Saranac Lake (Winter)

Saranac Lake, an unpretentious place with a busy downtown, caters more to residents than tourists. Located not on the shores of its namesake, but on smaller Lake Flower, the village was settled in 1819 by Jacob Smith Moody. Saranac Lake soon established itself as a center for Adirondack guides, hosting everyone from President Grover Cleveland to Ralph Waldo Emerson. Saranac Lake centers on Main Street which features lively Hotel Saranac, a regional landmark run by students from Paul Smith's College earning their hospitality or culinary arts degrees. Lodging consists of cozy cabins, original Adirondack-style motels, as well as an ...

Saranac Lake, an unpretentious place with a busy downtown, caters more to residents than tourists. Located not on the shores of its namesake, but on smaller Lake Flower, the village was settled in 1819 by Jacob Smith Moody. Saranac Lake soon established itself as a center for Adirondack guides, hosting everyone from President Grover Cleveland to Ralph Waldo Emerson. Saranac Lake centers on Main Street which features lively Hotel Saranac, a regional landmark run by students from Paul Smith's College earning their hospitality or culinary arts degrees. Lodging consists of cozy cabins, original Adirondack-style motels, as well as an uber-luxury resort, The Point. Classic lumberjack games like skillet throwing, a snowy spin on volleyball, and snowshoe softball entertain crowds at the 114-year-old Winter Carnival. While the village offers a small ski area suitable for beginners or families, most winter sports aficionados will want to make the short trek to Whiteface Mountain for their winter sport fix.

About the Expert

Sascha Zuger is the author of the New York State Moon Handbook, the travel novel Girl Overboard (under the pseudonym Aimee Ferris), and is a freelancer for publications such as National Geographic Traveler, the Los Angeles Times and The Washington Post.