Local Guidebook to the Tri-Lakes Region

Aaron
Local Guidebook to the Tri-Lakes Region

Food scene

Good food and local vibe. Great people all around! Good beer selection. Check out their music line-up, and the UPPER DECK is top-notch!
42 locals recommend
Bitters & Bones
65 Broadway
42 locals recommend
Good food and local vibe. Great people all around! Good beer selection. Check out their music line-up, and the UPPER DECK is top-notch!
Excellent variety of well-prepared foods, locally sourced ingredients, ever-changing menu. And the drink menu is outstanding.
24 locals recommend
Fiddlehead Bistro
33 Broadway
24 locals recommend
Excellent variety of well-prepared foods, locally sourced ingredients, ever-changing menu. And the drink menu is outstanding.
Robust beer and drink menu. Constantly updated. Good pub food and local vibe.
10 locals recommend
Grizle T's
53 Main St
10 locals recommend
Robust beer and drink menu. Constantly updated. Good pub food and local vibe.
Wonderful bar and dining room. Historic location.
16 locals recommend
Hotel Saranac, Curio Collection by Hilton
100 Main St
16 locals recommend
Wonderful bar and dining room. Historic location.
Good breakfast spot in town. Indoor and outdoor seating. Great place to plan your day over breakfast and coffee.
46 locals recommend
Blue Moon Café
55 Main St
46 locals recommend
Good breakfast spot in town. Indoor and outdoor seating. Great place to plan your day over breakfast and coffee.
Excellent place to get your day going, or a place to chill and people watch. Everything they make is spot-on!
48 locals recommend
Origin Coffee Co.
77 Main St
48 locals recommend
Excellent place to get your day going, or a place to chill and people watch. Everything they make is spot-on!
Nice bar with friendly staff and good food. We like their burgers. Family owned and operated.
29 locals recommend
Downhill Grill
74 Main St
29 locals recommend
Nice bar with friendly staff and good food. We like their burgers. Family owned and operated.
Really good veal parm, and the filet is outstanding. Cash only.
7 locals recommend
Belvedere Restaurant
102 Bloomingdale Ave
7 locals recommend
Really good veal parm, and the filet is outstanding. Cash only.
Really, really good pub food. Too many options to list.
23 locals recommend
Blue Line Brewery
555 Lake Flower Ave
23 locals recommend
Really, really good pub food. Too many options to list.
Great place to get stocked up for your vacation. And they have prepared foods and a great coffee and juice bar. Check 'em!
36 locals recommend
Nori's
138 Church St
36 locals recommend
Great place to get stocked up for your vacation. And they have prepared foods and a great coffee and juice bar. Check 'em!
General grocery store to get what you need.
10 locals recommend
Tops Saranac Lake
156 Church St
10 locals recommend
General grocery store to get what you need.
Go to spot for dine-in or take-out. Full menu. Cash only.
24 locals recommend
Little Italy Pizzeria
23 Main St
24 locals recommend
Go to spot for dine-in or take-out. Full menu. Cash only.
Something special about this place. A unique experience if you like to eat sitting at the bar. Family run. And you're in Saranac Lake.
10 locals recommend
La Bella Ristorante
564 Lake Flower Ave
10 locals recommend
Something special about this place. A unique experience if you like to eat sitting at the bar. Family run. And you're in Saranac Lake.
Great place to chill and vibe on the downtown Saranac Lake scene. Great and friendly staff, excellent drink selection, and make sure to check out the music line-up...they got a patio, and a party on the patio, and a full event space on the second floor. Lots going on, here!
20 locals recommend
Waterhole
48 Main St
20 locals recommend
Great place to chill and vibe on the downtown Saranac Lake scene. Great and friendly staff, excellent drink selection, and make sure to check out the music line-up...they got a patio, and a party on the patio, and a full event space on the second floor. Lots going on, here!
Very, VERY amazing farm to visit. Robust farm store, excellent locally made food and crafts. The whole crew is down to Earth and freindly. Well worth a visit to stoke up before going into the high peaks (just down the road in Keene/Keene Valley).
28 locals recommend
Sugar House Creamery
18 Sugar House Way
28 locals recommend
