Ausable Chasm, NY - billing itself as "the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks" is a shamelessly…read moreambitious boast for an attraction that I'd more accurately describe as Watkins Glen with the consumer interface of Bushkill Falls, but there's no denying Ausable Chasm is a fun, scenic, and daring adventure for all ages! We came during the off season at the end of April, before the more high thrills activities like rafting & tubing, riverwalk, Via Ferrata adventure trail, rappelling, rock climbing, etc. were open for the season (usually around late-May to June through autumn). That was no problem as we are visiting with our toddler who isn't old enough to do most of these activities anyway, and, as we discovered, it was actually perfect and to our advantage, since as first-time visitors we only wanted/had time to explore the chasm itself. And as there were very few other visitors on a weekday, it was as if we had this private park all to ourselves! No need to jostle for views/photos, can enjoy lunch & snacks at the best picnic tables by vista points, and it's also more pleasant than hiking in hot summer, though many of the trails are shaded. The basic "trails only" admission is about $20 for adults & teens, $12 for kids 5-12, and free for under 5. All the other activities have additional fees, which can add up so you might explore packages, or even stay overnight at their campground & cabins. We are a family of hikers so wanted to do the whole perimeter and see the entire gorge (about 2 miles). But if you only wish to see the exciting parts and leave time for other activities, then you can turn back halfway and do the shorter loop (1 mile if you do the Inner Sanctum Trail which I 100% recommend as this is the "signature" trail along the canyon's edge. But note it has many stairs up & down). We took the Inner Sanctum (yellow) trail, crossed over to Big Dry Chasm and hiked to the Whirlpool Basin Overlook at other end, then looped back around on the orange trail via Little Dry Chasm. The trails are well maintained, with most of the outer edge trails on comfortable soft padded ground. They're mostly well marked except the end part is not really shown clearly on the park map so I used AllTrails. The orange trail (Dry Chasm Trail) is marked as more difficult, but it's basically just a regular wooded hiking trail that's not paved, with rooty and rocky sections. The park is very walkable for most able-bodied people. Even our 3yo was able to hike the whole thing by himself, with a bit of help over the orange trails. We loved our visit and are excited to come back when our child is older to do more activities! Will update my review when we've had a chance to experience all the action-packed adventures the park has to offer. TIP #1: No trail maps are given out so take a photo ar a screenshot. But there are maps placed along the trails marked with where you are. TIP #2: Porta-potties only on either end of the trails, so I recommend taking your nature break before setting out. TIP #3: There's a cafe by the Welcome Center but it's only open seasonally. Bring water. No garbage bins along the trails (cos bears!) so trash is carry-in carry-out.

We came here today for my sister's Bachelorette weekend to do a group raft tour. Once we actually…read moregot on a raft it was great but the management of the line and loading for the raft and tube floats is run by a bunch of college kids who move at a snails pace. We waited for about 1.5 hrs to get on a raft, which is fine, they did advertise this. What was very frustrating is the lines diverge a the top of the stairs, one clearly labeled for tubes, one for rafts. Then they meet back up at the middle. The raft line was so long that a few groups cut the line by going down the tube line and then boarding a raft. When the people in line watching this called it out to the staff, the staff couldn't have cared less and let the groups who cut about 45 people waiting patiently in the correct line still continue on their raft. Their needs to be more staff to manage this in the future and a better system for confirming that people are held accountable for cutting the line.

This is a must see! Well worth the trip. Beautiful views and amazing geologic structures easy to…read morenavigate because of the man-made wooden walkways. There is a small cave with rushing water you can go into but most of the tour is outside. We loved this place!

A really fascinating place to visit for a decent hike/ tour. It's a self guided tour after you grab…read moreyour tickets inside the gift shop. There are some pretty incredible views & a few astounding caves you can explore. The trail features quite a bit of stairs & winding paths so come prepared (eg. walking stick if need be). We saw plenty of families, children & seniors on the trail so it's suitable for an array of people. We saved the coolest part for last: cracking open a few geodes. This is completely random but it's enchanting to wait & see what color is inside! We love this place.

This was the first high peak we climbed and wow did it pay off! This is often considered the best…read morebeginner high peak but it was still very tough for us given that we were out of shape. Parts of ot are very steep and can be difficult in wet conditons. Cascade is great because if you can push yourself a little more, you can double back to see Porter mountain's peak as well! The view was absolutely breathtaking and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a challenging hike!

One of my favorite hikes in the high peak region -- it's a great starter one to those interested in…read moredoing a high peak. You combine it with Porter to get two mountains off your list, for the "physical price" of doing one! This is a gentle mountain, but still should not be taken lightly as it is a high peak and it will challenge you, no matter how fit you might be. I've climbed this in the summer 2-3 times and at least 2-3 times in the winter. I prefer doing it in the winter personally for less crowds and beautiful ice covered pine sights and an Arctic wonderland, but either one is gorgeous. Parking is free, but limited...come early to try to snag a spot. Doing both mountains will only add an hour or so to your total hike time, so don't be afraid to tackle both even if you might be tired after hitting Cascade. I think Cascade is good to hit first and then head over to Porter, but honestly either one will work well. Plan 3-8hours round trip, depending on your level of physical ability. Come prepared and know the conditions, talk to the rangers or other hikers so you know what to expect.

