Things To Do in the Adirondacks: Sample Itineraires

We have assembled these itineraries based on some of our favorite things to do in the Adirondacks. We hope they help give you a sense of the area and a time frame in which to see everything. If you're browsing for places to stay near Gore Mountain, the High Peaks, or the beautiful Southen Adirondack region, Alpine Lodge is located in the heart of it all!

We strongly encourage you to “mix and match”...there is so much to do just a short distance from our lodging near Gore Mountain in North Creek NY! For more advance information about the area, contact the Warren County Tourism Bureau 1-800-365-1050 X 2769. Another good area site is www.adk.com. 

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History and Mountain Majesty - The history of the Adirondacks is rich in diversity. A battleground through at least 3 wars, the turf of loggers and miners, the vacation destination of Gilded Age magnates and home to two Winter Olympic Games, the depth and breadth of the region’s heritage is matched only by its scenery.

DAY 1 - Adirondack Museum www.adkmuseum.org  is a not-to-be-missed attraction with a campus of 23 buildings including a truly rustic hotel, a luxurious private rail car, exhibits on logging, mining and local crafts. It is a “must see”, rain or shine, as it is located in a very picturesque location overlooking Blue Mountain Lake. The cafeteria there is very good and scenic also…Take a tour of the Great Camp Sagamore www.greatcampsagamore.org, a vintage Great Camp and National Historic Landmark built by Alfred Vanderbuilt. Gloria Vanderblt spent childhood summers here as Carole Lombard and other Hollywood stars of the era played tennis and strolled along the lakeshore. Tour scenic Raquette Lake while having lunch on the WW Durant www.raquettelakenavigation.com. Captain Pohl, offers a fascinating commentary on the history of the lake it’s Great Camps and other points of interest. Tour Barton Garnet Mines,  www.garnetminetours.com , home to one of the world’s largest garnet deposits. Dig for Garnets and visit the mineral shop.  Take a train ride on the Upper Hudson River Railroad www.uhrr.com in North Creek just a short distance from our convenient lodging in the Adirondacks, and visit the North Creek Railway Depot Museum www.northcreekdepotmuseum.com,  where Teddy Roosevelt learned he was the 26th President of the United States after the death of President McKinley.

DAY 2 - Lake Placid www.lakeplacid.com is home to both the ’32 and ’80 Winter Olympics www.orda.org. Take a chair lift up Whiteface Mountain or drive up the Whiteface Mountain Memorial Highway to see the view from the fifth highest mountain in the state. See the Olympic Arena and the Olympic Museum. Ride up to the top of the Olympic Ski Jumps for a magnificent view.  Walk and shop through the lovely town of Lake Placid- lots of nice spots for lunch as well!  

DAY 3 - During both the French and Indian War and the revolutionary War, the Lake George area, due to its strategic importance, was the scene of momentous warfare. Many landmarks are located in Lake George Village, where you can take a walking tour of the historic sites www.lakegeorge.com/hiking.cfm; among which is the Fort William Henry www.fwhmuseum.com where costumed interpreters make the French and Indian War come alive in a Fort rebuilt from original plans. The French siege of the Fort was popularized by James Fenimore Cooper’s 1826 novel, Last of the Mohicans. Coopers Cave happens to be in Glens Falls. Take a scenic drive up Prospect Mountain Highway www.visitlakegeorge.com for a birds eye view of Lake George and surrounding mountains. Cruise on the “Queen of American Lakes” -Lake George with Shoreline Cruises or the Lake George Steamboat Company.

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Adirondack Golfing Galore

DAY 1-3 - From our lodging near Gore Mountain, there are multiple courses within 30 miles including; Wakely and Cedar River in Indian Lake, Green Mansions in Chestertown, and Cronin’s www.croninsgolfresort.com  in Warrensburg, the Donald Ross course at The Sagamore www.thesagamore.com , Top of the World www. topoftheworldgolfresort.com overlooking Lake George , and the Queensbury Country Club  www.lakegeorgegolf.com\queensbury , and 1000 Acres www.1000acres.com  in Stony Creek). They range in style from low-key rural lovely country 9 and 18 hole courses to the magnificence of the Sagamore’s famed Donald Ross designed course (golf carts required). For an unforgettable experience; polish your skills with Golf Pro Tom Smack at the Top of The World. www.visitlakegeorge.com.

