Fall in Adirondacks

Somewhere in the Adirondacks Mountains.

Each year, as October draws close, a blanket of fog wraps hilly patches all around; even here, close to New York City. Under the blanket, the trees dance under the rays of the mellowed sun with the crisp morning air, slowly turning and decking up as if getting ready for a party. And then in no time these hills, these trees, these leaves all celebrate Autumn by providing warmth to the cool days with their auburn shades. 

Autumn in full glory in Adirondacks

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While New England region in the US is the first place that come to people’s mind when they think of Fall, the state of New York has its own not-so-hidden autumn secret where the celebration of colors is so picturesque that it often gives New England some competition as Autumn’s favorite hideout. As arrays of hillocks burst into a display of yellows, oranges and reds and pristine lakes mirror the brilliance of each hue, the Adirondacks Region treats all with vistas all trying to outdo each other. The region (also called the Adirondack Park) which is almost as big as the famed ‘leaf -peeping’ destination state of Vermont, also boasts the longest fall foliage in the entire country. And so, Adirondacks is the place to soak in the fall spirit when in New York. 

With vistas aplenty, Adirondacks will not disappoint.

Given the colossal size of Adirondacks, and the abundance of outlooks and quaint towns and villages in the area, planning and cramming everything for a weekend fall trip is literally impossible, as you must have guessed. I have visited the region twice now and I am yet to see it all. And while I feel I won’t be able to cover the whole area ever (or at least any time soon), I can surely give you a virtual tour that can help you plan your trip or just let you bask in some fall love!

Places and Experiences:

1. Lake George and Bolton Landing

Lake George from Shepard's Park in the village center.

These two hamlets on the bank of Lake George boast of some spectacular fall drives and quaint town centers making them the perfect towns to rest and languidly roam around while soaking in the fall love. Early mornings in Lake George can be spent driving up to the Prospect Mountain which ends with a small but rewarding hike to the summit. Prospect Mountain used to have a train going up through the woods, treating people with a 100-mile panoramic view of the area and fine dining at the summit. However, the recreation house and railway line were both lost in the last century, but the view of the lake and the Adirondack High peaks still remains, and they are a sight to behold especially in fall. 

The reward at the summit of Prospect Mountain

If your leaf peeping souls are not satiated for the day, you can then head over to Fort William Henry Museum area in Lake George for a cruise ride or drive down to Bolton Landing for kayaking in the lake, while treating yourself with yet another scenic drive. I would suggest kayaking with Lake George Kayak Co. at Bolton Landing since we had an amazing time with them and after the kayak session you can treat yourself at one of the lovely restaurants at the historic The Sagamore hotel right next to the kayak boat house! Imagine dining in a hotel that has been functioning since the late 1800s, and has an amazing view of the lake – sounds like a perfect lunch place, right? 

If you are planning to kayak, Bolton Landing might be where you would want to head.

If kayaking leaves you craving for some adrenaline heavy activities, you can zipline down a nearly 1,000-foot vertical drop at 50 miles an hour with Eagle Flyer or parasail over Lake George, both of which you can only indulge in during summers and autumns. And if you just want a languid afternoon, the Shepard’s park with its falling leaves, filters sun rays, Adirondack chairs and a stunning view of the lake would keep you company. 

The place where you can zip-line with a view - Eagle Flyer, Lake George

When evening comes with a stunning sunset, feel the moment at the pier near the park, head over to Adirondack Winery Lake George Tasting Room or Caffe Vero to unwind for the evening before hitting one of the numerous restaurants in Lake George Town Center. Our pick - Boardwalk Restaurant & Marina which is next to the lake. And before retiring for the day, grab an ice cream from Nina’s Sweet Shoppe.

Try out some wine at Adirondack Winery Lake George Tasting Room

2. North Creek

If you plan well in advance, plan for Revolution Rail bike ride. This one you don't want to miss

If you are planning to visit North Creek at all, I would suggest starting your trip plan at least a month in advance because this place has the potential to be the highlight of your trip if you are able to book yourself a railbike ride with Revolution Rail Co. around peak fall or just past peak. Imagine biking under a canopy of brightly coloured trees with occasional leaf showers while being in the constant company of Hudson river for over 7 miles, sounds like a good way to start your day, right? Revolution Rail Co.’s North and South river runs let you do just that and they start this unforgettable excursion from the historic North Creek Railroad Station, the tiny railway station which is known to be the very place where the place where Theodore Roosevelt learned of the assassination of President William McKinley and of his ascension to the Presidency of the United States. 

The historic platform of North Creek that is associated with Theodore Roosevelt

And if history or biking is not something that interests you, maybe the famed harvest festival of Gore Mountain might be something you would want to plan your trip around. Gore Mountain Harvest fest is a two-day extravaganza in the first or second weekend of October, solely to celebrate everything about fall and about the region. With music, food and plenty of exhibits and pop ups by numerous Adirondack artists and artisans, they festival can keep you captivated for a considerable part of the day. However, make sure to take the scenic gondola sky ride to the top of the mountain to truly appreciate the gorgeous fall foliage of North Creek. 

Gore Mountain Harvest Festival!

When at the summit, you can hike multiple trails, feel the strength of the wind and mist at the stone labyrinth or choose to bike down the mountain. Irrespective of what you choose, Gore Mountain will steal your heart with colors and festivities. And needless to say, the drive from Lake George to North Creek via The Glen itself is a drive you would want to make during peak season, even if you don’t get a chance to do anything significant in North Creek.

