| You don't have to visit exotic places for | | | | offered ala carte, so you can mix and match |
| adventures this summer! New York's Southern | | | | your side dishes, or go with the salad bar. Call |
| Adirondack region abounds with fun and | | | | ahead for daily special(s) and serving times--just |
| excitement. Whether you are an outdoor person, | | | | be sure to ask for the cafeteria, as there is more |
| a couch potato or somewhere in-between, this | | | | than one eating establishment there. |
| easily accessible resort area has it all...and is adding | | | | There's more than one way to dine in the |
| new attractions every year. | | | | Adirondacks. For those of you who really want to |
| The Southern Adirondack region spans northern | | | | experience dining out--how about an old-fashioned |
| Saratoga County, to the Green Mountains and | | | | picnic? There are many fabulous picnic areas in |
| north to the heart of a state park the size of the | | | | the region. Stop by a deli or grocery store and |
| state of Vermont. The shining star of the | | | | load up the picnic basket. Some of the more |
| Adirondack region is the 32-mile long Lake | | | | popular areas include: the magnificent Prospect |
| George, known as "Queen of the American | | | | Mountain Memorial Highway in Lake George, the |
| Lakes." Just north of Lake George, is historic Lake | | | | picturesque Washington County Park, just north |
| Champlain. Other large waterways include the | | | | of Whitehall in Hulett's Landing (which also has a |
| Hudson River and Great Sacandaga Lake. Besides | | | | beach on Lake George and a tennis court--Local |
| these, the area boasts literally hundreds of lakes, | | | | tips: On the way to this park, you will drive by a |
| ponds, and streams. The Champlain Canal is a | | | | beaver pond and possibly see an old fire tower. |
| popular waterway for international boaters. Water | | | | On the way back down, just before you reach |
| lovers have no end of activities in the Lake | | | | the main highway, if the day is clear, you will be |
| George region: several water parks--including a | | | | able to see the Catskill Mountains--over 150 miles |
| new indoor water park opening in February, | | | | away! Also, before turning off the main road to |
| boating, lake and canal cruises, para-sailing, | | | | Hulett's Landing, be sure to stop at the lay-by for |
| whitewater rafting and tubing, water-skiing, jet-ski | | | | a broad scenic view of the Champlain Valley and |
| and boat rentals, fishing charters and local fishing | | | | distant hills of Vermont's Green Mountain range. |
| derby's, sailing, plus kayaking and canoeing. Boat | | | | Another, far lesser known great picnic area is in |
| and canoe launches are located in a number of | | | | the northern Saratoga County village of Corinth. |
| places on the Hudson River and throughout the | | | | This nice little village is located on state Route 9-N, |
| region. | | | | south. Like Lake Luzerne, it also has a beach on |
| For those of you who prefer working on your | | | | the Hudson River--and some wonderful and unique |
| tan, the Lake George/Lake Luzerne areas have | | | | Adirondack gift shops and art galleries and |
| no less than six public beaches: two in Lake | | | | frequently hosts parades and festivals. But the |
| George, three in Lake Luzerne, and one in the | | | | real gem of the village is hidden away across the |
| village of Corinth. Additionally, there is a public | | | | tracks on Palmer Avenue. This is known by the |
| beach located at the New York State Forth Lake | | | | odd name of Pagenstecker Park. The park was |
| campground, which also has boat rentals. Local tip: | | | | given to the village back in the 1900's by a |
| As an added bonus, during July, the secluded Main | | | | nationally known paper mill, which, until recently, |
| Beach in Lake Luzerne is located directly across | | | | was the town's major employer. The park is |
| from a youth's music camp. At certain times in | | | | lovely. It features genuine old growth |
| the afternoons, beach goers are treated to the | | | | trees--something there are few of in the |
| sound of live chamber music drifting over the | | | | Adirondacks, wildflowers, a picnic area with |
| water. | | | | covered pavilion, free games--horseshoes, tennis |
| If you've had enough of the water, you and the | | | | and basketball, plus a playground for the kids. But |
| family can always visit the two amusement parks | | | | the most magnificent feature of this park is the |
| in the area. One is a large, well-known theme park | | | | view: it sits directly on the edge of the |
