Weekend in the Adirondacks: DAY THREE

As we wrap up our weekend excursion in upstate New York, we'll be making the most of our final day by spending it primarily in the great outdoor expanse of the Adirondacks. If you followed along with the suggestions for the first two days of the trip, you'll be waking up to a serene scene of birds chirping and bugs buzzing at your lakeside campsite this morning, where you'll be preparing yourself for a fantastic final day.

Day Three:

1. Get ready for a full day of hiking with a campsite breakfast using the food you stocked up on in Lake Placid. One of my favorite easy recipes for the campsite is this breakfast skillet with potatoes, as its easy to cook over the campfire in a single pan, feeds quite a few people and will fill you up for the day ahead. You can add different cheese, peppers and onions or hot sauce to your liking. 
2. The pinnacle of your final day relies on a long hike from your campsite to one of the hundreds of scenic vistas and viewpoints located on one of the many high points and peaks in the area. While it is hard to make a specific suggestion since the location of your campsite will vary, there are a few different ways to go about finding the perfect hike from where you are. The best way to find a good hike is to ask your pilot or guide when the float plane drops you at your campsite as they will know what is in the immediate area they are dropping you in. Alternatively, you may download a brochure from VisitAdirondacks that is full of suggestions for hiking both the legendary 46 high peaks and more "gentle" shorter options. 
3. Arrive back at your campsite to be picked up at your scheduled time by Helms Aero, and head back to your rental car in Long Lake. Get started on your long, five hour ride back and head back south towards Albany. Your final stop is just north of Albany, in Saratoga Springs. While you have officially left the Adirondacks, Saratoga is a great place to pit stop for lunch/ dinner on your way back and recap what will have been quite an eventful trip. One of Saratoga's most historic and well known establishments is the Olde Bryan Inn, where I suggest making the final stop on your journey for a well deserved hot meal, back in the comforts of civilization after your night in the wild of the Adirondacks. 

As you drive back down I-87S towards New York City, reflect on not only the valuable time spent outside in nature, but the time spent outside of New York City. Over the Summer the confines of the five boroughs can feel hot and cramped, and my favorite way to escape the city is always driving out into nature. Whether it is for a few hours or a few days, a brief respite from city life can re-energize anyone looking to escape for a few days. With the Adirondacks so close, theres no excuses when it comes to planning a great trip upstate!

Weekend in the Adirondacks: DAY TWO

In my last post, we started our weekend journey from New York City up into the Adirondacks, setting up for a reinvigorating three day escape from city life. With day one stops at The Wild Center, Whiteface Mountain and finally Lake Placid, day two includes not only more fun and adventure, but an even deeper dive into the seclusion and serenity in the vastness of Adirondack Park.

Day Two: 

1. As you wake up in Lake Placid, get ready for a big day ahead, starting with a trip to the world famous Lake Placid Olympic Center. No trip to Lake Placid, or the Adirondacks, would be complete without visiting the Olympic Center. It was here that the US mens hockey team won Olympic gold in 1980, beating the Soviet Union in what is affectionately known as "the miracle on ice." Make your way around the center or hop in a guided tour to hear more about the 7,700-seat Herb Brooks Arena, annual national and international figure skating competitions, USA Hockey events, Stars on Ice, ECAC Hockey Championships, and more. In the summer, the Center hosts Saturday Night Ice Shows where top new skaters perform.
2. Now that you've experienced a taste of what the area has to offer, prepare to venture deeper into the Adirondacks. Day two revolves around the final step/suggestion for the day, where you'll be taking a float plane to a remote camping spot of your choosing, or one suggested by your guide. But before we get there, you'll want to stock up on supplies while you are still among civilization. While you are in Lake Placid, check out Eastern Mountain Sports for any camping gear you may need and fill your cooler with some groceries for the campsite at Hannaford Market. 
3. Weather permitting, call up Helms Aero Service in Long Lake, NY, and ask for a quote to take your crew camping. This will be the highlight of your trip. Float plane charters can range from $80-100 per person round trip, but the additional expense is well worth it, as the family owned "airstrip" located on Long Lake offers short flights to any dozens of secluded campsites in the Adirondacks. While a float plane may sound scary to some, it is perfectly safe and is by far the best way to get deep in the Adirondacks for a night of camping. Park the car in Long Lake, gather your friends and gear and ask your pilot to suggest a campsite. Take plenty of pictures in the air and when you touch down, get ready to set up camp for a night of food, games and fun by the fire. 

Whether you wind down with a whiskey by the water or spend all night playing cards with friends, day two and three in the Adirondacks promise to be something special. There is nothing like sleeping out in the wild and waking up to the sunrise at your lakeside campsite, and it's sure to set you up for a fantastic final day full of hiking and panoramic views. Check back tomorrow for the conclusion of our trip and enjoy being out of the city for a bit!

A Weekend in the Adirondacks: DAY ONE

Working or living in New York City over the Summer can feel like you're trapped in a hot stew of cars, bodies and noise. Thankfully, upstate New York is home to some of the coolest spots for a laid back, private and secluded weekend away from the city. New York's Adirondack Park, situated within the greater Adirondack Mountains, is home to 6.1 million acres of space as well as more than 10,000 lakes, 30,000 miles of rivers and streams and a wide variety of habitats, making it bigger than some of the largest national parks and the ideal place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.

My next three posts on Road Trip NY will highlight the ideal long weekend road trip (Friday, Saturday, Sunday) and getaway to the Adirondacks with a special emphasis on some of the must see hikes and activities. 

Day One:

1. After getting up bright an early for the five hour drive, use Waze to escape from New York City via I-87N, heading to The Wild Center and Wild Walk in Tupper Lake, NY as your first stop. Make sure you have plenty of snacks and tunes packed along for the ride. The 115-acre Wild Center is an all-day indoor and outdoor experience, from playing with live river otters to walking an elevated trail over the treetops, The Wild Center allows visitors of all ages to get closer to nature. There are trails, guided canoe trips on the river that runs by the Center and a staff ready to show you around and talk about the wild world of the Adirondacks, making it the ideal first stop to ask questions and familiarize yourself with the area. 
2. After exploring The Wild Center, continue on to Whiteface Mountain's Cloudsplitter Gondola for a more laid back adventure, as you ride the gondola fifteen minutes to the top of Whiteface Mountain, from Main Base Lodge to the top of Little Whiteface. During the ride, you’ll get an unparalleled bird’s eye view of the mountains, ski trails, streams, rock faces, and forests, that you will spend the weekend exploring. As well as a spectacular view of Lake Placid itself and your next stop: the village that bears its name. 

3. To finish up your first day, head into Lake Placid for food and somewhere to stay. If you're drinking age, I suggest the Great Adirondack Brewing Company to finish your day with a flight of craft beer and snacks. If alcohol isn't your preference or if you're looking for a larger meal, head over to Smoke Signals for live music and BBQ. As for places to stay, there are a wide variety of choices from hotels to bed and breakfasts to various types of AirBnb. As the next two days of the trip are focused around camping in the seclusion of the Adirondack wilderness, you may prefer a warm shower and bed for your first night, so check TripAdvisor or AirBnb for a place to spend the night that meets your budget and criteria. 

Check back tomorrow for the next day of our weekend getaway! Make sure to bring your sunscreen, bug spray and swim suit as we'll be venturing even further into the expansive outdoor offerings of the Adirondacks!