In late September I hiked the Cranberry Lake 50, a 50-mile loop around Cranberry Lake, about an hour west of Lake Placid. I knew there had been bear activity reported in the area, and prepared accordingly. Sure enough, I had my first bear encounter (outside of being in a car). Here’s what happened and my lessons learned.

Lately I’ve been talking to a number of guests who are planning their very first visit to the Adirondacks. Since not everyone lives near mountains, a first-time ADK trip sometimes involves investing in some gear. But there’s really no reason to invest in expensive gear unless or until you’re going to be using it on a more regular basis. With that in mind, I’ve put together a list of top budget gear recommendations for newbies.

Let’s be real. Lake Placid is a small village (population 2,245) in a rural area. It’s not the big city; it’s not even a small city. Here are some tips, so you know what to expect and can plan accordingly.

Whether I’m trip planning, in Lake Placid, or just wishing I was there, I love to see great photos, activity inspiration and ADK updates in my Instagram feed. Here are 10 accounts to follow.

The Amtrak Adirondack train line is resuming service soon. Woohoo for the Choo Choo! The section of the Adirondack route between Montreal and Albany has been closed since the pandemic, but they’re finally reopening in April 2023. You’ll be able to travel by train (or make connections) from Montreal, NYC or Albany, and places in between. From Lake Placid, the closest station stops are Westport (35 miles) and Port Henry (44 miles).

I’m heading up to Lake Placid later this week, and looking forward to a long winter weekend! Temperatures are predicted to range between 15 - 32 degrees, with 4-8” snowfall expected during our stay. This will be a girls trip and we’re not planning to ski, which simplifies things a bit. We’ll certainly be walking around town and could possibly tackle some short winter hikes. Here’s what I’m planning to take.

It’s easy to appreciate God’s work … or any higher being … when you’re on an Adirondack Mountaintop, beside a stunning lake, or walking in the peaceful woods. The natural beauty of our surroundings is life affirming. While not many attend religious services while on vacation, our places of worship in Lake Placid are beautiful. Definitely a feel-good experience. And, especially if it’s a rainy or frigid day outside, why not seek some warmth with an indoor activity like going to worship. (Also great on gorgeous sunny days!)

Whether you’re interested in trying a new activity or don’t want to haul all your sports equipment on vacay, there are plenty of great outfitters and rental shops to meet your needs. We recently did an overnight camping trip and rented gear, which worked out great. Here are our favorite outfitters and the sports gear they rent.

When it comes to packing for your Lake Placid vacay, the biggest tip to remember is you’ll want to dress in layers. It can be warm in the sun, but cold at the top of the mountain, in the shade, and after dark. Avoid cotton clothes (more on that below). And be prepared for afternoon showers. Obviously, packing lists will vary depending on what activities you prefer and how long you plan to stay. Here are a few guidelines based on what we pack.

No one ever expects to have to deal with an emergency when on vacation, but it happens. Eric broke his leg on a ski trip once, and I know from experience how stressful it can be dealing with these situations when you’re away from home. I put together the following contact list for our cottage guests, and sharing it here for reference

Getting to Lake Placid isn’t always the easiest trip to book. Being from Texas, we’ve made the journey a number of different ways. Ideally, it’s a quality experience and a fun part of the vacation … at least we can dream! Here are some of the options for flights and drive times to the Adirondacks.