I’m all about hiking and paddling with a qualified naturalist. Maybe it’s a sign of my age, but it adds so much to my outdoors experience when there’s someone to point out hidden gems and explain a little biology, geology or history along the way.

We love hosting families at the cottage, and summer is a great time to plan a Lake Placid visit with the kiddos. I’ve put together this list of recommendations for a precious family we know with a 10 year old and an 8 year old. They all love outdoor activities, so family-friendly hikes, paddles and swimming top the list!

There’s more to Lake Placid’s Main Street than just window shopping. Walk inside these shops and you’ll discover some fun activities, especially for entertainment on a rainy or snowy day.

Pure maple syrup is a favorite local treat in the ADK. In fact, New York State is the second-largest producer of maple syrup in the U.S. What I hadn’t fully appreciated before living in the Adirondacks is the different grades and types of maple syrup — from light to dark. Spring is the perfect time for a taste testing trip when sugar shacks are producing in full force. Here are my favorite stops for tasting and buying pure maple syrup.

The Adirondacks have inspired lots of great books. Whether you want to listen to an audio book on your drive, flight or hike, or curl up with a book at the cottage. And if you’re in town, stop by the Bookstore Plus or Lake Placid Public Library to discover something great. Here are some of my favorite ADK books. All of these are non-fiction.

This fall we’re excited to host two groups of friends coming to visit Lake Placid. One couple will be here for a week in early September and another couple comes in late September. None of them have ever been to upstate New York or the Adirondacks, so I’ve started a menu of activity options for visitors to consider.

Even though the Adirondacks are a destination for the outdoorsy types, there are still plenty of cultural arts to enjoy. If you’re ready for a dose of some science, art, music and history, here’s my pick of exhibits and performances to check out.

When you hit a few days of cold, wet and rainy weather — it happens — and are on the verge of cabin fever, you can likely find a class, workshop or lecture to change your perspective. Even if it’s an outdoor class, at least you’re having fun while sporting your rain gear. There’s literally something for everyone. We sign up for several each year to break up the hiking/paddling days and meet new people. Here’s a list of activity calendars we check for classes.

The Adirondacks and specifically the High Peaks may be hiking nirvana. But sometimes you just want to slow down and wander through the woods. Walk the dog. Let the kids run. Or just go solo and give yourself a chance to breathe in and exhale slowly. Here are seven areas near Lake Placid, NY for a great walk in the woods.

Don’t let a rainy day get you down. Here are four of our favorite places to hide out in the Adirondacks when the weather isn’t cooperating.