The Ultimate Adirondack Holiday Guide: Where to Go, What to Do
Our hot take for fantastic places to eat, shop, stay, and experience in the ADK this holiday season.
Photo courtesy Mirror Lake Inn in Lake Placid.
In this episode of ADK Talks, we climb aboard what we’re calling the Holiday Express and take you on a whirlwind tour of the Adirondacks in winter. From Old Forge to Lake Placid, Tupper Lake to Ticonderoga and Lake George, we share our favorite ways to spend the holidays in the Park: where to ski, where to shop small, and where to find the kind of pie that could start a family rivalry.
We talk through listener FAQs (“What is there to do if I’m up for Christmas? New Year’s? MLK weekend?”) and give you our best practical tips—like why you should rent skis ahead of time and how to find events where your ticket or donation stays local.
What you’ll hear about:
Holiday browsing in Old Forge and Inlet, from hardware-store gems to cozy local shops.
A Blue Mountain Lake pairing: the ADKX gift shop and homemade diner comfort food.
Classic films, live shows, and community energy at the Indian Lake Theater.
Planning the perfect Gore Mountain ski day, plus North Creek and Chestertown stops.
Winter fun at Ridin-Hy Ranch and the best comfort bites around Schroon Lake.
Lake Placid’s Holiday Village Stroll and the beloved Santa Sunday at Whiteface.
Skating under the lights on the Lake Placid Olympic Oval.
Saranac Lake’s family-friendly North Country New Year festivities.
Must-stop pies and pastries at the Noonmark Diner in Keene Valley.
Tupper Lake’s magical Wild Lights and evening wander at The Wild Center.
Adirondack Coast highlights, including Rulf’s Orchard and NewVida Preserve.
Exploring Ticonderoga’s Star Trek Set Tour and local holiday traditions.
Lake George cruises, cheese and spirits, winter markets, and the New Year’s polar plunge.
Mentioned in this podcast.
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ADK Talks Podcast
Love the Adirondacks? You’ll love our podcast. We take listeners beyond the guidebooks and into the heart of the Adirondacks. We share stories from the people behind the best places to eat, shop, stay and explore in the ADK. Find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
