Northern New York encompasses a vast area of natural beauty, most notably the Adirondack Mountains and several shimmering lakes, as well as charming towns dotted in between and connected via scenic highways. Located within a couple hours drive of New York City, Boston, Montreal, and Ottawa, northern New York is an excellent destination for a quiet escape into mountains, wilderness, water, and fresh air. The majority of the region is encompassed by the massive Adirondack Park, with other sites highlighted from just south of the park and working around to the east, within, and then north of the park.
The 6-million acre Adirondack Park and Forest Preserve, which covers over one-third of the total land area of New York State, encompasses a diverse terrain of mountains, valleys, forests, lakes, rivers, and towns. It is the largest park in the continental United States, bordered on the east by Lake Champlain and Lake George, separating the Adirondacks from the Green Mountains in Vermont. Bordered to the south by the Mohawk Valley, to the west by the Tug Hill Plateau, and to the north by the St. Lawrence River, hundreds of species of shrubs, herbs, and flowers grow freely in the spectacular region.
Estimating “the peak” is a daunting prospect since the whole season in any given area only lasts about three weeks. When the leaves will change is purely speculation and prediction and it’s about as reliable as predicting how much snow we will have for Christmas.
The “middle” of Foliage Season is roughly around the first week of October. In the northern part of the High Peaks one could comfortably say “peak” will be then, although there may be splendid colors in late September and even through the end of October in the lower elevations and along Lake Champlain.
Museums around the Adirondacks outline its fascinating history of logging, farming, mining, and tourism and how each has shaped the area. Several towns were established in order to tap into the timber and iron ore resources, while in the central Adirondacks, pioneers created the first settlements by clearing huge areas of land for farming. Winter is a good season to venture to the Adirondack Mountains, when nearly every winter sport is at your fingertips. Warmer seasons mean access to 2,000 miles of marked trails in the Adirondacks, as well as a chance to splash around in the numerous bodies of water within the park.
Centered amidst the northern beauty of the Adirondack region, Lake Placid is a solid choice as host for the Ironman Lake Placid Triathlon. The Lake Placid course presents challenging sections on both the bike and run courses that gave last year’s nearly 2,000 competitors a workout to remember. Famous champions include Thomas Hellriegel, Heather Fuhr, Melissa Spooner, Steve Larsen, and Cameron Widoff.
Featuring magnificent views with direct access to over six million acres of the natural splendor and recreations of the Adirondacks, the High Peaks region is the place to start for a uniquely fun and memorable vacation. Not only will you be able to take in all of the beauty and charm the Adirondacks has to offer, but you will also be guaranteed activities that are sure to please your entire group.
The Whiteface Lodge, located in a beautiful woodland setting in the High Peaks region of the Adirondack Mountains on Lake Placid, is offering a couple of different lodging specials for the romantically inclined, and you don’t have to be on a honeymoon to enjoy them. Both packages are available through Dec. 17.
The Romance-Honeymoon Package, which starts at $473 per night midweek and requires a three-night stay, includes a bottle of champagne upon arrival, daily breakfast buffet, a French Lavender Sea Bath (for two), and one Couples Massage. Guests also receive an Essence of Vali Soothing Sleep Mist. The same package – a two-night stay – is available on weekends, Friday and Saturday nights, for $523 per night.
The Adirondack forests are filled with hundreds of pristine lakes and ponds, endless miles of rivers and streams just waiting to be explored. Known for our picturesque hiking and walking trails, abundant boating and paddling opportunities, premier fly and bass fishing, and world-class golf you will be embraced with true Adirondack hospitality.
Popularity of the Adirondacks as a destination soared in the late 1800s when the nation’s most wealthy and influential citizens built their great camps in the region. The social elite would “vacate” the stifling summer heat of Northeast cities for the cool Adirondack air.
The rich history of figure skating in Lake Placid can be traced back nearly a century. From the Lake Placid inception of U.S. Figure Skating in 1921 to the Smucker’s Stars on Ice opening their 20th season in the 1980 Arena for the 13th consecutive year, the legendary skating in Lake Placid has spanned the years and stood the test of time.
Most of us remember Lake Placid as home of the Winter Olympics in 1980. But Lake Placid has been a popular vacation destination in both summer and winter for decades. But this far north, they get more than their fairshare of cold winter weather, even without the extreme altitudes. You can boat on the lakes (no motor boats) during the warm summer months, ski and ice skate in the winter, enjoy fall colors in Autumn – it’s a great place to get away from it all.
Tags: Adirondack Mountains, Adirondack Park, Adirondacks, Charming Towns, City Boston, Couple Hours, Fall Colors, Foliage Season, Forest Preserve, Green Mountains, Iron Ore, Lake Champlain, Mohawk Valley, Mountains Valleys, River Hundreds, Spectacular Region, Splendid Colors, St Lawrence River, Tug Hill Plateau, Wilderness Water