After returning from a whirlwind tour of the Adirondacks and upper New York State, I’ve been left to wonder – why did it take me 47 years to discover this stunning region that lies so close to home? I have no answer. Just a little regret…and a whole lot of catching up to do.
I spent 6 days participating in so many unique, exhilarating, confidence-boosting, and in some ways life-changing experiences yet, I really just touched the surface of what Northern New York and the Adirondacks has to offer. Would I go back? You bet I would – in a New York minute!
I have so much to tell you about my time exploring the top of New York State during our #EatPlayLoveNY adventure. This is just a small sampling of things to come. In the weeks ahead I will be sharing some of my favourite things about the Adirondacks and beyond.
For now, I leave you with:
11 REASONS YOU NEED TO VISIT THE ADIRONDACKS & NORTHERN NEW YORK STATE:
The Scenery:
For this girl from the “flatlands” of Eastern Ontario, spending time amongst the mountains of the Adirondacks was a special treat for me. Around every bend in the road, mountains, glorious mountains. At the edge of every lake…mountains. Everywhere you look…mountains. The scenery in the Adirondacks is a nature lover’s (and photographer’s) dream.
The Culinary Experience:
Who knew you could find such incredible culinary experiences in upper New York State? I didn’t, but I sure do now. We had some of the best food I have ever tasted while on our Adirondack adventure. Some of my favourites?
Duck Confit Poutine – Tin Pan Galley in Sacket’s Harbour, NY
Broccoli Salad – Well Dressed Foods in Tupper Lake, NY
Sea Scallops with Lobster Sweet Potato Cakes – Tin Pan Galley in Sacket’s Harbour, NY
Steak & Frites Maitre d’ Hotel – 1844 House in Potsdam, NY
Sadly, I don’t have a decent photo of it but, if you are a salad lover, and you find yourself in Lake Placid at the Lake Placid Pub & Brewery, be sure to try the Pear and Maple Salad. The combination of sweet pear, maple syrup, dried cherries and walnuts, was exquisite!
The North Country Hotel Experience:
We stayed in some fabulous “chain” hotels along the way, like my fave Comfort Inn in Plattsburgh, but it was the “quaint and unique” local hotels that stole my heart, such as:
Hotel North Woods in Lake Placid, NY
And for those that love “old school” country house charm…
The Adirondack Hotel in Long Lake, NY
The Adirondack Activities:
From climbing a mountain, canoeing across a lake, playing in a spider’s web, to kayaking on the St. Lawrence River and cruising through the Thousand Islands, Northern New York has something fun for every member of the family!
At the summit of Mount Jo – Lake Placid, NY
Canoeing on Lower Saranac Lake – Saranac Lake, NY
Caught in a Spider’s Web at The Wild Center – Tupper Lake, NY
Kayaking on the St. Lawrence River – Thousand Islands
Cruising through the beautiful Thousand Islands – Uncle Sam Boat Tours
The History:
Northern New York is steeped in history. From Lake Champlain and Fort Ticonderoga, to the Adirondack Museum and Boldt Castle, visitors to this area can see American history unfold before their eyes.
Statue of Samuel Champlain – Plattsburgh, NY
Kent-Delord House – Plattsburgh, NY
Fort Ticonderoga – Ticonderoga, NY
Adirondack Museum – Blue Mountain Lake, NY
Boldt Castle – Alexandria Bay, Thousand Islands, NY
The Winery & Craft Brewery Experience:
As I mentioned in another post, there are over 100 Craft Breweries, and over 400 wineries in the state of New York. The #EatPlayLoveNY tour took us to a few of Northern New York’s finest. I fell in love with a new wine, or beer, at every stop. If you love wine or craft brew, the Adirondack Coast Wine Trail is definitely worth a visit!
Amazing Grace Vineyard & Winery – Chazy, NY
Vesco Ridge Vineyards – West Chazy, NY
Adirondack Cider Company at Elfs Farm Winery & Ciderhouse – Plattsburgh, NY
Paradox Brewery – Schroon Lake, NY
Raquette River Brewing – Tupper Lake, NY
The Shopping:
Love browsing through gift shops and unique stores? Northern New York has you covered! We saw SO many fascinating and beautiful stores along our tour. Every town had locally owned gift shops, outfitter shops, and clothing stores that I would just LOVE to have explored! Luckily for my wallet, our hectic tour schedule did not allow for much time to browse. Towns like Lake Placid, Tupper Lake, Alexandria Bay, and Sacket’s Harbour, are now etched in my mind as places to return to, so I can check out all the wonderful shops I spotted.