A great hike of moderate difficulty. The summit is lovely, with beautiful views of Lake George and…read morethe surrounding mountains. Some areas of the trail are fairly eroded, but there were crews there working to protect the trail and divert water. Even with a full parking lot, the hike was long enough that we didn't see people very often along the way. We saw some families with little ones, but none near the top, so I'm not sure how far they made it. This wouldn't be an easy hike carrying kids, and I don't think most kids under 10 would stick it through to the end. A few portions are pretty steep, so it'd be tough on little legs. The one downside is that apparently Dacy Clearing Road isn't always fully open to vehicles, so rather than parking closer to the trailhead, you may have a few extra miles to walk on a gravel road. This takes your roundtrip from approximately 5 miles to roughly 8.

One of the most beautiful places I've hiked in. The view from the summit is spectacular on a sunny…read moresummer day, and probably even better in the fall. The hike to the top can be long or short, depending on your skill level, and how you want it to be. If you choose to do a longer hike, you can park at the Hogtown parking lot at the bottom. If you choose the shorter path ( 1.8 mi) to the summit, you must drive further down a dirt path (if the gate to go further is open) for another mile or so and park at the Dacy clearing. The hike itself is not bad. It can be a little rocky and steep, but if you're in average shape, you should be okay. It is for the average to moderate hikers. There were a lot of families with smaller children and dogs when I went. It's definitely something a family can enjoy. If you go on a nice day, I would recommend bringing lunch or snacks with you. It was really nice to eat with a view of the Adirondacks, and Lake George.

We wanted to take a morning stroll with our coffee and this was perfect! It's a short walk to the…read morebeach and it was nice and quiet. There was a decent amount of parking spots but can easily see them filling up during a busier time of the day.

Very nice easy hike! Beautiful views of Lake Champlain. Wide and easy to follow trails.read more

If you want to swim comfortably in the town beach please be aware of the young lifeguard boys that…read morethrow a wet baseball in the water and hits into other people. People have made complains to the town supervisor but nothing was done about it because I got nicked on my shoulder the next day! The town hires young lifeguards that don't take their role seriously and they think it's playtime and okay to have their friends play with them while on duty. If the beach won't allow young kids to have air flotation devices then why are lifeguards allowed to throw baseballs in the water?

Tucked away in the mountains of the Adirondacks, this picturesque destination place is one of the…read moremost peaceful you'll find! Kayaking, boating, swimming, walk-in along the shores or catching a concert on the beach, this place has it all! Need a place to get away from all the hustle and bustle of city life, politics, and news? Look no further!!! Bonus: if you enjoy opera you're in luck, the Seagle Festival, https://seaglefestival.org/, is a real summer treat!

Going to offer a bit of a different review here…read more I've only ever been to Mirror Lake Public Beach in the winter. Covered in a thick blanket of snow, the surface of the frozen water indistinct from the shoreline itself. It acts as a wonderful launching point for all the things Mirror Lake has to offer in this season. Easily walkable from Main Street and nearby street parking, the beach area is nestled near to the toboggan shoot. Benches are a welcome convenience, especially when you have ice skates in tow. I brought a backpack to carry my boots in case I wanted to prematurely exit the ice before looping back to the beach itself but most folks left them near to this seating without issue. The frozen waters just off shore host a couple small areas for ice hockey and an entrance point to the lengthy pathway visitors may use to walk the perimeter of the icy surface. Beautiful views of the church as well as the expanse of the lake. A place you can sit, watch, and enjoy the scenery... or join in yourself!

I love Mirror Lake!…read more I've been coming here for years; I love swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding here. It's one of favorite places to go. If you haven't been here you should check it out. There's a beach area but there are also buoys if you're training for an Ironman or looking for lap swimming :) There are nearby restaurants and shops, and public restrooms and changing areas located on the beach too.

Wanna see the high peaks but don't like hiking? This gorgeous, scenic drive up to Whiteface…read moremountain's summit is the perfect solution. There is a fee (I believe $10 a car or $10 per passenger) but it is worth it to see unforgettable views of the high peaks region. Before you even reach the top, you will find yourself pulling over to capture all the sights along the way. There is a gift shop at the top for souvenirs and multiple sections to view from. There is a long tunnel through the mountain you walk through from the parking lot. I could spent hours here soaking up the views and never tire of it! An absolute must on any Lake Placid trip itinerary!

Love Whiteface and I highly recommend this drive…read more I've done it many times. Make sure you check the weather before you go up. If it's cloudy or rainy you won't see much. I've gone up in rainstorms, and it's cool but there isn't much visibility. You can take the elevator to the summit, or you can walk up the boulders and stairs. These have gotten very slippery; a few people fell when I was there the last time. Be careful. I highly recommend coming here if you're nearby. They charge $25 per car, and there is a military discount available too.

This was a great and challenging hike up Mt. Marcy, completed on a clear and warm October weekend…read moreday (low 40, high 76). We arrived at 6:00 AM, which was unfortunately just a few minutes too late to secure a spot at the trailhead parking lot. This meant adding an extra mile or so to our roundtrip due to having to park down the road. By the time we finished in the early afternoon, the line of parked cars seemed to stretch for a couple of miles. We began the hike in the dark with headlamps at 6:30 AM and kept a steady pace with minimal and very brief breaks. Our roundtrip hiking time was 6 hours, not including time spent enjoying the summit. Depending on fitness level and break frequency, hikers should generally plan for a total time of 7-9 hours. Conditions at the summit were perfect: clear with a light wind, and the views were absolutely amazing.

Van Hoevenberg Trail offers beautiful views and a rewarding hike to its 2,940-foot summit. The…read more4.4-mile round trip is moderately challenging. It's perfect for a solid workout without being too intense. Scenic, well-marked, and not overly crowded. Had an awesome time!