Things to do / Travel Guide
Are you a traveler looking for a little bit of everything? Then welcome to northern New York, where you'll be treated to natural wonders - from mountain peaks to waterways to forests to hot springs, as well as a variety of man-made highlights including charming villages, former battlegrounds, historical museums, the nation's oldest thoroughbred racetrack, and an Olympic sporting complex (used in both the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics).
Northern New York offers a seemingly endless list of outdoor activities, including hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, bird watching, and loads of winter sports. With its many options for visitors, northern New York is an ideal vacation spot for those seeking outdoor wilderness and sporting adventures, as well as those looking for a peaceful getaway on a secluded lake. Whether you're planning a family trip or if you're an extreme-sports seeker traveling alone, the region has something for you: action parks for kids, mountain peaks to climb up and ski down, villages with rustic shops and outdoor concerts, and lakes, ponds, and rivers to navigate and call your own.
Situated within a days drive of the metropolises of New York City, Toronto, Montreal, and Boston, northern New York is not only easy to get to, but is truly a whole other world of fresh air, open space, and a relaxing pace. The region stretches over the whole northeast section of New York State, encompassing the entirety of the Adirondack Park and Forest Preserve, stretching further east to the historical Champlain Valley, which borders the state of Vermont, further south to the small city and hot springs of Saratoga Springs, and up north and west of the Adirondacks to the spectacular Thousand Islands and St. Lawrence River, which form the border with Canada.
The Adirondacks
North of Saratoga, there's no way you can miss the Adirondack State Park, a 6-million-acre preserve, stoically protected by legislation and environmental conservationists over the last few centuries. This protection has ensured that the forests, mountains, and lakes have remained “forever wild,” offering visitors a seemingly endless list of activities and opportunities. From hiking, biking, canoeing, and waterskiing, to snowshoeing, rock climbing, and ice fishing, if you're an outdoor sports fan, the Adirondacks are your playground. If you seek something tamer, a calm getaway along the shores of a small lake, you'll have plenty of options as well. Small towns dot the Adirondacks, many swelling in numbers during the summer, but remaining charming and quiet.
The Adirondack Park is so secluded and naturally preserved, when you're inside of it you'll feel transported back in time, able to take in nature's offerings, enjoy plenty of fresh air, and wander the many quiet trails in complete privacy. The overwhelming beauty will help you understand why the area has been so well-protected for so many years. Within the boundaries of the Adirondack Park lie the peaks of the Adirondack Mountains, rolling fields, farmlands, and hundreds of waterways - everything ranging from tiny streams and swamplands to lovely ponds to enormous lakes and sweeping rivers. Several of these bodies of water and the areas surrounding them have either become slightly more developed (with towns housing interesting highlights) or are just gems in their own right - Lake George, Saranac Lake, and Lake Placid often topping the list.
Lake Placid
Nearby Lake Placid hosted the Winter Olympics in 1932 and in 1980, with the second event really putting the region and its ski slopes on the map. The Olympic Complex stands proudly, with its facilities still used for ski jumps, bobsled rides, and other winter sport competitions. You can tour the facility's fascinating winter sports museum or even go on a thrilling bobsled ride with trained pros! While most areas of northern New York peak in tourism during the summer, the Lake Placid area also peaks in the winter, with many snow-loving visitors coming to enjoy its rugged mountain trails - particularly on Whiteface Mountain - and its comfortable lodges. The town of Lake Placid is yet another “Main Street” kind of town, lined with charming shops and restaurants as well as a few museums.
Saranac Lake
Saranac Lake is smaller than Lake George, but similarly surrounded by the peaks and trees of the Adirondacks. Its waters were once thought to be the cure for tuberculosis, drawing in many visitors in the 1800s. Whether this is true or not, the calm, quiet waters and fresh mountain air around Saranac Lake certainly couldn't hurt anyone.
Saratoga Springs
Saratoga Springs makes for a nice weekend or even one-day getaway spot from New York City. The former stomping grounds for the rich, famous, and those looking for a good summer party, Saratoga drew in its crowds thanks to its natural mineral springs with their purportedly healing powers, as well as the world-renowned Saratoga Race Course -the nation's oldest thoroughbred racetrack. Lovely homes and hotels sprung up with all of these wealthy vacationers, making the area a charming destination and gateway to this golden era. Small museums and hundreds of architectural gems line the streets of Saratoga; the mineral springs are still around, especially in the Saratoga Spa State Park; and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center has become a well-known venue, hosting everyone from pop artists to jazz musicians to the New York City Ballet in its huge amphitheater year-round.
Lake George
The 32-mile-long Lake George features many activities and stunning views. The lake's clear waters host all sorts of boats and boaters year-round, though much of the lake freezes in the winter. At the bottom of its waters sit sunken battleships, relics of the French and Indian War, delighting historians and scuba divers alike. Lake George Village and Bolton Landing are two charming one-road towns around Lake George, with the rustic Adirondack feel, where visitors can find shops and restaurants as well as many music and art festivals, particularly during the summer.
The Champlain Valley
The Champlain Valley is generally quieter and less-developed, making most of the area an ideal spot for those really looking to avoid crowds. Sitting on the shores of the glorious Lake Champlain, which forms the border between New York and Vermont, and stretches north to Canada, the Champlain Valley played a major role in both the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. Sitting at such a crossroads, and with sweeping panoramic views, one can see how fortresses such as Fort Ticonderoga changed hands so many times. Fort Ticonderoga has been expertly reconstructed and is a must-see for the history buff, with the remains of other important forts, such as Fort Crown Point and Fort William Henry, nearby as well. A natural wonder in the Champlain Valley not to be missed is the Ausable Chasm, an enormous gorge carved out by the Ausable River, where visitors are treated to stunning rock formations, caves, waterfalls, and rapids.
The Thousand Islands
To the north of Adirondack Park and forming the border between the United States and Canada lies the St. Lawrence River, an important waterway for trade and commerce over the years, as well as tourism. The water is dotted with many islands of varying sizes (ranging from just large enough to hold only a tree or two, to large enough to feature houses and a State Park); the area was dubbed the “Thousand Islands,” though there are reportedly close to 2,000 of them. Boaters and vacationers have delighted in its spectacularly unique terrain, with access to excellent fishing and water sports, as well as exploration of the forests and trails along the waters' edge. The Thousand Islands area has attracted wealthy tourists since the 19th century, with many hotels and restaurants reflective of this demographic, and many of the islands privately-owned. Still, it is accessible to a wide range of visitors, with numerous campgrounds and motels around as well.
Northern New York has something for everyone, whether you are looking for a quiet getaway in a charming bed and breakfast, a rugged adventure hiking or canoeing from campground to campground, wanting to get pampered at a five-star resort or soak in mineral hot springs, taking in the changing leaves in the fall or the snow-covered trees and mountains in the winter, exerting yourself snowshoeing or snowboarding, or going for a quiet day of fishing, your trip to northern New York can be what you make it and want it to be. Visitors will be hard-pressed to run out of things to do in this region, and if you don't feel like doing anything at all, this is quiet a gorgeous place to do that, too!
|
|
|