You probably don’t think of New York in connection with mountains, but you should! The Adirondacks tower above the New York skyline, a monument to nature’s beauty and a chance to get out of the chaos and noise of the city. The mountains are a pristine outdoor paradise. And if you like outdoor activities and beautiful landscapes, you need to spend some time in this part of the world.
You won’t find much information online when you’re looking for Adirondacks accommodation options. This area stays pristine because it doesn’t get a lot of tourists, and that’s exactly the way fans would like it to remain. But if you really want to get out of New York and see something amazing, use this Adirondacks neighborhood guide to find your perfect base for exploring nature.
- Where to Stay in The Adirondacks
- The Adirondacks Neighborhood Guide – Places to Stay in The Adirondacks
- The Adirondacks’ 3 Best Neighborhoods to Stay in
- FAQs About Where to Stay in The Adirondacks
- What To Pack For The Adirondacks
- Don’t Forget Travel Insurance for The Adirondacks
- Final Thoughts on the Best Places to Stay in The Adirondacks
Looking for a specific place to stay? These are our highest recommendations for places to stay in the Adirondacks.
The Micro | Best Airbnb in The Adirondacks
This tiny house is just as unique as the surroundings! It’s close to Lake Placid, set in the best area in the Adirondacks to stay in for easy access to nature and the town. Suitable for two guests, the tiny space is fully and cleverly equipped with everything you’ll need for your stay. It offers private grounds, a fire pit, and a BBQ.
Timbertrail Hideaway | Best Luxury Airbnb in The Adirondacks
The real luxury of this cottage is its views. With stunning scenery in every direction and a hot tub in which to enjoy them, you’ll feel as if you’re in another world. It’s located on two acres of land, and you’ll have your own private entrance for added security. The cottage is suitable for two guests and offers comfortable, homey furnishings and amenities.
Courtyard by Marriott | Best Hotel in The Adirondacks
This hotel in the Adirondacks is perfectly positioned for you to take advantage of all the natural and human-made features around Lake George. It’s pleasingly rustic but offers all the modern amenities you could want, such as parking areas, free Wi-FI, and large rooms with private bathrooms. There is also a restaurant in the hotel for late-night meals.
Lake Placid
Lake Placid is one of the most popular and well-known areas, which is why it’s a great choice when you’re deciding where to stay in the Adirondacks for your first time.
Saranac Lake
If you’re trying to decide where to stay in the Adirondacks on a budget, Saranac Lake is a good choice. This is where you’ll find lots of budget accommodation options. Saranac Lake is a small village that includes parts of three towns and two counties.
Lake George
Finally, if you’re trying to decide where to stay in the Adirondacks with kids, take a look at Lake George. It’s a small town with a lake of the same name and offers some of the best and most varied family-friendly facilities in the region.
The Adirondacks aren’t a city, they’re a set of mountain ranges that make up the largest protected natural area in the lower 48 and a must-visit on your USA travel adventure. They’re made up of 12 regional destinations, each with its own attractions and appeal. No matter where you go in this region, you’ll be surrounded by natural beauty and outdoor adventures. You just have to choose the best neighborhood to stay in the Adirondacks to suit your adventure style.
The first area to look at is around Lake Placid. This beautiful destination is very popular, has lots of great places to stay, and offers outdoor adventures in every season.
If you’re trying to decide where to stay in the Adirondacks for families, you can’t go past Lake George. There are so many family-friendly activity options in this region that even the most restless member of your family will stay occupied!
The Adirondacks’ 3 Best Neighborhoods to Stay in
When it’s time to make your choice of Adirondacks accommodation options, here are some of the best options to consider.
1. Lake Placid – Where to Stay in The Adirondacks for First Time
COOLEST thing to do in Lake Placid – Hike some of the extensive hiking trails in the High Peaks Wilderness.
BEST place to visit in Lake Placid – The Lake Placid Olympic Museum for artifacts from the Winter Olympics.
Lake Placid is one of the most popular and well-known areas, which is why it’s a great choice when you’re deciding where to stay in the Adirondacks for your first time. It’s right in the heart of the Adirondacks ranges so you’ll be surrounded by natural beauty, and there’s a surprising amount to do and see.
Whatever type of outdoor activity you enjoy, you’ll be able to do it near Lake Placid. This area also boasts some of the most beautiful places to stay in the Adirondacks, so make sure to pack your camera.
Rustic Charm | Best Airbnb in Lake Placid
If you’re trying to find one of the best places to stay in Lake Placid on a budget, here’s where you should be looking. With one bedroom sleeping two guests, this tiny house is cozy and has a large backyard and complete privacy just minutes from town.
Lake Placid’s Coziest Cottage | Best Luxury Airbnb in Lake Placid
This cozy cottage is a great choice when you’re deciding where to stay in the Adirondacks for families. It’s built on open land and only a short distance from Northville and the Lake Placid Trail head. The cottage has been recently repainted and is fully equipped for up to four guests.
Lake Placid Inn | Best Hotel in Lake Placid
This inn is one of the best places to stay in the Adirondacks if you want comfort on a reasonable budget. The inn is just a short walk to the lake and offers free parking, rooms with large living areas, private bathrooms, and kitchens. The rooms come in a range of sizes to suit every travel group type.
Top Things to Do in Lake Placid:
- Check out the Historical Society Depot Museum
- Marvel at the astonishingly beautiful Mirror Lake and explore its quaint little town
- Grab your best hiking boots and take a rewarding hike up Mount Jo
- Take a boat tour, a jet ski, or go kayaking on Lake Placid
- Head to Lake Placid in winter for some of the best winter sports conditions you’ll ever experience – there’s a reason they hold the Winter Olympics in this area!
