Everything You Need to Know About Visiting Saranac Lake

Posnov / Getty Images

Key Info

Official Website

Details

Hiking, Skiing, Swimming/Pools, Neighborhood/Area Type
2 hours to Half Day Time to Spend

4.8

Overall

Scorecard

Value

5.0
Food Scene

3.5
Atmosphere

5.0

Read about how we rank Things to Do.

Located just 9 miles northwest of the bustling tourist town of Lake Placid, Saranac Lake is the perfect escape from the high prices that accompany Lake Placid's Olympics attractions. Filled with shops, hotels and local diners, Saranac Lake is considered one of the most idyllic villages in upstate New York.

Recent travelers characterized the area as a lesser-known gem of the Adirondacks. Whether you visit when the leaves are changing, in February for winter carnival or once the snow has melted, Saranac Lake offers plenty of stunning scenery without hoards of tourists. Canoeing, hiking and kayaking are especially popular here.

Saranac Lake is free to visit. Keep in mind, though, that some activities, such as boating and biking, will cost extra if equipment needs to be rented. To get to Saranac Lake, travelers can fly into Adirondack Regional Airport, which sits about 7 miles northwest of town and offers direct flights to and from Boston's Logan International Airport. Additionally, the Trailways of New York provide rail service to the region from various parts of the state.

Hotels Nearby

Thing to Do
Hotel

Best Western Mountain Lake Inn ...

1.2 Miles Away
2.5-star Hotel Class

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#1 Saranac Lake Located just 9 miles northwest of the bustling tourist town of Lake Placid, Saranac Lake is the perfect escape from the high prices that accompany Lake Placid's Olympics attractions ... Read more » Posnov / Getty Images

#2 Whiteface Mountain (Lake Placid) With the largest vertical drop on the eastern seaboard (measuring 3,430 feet), 87 trails and 11 ski lifts, Whiteface Mountain is a skier's paradise. But should you decide ... Read more » Allen McGregor / Flickr

#3 Fort Ticonderoga Nicknamed the "Key to the Continent" in the 18th century, Fort Ticonderoga sits on Lake Champlain and once served as a strategic focal point during the Revolutionary War and the ... Read more » pmstephens / Getty Images

#4 The Wild Center (Tupper Lake) Nestled within the Adirondacks about 21 miles southwest of Saranac Lake, The Wild Center features 81 acres of forest and plenty of wildlife. In fact, all of the site's ... Read more » Wild Center / Flickr

#5 John Brown Farm State Historic Site (Lake Placid) For those who are interested in history but don't want to drive too far to find it, John Brown Farm State Historic Site is worth a visit. Located less ... Read more » capecodphoto / Getty Images

#6 Lake Placid Olympic Sports Complex Situated on Mount Van Hoevenberg about 7 miles southeast of Lake Placid, the Olympic Sports Complex is an ideal attraction for those interested in the Olympics and winter sports. The ... Read more » Matthew Stockman/Staff / Getty Images

#7 Lake Placid Olympic Jumping Complex Less than 2 miles southeast of downtown Lake Placid, the Olympic Jumping Complex is another popular (and convenient) outing for winter sports enthusiasts. Once used as an event site during ... Read more » Bruce Bennett/Staff / Getty Images

#8 Lake Placid Olympic Museum For a glimpse into the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympic Games, make a stop at the Lake Placid Olympic Museum. Although some past travelers found the property to be a ... Read more » MDV / Flickr