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Museums and Antiquing  

Cultural Opportunities abound as well. Lake George Opera Festival (518-793-3859) offers world class fully staged opera-in English.  The Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) features the Philadelphia Orchestra, New York City Ballet, and top name Artists in a magnificent covered amphitheatre. (518-587-3330). Adirondack Ensemble Chamber Music Series (518-251-5484). Lake George Dinner Theatre (518-668-5781) and lots of other theatre opportunities abound. Don’t miss anything playing at The Wood Theatre in downtown Glens Falls www.woodtheatre.org or The Tannery Pond Community Center in North Creek  www.tpcc.org.

DAY 1 - Enjoy The Hyde Collection www.hydecollection.org ; featuring fine art of European Old Masters, modern works and American artists all displayed in an Italian Renaissance villa. The Chapman Historical Museum www.chapmanmuseum.org features Southeastern Adirondack history from the mid-1700’s to present and an incredible collection of  Seneca Ray Stoddard Photos. During both the French and Indian War and the revolutionary War, the Lake George area, due to its strategic importance, was the scene of momentous warfare. Many landmarks are located in Lake George Village, where you can take a walking tour of the historic sites; among which is the Fort William Henry www.fwhmuseum.com where costumed interpreters make the French and Indian War come alive in a Fort rebuilt from original plans. The French siege of the Fort was popularized by James Fenimore Cooper’s 1826 novel, Last of the Mohicans. Coopers Cave happens to be in Glens Falls (not available to the public). Talk a walk in Lake George Village to stretch your legs and find any number of good luncheon spots. www.visitlakegeorge.com.

DAY 2  - Drive Route 9N up Lake George for 32 miles of magnificent scenery and the famed “Millionaires Row” of mansions. (Between Lake George Village to Ticonderoga). Stop in Bolton Landing to see The Marcella Sembrich Opera Museum www.operamuseum.org features artifacts, photographs and memorabilia belonging to Marcella Sembrich in the studio where she taught students during the summer months between 1917-1938.  We suggest lunch at the Sagamore Hotel www.thesagamore.com , the historic resort hotel in Bolton Landing. Take the liberty of walking the beautiful grounds to stretch your legs.  Fort Ticonderoga www.fort-ticonderoga.org is a restored fort with its original French earthen work redoubts as well as stone fortification and museum. Crown Point Historic Site is also location of both French and British forts at one time or another. It is a beautiful park for a walk.

DAY 3 - Before you leave the immediate area; “Shop Till You Drop”, with more than 70 Factory Outlets in the Lake George area www.lakegeorgeshopping.com (1-800-748-1288), 30 Antique Shops (one of our favorite things to do in the Adirondacks) predominantly in Warrensburg “Antique Capital”  www.warrensburghchamber.com  and numerous small craft shops, Warren County is a shopper’s dream….Close by in Chestertown, there are local Artisan’s and other lovely gifts at Miss Hestor’s above Main Street Ice Cream and two potteries; Fawn Ridge and Red Truck Clayworks are very interesting stops. Don’t forget to walk locally down to the Hudson River Trading Co www.hrtco.com and check out the rustic furniture fabulous home furnishings and much much more!
Visit both the National Museum of Dance www.dancemuseum.org and the National Museum of Thoroughbred Racing www.racingmuseum.org in Saratoga. No trip is complete to the area between the end of July through August without spending a day at the historic Saratoga Race Track www.saratogaracetrack.com to see the Thoroughbred horses race. We like to go late and leave early and win a few races in between! If betting isn’t your style there is still a lot to do! Saratoga is beautiful for walking, especially Congress Park or Saratoga State Park. You can still take a bath in the historic Roosevelt Bathhouse. Don’t forget to drink the famed (sulpher!) water to keep your forever in your youth! The historic main street has wonderful shopping, beautiful flowers, and colorful characters that Track Season brings…(518-584-6200).

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Biking & Hiking or Biking and Biking!

