The Adirondacks region is located in northeastern New York State and is the single biggest park in the lower 48 states. This nature-filled destination has been drawing in tourists for over a century, and for good reason! It is endowed with crystal-clear waterways, lush scenery, mountainous views, and a fun-packed culture. It also has numerous waterfalls and spectacular sights to behold. Join ViewCation on this adventure as we explore the best things to do in the Adirondacks.
#1 – Going on a scenic aerial tour
What better way to appreciate the magnificence of the Adirondacks than from above? Break away from the boredom of daily life by taking a sky-high adventure on one of the many hot air balloon rides, seaplane rides, or aeroplane flights. It would also be an excellent opportunity to capture the breathtaking scenery. If you happen to be in the Adirondacks during the middle of September, be sure to attend the popular Adirondack Balloon Festival. There, you can enjoy great rides and meet other awesome tourists like yourself.
Alternatively, you could take in the scenery from any of the park’s historic fire towers. The fire towers range in height from 1,700 feet to the tallest being 3,830 feet above the ground. With such heights, these historic relics can surely provide a promising viewing experience.
#2 – Cruising through the Ausable Chasm
Known as the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks, Ausable Chasm is a beauty all on its own. But taking a cruise through the Ausable River in a raft or tube is one of the best things to do in the Adirondacks. The Ausable Chasm is a long sandstone gorge formed over 500 million years ago with a two-mile-long waterfall. The many scenic views, particularly the natural rock formations, provide an aesthetic appreciation of the site.
The site offers adventurous activities like hikes along the dry parts of the chasm, edge walks, a cargo net climb, rafting tours, tubing trips, and more. Visitors can explore other parts of the site by taking short hikes of up to five miles along the trails. The steep canyon walls are also photogenic locations for photoshoots. These trails are suitable for people of all ages, making them an excellent family adventure. Anyone can stay at Ausable Chasm Campground and Cabins if they want to stay for more than one day at the site.
#3 – Going on hikes
Hiking is certainly a must-do in the Adirondacks. The region has tons of hiking trails, and these trails afford excellent views of waterfalls, lakes, and mountains, as well as tours into the lush forest scenery. The hiking trails are suitable for both novice hikers and those looking for a challenge. Some great hiking trails to check out during your visit include Hadley Mountain and Black Mountain Trails, which are perfect for beginners.
The Black Mountain and Owl’s Head Mountain Trails, on the other hand, would be ideal for people who want to take in some of the area’s best views. Also, many of these summits offer spectacular viewing experiences, ranging from the awe-inspiring sunsets to the stunning snowfalls that blanket the area in the winter. So don’t forget to bring along your camera or smartphone and capture these stunning sights as you relish them.
#4 – Visiting the Wild Centre
Do you love nature parks? Then you will love to check out The Wild Centre. It is a nature centre and also serves as the National Museum of the Adirondacks. It is filled with eye-catching spectacles of the local wildlife, and the history and culture of the region. Inside, visitors get to enjoy the beautiful natural scenery and the aquariums stocked with fish, turtles, and the ever playful river otters. While there, be sure to check the events schedule for the next Animal Encounter.
At these events, naturalists tame animals like snakes, porcupines, and owls to allow visitors to get an up-close encounter with them. Outside, visitors can catch a great view while taking a stroll on the Wild Walk, which is a network of wooden pathways erected above the tree line. The multifaceted recreational centre has a café that serves great hot beverages, a museum store where you can pick up a souvenir or two, and so many fun activities to keep you entertained for the entire day.
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#5 – Engaging in lake activities
One distinctive feature of the Adirondacks is its numerous lakes. Ones of historic importance include Lake Placid and Lake Chamblain. The former is a two-time host of the Winter Olympic Games. While the latter contains a wealth of history and the region’s heritage. Other lakes include the Fulton Chain of Lakes, which are popular for water sports and swimming, Nicks Lake, which offers serenity and is great for camping, while Old Forge and Lake George are some popular destinations for lake cruises. Your visit to the Adirondacks wouldn’t be complete without a trip to either Lake Placid or Lake Chamblain, but visiting both would be fantastic.