Very, VERY amazing farm to visit. Robust farm store, excellent locally made food and crafts. The whole crew is down to Earth and freindly. Well worth a visit to stoke up before going into the high peaks (just down the road in Keene/Keene Valley).
Excellent quality beers, ales, meades, and cidres. Locally sourced food options. Live music on the weekends. Indoor/Outdoor seating.
8 locals recommend
Hex and Hop Brewing
1719 NY-3
8 locals recommend
Excellent quality beers, ales, meades, and cidres. Locally sourced food options. Live music on the weekends. Indoor/Outdoor seating.
Great place in downtown Saranac Lake to taste and purchase beverages made by Hex & Hop Brewing AND you can source locally produced farm products...all in one space!
Hex and Hop Tasting Room and Farm Co-op
36 Broadway
Great place in downtown Saranac Lake to taste and purchase beverages made by Hex & Hop Brewing AND you can source locally produced farm products...all in one space!
Excellent beer, music and a full-time food truck scene to boot. You have it all in this one-stop shop. Great place to chill after a long days hike up Mount Arab or a paddle on the Raquette.
35 locals recommend
Raquette River Brewing
11 Balsam St
35 locals recommend
Excellent beer, music and a full-time food truck scene to boot. You have it all in this one-stop shop. Great place to chill after a long days hike up Mount Arab or a paddle on the Raquette.
Excellent drink and food. VERY GOOD beers. Stock up on crawlers before heading into the backcountry or riding the party barge. Just bring a DD as it can be some potent liquids found in those shiny silver cans.
76 locals recommend
Big Slide Brewery & Public House
5686 Cascade Rd
76 locals recommend
Excellent drink and food. VERY GOOD beers. Stock up on crawlers before heading into the backcountry or riding the party barge. Just bring a DD as it can be some potent liquids found in those shiny silver cans.
Found in the heart of Lake Placid, this berwery delivers. And there's a lot of history in this place. Any Kane (family name) will do, just ask for a table and dig in.
24 locals recommend
The Great Adirondack Brewing Co. and Great Adirondack Steak and Seafood Co.
2442 Main St
24 locals recommend
Found in the heart of Lake Placid, this berwery delivers. And there's a lot of history in this place. Any Kane (family name) will do, just ask for a table and dig in.
Excellent food and atmosphere. And the owners are very into making your experience exceptional. Friendly, knowledgable and fun! This is on the top 5 list when dining in LP...(we wont say where it ranks on the top 5...we love them all, equally).
21 locals recommend
Salt of the Earth Bistro
5956 Sentinel Rd
21 locals recommend
Excellent food and atmosphere. And the owners are very into making your experience exceptional. Friendly, knowledgable and fun! This is on the top 5 list when dining in LP...(we wont say where it ranks on the top 5...we love them all, equally).
Excellent food and excellent(er) liquids. This is a special place in Lake Placid and not to be missed. More adult-friendly than other locations in town. They really know what they're doing, here. Everyone, front of the house and back, are on point. And the outside seating is unmatcheable.
42 locals recommend
Top Of The Park
2407 Main St
42 locals recommend
Excellent food and excellent(er) liquids. This is a special place in Lake Placid and not to be missed. More adult-friendly than other locations in town. They really know what they're doing, here. Everyone, front of the house and back, are on point. And the outside seating is unmatcheable.
Okay, it's a bit of a hike to get here -- 45 min drive from the farm on back roads-- but dang do they have a spot. Excellent beers and great place to chill in the summer. And they have a great food and music scene there as well. Just make sure to call or check them in advance as they are somewhat seasonal in their offerings. And there are a bunch of great farms in the area...so lots to make the trip worthwhile.
32 locals recommend
Ausable Brewing Company
765 Mace Chasm Rd
32 locals recommend
Okay, it's a bit of a hike to get here -- 45 min drive from the farm on back roads-- but dang do they have a spot. Excellent beers and great place to chill in the summer. And they have a great food and music scene there as well. Just make sure to call or check them in advance as they are somewhat seasonal in their offerings. And there are a bunch of great farms in the area...so lots to make the trip worthwhile.