DAYS 1-5 - Bring your bicycle (road or mountain bikes) for rural quiet scenic biking over too numerous to mention. Just ask for a “Trip Tip” from Greg or Sharon- we have dozens of favorite routes from a 12-mile “Around Loon Lake” tour to a 30 mile “Around Brant Lake” Tour. Or go up to Garnet Hill and rent a mountain bike; you can ride their cross-country ski trails. How’s that for a lazy day in the mountains? Hike the Adirondacks. Whether you take a hike out the front door and hike up the Ski Bowl or Gore Mountain, or drive a short distance to Crane Mountain, there are multiple hikes in the Southern Adirondacks with scenic vistas. Those mountains around Lake George are our favorites- Tongue, Black or Buck Mountains are among our favorites. Take a 45 minute scenic drive up towards Lake Placid to access Mt Marcy and the High Peaks areas. www.visitadirondacks.org, www.adk.org, www.adk.com.

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Adirondack Guide to go- go- go!

If outdoor adventure is more your style- The Adirondacks are for you!
DAY 1 - Canoe and Kayak either placid lake waters or class ll –V rapids! Rent a kayak and/or tour Lake George naturally with Lake George Kayak Company www.lakegeorgekayak.com (1-518-644-5295). Or take a flat water or whitewater canoe or kayak clinic with WILDWATERS  Outdoor  Center www.wildwaters.net .  Beaver Brook outfitters will set you up with a canoe, send you on your way, and shuttle you back from down river. From all-day Whitewater Rafting Trips (April-October) to several hour float trips either by raft or tubing- many options are available with numerous different companies on either the Upper Hudson, the Schroon, or the Sacandaga Rivers. Design your own trip- get the brochure of many great paddling routes Adirondack Waterways  at www.visitadirondacks.com.

DAY 2 - Bring your bicycle (road or mountain bikes) for rural quiet scenic biking over too numerous to mention. Just ask for a “Trip Tip” from Greg or Sharon- we have dozens of favorite routes from a 12-mile “Around Loon Lake” tour to a 30 mile “Around Brant Lake” Tour. Or go up to Garnet Hill and rent a mountain bike.  There are endless miles of greak biking surrounding our North Creek NY lodging. Gore Mountain scenic views are priceless. How’s that for a lazy day in the mountains?

DAY 3- Check out the ropes course at Adirondack Extreme www.adirondackextreme.com. Afterwards, wind down (or wind up with an adventure tour!) at Natural Stone Bridges and Caves in Pottersville www.stonebridgeandcaves.com.

DAY 4 - Hike the Adirondacks. www.adk.com www.visitadirondacks.com , www.adk.orgWhether you take a hike out the back door to Palmer Pond with a great gourmet lunch, or drive a short distance to Crane Mountain, there are multiple hikes in the Southern Adirondacks with scenic vistas. Those mountains around Lake George are our favorites- Tongue, Black or Buck Mountains are among our favorites. Take a 45 minute scenic drive up towards Lake Placid to access Mt Marcy and the High Peaks areas. What better way than to end an active day in the mountain air than with a massage administered by one of our in-house Therapists? Massages are performed in the luxury of your own room. Call us to schedule an appointment at your preferred time prior to arrival. For a guided option hire Naturalist Judy Harper at Adirondack Safaris www.adksafaris.com.

DAY 5 - Learn to fly fish with a clinic through Orvis or Beaver Creek Outfitters www.beavercreek.net .  It might be hard to believe but the pristine waters of the Upper Hudson (No, we are not kidding!)  are well known for serious fishing. Book a guide to see some little known hotspots- www.adirondackmountainandstream.com.

Day 6 - Do nothing at all! There is no reason to go anywhere! Check out the plethora of public beaches in the area.

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Wine and Dine

Unlimited evenings…dine at one of the areas best restaurants; The Friends Lake Inn, The Inn at Erlowest, Sagamore Hotel’s flagship dining room-The Trillium Bis and The Farmhouse at The Top of the world- check out the really excellent wine bar in North Creek- barVino……

Are you a foodie? Check out some local treasures; Nettle Meadow Goat Cheese Farm and Cheese Company www.nettlemeadow.com, Oscar’s Smokehouse in Warrensburg, and Farmers Markets too numerous to mention www.nyfarmersmarket.com – Our local Farmers market is down by the Railroad Station on Thursday evenings.

As you can see, there's no shortage of things to do in the Adirondacks! From outdoor adventure, to history and culture, family fun and amazing food and wine, our North Creek NY motel offers the best in convenient and affordable Gore Mountain lodging! Check out our Adirondack motel accommodations, and make your reservations online today!

When you're looking for places to stay near Gore Mountain, accommodations near Hudson River whitewater rafting, or hiking and biking in the mountains, Contact us online, or call (518) 251-2451 today for more information.