The Adirondacks

In the Adirondacks, the Canadian city of Montreal is just an hour's drive away, but it's New York State after all. Yes, which includes the city, although you have to drive for five hours. It's the source of the Hudson River, which ends in New York and is named after the discoverer of the city.
The Adirondacks are relatively unknown, but it is an immense nature reserve close to the border with Canada. It is best known for the winter sports town of Lake Placid.
The Adirondacks is a typical mountain range where every season is different. So that you can always visit. In fact; actually must visit. You know them from the American films and television series. The wooden cabins in a forest, idyllically situated on a lake. That is my feeling of The Great Outdoors, or the real outdoor life. You will find plenty in the Adirondacks.

In addition to the mountains and the many lakes, the Adirondacks have even more attractions. This is the best selection of attractions and excursions. For a nice day out, if you have some time to spare, if the weather is bad or if you simply want to know more ...

At 1,559 meters, the Algonquin does not seem that high, but due to its northern location, the top does have an alpine climate. This mountain has a major influence on the climate. You can climb the top, or actually walk more. The path does go up and is steep on a few pieces. But it is doable for someone who is fit. Get out early as it can get hot.

This museum at Tupper Lake provides a lot of information about this immense area and its inhabitants. You will meet otters, but also the various types of salmon. There is also a remarkable amount to be found about the genesis. A special feature is the Wild Walk, where you walk between the trees at a height. With special views over the trees, but also a lot of explanation. At the start of the Wild Walk, pay attention to the feeding area, where ground squirrels as well as common squirrels like to come and have a snack.
Address: at Tupper Lake

More information: WildCenter

The Adirondack Experience aims to preserve the history of this unique area. As well as conveying it to the current residents and visitors. You will find many remains of the first inhabitants and you can learn everything about their harsh way of life. The many historical photos (more than 70,000) are particularly intriguing, as are the recreated buildings such as a school building and that of an iron blacksmith scattered here and there. At the restaurant, don't forget to look at the lake in the background.
Address: at Blue Mountain Lake

More information: Adirondack Experience

In the book The 100 Most Beautiful Towns in America, writer Norman Crampton put the town of Essex first. I visited the local historian David Hislop. Many houses date from the beginning and end of the 19th century. Including Hislop's house, where he receives you. Just about everything there is still authentic. A walk through the village offers a unique insight into the wealth of the people who came from New York and Boston to build a summer home. The town has almost 700 inhabitants. A visit to Essex is a dive into the past.
Address: On the edge of Lake Champlain

More information: Essex

Fort Ticonderoga is located on Lake Champlain and has a rich history. No fewer than four battles were fought at this 18th-century fort during the French War, but also during the American Revolutionary War. The name Ticonderoga comes from the Indians. The Irokese word tekontaró:ken, which means confluence of two waterways.
In the fort I quickly bump into so-called storytellers. In authentic clothing they tell stories about the rough history.  There are more special events. I did the Beyond Blades and Bullets Tour, where you get an explanation of historical weapons. And you can hold them, albeit with plastic gloves. At the end of the day (for an extra 2.50) I also went up the adjacent Mount Defiance with a guide. From the hill you have an unprecedented view over the fort, the river and the landscape. While the sun is slowly setting ...
Address: 30 Fort Ti Rd, Ticonderoga

More information: Fort Ticonderoga

There are numerous waterfalls in the Adirondacks. I have visited both Ausable Chasm and High Falls Gorge. Both are private (so entrance fee), but are well worth it.
Ausable Chasm is a limestone gorge carved by the Ausable River, as well as ice and rain. There are several waterfalls and rapids. You walk along the steep edge, but also on a path that hangs from the rocks. You follow various waterfalls and rapids. There is also an Adventure Trail, where you can climb over the river, among other things.
Address: Keeseville

More information: AusableChasm

High Falls Gorge is also a gorge with several waterfalls, but made of granite. Via a path and viewing platforms you get a good picture of the natural disasters. Both places are ideal for photos; in good weather, but also with dark clouds, for example. Especially in the early morning and afternoon.
Address: Wilmington

More information: HighFallsGorge

Sagamore Lodge is a wonderful place in the wilderness. More than a century ago there was even a covered bowling alley in the forest. Which is still operational now. Just like the "game room", with billiards, piano and more. Everything radiates the past. The fireplace and the much wood that has been used. The canoes are ready for use and the open fire in the evening is the place for stories. From anyone ...
You can spend the night in this lodge. Although you must be with a group. "But that's nothing fancy," he laughs. "Authentic, even the beds are still original," laughs guide Jeff. But if you approach him and he has a place, he also likes to be a "group; of two. So you can experience the sunset and sunrise at the lake.
Address: Raquette Lake

More information: Sagamore

The Great Camps, these are the former summer homes of the rich. Immense wooden houses in the most beautiful places in the Adirondacks. Located on one of the many lakes for example. Only a dozen have survived. A few can be visited as tourists, the rest are private property. What is special is that all buildings have been incorporated into the landscape; they are hardly noticeable.
Santanoni Preserve was said to be the most beautiful of them all. Today it is a National Historic Landmark and can be visited as a tourist. But do not stay overnight, for example. It is remarkable that it can still only be reached on foot. Or by bicycle or horse and carriage.
Address: at Newcomb

The famous television series Little House on the Prairie was originally a book series written by Laura Ingalls Wilder. In one of them, Farmer Boy, she told about Almanzo, who lived there with his parents. The Almanzo Wilder Farm consists of the farm, including the stables, cheese factory and outside toilet are still there. This is also a step back in time. To see how life was in people's homes almost two centuries ago.
Address: near the town of Malone

More information: AlmanzoFarm

It is well known that mountain air is healthy. Centuries ago, TB patients came to recover. In 1873 little was known about the disease, except that many people died from it. Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau had TB of his own and bought a house in Saranac to conduct research. This house can now be visited and shows how difficult the fight against TB was and is.
Address: in Saranac Lake

More information: SaranacMuseum

The starry sky is clearly visible due to the limited light pollution in the Adirondacks. If it is not cloudy, of course. Co-founder Marc Staves: “This area is beautiful, but above it is even more beautiful. On a computer he shows some of the highlights of the past year. As if you are looking at paintings.
He presses a button and the roof opens. The telescopes are pointed upwards, towards the infinite universe. In high season you can come as a tourist (for free) to see the stars, usually on Friday evenings.
Address: Tupper Lake

More information: APObservatory