| featuring many thrilling rides and popular cartoon | | | | northern-most palisades of the Hudson River, and |
| characters, as well as seasonal special events. The | | | | one can look down the gorge at nearby Palmer |
| smaller park, which is tailored more to children, | | | | Falls. The edge of the cliff is fenced off, but there |
| also has rides, but its unique shows are the | | | | is a supposedly a trail to a haunted spring at the |
| biggest attraction there: it features a diving horse, | | | | bottom that was once used by the local Indians. |
| bird shows and more. This park retains much of | | | | A fall festival is held here annually. |
| its original 1950's character. Other places of | | | | If you like history, you'll love the Adirondacks. |
| interest include: two "haunted" houses/wax | | | | Forts from the French and Indian (Queen Anne's) |
| museums, a UFO "museum", several arcades, | | | | War and the Revolution were rebuilt and are open |
| numerous mini-golf courses, two go-kart tracks, | | | | to tourists. These include Fort Ticonderoga, Fort |
| indoor laser tag, paintball, hot air balloon rides, | | | | William Henry and the Old Fort House Museum in |
| many well-maintained paved bike/rollerblading trails | | | | Fort Edward. Additionally, there are archaeological |
| (bike rentals available), indoor roller skating, loads | | | | exhibits at Roger's Island in Fort Edward and |
| of golf courses--including indoor golf, public tennis | | | | underwater sites open to divers on Lakes George |
| courts, there are gyms offering seasonal | | | | and Champlain. Drive down NY route 149 |
| memberships and there's excellent hiking trails to | | | | between Comstock and Whitehall, and glimpse |
| fire towers, lakes and mountain tops. Whew! | | | | parts of the original Champlain Canal following the |
| Modern life shore can be hectic, pardners... | | | | railroad tracks. In Whitehall, you can see the hull |
| If you've always dreamed of chucking it all and | | | | of an 1812 war ship, visit the interesting local |
| being a cowboy, then grab your hat, partner and | | | | history museum and splendid Skene Manor, a |
| saddle up! You don't have to travel out west to | | | | Victorian mansion perched high atop the cliffs |
| feel like a buckaroo. Since the 1940's, the | | | | overlooking the town. Back in the city of Glens |
| Southern Adirondacks have played host to | | | | Falls, there's the area's best history museum and |
| numerous dude ranches. Although the heyday of | | | | at the NY route 9 bridge leading to South Glens |
| the dude ranch has passed, the Old West is | | | | Falls, is Cooper's Cave. This is the actual cave |
| currently seeing a revival in the area. Currently, | | | | featured in James Fennimore Cooper's (an |
| there are two real old-time dude ranches in the | | | | ancestor of mine), famous 1826 American novel |
| area and two more that are a resorts with a | | | | "Last of the Mohicans," in which the intrepid |
| dude ranch theme. Root for your favorite | | | | Hawkeye saves his damsel in distress from the |
| cowboy or gal at one of three area rodeos--one, | | | | savages by hiding in a cave underneath a |
| a professional rodeo, and plays to crowds three | | | | waterfall. |
| times weekly. Grab your boots and straddle the | | | | Besides these attractions, many towns and |
| saddle on a trusty steed. There are over a | | | | villages have local history sites and museums. In |
| half-dozen business offering one to two hour trail | | | | Lake Luzerne, there are three small museums: a |
| rides, as well as dinner rides and riding lessons. If | | | | pulp mill museum, a local history museum and a |
| you like horses, but are afraid of riding, hourly | | | | one-room school house. Towns such as Lake |
| carriage rides, hay rides and carriage rentals are | | | | George and Corinth also have museums. In |
| also available in the area. There's even an old-time | | | | Granville, in Washington County, there's the |
| western theme park, featuring horseback riding | | | | Pember Natural History Museum and a slate |
| and stage coach rides, a petting zoo and a real | | | | museum. Glens Falls houses the world famous |
| live Wild West show. Want to dress the part? | | | | Hyde Collection. The paintings and sculptures here |
| You can visit several local western stores to | | | | are housed together with antique and period |
| outfit yourself in style, and bring home gifts for | | | | furniture in a renovated mansion. |
| the kiddies from Native American & western | | | | If history seems to tame for you, there's always |
| style gift shops in the region. Feeding that | | | | the night life and cultural events. If you like |