Recreation/Fun

Great place to go bowling. Food is available.
7 locals recommend
Romano's Saranac Lanes
11 Bloomingdale Ave
7 locals recommend
Great place to go bowling. Food is available.
Great place to learn about the local ecology, take nature walks, and the ski center is world class.
46 locals recommend
Paul Smith's College VIC
8023 NY-30
46 locals recommend
Great place to learn about the local ecology, take nature walks, and the ski center is world class.
Learn about the original Adirondackers and take some time to expand your mind. The Fadden family are deeply rooted in the north country, and they are happy to share their life, art and perspectives on the north country and ancestral heritage. Not to be missed and just a 5 minute drive from the farm.
7 locals recommend
Six Nations Indian Museum
1466 County Hwy 60
7 locals recommend
Learn about the original Adirondackers and take some time to expand your mind. The Fadden family are deeply rooted in the north country, and they are happy to share their life, art and perspectives on the north country and ancestral heritage. Not to be missed and just a 5 minute drive from the farm.
Look it up! It's a great place to learn about the wild abundance to be found in the Adirondacks. A great place for family day trips.
176 locals recommend
The Wild Center
45 Museum Dr
176 locals recommend
Look it up! It's a great place to learn about the wild abundance to be found in the Adirondacks. A great place for family day trips.
The Smithsonian of the Adirondacks. YOU WILL NOT be disappointed spending a day, here, learning about every aspect of the Adirondack Park, human-made or otherwise.
162 locals recommend
Adirondack Experience, The Museum on Blue Mountain Lake
9097 NY-30
162 locals recommend
The Smithsonian of the Adirondacks. YOU WILL NOT be disappointed spending a day, here, learning about every aspect of the Adirondack Park, human-made or otherwise.
We have a canoe at the farm for you to use. But if you want a great guide service, or just a person to point you in the right direction AND outfit you with the appropriate technology, look no further. Family owned and operated, these guys are the real deal. Check 'em out!
Mac's Canoe Livery
5859 NY-30
We have a canoe at the farm for you to use. But if you want a great guide service, or just a person to point you in the right direction AND outfit you with the appropriate technology, look no further. Family owned and operated, these guys are the real deal. Check 'em out!
NOTE: There is the SKI CENTER, and there's the VETERAN'S HIGHWAY. One is open in winter for skiing & summer for biking, and one is for taking in the vast, splendid summer-time views from the top of the mountain. The parking and access points ARE NOT in the same area...one is on one side of the mountain, the other, on the other side. Internet it! The 'castle' at the top of the mountain is historic, and so are the ski slopes...Jakie-O and JFK took some turns there back in the day.
224 locals recommend
Whiteface Mountain
Whiteface Memorial Highway
224 locals recommend
NOTE: There is the SKI CENTER, and there's the VETERAN'S HIGHWAY. One is open in winter for skiing & summer for biking, and one is for taking in the vast, splendid summer-time views from the top of the mountain. The parking and access points ARE NOT in the same area...one is on one side of the mountain, the other, on the other side. Internet it! The 'castle' at the top of the mountain is historic, and so are the ski slopes...Jakie-O and JFK took some turns there back in the day.
Historic in every way. Great place to play golf!
Saranac Inn Golf & Country Club
125 County Rte 46
Historic in every way. Great place to play golf!
Superior place to ski or snowshoe. Look it up on the internet. It's pretty much in the greater Saranac Lake area and fun for the whole family or a solo trekker.
16 locals recommend
Dewey Mountain Recreation Area
238 NY-3
16 locals recommend
Superior place to ski or snowshoe. Look it up on the internet. It's pretty much in the greater Saranac Lake area and fun for the whole family or a solo trekker.
The epitome of x-country in the high peaks region. Located just outside of Lake Placid, this place has a great colleciton of new and used skis and apparel, great Full Moon parties thorugh the winter, and a cool bar with the right kinda ski vibe. Well worth the trip!
18 locals recommend
Cascade X-C Ski Center
4833 Cascade Rd
18 locals recommend
The epitome of x-country in the high peaks region. Located just outside of Lake Placid, this place has a great colleciton of new and used skis and apparel, great Full Moon parties thorugh the winter, and a cool bar with the right kinda ski vibe. Well worth the trip!
Olympic, world-class x-country skiing and bobsled track. So much to do and see here. You can sign your life away and bomb down the icey bobsled track, or glisade down perfectly manicured XCski trails. Breath in the Olympic spirit...it's alive and will and Mount VanHo!
24 locals recommend
Mount Van Hoevenberg
24 locals recommend
Olympic, world-class x-country skiing and bobsled track. So much to do and see here. You can sign your life away and bomb down the icey bobsled track, or glisade down perfectly manicured XCski trails. Breath in the Olympic spirit...it's alive and will and Mount VanHo!
Learn about Saranac Lake's impressive history and the role it continues to play in immunology research. A very unique experience,...maybe you'll even find yourself sitting where Albert Einstein once sat pontificating about the universe.
16 locals recommend
Saranac Laboratory Museum
89 Church St
16 locals recommend
Learn about Saranac Lake's impressive history and the role it continues to play in immunology research. A very unique experience,...maybe you'll even find yourself sitting where Albert Einstein once sat pontificating about the universe.

