Things to Do in The Adirondacks and Lake George
Six million acres of mountains, lakes and Olympic history.
See top-rated activities »About the Adirondacks
The Adirondack Park is larger than Yellowstone, Yosemite, Glacier and Grand Canyon national parks combined. Created by the state in 1892, it mixes protected forest preserve, which the state constitution says must remain forever wild, with about a hundred towns and villages. The northeastern corner holds the High Peaks, 46 mountains traditionally counted as over 4,000 feet, and Mount Marcy, the state's highest point. Hikers who climb all 46 earn the title of Forty-Sixer.
Lake Placid, at the heart of the High Peaks region, hosted the Winter Olympics in 1932 and 1980, and the venues are still in use. You can tour the Olympic Center, where the 1980 Miracle on Ice hockey game was played, ride to the top of the ski jumps, try a bobsled ride at Mount Van Hoevenberg in season and visit the Lake Placid Olympic Museum. Whiteface Mountain, 20 minutes away, has skiing in winter and the Veterans Memorial Highway, a toll road to near the summit, from late spring into fall. Saranac Lake, nearby, is a quieter village known for its winter carnival.
Lake George, at the southeastern edge of the park, is a 32-mile lake with clear water and more than 150 islands. The village of Lake George at its south end is busy and family-oriented, with a beach, arcades and the Lake George Steamboat Company's cruises on the historic Minne-Ha-Ha paddlewheeler and larger boats. Bolton Landing, up the west shore, is home to The Sagamore resort on its own island.
In the middle of the park, the Adirondack Experience museum at Blue Mountain Lake covers logging, guide boats, Great Camps and the people who have lived in the mountains. Paddling is one of the best ways to see the region: the St. Regis Canoe Area and the lakes around Saranac and Long Lake are classic trips. Black flies can be fierce in late May and June, and weather in the High Peaks changes fast, so go prepared.
Don’t Miss
The Olympic Center, ski jumps, museum and bobsled track from the 1932 and 1980 Winter Games.
A seasonal toll road up Whiteface Mountain, with a short walk or elevator to the summit.
Sightseeing cruises on Lake George, including the Minne-Ha-Ha paddlewheeler.
A large seasonal museum of Adirondack life, boats and Great Camps on a lakeside campus.
Trail information, guidebooks and the Heart Lake program center near the High Peaks trailheads.
Top-Rated Tours, Tickets & Activities in the Adirondacks
Tours, tickets, prices and reviews from Viator (a Tripadvisor company) and Tiqets — prices are per person, from, and were checked October 27, 2026. Best in Upstate NY may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
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Get free trip quotes »the Adirondacks — FAQ
Do I need a reservation to hike in the High Peaks?
For one popular access point, yes: the Adirondack Mountain Reserve lot near Keene Valley requires a free parking reservation from spring through fall. Other High Peaks trailheads fill early on summer and fall weekends, so start early and check the Adirondack Mountain Club site for current rules.
When is the best time to visit Lake Placid?
July through mid-October for hiking and foliage, and January through March for winter sports. Late fall and early spring are quiet, with many trails muddy.
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