| cowboy-like appetite you've worked up is no | | | | movies, there is a drive-in theater, a multi-plex |
| problem, as the region boasts a variety of BBQ | | | | and a restaurant/theater. For laughs, visit a local |
| and Southwestern style eating establishments. | | | | comedy club, or dance the night away at a |
| Speaking of shopping and eating, what better | | | | nightclub, disco or local Adirondack bar. If you love |
| place than the Adirondacks? Here, you can | | | | theater, you can find dinner theater and regular |
| explore unique local Adirondack-themed gift and | | | | stage productions by our resident company. |
| antique shops in the morning, and browse through | | | | Offered periodically are productions by an |
| dozens of major name-brand discount outlet | | | | amateur theater company in Corinth, and others. |
| stores in the afternoon. Want more? Then be | | | | Opera is available, and there is even an opera |
| sure to stop by the local mall and various | | | | museum. Music festivals are all over the area. In |
| shopping centers--the Glens Falls area is host to | | | | Lake George there's an annual Elvis festival and a |
| many popular department stores. What, still not | | | | jazz festival. In Corinth, you can camp out at the |
| satisfied? There are also flea markets and local | | | | annual Bluegrass Festival. Besides music, there's |
| auctions. Area auctions run the gamut from | | | | the huge fireman's convention parade in June, as |
| antiques to horses and tools, and estates to | | | | well as Americade--one of the east coast's |
| general merchandise--some country auctions | | | | biggest motorcycle gatherings. If you like art, |
| feature all of the above, together under one roof! | | | | besides the Hyde Collection, there are many, |
| Auction notices appear every Thursday in the | | | | many art and craft galleries throughout the region. |
| local papers. Art and craft festivals and many | | | | In downtown Glens falls, you can find a casual |
| town-wide garage sales are also a huge area | | | | atmosphere, featuring a brew-pub, sidewalk |
| attraction. After all that shopping and exercise, | | | | café, shopping, coffee house, Saturday |
| you're probably wondering about where to go to | | | | farmer's market and a jazz club. Local concerts |
| eat. | | | | are often held at noon-time in the city park, near |
| The Southern Adirondack region is surprising in its | | | | the library. |
| culinary offerings. In the countryside and small | | | | As you can tell, the Southern Adirondacks hold a |
| towns you can find home-cooking a small | | | | little something for everyone. They are easily |
| family-style restaurants and diners. But it doesn't | | | | accessible, too. From Montreal or New York City, |
| stop there. International and regional American | | | | take the I-87 Northway to Exits 17-N to 23. The |
| cuisine can be found here as well. Here, you can | | | | trip from NYC averages around 4 to 4 ½ |
| find Japanese, Chinese, Italian, American Western | | | | hours under most circumstances. Saratoga, Glens |
| Southwestern, Mexican, Irish, BBQ, gourmet | | | | Falls and Warrensburg are accessible by bus. |
| restaurants, Adirondack-themed steak houses, | | | | Saratoga, Fort Edward and Whitehall are |
| clam bars/seafood/lobster, deli's, hot dog stands | | | | accessible by train. Local taxi's going outside of |
| and fast food chains. One large local grocery store | | | | the city of Glens Falls can be very expensive, but |
| chain just of few miles south of Lake George | | | | they are available. Major airlines travel to Albany |
| features a bagel/coffee bar, hot and cold buffet, | | | | International Airport, about 50 miles south of |
| pizza & subs, fresh chicken and fish dinners, | | | | Glens Falls. There are smaller airports at Saratoga |
| and a sushi bar. It can be a little pricey, but if you | | | | Springs and Queensbury (Glens Falls). Car rental |
| are with a group who can't decide what they | | | | agencies are available locally. Accommodations: |
| want, this store is a good bet, and you can eat-in | | | | many types available, from hotels and motels, to |
| or take out. Local tip: If you are looking for good, | | | | resorts, cabins and bed & breakfasts. |
| very inexpensive dining, and don't mind the | | | | Camping: both public and private camping is |
| atmosphere, try the basement cafeteria at the | | | | available, but reservations, well in advance, are |
| local hospital. Some of their daily specials | | | | strongly suggested. |
| frequently include prime rib and roast pork...all | | | | |