Northern New York’s Adirondacks offer gorgeous scenery, with abundant lakes and ponds, forests and those majestic mountains. It draws sporty types and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Bolton Landing, on the shores of Lake George, earned the nickname “Millionaires Row” after an influx of wealthy urbanites chose to summer here in the 1800s. Today, most of the waterfront mansions have been converted into resorts, but the cultural atmosphere lives on.
While Bolton Landing attracts fewer tourists than nearby Lake George village, summers can still be quite crowded. The Lake George area is a traveler’s dream: You’ll find everything from lakeside fun to quiet mountain retreats. In the foothills of the Adirondacks, the area is a center for winter as well as summer sports; there are many miles of snowmobile trails. Mount Marcy, the highest mountain in New York State (5,344 feet), rises from the Adirondack peaks that surround Lake Placid. Resting on its namesake lake, the village also partly surrounds Mirror Lake, which makes for a scenic setting. This is one of the most famous all-year vacation centers in the East and the site of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics.
Surrounded by Adirondack Park, the village of Saranac Lake was first settled in 1819 when Jacob Moody, who had been injured in a sawmill accident, retired to the wilderness, built a log cabin at what is now Pine and River streets and raised a family of mountain guides. The qualities that attracted Moody and made the town a famous health resort in the 19th century continue to lure visitors who come for the fresh mountain air and a relaxing environment.