Second day home and my stash of this coffee is already gone. It’s that good!
These Asgaard Dairy Vanilla Bean Caramels were eaten within a couple of minutes!
The People:
You can’t visit the Adirondack region without mentioning the wonderful people who call this majestic area home. We met so many friendly, helpful, and welcoming people during our tour. The warmth and hospitality we felt from residents during our time in the Adirondacks made me feel so “at home”. That’s probably one of the best things about being there. I’m thinking their new slogan should be “You’re At Home In The Adirondacks”.
A special hello to just some of my favourite Adirondack people including:
- our fantastic ROOST team who organized #EatPlayLoveNY (whom I now consider my good friends).
- the sweet, and always smiling, Amber from the Adirondack Coast Visitors Bureau.
- Jan, my amazing mountain guide, who guided me up Mt. Jo and stopped at the side of the road for a rainbow.
- Ken Adams, our very knowledgeable guide at Point au Roche State Park.
- Tracey, our fabulous guide at The Wild Center.
- Dan, owner of Vesco Ridge Winery, who made us laugh…and served us the most amazing chocolate wine sauce.
- Gary, owner of Hotel North Woods in Lake Placid, who joined us for breakfast, and who filled us full of delicious food and great stories.
- Doug, organizer of the Cycle Adirondacks Bike Race, who heard we were in town and came by to meet us.
- Joan, our expert guide, who took us all for a hike up Mt. Arab.
- Brooke, Executive Director of St. Lawrence County Chamber, who hosted us for an unforgettable dinner.
- Holly, owner of Boomerang Kayak & Bike Rentals, who hosted an amazing kayaking experience on the St. Lawrence River.
- Gary, Director of Tourism for the 1000 Islands region, who took such good care of us and graciously offered to drive a few of us to the airport for our later flights.
The Outdoors:
Just simply being in the moment and enjoying all the spectacular scenery Northern New York and the Adirondacks has to offer, is worth a trip to this region. There’s something amazing to see around every bend in the road, every hike up the mountain, and every paddle along the shore. The Adirondacks is a dream vacation destination for those who love any type of outdoor activity and adventure.
Lake Champlain – Pointe au Roche State Park, NY
Rainbow near Mt. Jo – Lake Placid, NY
Lake Flower – Saranac Lake, NY
Mt. Arab – Tupper Lake, NY
The Adventure:
The Adirondacks is the perfect destination to escape your comfort zone and try something new! The #EatPlayLoveNY adventure tour had me doing things that took me completely out of my comfort zone. I summited two mountains, canoed and kayaked longer and harder than I ever had before, tried all kinds of new foods and beverages, and even unplugged my ears to hear the sound of the muskets being fired at Fort Ticonderoga (yes, I hate loud noises). Heck, this acrophobe (me), even climbed to the top of a very tall fire tower, at the top of Mt. Arab, just to see the view. It took a bit of time to climb the tower, with some very sweaty palms…but I did it!
Climbing Mt. Jo – Lake Placid, NY
Kim from ROOST taken from atop the fire tower on Mt. Arab (it’s higher than it looks!)
The Friends:
A visit to Northern New York and the Adirondacks is great if you are a solo adventurer but, friends make this region even better! Just like I did, you are sure to come home from a trip to Northern New York and the Adirondacks with more than just souvenirs. You’ll come home with some wonderful new friends!
A very special thank you to the team at ROOST for inviting me to join them on this fantastic journey through Northern New York. I have so many wonderful memories to last a lifetime!
Thank you also to the fabulous tourism board team members @AdksUSA, @AdirondackCoast, @Visit1000isles and @ADKSeaway, for being such wonderful hosts to us.
Last, but definitely not least, thank you so very much to all the people who welcomed us to their businesses with open arms and wonderful hospitality.
Without all of you together, there would be no #EatPlayLoveNY. Thank you from the bottom of this Canadian’s heart!
