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ADK Recreation Interactive Trail Map and Trip Planner

Attractions Adventure Guide
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Your ADKTrailMap.com Adventure will be an experience to treasure!

Enchanted Forest Water Safari, Old Forge, NY
Mountains aren't the only reason your family will love the Adirondacks! Photo: Enchanted Forest Water Safari, Old Forge, NY

As if the hiking, biking, paddling, and abundance of other outdoor recreation were not enough to lure you to the Adirondacks, the outstanding attractions and cultural institutions are sure to delight those of all ages. From the naturalist to the Olympic enthusiast, there is something for everyone.

To help you make the most out of your Adirondacks experience, we here at ADKTrailMap.com have assembled a guide to help you have a safe and enjoyable journey while out and about in the Adirondack Park. Remember to review this guide each time you pack for your trip to ensure that you don't leave anything behind.

"Back in the day" an Adirondack Adventure was limited to hunting, fishing and trapping. Today's Adirondack Attractions are as diverse as the visitors who throng to the six million acre Adirondack Park. You will find Mountain Guides, and more, in our interactive map and phone app. Share your adventures on our Facebook page!

The first stop for planning any trip to New York's Adirondack Mountains should be to ADKTrailMap.com. From here you can explore the Adirondacks by browsing the map; finding what attractions are nearby; and exploring an array of outdoor recreation activities.

ADK Trail Map Interactive Map
ADK Trail Map No Reception Needed App

ADKTrailMap.com is also available on mobile devices with limited features. For full functionality on smartphones, download our free 'Adirondack Trails' app from the either the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.

Sampling of Attractions and Fun

Olympic Venues

Lake Placid

Having hosted the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympic Games, Lake Placid is rich with winter sports culture and history. During winter, ice skate on the historic Olympic Ice Skating Rink, which was used for speed skating during both Olympic Games. Or visit the Olympic Jumping Complex year-round either to watch the experts practice on the jumps used during the 1980 Olympic Games or to take in the views of the surrounding Adirondack High Peaks.

Enchanted Forest Water Safari

OLD FORGE

Located just steps away from the heart of Old Forge is New York State's largest water theme park. Over 50 rides and attractions, including 32 water rides.

Adirondack Scenic Railroad
Enjoy an autumn ride aboard the Adirondack Scenic Railroad. Photo: Howard Brier/Flickr

Adirondack Scenic Railroad

UTICA, OLD FORGE, SARANAC LAKE, and LAKE PLACID

Nestled in the heart of NY, the Adirondack Scenic railroad begins in Utica and travels north through the Adirondacks through Thendara station (Old Forge) to Big Moose Station or you can ride between Saranac Lake and Lake Placid stations.

Lake George Steamboat Company

LAKE GEORGE

1 to 41???2 hour cruises with Captain's narration on one of their three boats. Lunch, brunch, dinner, entertainment and fireworks cruises available. Launched in 1908, the Lake George Steamboat Company is the oldest continuously operated tour boat company in America.

Lac du Saint Sacrement ship
The Lac du Saint Sacrement ship of the Lake George Steamboat Company. Photo: Mark Goebel/Flickr

Scenic Northwoods Gondola Rides

CENTRAL ADIRONDACKS

Gondola ride offers scenic view of High Peaks & Southern Adirondacks. Enjoy hiking, picnicking and great photo opportunities.

Ausable Chasm

AUSABLE CHASM

Descend hundreds of feet to walk on natural stone walkways and enjoy amazing natural scenery and adventure.

A Selection of Arts and Culture

Lake Placid Center for the Arts

Lake Placid

The Lake Placid Center for the Arts presents arts of the highest caliber in music, dance, theatre, film and visual arts year-round. In addition, the Arts Center provides special arts- in education programs, workshops and residencies for aspiring and renowned artists. The Arts Center is home of the Lake Placid School of Ballet, LPCA Children's Theatre, Community Theatre Players, as well as the summer home of the Lake Placid Sinfonietta.

Sacandaga Valley Arts Center

NORTHVILLE

Art gallery with a variety of 2D and 3D art from the SVAN visual artists. With quarterly rotations, the art displays change with each season. Other performing arts including musical programs.

Pendragon Theatre

SARANAC LAKE

Pendragon Theatre is an ensemble of artists based in the Adirondacks dedicated to preserving the vitality and enhancing the quality of professional theater through year-round performance and educational programs.

Seagle Music Colony

SCHROON LAKE

Founded in 1915, Seagle Music Colony is the oldest vocal training company in the United States and the premiere opera and and musical theater program in the Adirondacks. Performances generally run June through August.

View Arts Center

OLD FORGE

The View presents national and regional art exhibitions, performances and workshops for all ages.