Shopping

Need a book? Look no further.
The Book Nook
7a Broadway
Need a book? Look no further.
Community envisioned mercantile. Support the effort and shop local.
The Village Mercantile
97 Main St
Community envisioned mercantile. Support the effort and shop local.
Need anything to outfit your backcountry experience?...Gear, tackle, the latest town gossip? Maybe a life raft? They have it.
Woods & Waters
255 Broadway
Need anything to outfit your backcountry experience?...Gear, tackle, the latest town gossip? Maybe a life raft? They have it.
They have everything to get you set up for the great outdoors, year-round.
11 locals recommend
Blue Line Sports, LLC.
81 Broadway
11 locals recommend
They have everything to get you set up for the great outdoors, year-round.
Everything you need for the slopes or summer fun can be found here. And it's not just a family plug, they are really good at what they do and know how to get you set for the greens, blues or blacks, the clothing and apparel to see you through, and they'll make sure you'll look good doing it! But don't take my word for it...motor over to Placid and see for yourself.
Lake Placid Ski & Board
2532 Main St
Everything you need for the slopes or summer fun can be found here. And it's not just a family plug, they are really good at what they do and know how to get you set for the greens, blues or blacks, the clothing and apparel to see you through, and they'll make sure you'll look good doing it! But don't take my word for it...motor over to Placid and see for yourself.

City/town information

The capital of the Adirondacks, Saranac Lake is home to the Winter Carnival and a premier gateway to the woods and waters of the north country. True hometown spirit presides over most every element of the town...most business's are family owned and operated, and most everyone knows each other...so don't be afraid to ask a friend you've never met for directions, reccommendations, fantasy football picks, or where that guy is that owns the bar you were just at...pretty much everything is fair game.
70 locals recommend
Saranac Lake
70 locals recommend
The capital of the Adirondacks, Saranac Lake is home to the Winter Carnival and a premier gateway to the woods and waters of the north country. True hometown spirit presides over most every element of the town...most business's are family owned and operated, and most everyone knows each other...so don't be afraid to ask a friend you've never met for directions, reccommendations, fantasy football picks, or where that guy is that owns the bar you were just at...pretty much everything is fair game.
Home of Whiteface Mountain and blue ribbon fishing on the Ausable River. Lots to see and do, here! Hiking, biking, touring...they have it all in this small-town hamlet.
26 locals recommend
Wilmington
26 locals recommend
Home of Whiteface Mountain and blue ribbon fishing on the Ausable River. Lots to see and do, here! Hiking, biking, touring...they have it all in this small-town hamlet.
There's never a dull moment in this Adirondack village that never sleeps. Constantly in motion, LP hosts many winter and summer sporting events, and continues to carry with it the spirit of Olympic torch. Check out all the Olympic hubdubbery, and get some good food and drink. Plenty of knick-knack shops, and lots of very high-end outdoor rec gear sporting shops fit to coddle your unique wilderness endeavor.
257 locals recommend
Lake Placid
257 locals recommend
There's never a dull moment in this Adirondack village that never sleeps. Constantly in motion, LP hosts many winter and summer sporting events, and continues to carry with it the spirit of Olympic torch. Check out all the Olympic hubdubbery, and get some good food and drink. Plenty of knick-knack shops, and lots of very high-end outdoor rec gear sporting shops fit to coddle your unique wilderness endeavor.
A locals' town rich in logging history. Home to the Wild Center, home to one of the best outdoor music venues in the Adirondacks, and home to a whole host of guide services, antique shops and questionable bars spattered in between.
15 locals recommend
Tupper Lake
15 locals recommend
A locals' town rich in logging history. Home to the Wild Center, home to one of the best outdoor music venues in the Adirondacks, and home to a whole host of guide services, antique shops and questionable bars spattered in between.
One of the many access points into the High Peaks region. Lots to take in...food, crafts, antique shops.
29 locals recommend
Keene Valley
29 locals recommend
One of the many access points into the High Peaks region. Lots to take in...food, crafts, antique shops.

City advice

Don't miss

The Saturday farmer's market in Saranac Lake is a must!

Locally grown fruits, vegetables and meats grown to the highest standards. Prepared foods. Arts and crafts. Music and fun abound. Nice, friendly folks and pets.
Customs and culture

Being called, "Bud!" can be good OR bad. Tone matters.

Most everyone in the north country is friendly, but everyone has a bad day here and there. Put on a smile, and you'll surely get one back!
Useful phrases

"...this and that..."

The phrase gets people through a conversation without going into too much detail. You may hear it a lot if you strike up a conversation with someone at the local watering hole.