect for a romantic weekend away, a fun family vacation, a relaxing retreat, or an adventure in nature. Spend a day exploring the mountains on foot, by bike, or soaring above the peaks on a gondola before spending a cozy night under the stars in your very own log cabin. On day two, take a stroll around town to browse mountain-made memorabilia, visit historical landmarks, or try the local cuisine. If you’ve another day to spare, why not make it a long weekend with a lazy day by the lake, exploring underground caves or wandering through rugged canyons? After a weekend in the Adirondacks, you’re sure to head home refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready for anything.