Despite its reputation for hosting the Winter Olympics twice, Lake Placid is a year-round destination with an abundance of restaurants, pubs, cafés and beaches to relax in after an activity-filled day. You could also do laps around the Olympic Skating Oval, go bass fishing, or any of the endless fun activities the lake has to offer. Lake Champlain also offers tons of fun winter activities.
You can go skiing, snowshoeing, sledding, ice fishing, and do other fun winter activities. During the summer, you can also engage in paddling and other fun lake activities. Learning about the lake’s turbulent history could be a fun pastime. The lake also offers an unforgettable Upstate New York style dining experience that you wouldn’t want to miss out on.
#6 – Visiting waterfalls
Just like lakes, waterfalls abound in the Adirondack region, and they are well worth seeing! The waterfalls are of various sizes, ranging from 40-foot drops to 600-foot drops, with some being more easily accessible than others. Despite that, they all provide a picturesque view to be admired. Some of the waterfalls in the region include OK Slip Waterfalls, Shelving Rock Falls, and T Lake Falls. Most of these falls are located near lakes, which provide great spots for picnics or relaxation. Some waterfalls are along hiking paths, so follow along to explore other awesome sights.
#7 – Railbiking
Rail biking is definitely one of the best things to do in the Adirondacks. The rail biking adventure provides you with the luxury of exploring some secluded parts of the Adirondacks. The rail bike tour takes you on an electrifying six-mile tour. You get to explore the lush greenery and areas along the Hudson River for some of the region’s most eye-catching views. Rail bikes can accommodate up to four people, making it a perfect activity for the whole family. It’s really fun, but you have to book your tours ahead of time.
#8 – Going on dog sledding and other fun rides.
Dog sledding is one of the ridiculously fun and exciting things you can do in the Adirondacks during winter. It may appear wild from a distance, but after your first ride, you will realize it is incredibly exhilarating. You also have the option of choosing sleigh rides, which are equally as thrilling as dog sledding. And even after the snow melts, you can still enjoy your rides on wheeled sleds. Apart from dog sledding and sleigh rides, you can go horseback riding and on hayrides. During the warmer months, horseback riding is another popular activity in the Adirondacks. You can request horseback riding lessons in addition to horseback riding tours, and you will soon be able to ride on your own.
#9 – Jumping off a cliff
This is an absolute must-have for your bucket list. There are numerous lakes with different cliff heights to choose from. Lake George has a plethora of excellent cliff jumping locations. For example, the popular Calves Pen is a great place to cliff jump because it has three different heights from which to jump. On such cliffs, you are likely to encounter other visitors who are either first-timers or experts. Other lakes have perfect locations where you can do your first cliff jump and come out of the water feeling proud of yourself.
#10 – Exploring the remarkable cave.
The Natural Stone Bridge and Caves are another notable Adirondack landmark. It is also the largest marble cave entrance in the Eastern United States. Exploring the area is without a doubt one of the most adventurous things to do in the Adirondacks. They offer self-guided tours for a more casual viewing experience, as well as fun activities like snowshoe hikes and hands-on activities for people of all ages. Visitors also get to enjoy the breathtaking view of ancient Adirondack geology.
#11 – Summiting Whiteface Mountain
Standing at 4,867 feet above sea level, Whiteface Mountain is the fifth-highest mountain in the Adirondacks. It is located in Wilmington, near Lake Placid, and it is very hard not to notice it during the winter. Its summit provides an insane 360-degree view of the entire region. The mountain also has a ski school for all those interested. Additionally, there are elevators and shuffles for easy movement across the mountain, as well as frequent hiking activities.
It’s now time to hear from you. Let us know in the comments section which of the listed activities you can’t wait to do. And, for those who have been there before, what was the most enjoyable activity you participated in? Remember to show your support by liking the video and subscribing to the channel. Enable post notifications so you don’t miss any of our daily uploads