Sans

I read Ben's posting at fodors and thought this might be the perfect opportunity to ask this question. We live in Boston and are planning to take a two day trip to somewhere--don't know where. Ben's response to "Blue mountain" sounds tempting. Would anybody be able to tell me as to what areas can we visit in those 2 days--we were thinking about lake george, but Ben's posting has changed me mind. Any input regarding where to go and what to do in such a short time would be enlightning. Thanks

Sans

Gina

Blue Lake Mountain.
What would you like to do, Sans? What are your interests?
When are you planning on coming?
We, people who live in the Adirondacks, will be glad to give you some suggestions but please help by giving us some ideas too.
Do you enjoy hiking, biking, skiing, for instance?
The Adirondacks area is wonderful for many outdoor activities.

Sans

Gina:
I am sorry--I should have been a little more specific. Yes, we love hiking, but not the whole-day-type. Also, I am planning for this labor day weekend so I do not know as to what it is going to be weatherwise. I was also interested in rafting.
I truly appreciate your help. Thanks
Sans

Sue

Sans, check out the Blue Mountain Museum, it is a wonderful facility and you can easily spend almost an entire day there.

xxx

ttt for Sans

Ben

Sans: First let me correct a couple of names. It's the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake. And Sue is right, you can spend most of a day there (it's our version of the Shelburne Museum in VT).

Blue Mountain Lake and Long Lake (about 10 miles away) are smack in the middle of the Adirondacks - a gorgeous area. Some things to do (there's a ton of them):

Hiking: trails criss-cross the region. Adirondack Mountain Club (www.adk.org) can give you lots of info. One popular hike is to the top of Goodnow Mountain in Newcomb - great views from the fire tower at the summit. Or hike in to the Santannoni Preserve, also in Newcomb, an old Great Camp undergoing restoration. Newcomb also is home to one of two Visitors Interpretive Centers (the other's in Paul Smiths), the Hudson River Headwaters with its own little interpretive center, and a park with a stunning vista of the High Peaks.

(Trivia: with 69 students, Newcomb is the smallest K-12 school district in New York.)

Rafting:
There are two or three rafting companies in North Creek and North River, both about a 20-30 min. drive from Blue Mountain Lake (I'd have to look up their names), that offer rafting and tubing on the Hudson and other waters.

Sights to see:
- Sagamore in Raquette Lake - it's the old Vanderbilt Great Camp and is just mind-boggling;
-Adirondack Museum and Visitors Interp. Center - both described above;
-A lunch/dinner/sightseeing cruise on Raquette Lake to see how the other half lived (and still do);
-Lake Placid (about 45 mins. away), with its Olympic venues, shopping and restaurants;
-In Long Lake, take a seaplane ride, boat or canoe on one of the most beautiful waters in the state, or relax and picnic next to Buttermilk Falls;
-Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington, take the gondola up Little Whiteface and hike to the top, or drive to the summit for awesome views. On your way to Whiteface, check out High Falls Gorge for cascades and waterfalls;
-Scenic drives, especially Route 28N from Long Lake through Newcomb, Route 30 from Speculator to Tupper Lake, and Route 73 from the Northway (I87) to Lake Placid.

And so on, and so on...

Last of all, the leaves are just starting to turn in the northern Adirondacks, so you might just get a little color.

Like I said, a ton of things to do, especially in 2 days. Hope this helps. Post if you need more.

BAM

Sans

Ben:
I cannot thank you enough for the information--you definitely know this area. One last question--is lake George a part of Adirondack? Thanks everybody for their input

Sans

Gina

Sans
Ben did woderful job and all I would like to add that if you are thinking about this Labor Day weekend you have to make your reservation as soon as possible. I hope it is not too late. If you need any more ideas about Lake Placid let me know.
There is road construction between Keen and Lake Placid so your trip would be a little longer but scenic as well. Just follow the detour signs. You may even stop at Whitface Mountain to take a gondola ride to the top and then you could walk down on the trail.
Do you know which route would you like to take from Boston?

Ben

Sans: Lake George is within the Adirondack Park. Don't get me wrong, it's a very fine area with lots of attractions. But it's very touristy, and not exactly the place to go if you want to get away from it all for a weekend (esp. Labor Day, the unofficial end of summer). I've spent the past 12 summers in Long Lake, and I'll admit that I'm biased - I love that area!

Sans

Gina and Ben:

Thanks a lot. If you guys ever need any help with Boston area [or if you are travelling to India], please don't hesitate to contact me at the email mentioned above.

Sans

Ben

Have a great trip! Let us know what you did when you return.

BAM

PS: You're on for Boston - it's one of my most favorite cities.

Eva

O. K. I clicked on this thread because I am avoiding writing a paper that is due in a couple of days--but I must make comment on this, rather than editing the crap I have been cranking out. I knew nothing about the Adirondacks as a destination until I read this and know i want to go! I love to hike and it sounds perfect.
The other comment I have is -- what a civil discussion about the place. Nobody felt it necessary to resort to slamming the other poster because they spelled something wrong or favored the wrong place.
Kudos to you!

scarlett

Just had to put in my two bits
We stayed at the Sagamore one September and went to a wonderful antiques market at Blue Mt Lake. The vendors had some of the best antiques I have seen, the food was even good and everywhere we went, we could see that wonderful lake! I would love to go back again and spend more time there.
And yes, I agree, the Sagamore is amazing!