Picture towering peaks, glassy lakes, and dense evergreen forest that changes color with every season. Welcome to the Adirondack region covering the northeastern corner of New York State. Roughly the size of either Vermont or New Hampshire, the Adirondack region is home to the largest publicly protected area in the contiguous United States.
Stretching from Lake George and Lake Champlain to the east, and the St. Lawrence River to the northwest, the Adirondacks envelop 10 unique regions and over 100 communities. Located under towering peaks, along pristine lakes, and in the heart of lush forests, each village and town offers a distinct charm and plentiful outdoor opportunities. Lake Placid, largely considered the most well-known town in the Adirondacks, earned worldwide fame by hosting the Winter Olympics twice, in 1932 and 1980, including the famous Miracle on Ice hockey game.
The Adirondack mountains invite all-season outdoor adventure. With over 6 million acres of protected land, infinite miles of streams and rivers, backcountry waterfalls and over 2000 scenic trails, Adirondack Park is the largest natural area in the lower 48. Renowned for the area’s remarkable shifting of seasons, in 2026 Priceline named the Adirondacks its #1 top destination for fall foliage. Each year, from late September through mid-October, the Adirondacks put on a brilliant display of color and wonder.
In addition to the breathtaking fall, each season offers a goldmine of opportunity in the Adirondacks. Warmer seasons are ideal for swimming, hiking, fishing, and kayaking. Wintertime offers prime ski, snowshoe, and skating as the Adirondacks are the Northeast’s premier skiing and snowboarding go to spot. Whiteface Mountain near Lake Placid showcases the greatest vertical drop east of the Rockies.
History buffs are equally drawn to the rich history of the Adirondack region. Once traditional homelands to the Abenaki and Mohawk of the Iroquois Confederacy, remnants of historic forts and battlefields further echo the area’s role in the Revolutionary War. Explore Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain, or view artifacts at the Adirondack Experience Museum on Blue Mountain Lake, to truly appreciate the area’s diverse and important history to the country.
Whether you crave a peaceful lakeside retreat, an active mountain adventure, or history at your fingertips, the Adirondacks deliver. Start planning your trip today and discover the color, charm and history in this remarkable corner of Upstate New York.