- Watch a hockey game at the Herb Brooks Arena
- Keep the kids happy at the Bowlwinkles Family Entertainment Center
- Check out the Ausable Chasm, the oldest natural attraction in the US
We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.
Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
View on Osprey View on REI2. Saranac Lake – Where to Stay in The Adirondacks on a Budget
COOLEST thing to do in Saranac Lake – Explore the endless natural beauty around you in a kayak.
BEST place to visit in Saranac Lake – Learn about the region’s unique history as a tuberculosis treatment destination at the Saranac Laboratory Museum.
If you’re trying to decide where to stay in the Adirondacks on a budget, Saranac Lake is a great choice. It’s is a small village that includes parts of three towns and two counties! This means you’ll have lots of access to different places and amenities while you’re there.
And, of course, the nature experiences and landscapes in this part of the Adirondacks are simply stunning. You’ll never run out of things to see, do, and marvel at here.
Saranac Lake Cabin | Best Luxury Airbnb in Saranac Lake
If you want complete privacy yet be close to everything, then this is for you. Located within walking distance of downtown, it’s one of the best places to stay in the Adirondacks. With a full kitchen, private dock over Lake Flower, a cozy fire pit, and plenty of parking, this newly renovated Adirondacks cabin is a real find!
Saranac Waterfront Lodge | Best Hotel in Saranac Lake
If you’re visiting the Adirondacks, you want to see amazing views – and that’s exactly what you’ll get at this lodge. Located in the best neighborhood in the Adirondacks to stay in for stunning surroundings, it offers a restaurant, fitness center, and an indoor pool. It also has ski-to-door access if you happen to visit in winter!
Guest Suite | Best Airbnb in Saranac Lake
This place is perfect whether you’re deciding where to stay in the Adirondacks for just one night or longer. With a great mix of privacy and proximity to town, the space is large enough for up to three guests and has a private bedroom and bathroom. Newly renovated, the guest space is in a historic house and is furnished for comfort and convenience.
Guest Suite is one of our favourites in The Adirondacks but they’re not taking guests right now. We’re not sure if they’re closed for good but we hope they’ll come back soon.
Top Things to Do in Saranac Lake:
- Visit the incredible Wild Center for a rooftop walk, live animal exhibits, and guided tours
- Go canoeing along the endless water trails
- Take a jet ski tour
- Test your balance at the Saranac Lake Skateboard Park
- Go swimming at Lake Colby Beach
- Go sailing on Saranac Lake on classical sailboats
- Explore the local wildlife in a slightly macabre way at the Charles Dickert Memorial Wildlife Museum
- Have a meal at local spots like the Lakeview Deli or Left Bank Café
- Watch a hockey game or some figure skating at the Saranac Lake Civic Center
- Go river walking and forest bathing
3. Lake George – Best Neighborhood in The Adirondacks for Families
COOLEST thing to do in Lake George – Visit the Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway for amazing views of the lake and the mountains.
BEST place to visit in Lake George – Million Dollar Beach, for picnics and water sports.
Finally, if you’re trying to decide where to stay in the Adirondacks with kids, take a look at Lake George. Despite being a small town, accommodation in Lake George is the best and most varied family-friendly in the region. Whether in summer or in winter, Lake George is perfect if you’re looking for an active holiday in beautiful surroundings.
Adirondack Escape | Best Airbnb in Lake George
This apartment has two bedrooms, one bathroom and enough space for up to six guests. Only a five-minute drive from all the charms of the village, the unit is spacious, private, and has its own patio with a private yard and full kitchen.
Lake George Home | Best Luxury Airbnb in Lake George
Located in one of the best areas to stay in the Adirondacks, this home is suitable for up to six guests and is close to the village and nature. It’s nestled within the forest and offers a personal firepit. It’s also on the trolley line, if you don’t feel like walking into town. It has all the modern amenities you’ll need for your stay in any season.
Fort William Henry Hotel | Best Hotel in Lake George
Located in one of the Adirondack’s best neighborhoods, this hotel is set in gorgeous surroundings. The rooms are spacious, fully equipped, and have views of the lake or the mountains. There’s a café and a restaurant in the hotel and an outdoor pool where you can swim while overlooking the lake.
Top Things to Do in Lake George:
- Explore the Fort William Henry Museum & Restoration, a restored British fort first built in 1755
- Take a dinner cruise on the lake
- Take the kids horse riding at a dude ranch
- Have a meal and a craft beer at local spots like the Davidson Brothers Brewing Company or Cooper’s Cave Ale Company
- Jump on the Hoppy Trails Brew Bus to see local breweries in style
- Book the kids in for a skiing or snowboarding lesson at an indoor ski center
- Ride the roller coasters at the Great Escape amusement park
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It looks exactly like a normal belt except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)
Hide Yo’ Money!FAQs About Where to Stay in The Adirondacks
Here’s what people usually ask us about the areas of The Adirondacks and where to stay.
What To Pack For The Adirondacks
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out my definitive Hotel Packing list for even more top packing tips!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance for The Adirondacks
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Final Thoughts on the Best Places to Stay in The Adirondacks
No matter how you like to travel or whether you’re trying to decide where to stay in the Adirondacks on an epic road-trip or a family holiday, you’ll find somewhere amazing in this part of the world. Once you leave, you’ll have a whole new insight into the beauty, majesty, and fragility of the natural world.
- Check out our ultimate guide backpacking around USA.
- Figured out where you wanna stay? Now it’s time to pick the perfect hostel in USA.
- Or… maybe you want to check out some Airbnbs in USA instead.
- Next up you’re gonna need to know all the best places to visit in USA to plan your trip.
- Save yourself hassle and money and get an international sim card for USA.
- Swing by our super epic backpacking packing list to prep for your trip.
And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!
