It will be quite a bit of driving - esp since some won;t be on major highways. NYC to adirondacks - if you leave the city during the evening rush will be probably 6 hours. If you wnat to get there at a reasonable time you need to leave by about 2 pm or so (assuming you mean Manhattan).

For Niagara Falls you should stay on the Canadian side - where almost all the hotels are. A couple are "Falls view" with picture windows looking out over the floodlit falls at night - and these are the only option I would consider. You should be able to get for a $200 budget - don;t think $100 is realistic.

I think your plan is too ambitious (too much driving) for 6d. The Adirondacks are a long way away for a single day. Save that area for another trip when you have at least a couple of days to explore & enjoy the outdoors - hiking, canoeing, camping, etc.

Since it's about 7hrs drive to Niagara Falls just from NYC you are better off finding a stop off point mid way both directions.

Here's what you could do.

Tue evening, drive to Lake George - southern edge of the Adirondacks and about 1hr north of Albany, so not too much of a detour. There are plenty of chain motels along I-87 in the stretch around Saratoga Spring, or better yet you could even stay in Saratoga for 2 night - lovely little town. Saratoga is about 30min north of Albany, or 3.5hrs from NYC.

Wed - visit Lake George, do a moderate hike such as Prospect Mtn. Wed evening nice dinner in Saratoga Springs.

Thu. Drive to Niagara falls, then on to Toronto
Sun Drive to Finger lakes region.
Monday head back to NYC.

These links should be a help for Niagara Falls.

http://www.timesunion.com/default/article/Not-just-raging-water-1350042.php


http://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/03/travel/journeys-36-hours-niagara-on-the-lake.html
http://www.timesunion.com/living/article/Niagara-on-the-Lake-melds-beauty-history-646056.php

I agree that your plan involves too much driving. Geographically, better combinations for the Adirondacks include: Montreal, Saratoga Springs, Lake George, and Lake Placid, depending on your interests. Save this area for another trip.

Another way to do it-see if it makes sense:
Stay Tuesday night in the Catskills near Phonecia 2.5 hours from NYC-120 miles. See Empire State Railway Museum if interested. Phonecia to Seneca Falls at the head of Cayuga Lake is 4.0 hours-189 miles. Seneca Falls to Niagara Falls ON is 3.0 hours-130 miles Stay Wednesday night in Niagara Falls ON.
N. Falls to Toronto 1.5 hours-82 miles Spend the day in Toronto Thursday and maybe Friday. Toronto to Kingston 3.0 hours-164 mi.
Kingston to Tupper Lake via Ogdensburg International Bridge 3.3 hours- 142 miles. Tupper Lake back to NYC via Albany is 5.7 hours and about 300 miles. The Catskills are a more reasonable goal for Tuesday evening than all the way to the Adirondacks. Total trip as I laid it out, 1150 miles 22.5 hr.

Thank you so much everyone! This is exactly what I needed to know. I'll keep everyone's trip advises in mind. I think I'll go with what J62 suggested! We're going to stay around Lake George area and then a medium hike to Prospect Mountain.

Does anyone have any ideas on where to stay in Finger Lakes/ things to do?

Thanks again!

Travelottie- those links about Niagara are brilliant thanks!