If the festival is not your reason to visit, maybe the mountain itself might be the reason.

3. Keene Valley

Somewhere along the Keene Valley

Keene Valley can literally be called the heart of Adirondack Park. Keene Valley consists of Adirondack Mountain Reserve and its surrounding area like Giant Mountain, Mount Marcy, Beede Creek, Hull Brook etc. which actually comprises of 15 of the 46 high peaks of Adirondacks. So, as you must have guessed, this is a hiker’s paradise and one can spend almost an entire day in Keene Valley walking various paths and summiting a peak or two in search of beautiful vistas. 

The reason why you should walk up to the Ausable Club anyway.

Most people planning to do the famed hikes of the area – Indian Head, Noonmark and Giant Mountain Trails (all long and difficult trails but super rewarding), head over to the trailheads at daybreak and begin the long walk. While Rainbow Falls keeps your spirits high on the way to Indian Head, Roaring brooks and Chapel Pond do the same for people summiting the Giant Mountain (all of which can be done as smaller trails if you don’t want to do the whole track). Even if you are not a keen hiker, just walk up to the beautiful Ausable Club and you will know exactly why Keene valley is the heart of Adirondacks. Unfortunately, Ausable Club is a notoriously private club, so you won’t be able to really get in, but just roaming around the area can would satiate the leaf peeping part of you. If you are not tired post the miles long hikes, head over to Hull Falls, and keep driving towards Lower and Upper Cascade lakes, you will find plenty of lookout points you will just not be able to resist!

The constant company of the peaks and Ausable river in Keene Valley

4. Lake Placid and Saranac Lake

Early morning kayaking in Lake Placid, anyone?

And while tracing the path to Upper Cascade lake, one just can’t miss the two towering ski slides amidst woods. That is where the quaint little village of Lake Placid starts, making the start of the tri-lake area of Adirondacks. The other two lakes are actually Saranac Lak and Tupper Lake, but to be frank, there are so many ponds and lakes in this area that you will need to pick and choose which ones to visit and which to give a miss. But must visit lake or lakes in the area are surely Lake Placid and Mirror Lake with the charming village center around it. Kayaking and watching the morning mist lift from the Mirror Lake, unveiling the coloured banks is a way the way to start the day in this hamlet. 

Postcard from Adirondacks

Then grab a coffee at Around the Lake Coffee and walk around the village main street, loosing yourself in the cacophony of the crowd while finding yourself some charming nooks and corners like ‘The Bookstore Plus’ or Lake Placid Public Library with its garden and art gallery. Enjoy some lake side brunch at one of the lake side restaurants and then head for some hikes around the village. For a light moody and worthwhile afternoon head to Baker Mountain for a hike, drive up to Adirondack Loj next to the Heart Lake which is famous for being the most photographed road and lake of the Adirondacks area, and then make sure to relax with the Cloudsplitter Gondola Ride at Whiteface Mountain. 

I finally got a travel journal and it was from this shop!

But if you are pumped up and want to take up a challenge, try out Mount Jo hike which will leave you with a view of the Heart Lake that will be in your heart for a while. And for all you fans of R. L. Stevenson’s work, you might want to visit his cottage in Saranac Lake which houses a small museum now. And since you are in Saranac Lake, why not see the sun go down while being surrounded by the fiery wilderness at The Wild Center or with the stillness of the lake. To unwind though, head back to Lake Placid and settle down at Top of the Park or Lake Placid Pub and Brewery, for a perfect wrap to the day at the Lake Villages.

Moody Pond

5. Ausable Chasm

I am yet to do this! I planned it for this year’s trip but fearing the crowd (COVID scare) in the area we decided against heading to Ausable chasm area. Often called the Grand Canyon of Adirondacks, Ausable Chasm flaunts a naturally formed vertical-walled gorge aging back 500 million years! The river with the dramatic gorge and the gorgeous fall foliage around paints an unforgettable scenery. Enabling its visitors to hike around as well as float in the river, Ausable Chasm has been one of the most popular attractions of the area for over 150 years now. 

Charms of fall in Adirondack Mountains

One day I hope to get to go rafting in the Ausable Chasm, but till then I am going to wallow in the memories of all the other amazing experiences I have had in the Adirondacks! But missing out on Ausable Chasm gave us a chance to visit another place and the bonus place I would suggest visiting in the area (but not exactly in Adirondacks Park) is Whitehall! This small charming town is called the birth place of US navy and can many any of the Adirondacks villages envy its fall foliage!

The surprise that was - Whitehall

 

Where to Stay:

Hampton Inn Lake Placid

As the area is extremely popular amongst tourists during almost all seasons there are plenty of lodging options. But given that the area is super popular for leaf peeping, make sure to check out accommodation well in advance (and even then the prices would be a bit on the higher side). I stayed at the Best Western at Lake George this time due to its proximity to Prospect Mountain but on my previous visit I have stayed at the Quality Inn and had liked that place too. Also, in case you are planning to stay close to the lake and in Lake George area, check out Courtyard by Marriott Lake George or literally any motel/hotel in Bolton Landing. However, if you are a Hilton Loyalist make sure to check out the Hampton Inn Lake Placid – it sure seems totally worth it if they have availability there! For Lake Placid the only place I have ever stayed at is Lake Placid Inn.

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