Things to do / Travel Guide
As most of northern New York is the protected and preserved Adirondack Park, the population of the region is quite small for its sizeable land mass. Within the 6 million acres of Adirondack Park about 130,000 people live in just over 100 towns and villages, many of which have populations of fewer than 1,000. With more than 4,000 bodies of water (ranging from swamps to ponds to lakes), about 2,000 peaks, over 30,000 miles of rivers, brooks, and streams, and numerous species of fish, mammals, and trees thriving in its naturally-preserved splendor, much of the culture of northern New York revolves around these natural gems and resources.
Logging, mining and farming were large industries in northern New York, and the culture of these trades has distinctly shaped the culture of the region. It is predominantly working and middle class, with many residents making modest livings off of the land around them. Other locals of the region work in the tourism industry in some facet - whether running a bed and breakfast or a village's single diner, weaving handmade baskets or building Adirondack furniture, or guiding visitors around crystal lakes and rugged mountain trails.
Specific areas within the northern New York region revolve around their specific natural features and/or man-made sites. Many of the towns dotted around the mountains, forests, waters, and rolling hills of northern New York are generally catered towards the local crowds, with their down-home charm, small shops and diners, and rustic lodges. Of course, the towns adapt and cater as the populations swell with vacationers coming to hike, bike, canoe, and ski, especially centers like Lake Placid and Lake George. Towns in the Champlain Valley, like Ticonderoga and Crown Point, are generally less-developed and quieter, centering around Fort Ticonderoga and Fort Crown Point as their main attractions, while the Thousand Islands area tends to attract a wealthier crop of summertime tourists. Saratoga Springs has developed into a culturally rich area, thanks to its world-renowned Saratoga Performing Arts Center, its many museums and historical buildings, as well as its mineral springs and the popular Saratoga Race Track, which lures about 25,000 out-of-towners a day during the six-week racing season.
Glens Falls, an early industrial center nestled along the southern stretch of the Adirondacks, is now home to several community theaters, museums, art centers and the Glens Falls Symphony Orchestra. With a population of around 14,000, Glens Falls has a small-town feel with impressive, mountainous scenery.
With two winter Olympic competitions held in Lake Placid, the area has become widely known for its excellent skiing opportunities, developing into a ski resort town in the winter, while drawing in tourists to its lakes, trails, and Olympic complex during the warmer months of the year as well. The town is centered around one long Main Street, lined with mostly upscale shops and restaurants.
Along the northern border with Canada, the Thousand Islands area has been a popular vacation destination for years. Northeast of Clayton is Alexandria Bay, another busy hub in the summer, with a local population of less than 1,500 and a laid-back feel. The town centers around its waterfront, with shops, restaurants, and miniature golf courses dotted around. While the Thousand Islands area is gorgeous, it's not quite as accessible to tourists as most of the islands are privately owned. Also, the area is a primarily summertime destination. Evidence of the area's proximity to Canada can be seen and felt in and around the Thousand Islands, hosting as many Canadian tourists as American.
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