Explore the Adirondacks? Sounds like the perfect plan!
An ADK Sampler
by Brooke O'Neil
1.
Not your average highway
While there is no sweeter reward than reaching the summit after a long grueling hike, I firmly believe in the power of packing in as much as possible on your Adirondack getaway. Whether you’re looking for bang-for-your-buck views, have some time to spare, or are unable to make the long hike to the top, look no further than the Whiteface Veterans' Memorial Highway!
2.
Four perfect ways to hit the water
If you came to Lake Placid because you like water, you won't be disappointed. And since we like variety here, you're bound to discover a new way to make waves. So dive into this list and you'll find four ways to get wet when you're in Lake Placid. If you're not into doing it yourself, sign up for a scenic boat tour and enjoy the ride!
3.
In honor of country
Flagpole manufacturing and restoration is more than a job for Adirondack Flagpoles owner Danny Kaifetz, it’s something he believes in. Sure, he knows the technical stuff as well as people know their own names, but when he starts getting into why he makes flagpoles his voice changes. There's deep emotion there, an unmistakably strong feeling of pride when he says words like salute, sacrifice, and veteran.
4.
Relive the Gilded Age
If there was one single person who drew the most people to the Adirondacks, it just might be Seneca Ray Stoddard. His parents, Charles Stanley Stoddard and Julia Ann Ray, gave him both of their names, along with a first name which evoked the Seneca people. They were indigenous Iroquoian-speaking people who lived the farthest to the west within the Six Nations in upstate New York. It started him off with a strong connection to the Adirondacks.
5.
Paddling the Saranac River
The Adirondacks is full of beautiful waterways just waiting to be explored. Running straight through the heart of Saranac Lake is one of the area’s best paddling opportunities – the Saranac River. This 81-mile river encompasses several lakes and winds through miles of both civilization and wilderness before spilling into Lake Champlain.
While paddling the entire length would be a huge undertaking, sections of it are perfect for full- or half-day trips. One popular one-way route is the section between Saranac Lake and the Moose Pond trailhead outside of Bloomingdale, NY.
6.
Awesome birding found here
I have a confession to make. As much as what I do revolves around birds, I often don’t have time – particularly during this season of the year when their numbers and diversity in the Adirondacks are at their zenith – to simply go birding. The reason is that I’m often so busy teaching, guiding, or conducting research on birds that I can’t fit it in. That’s how it goes when things are busy I suppose, but it is also a shame since there are so many great places to simply explore in the region. And now is an amazing time of year to investigate them.
7.
Malone summer park concerts
The Malone Chamber of Commerce is set to host this year's concerts in the park series at the historic Arsenal Green Park. This historic backdrop and the even more historic buildings around it create the scene for some great entertainment that we all love each summer. Each Friday in the month of July there is a free concert open to everyone -- residents and visitors alike. The concerts feature great local talent in a variety of genres!
8.
New exhibit celebrates Indigenous culture
The Wild Center has opened a new set of exhibits for the summer of 2018. These came from a collaboration between several Native American cultural institutions. The idea was to expand a visitor's understanding of the thousands of years of indigenous knowledge and spiritual practices which took place in the Adirondacks, and combine it with the deep immersion and hands-on immediacy The Wild Center is known for.