Visiting Upstate New York and the Adirondacks

New York's northern tip east of Lake Ontario is dominated by the Adirondack Mountains and the myriad of wonderful places to visit. Lake Placid is famous for the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics and is situated central to the region. The region is on the western coast of Lake Champlain and the St Lawrence river and Lake Ontario are the western border of the Region. If there is snow on the ground look into skiing, snow shoeing and snowmobiling. Check out the lakes for ice skating or ice fishing. It's basketball and hockey season for indoor events, take in a college or pro game with a favorite team.

Lake Placid and Saranac Lake sit in the heart of the region and offer a full schedule of winter activities and events. The Adirondack High Peaks Wilderness Train adventure is a comfortable and warm way to see the scenery it is a 20 mile round trip train ride from Lake Placid Station to Saranac Lake Union Depot. Departures leave from either station and the schedules allow for varied returns. Perfect to enjoy any itinerary, pace and choice of sights. The Spring schedule begins late in May.

The Saranac Lake Winter Festival held in February is the oldest winter festival in the Eastern US. If you missed it this year, grab your frying pan and start practicing for next years frying pan toss. New this year for Saranac Lake is the first ever Sunchaser Challenge. This is a unique and fun challenge to mark the US Endangered Species Day in May. This 'green' event is great for all ages and abilities and participation is either in teams or solo, come join and support efforts benefiting animals at risk of extinction.

Lake Placid offers many options to entertain visitors in addition to the Olympic facilities. High Falls Gorge is a fantastical sight in winter. Access is safe and can also be done with snowshoes. Rewarded at the Falls with spectacular ice formations on the seven hundred feet of waterfalls frozen most of the winter. On weekends, enjoy warm campfires, hot chocolate and maybe even roast some marshmallows.

The Lake Placid Marathon is ranked by runners as one of the top destination races in the US. Held in June the race activities include a 4 team relay marathon event and the half marathon. Great options for all runners. Lake Placid also hosts the Ironman Lake Placid during July with Mirror Lake as the site for the swim and the cycling taking place through the surrounding Adirondacks. Now is the time to plan for this event.

Along the western coast of Lake Champlain down to Lake George, cities like Plattsburgh, Ticonderoga, and Lake George host a variety of wonderful winter events. Check calendars for ice fishing tournaments and contests, winter festivals, St. Patrick Day breakfasts and parade, and even find an Elvis tribute and contest in June in Lake George.

Best Western Hotels dot the area with convenient and affordable lodging. Offering quality accommodations for overnight or longer stays, look for Best Western when planning trips to the beautiful Adirondack Region.

Upstate New York and the Adirondacks Hotel Map