Adirondacks destinations (Buffalo, Albany, Saranac Lake: rentals, waterpark, hotels)

[stasia]

I am looking for recommendations of places within Adirondack Park to visit for a weekend trip - within a 2 or 3 hour drive of Albany, for late summer or autumn.

I know Lake George and Lake Placid but would like to explore someplace new. I'm a moderate hiker, am looking for dog-friendly accommodations and activities, and would enjoy a walkable "town" area, as well, if possible.

Where's your favorite place in ADK?

[Becca8377]

I'm a frequent visitor of Old Forge. There's lots of hiking areas nearby, the downtown area is walkable with lots of cute shops, restaurants, etc. There's also lots of water activities - kayaking, canoeing, etc

[hock41]

Old Forge hands down.

2 and a half hours away. Very walkable downtown. There's a great waterpark there, a lot of nice shops and places to eat, and there's some very moderate easy mountains nearby.

Also, yeah, they're very dog friendly.

[exupstateny]

If you do end up in Old Forge, I would highly recommend a side trip to the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake. It is about 35 miles away from Old Forge.

The Adirondack Museum | Blue Mountain Lake, NY

[stasia]

Great, thanks for the Old Forge rec!

Any additional recs for places to stay and eat, and favorite trails is also welcome.

[Becca8377]

Originally Posted by stasia

Great, thanks for the Old Forge rec!

Any additional recs for places to stay and eat, and favorite trails is also welcome.

I've never stayed in any hotels there because my family has a house, so I can't recommend anything that way.

For restaurants -

Frankie's - awesome Italian food and great family owned restaurant - italian restaurant | italian cuisine | adirondack restaurant - Frankies Taste of Italy Old Forge NY

Slickers - bar/tavern type place, limited menu but decent food and always a good time - Home Page

Knotty Pine - a little more upscale - The Knotty Pine Restaurant

Buffalo Head - located a little south in Forestport... if you go, for the love of god, get the peanut butter pie! Buffalo Head Restaurant

There's also various cafe type places right in the downtown area of Old Forge, but the ones I listed above are my favorite places to go


This website has lots of good info as well - http://www.oldforgeny.com/

[sarchivist98]

A second for the Adirondack Museum. I have yet to visit The Wild Center, which is in Tupper Lake, but I've heard great things about it. Saranac Lake is small, but does have a downtown, and it's close to Lake Placid. I just picked up my daughter from camp in Lake Clear last week, and I've been wondering every since why I don't take more advantage of this beautiful park so close to home. . So, wherever you pick, go for it! You'll have a good, relaxing weekend.

[crittergal]

Absoulutely Old Forge! I spent every summer there at my gramothers house when I was growing up. I agree with the posters as to the restaurants, especially the Knotty Pine. Always looked forward to going there. Haven't been back in quite a few years so can't recommend accomodations, but I do know that if you choose to go to Old Forge you will definitely want to go back. Enjoy!

[Becca8377]

Don't know how I forgot to add this one - Seasons Adirondack Cafe. My favorite breakfast place! Staff is fantastic as well. They do have cabin rentals as well so that could be an option for a place to stay

Restaurant

[Janvier]

I've always enjoyed breakfast at The Muffin Patch in Old Forge-Big portions and good food. There's usually a wait though. I've hiked quite a few mountain trails up that way. For moderate...Bald Mountain is always a reliable standby, along with Castle rock, and black bear. For more of a challenge there's Blue Mountain and Goodnow Mtn a little ways up. Here's a link to some good trails and hikes in the inlet areahttp://inletny.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Hiking.pdf The views from some of these mountains are incredible.
You mentioned dog friendly, so not sure if this would work for you, but there's Horseback riding in Eagle Bay, that's always fun if you don't mind being led on a trail.
Saranac Lake really has it all..Lots of dining, shopping, and events and great recreation. If you haven't already been there, I highly recommend it. Hope you have a great time!