Old-Time Outdoor Fun in the Adirondacks
See trip details for Adirondacks, New York, one of 30 suggested family trips from National Geographic.
The Adirondack Park covers six million acres (2.5 million hectares) in Upstate New York, making it the largest wilderness area east of the Mississippi River. The park includes 3,000 lakes and ponds, 2,000 miles (3,220 kilometers) of hiking trails, and 1,500 miles (2,400 kilometers) of rivers and streams. Learn about life in the Adirondacks at the Adirondack Museum, where kids can play with old-fashioned toys and make craft projects. Twenty buildings comprise the museum, located on Blue Mountain Lake. Explore the marsh, hike a trail, play in the playground, and visit the Native Species Butterfy House at the Adirondack Park Agency’s Visitor Interpretive Center in Paul Smiths.
Lodges in the Adirondacks offer plenty of activities. Elk Lake Lodge in North Hudson provides access to 40 miles (64 kilometers) of private trails. The beach at the Normandie Beach Club in Westport is the main draw for families. Canoes, kayaks, and sailboats are available, as are waterskiing and windsurfing lessons. Whiteface Lodge in Lake Placid runs a children’s program with activities including scavenger hunts, tennis, basketball, kayaking and canoeing lessons, orienteering, and plant identification. Another option for exploring the Adirondacks are boat tours on Lake Placid that go to Pulpit Rock and around the islands. On Raquette Lake, book a family-friendly pizza lunch cruise on Tuesdays aboard the W.W. Durant.
At Whiteface Lodge, the Sunset Club entertains and feeds the kids, allowing parents a fine dining experience. Afterward, attend a nightly bonfire, complete with s’mores.
The Adirondacks are about 200 miles (320 kilometers) from New York City. To book a cruise on the W. W. Durant, visit www.raquettelakenavigation.com.
For trip planning information, go to visitadirondacks.com.
Based on articles from National Geographic Traveler and compiled by Stephanie Robichaux
Related Topics
You May Also Like
Go Further
Animals
- How can we protect grizzlies from their biggest threat—trains?How can we protect grizzlies from their biggest threat—trains?
- This ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thoughtThis ‘saber-toothed’ salmon wasn’t quite what we thought
- Why this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect senseWhy this rhino-zebra friendship makes perfect sense
- When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.When did bioluminescence evolve? It’s older than we thought.
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
Environment
- Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum?Are the Great Lakes the key to solving America’s emissions conundrum?
- The world’s historic sites face climate change. Can Petra lead the way?The world’s historic sites face climate change. Can Petra lead the way?
- This pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilienceThis pristine piece of the Amazon shows nature’s resilience
- Listen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting musicListen to 30 years of climate change transformed into haunting music
History & Culture
- Meet the original members of the tortured poets departmentMeet the original members of the tortured poets department
- Séances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occultSéances at the White House? Why these first ladies turned to the occult
- Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?Gambling is everywhere now. When is that a problem?
- Beauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century SpainBeauty is pain—at least it was in 17th-century Spain
Science
- Here's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in spaceHere's how astronomers found one of the rarest phenomenons in space
- Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.Not an extrovert or introvert? There’s a word for that.
- NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?NASA has a plan to clean up space junk—but is going green enough?
- Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?Soy, skim … spider. Are any of these technically milk?
Travel
- Could Mexico's Chepe Express be the ultimate slow rail adventure?Could Mexico's Chepe Express be the ultimate slow rail adventure?
- What it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in MexicoWhat it's like to hike the Camino del Mayab in Mexico