Editor's note
This was a hard one! There are so many different kinds of experiences in the Adirondacks, whether indoors or outdoors, active or rejuvenation.
Plus, we are a family run business – so we had to choose a “top 10” from those that Cathy and I like to do and what our kids enjoy.
We pooled our heads together, and we came up with this list! There is no #1 or 10, just 10 of our favorites! Our criteria were simple: they had to be diverse from one another and close to the Lake Clear Lodge & Retreat.
In coming up with our Top 10, we had a longer list of what we omitted than what we included!
Lantern-lit Sleigh Rides
Even though we have been offering lantern-lit sleigh rides through various farms and community organizations for over 25 years, we still look forward to taking our annual ride with our staff. The beautifully decorated sleigh, the majestic draft horses with their jingling bells, the old-fashioned kerosene lanterns on the trail, and traveling through the woods down to the lake is magical.
If you are staying here, the sleigh ride and the ability to get the password to enter the 1920s Speakeasy, and Prohibition dinner from the original Lodge menu, is part of your experience. Beware, though, we may be raided by those 1920 Coppers!
Click here to learn more about our Lantern-lit Sleigh Ride & Speakeasy Dinner.
Reconnect with Loved Ones – and Yourself
Our kids are older now, doing their own thing, and not all are home anymore. There is something about winter with playful snow outside to build igloos or snowball fights, huddling ‘round-the-fire’ to catch up with intimate conversations over hot cocoa and mulled wine, or even playing a board game or two.
ADK CAVU Cafe
We told you this list would be diverse! This is just two miles down the road, but the husband and wife team, Josh and Clair, do an excellent job with breakfast and lunch. If you want to enjoy those in your artisan lodging, they do take out too! View hours.
Paul Smith's College Visitor Interpretive Center
Operated by Paul Smith’s College, a forestry and culinary college, the Visitor Interpretive Center is a great way to sample Adirondack trails in the winter, just 12 minutes away from the Lodge. This network of trails can take you on a short jaunt or a more extended sojourn with interpretive signage and a main building to put on or rent cross-country skis and snowshoes.
The Wild Center
A natural history museum with outdoor and indoor exhibits, including a lighted evening walk and an indoor complex that does a beautiful job of showcasing the natural history of the Adirondacks! The Wild Center is just 25 minutes away in Tupper Lake.
A World of Experiences Right Here
Throw away the keys, and walk to a winter wonderland of experiences on our property. From simple family fun and romantic interludes, there is a host of 30-minute experiences for everyone, from the History of Beer Tastings to the Roll-in-the-Dough Cooking Demo, where you make your own dessert with Executive Chef Cathy Hohmeyer! Other experiences this winter include the History of Spirits featuring our very own Prohibition Giggle Water Honey Bourbon to wellness programs featuring Chef Cathy’s Nutritional Energetics workshops from the importance of understanding the colors of food to knowing your biocodes to up your energetic vibes. And if the weather is a bit blustery, we’ve been known to add a “pop-up” event!
Snowshoeing and Cross-Country Skiing
Sticking with the theme of “why travel anywhere?!” throw on our complimentary snowshoes or cross-country skis - or better yet - do both! You can use our nature trails, go down to our beautiful lakefront to see the sunset, or head on the new rail trail that connects you to New York State’s only Wilderness Canoe region, a majestic and rejuvenating backcountry paradise!
Snowmobiling
Corridor 7, which can connect you from Old Forge to Lake Placid or north to Canada, is part of a new rail trail adjacent to our property. If you do not have one and want to take a ride, several operators typically provide tours in our area.
Tubing
Family-friendly Mt. Pisgah in Saranac Lake, just 12 minutes away, has downhill skiing and provides tubing opportunities. If you are seeking a larger mountain, Titus Mountain, 40 minutes away, also offers skiing and tubing. Both facilities are open on select nights, so check their hours before heading to the mountain!
Explore the Olympic Region
We are the northern star of the Olympic region. You can easily take the scenic byway, the Adirondack Trail Route 30, to historic Tupper Lake (25 minutes) or take another route to the artisan community of Saranac Lake (15 minutes) or the Olympic village of Lake Placid (25 minutes).
There is a slew of activities and experiences we could not fit in, from guided backcountry tours to community theaters, a carousel, live music, and a host of winter events. Anything from Lake Placid hosting world cups and ice fishing derbies to one of the oldest winter carnivals in Saranac Lake!
Believe it or not, there is even more on our list!
There is a schedule of experiences on our website, and there is a host of community calendars for what is going on in the region.
Happy Winterfest from the Adirondack Alps!