New Yorkers and out-of-state visitors flock to the Adirondacks year round to enjoy all the region has to offer – hiking some of the area’s 46 high peaks, fishing, paddling and skiing.
But nestled throughout the massive region are unique towns and village with bustling main streets. Each offers walkable charm, unique eateries and spectacular views no matter the season.
Here are six picture-perfect main streets in the Adirondack Mountains, as picked by World Atlas, a website that publishes content about resources surrounding travel, geography and other topics.
Lake Placid, NY
This village in the Adirondacks twice hosted the Winter Olympics and serves as an all-around sports mecca from skiing to triathlons, and from skating to hiking. Lake Placid, which is part of Essex County, sits on the southern shores of a lake by the same name and surrounds the much smaller Mirror Lake. Numerous wooded hikes start from trails in the village, which is also known for a wide array of quaint shops and restaurants. Lake Placid’s Main Street is lined with cozy coffee shops, boutiques, galleries. There’s lodging, restaurants – both casual and fine dining options – and numerous bars.Part of what sets Main Street apart is how the road hugs the shores of Mirror Lake. Fall foliage is simply spectacular here.
Saranac Lake, NY
The village of Saranac Lake spans three towns in two counties – Franklin and Essex counties – and is the largest community within the Adirondack Park in northern New York. This quaint town is often overshadowed by its more frequented neighbor, Lake Placid, yet it offers an equally captivating charm with far fewer crowds. Winter transforms Saranac Lake into a snowy wonderland, ideal for outdoor enthusiasts who can go snowshoeing, cross-country skiing on nearby Dewey Mountain. The village’s annual winter carnival celebrates snow activities and comraderies and an community-built ice palace. Warmer weather brings on activities such as hiking and kayaking. Local cafes, galleries and shops are aplenty here as well and a carousel featuring woodland creatures is a hit with families.
Lake George, NY
This charming town is home to a variety of attractions, including Prospect Mountain and Lake George, a 32-mile-long, spring-fed lake in the Adirondacks. The Fort William Henry Museum is also in the area and hiking 1.7 miles up to Shelving Rock Falls. “Lake George is fit for a lakeside fairytale,” according to the list. and offers a “humbly elegant vacation paradise coming up on two centuries.” With just over 100 miles of shoreline, Lake George is an ideal summertime retreat, from its vast public beach to more than 170 islands, some of which offer campsites accessible via boat or canoe. Lake George’s Main Street personifies nostalgic Americana charm, complete with kitschy souvenir shops, vintage arcades, and candy shops.
Old Forge, NY
Located on the shores of Fourth Lake, Old Forge is a place to cool off in the summer or ski and snowmobile in the winter. This Herkimer County community is home to the Enchanted Forest Water Safari, New York’s largest waterpark. Ski at one of the 21 slopes or trails at McCauley Mountain Ski Center. On Main Street, you’ll find shops stocked with locally made gifts, artisanal products and rustic furniture like the beloved Adirondack chair.
Schroon Lake, NY
Located in the heart of the Adirondacks in Essex County, Schroon Lake is at the northern tip of a lake by the same name. The tiny, quaint rural town is known for its friendly people, iconic scenery and endless recreational and cultural activities. Initially a sought-after resort area with grand hotels in the Gilded Age, those imprints are still around today in properties such as Schroon Lake’s historic Strand Theater, a vintage Art Deco movie house that opened in 1921. According to the World Atlas, “the town’s reputation for attracting visitors is still evident today on its busy Main Street, where you’ll find dozens of eclectic boutiques, cafés, and trendy vintage shops.”
Long Lake, NY
Located in Hamilton County, the town is named for the 14-mile-long Long Lake. Some of the nearly 100 miles of shoreline of the Raquette Lake is also located within the town borders. The community is off the beaten path within the Adirondacks and is a popular summer vacation destination. Long Lake Town Beach offers kayak and canoe rentals and a swimming area. Hiking trails are aplenty including Owl’s Head Mountain Trail, a 6-mile-long out-and-back hike with the fire tower. In the winter, snowmobiling, skiing, ice skating and ice fishing are hits. The town also hosts winter carnivals and ice fishing derbies. Downtown includes an old-timey general store stocked with everything from penny candy to fishing and camping gear.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: World Atlas names 6 Adirondack towns with picture-perfect main streets. See the list
Reporting by Victoria E. Freile, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