Strand Theater
The historic Strand Theater in Old Forge Photo: Mark Goebel/Flickr

Strand Theater

OLD FORGE

Celebrating its 90-year history, The Strand of Old Forge is much more than a movie house. It is truly a cornerstone of the community.

Hunting and Other Outdoor Pursuits

Adirondack Guide
Tourists have trusted Adirondack Guides since the 19th century, as depicted in this painting by Albert Bierstadt. Bierstadt was a member of the Hudson River School, a group of artists famous for their depictions of natural landscapes in the Adirondacks and elsewhere.

Although hunting is permitted on essentially all state- owned land in the Adirondacks, knowing where and when to hunt is daunting, even if you have a grasp on the geography of the mountains. Since the mid-1800s, professional sportsmen have guided visitors through the complex landscape of the Adirondack Mountains. Today, these guides are licensed by New York State and have a passion for the outdoors. Guides can also assist you with a variety of outdoor pursuits, such as cross-country skiing and hiking.

Consider hiring an outdoor guide whether you are planning on hunting, hiking, fishing, or exploring the magnificent Adirondack Mountains.

A Taste of Heritage, History, and Museums

Six Nations Indian Museum

ONCHIOTA (NORTHERN ADIRONDACKS)

Storytelling, viewing of 3000-plus artifacts and outdoor displays with an emphasis on the Iroquois Confederacy. Gift shop.

Adirondack Museum

BLUE MOUNTAIN LAKE

One of the largest museums in upstate New York, the Adirondack Museum is the place for Adirondack visitors to deepen their appreciation for what's special about the region and to explore how people have lived, worked, traveled, and played in the Adirondacks from the 19th century right up until today! Interactive, hands-on activities abound making the stories of the Adirondacks and its people highly engaging for children as well as adults.

Adirondack Museum
The exterior of the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake. Photo: Mwanner/Wikipedia

North Star Underground Railroad Museum

AUSABLE CHASM

The museum reveals the hidden history of the Champlain Line of the Underground Railroad. Poignant exhibits portray compelling stories of fugitives from slavery who passed through Northeastern New York and the Champlain Valley on their way to Quebec and Ontario, Canada.

World Awareness Children's Museum

GLENS FALLS

Where children discover the world. A unique, hands-on children's museum featuring art, artifacts and activities from around the world. Outreach programs. Onsite tours for groups.

Fort William Henry Museum

LAKE GEORGE

History comes alive! Restored Colonial fortress 1755-1757 French and Indian War era. Located at the strategic south end of Lake George. Guided and self-guided tour; children can join the King's Army. Live firing demonstrations of musket and cannon, musket ball molding demonstration.

The Wild Center
The Wild Center in Tupper Lake.

The Wild Center

TUPPER LAKE

The New York Times called The Wild Center "stunning". Built in the heart of the Adirondack Park, this major new Natural History museum mixes the indoors and outdoors, live and digital, in unusual ways.

Skiing

McCauley Mountain Ski Resort

OLD FORGE

633 ft drop for skiing, 14 trails. In summer and fall the chair lift offers spectacular views of the area. Chairlift, T-Bars, Rope Tow, Beginner Hill/Cross Country trails, lighted slope for night skiing, food court and lounge.

Hickory Ski Center

WARRENSBURG

Nestled in the scenic Adirondack Mountains just one hour from Albany is the historic Hickory Ski Center. Founded as ???Hickory Hill??? in 1945 by veterans of the famed ski troops of the American 10th Mountain Division, Hickory has stood like a sentinel on the banks of the Hudson River for almost 70 years. The spot ??? at the confluence of the Schroon and Hudson Rivers under the dominating presence of a sheer rock massif ??? is amongst the most beautiful in the Adirondacks.

Whiteface Mountain

WILMINGTON

Ski the greatest vertical drop in the eastern US on the same slopes as the 1980 Winter Olympics. 86 trails stretch over 22 miles.

Whiteface Mountain
Imagine skiing down the largest vertical drop east of the Rocky Mountains at Whiteface.

Gore Mountain

NORTH CREEK

Located in the southeastern Adirondacks, this skiing destination boasts 107 trails with 15 total lifts. Consider taking the recently revived Gore Mountain Ski Train, operating from Saratoga Springs by the Saratoga & North Creek Railway.

What to Bring

To ensure a positive experience, PRIOR to leaving, use our helpful checklist:

Practical Information for the Adirondacks

In case of any emergency know the DEC Forest Ranger Adirondacks Emergency Phone Line: 518-891-0235

If you have cell service in the Adirondacks, dialing 911 may direct you to a 911 Dispatcher in a neighboring county or potentially even Vermont. If for any reason a 911 Dispatcher can not assist you, dial the DEC Forest Ranger Emergency Phone Line. DEC Forest Rangers are highly trained emergency responders knowledgeable of the geography and subtleties of the Adirondack Mountains.

Respect and help maintain the Adirondacks.