Stunning stargazing, classic camping, and bubbly brunch.
Fall Vacation is Now in Session
1.
Dark skies, bright stars
Who doesn't look up at the stars to escape from the everyday to an unknown world? I know I do, and I would bet many of you do too. (It's OK -- I won't tell your boss you're thinking of relocating.)
When it comes to looking at the night sky, it turns out that the Adirondacks are as scenic after dark as they are during daylight hours. Just take a look at a satellite photo of the United States taken at night: That pitch-black, Adirondack-shaped hole in New York state means this area is nearly devoid of the light pollution that blots out the heavens in many towns and cities. Combine that with cool, dry night air, and easy access to high vantage points to get great views, and you're likely to see things you've only heard about. (80% of Americans live in places where it's impossible to see the Milky Way. On a clear night, that cloudy strip is hanging right above you here.)
2.
Put a patch on it
Most Adirondack challenges involve doing one activity, usually hiking, over and over. If you happen to like the activity, trying to earn the corresponding patch really becomes a checklist of cool places to visit, and the bragging rights aren't bad either.
Now, forget what you know about those other challenges, because the Experience Newcomb Patches are different! The four patches range in difficulty from casual to extreme, with each requiring different activities to complete. Sure, there's hiking (this is the Adirondacks, after all), but there is also paddling, biking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Our suggestion: start at the easy end of the challenge and work your way through them for the best results.
Check out the official Experience Newcomb Patches guide and registration form for more info. Happy exploring!
3.
Lean-to life
After a steep half-mile up the densely wooded trail, still soft from the early morning rain, I found myself at a sign directing me to the Copperas Pond lean-to. I was meeting my friends — Erin, Arthur, and their dog Roma — at the lean-to where they had been camping at since yesterday. I carried the basic camping necessities on my back, save for a tent, as I rounded the glistening Copperas Pond on a cloudy but balmy day in early September, which I would argue is one of the most underrated times to camp in the Adirondacks.
Copperas Pond in the Whiteface Region is special for a few reasons; it is a fairly easy hike to blissful seclusion on the shores of a pretty pond with up-close views of the Sentinel Range. The Adirondack lean-to is a coveted spot right on the pond’s rocky shore, and like all lean-tos its first come, first served. The traditional Adirondack lean-to is a free-standing shelter of three sides, constructed of logs or unfinished wood, with a sloping roof.
4.
Two wheeled leaf peeping
The Adirondacks is one of the most spectacular places in the world to see the leaves change. People from all over the world travel to set foot where the mountain peaks touch the sky, to absorb the vibrant splashes of color painted across the vast Adirondack mountainscape.
It was early October and the leaves were just starting to change; I was heading out the door on a foggy fall morning for a long bike ride. The plan: bike to Westport from Lake Placid. I love the Northeast, especially when the air turns from hot and humid to cool and crisp. It’s an instant splash of rejuvenation with the sensation of change.
5.
Simply scenic paddling
The Adirondacks are 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.
Best of the brunch
On vacation, normal breakfast routines are abandoned and diets temporarily broken — as they should be. Your much-deserved days off should start slowly, with crave-worthy, mouth-watering meals in a relaxed setting. This is no exception while visiting our beautiful Adirondack village. We’ve done the homework for you and have listed our favorite brunch spots. All of these restaurants provide a great foundation for a perfect day of sight-seeing, hiking, shopping, or enjoying a book in a lakeside Adirondack chair.
7.
Classically Adirondack events
Fall is one of the most stunning times to visit the Adirondacks. The warm days and cool nights, the dazzling foliage, the quiet towns without the hustle and bustle of summer. Its the perfect time for a weekend getaway. The weather this time of year is perfect for hiking, whitewater rafting, and attending one of our many events taking place throughout September and October!
Here is a quick rundown of just a few of the events taking place in each of our regions.
8.
All about Malone Golf Club
Malone has a rich golf history dating back to 1903, when a small group of locals joined forces to create a golf club for the community. You might be wondering what's so impressive about that? Well, that was only nine years after the very first golf club was organized in the United States.
Here are a few more things you need to know about Malone Golf Club.