Legendary Places to Visit in the Adirondacks: Scenic Sights, Ghosts & More
20 Places to Visit & Legends to Chase
The Adirondack Park is known for its stunning natural beauty, rich history, and unique legends that have captivated visitors since the early 19th century. Below, we've divided up top spots to explore into Places to Visit and Legends to Chase.
Whether you're looking to discover iconic landmarks or see for yourself if a legendary ghost story is real, there's something special for every traveler!
Places to Visit: Add These Hotspots to Your Itinerary
Lake George
Dubbed the "Queen of American Lakes" by Thomas Jefferson, Lake George sits at the southern end of the Adirondacks and is ideal for boating, swimming, and strolling along its lively village. Artists and creative types have been inspired by its captivating views for centuries.
Lake Placid
Famous for hosting two Winter Olympics, Lake Placid offers year-round adventure and a charming downtown with Olympic history at every turn.
High Peaks Wilderness Area
Home to 46 of the tallest Adirondack mountains, the High Peaks Wilderness Area is a hiker's paradise with breathtaking sights and rugged beauty.
Adirondack Experience Museum at Blue Mountain Lake
The immersive Adirondack Experience Museum at Blue Mountain Lake brings Adirondack history to life with numerous indoor and outdoor exhibits on logging, boating, art, and wilderness life.
Saranac Lake
Saranac Lake is a laid-back town with plenty of culture and nature, including vibrant street art, local shops, and easy access to lakes and trails. Come late January/early February, it's home to the famous Ice Palace.
John Brown Farm State Historic Site
Visit the John Brown Farm State Historic Site in Lake Placid to check out a museum and family home showcasing artifacts of John Brown, best known for his raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859. The surrounding grounds provide a peaceful setting with walking trails leading to his grave.
The Wild Center
A nature museum like no other, The Wild Center in Tupper Lake features a treetop walk, stickwork sculptures, a play area for kids, immersive forest music, plus otters, and indoor exhibits and programs.
Whiteface Mountain
Ride the gondola or drive up the Veterans Memorial Highway for unparalleled views from Whiteface Mountain in Wilmington - or ski down one of the highest peaks in the Northeast.
Fort Ticonderoga
Step into colonial history at the restored Fort Ticonderoga, with reenactments, incredible gardens, and sweeping lake and mountain views.
The Adirondack Great Camps
The Adirondack Great Camps are rustic estates that once hosted Gilded Age elites. They perfectly blend luxury and wilderness for unique dwellings you won't find anywhere else.
Ausable Chasm
Known as the "Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks," Ausable Chasm features walkways, rafting, and natural rock formations.
High Falls Gorge
Situated in Wilmington, High Falls Gorge is a natural wonder that offers short trails and stunning waterfall views year-round.
Natural Stone Bridge & Caves
Natural Stone Bridge & Caves in Pottersville boasts the largest marble cave entrance in the East, with waterfalls, caves, and family-friendly trails.
Adirondack Legends to Chase - If You Dare
Bigfoot Sightings - Whitehall & Throughout the Park
Whitehall, NY, just outside of the Adirondack Park, is largely considered the state’s Bigfoot capital, but sightings have been reported elsewhere in the Park as well: in the Pharaoh Lake Wilderness, Speculator region, Moose River Recreation Area, Paradox Lake area, and near Paul Smith’s College.
Champ the Lake Champlain Monster - Lake Champlain
Keep your eyes on the water - legend says Champ, a plesiosaur-like creature, has lurked in the lake for generations. Much like how there is an annual Sasquatch Calling Festival in Whitehall, there is a Champ Day in Port Henry to celebrate the local legend.
The Giant People of the Adirondacks - Throughout the Park
Also called “Mountain Giants” or “Forest Wanderers,” stories of mysterious giant skeletons unearthed in the 19th century continue to stir imaginations and historical curiosity. Bigfoot could fall under this umbrella, although there has been at least one report of a “wolf-headed creature,” according to Mountain Giants of the Adirondacks by Jason Lorefice.
Ghosts at the Fort William Henry Museum - Lake George
Paranormal investigations suggest spirits from the French and Indian War still linger on site at the Fort William Henry Museum. Guests can check out guided haunted history tours at certain times of the year. With so much history in one spot, it’s hard to imagine there aren’t souls still lurking around.
The Cursed Town of Tahawus - Essex County
The town of Tahawus was once a thriving iron mining community circa the early 1800s that experienced a long history of floods, failures, and strings of bad luck. Today it’s considered to be a preserved ghost town.
Ghosts at the Sagamore Hotel - Bolton Landing
The luxury resort hotel The Sagamore has some lingering spirits. According to Haunted Lake George by Lynda Lee Macken, there have been reports of ghosts by employees and guests, including a ghost girl in a Victorian-era dress, and a ghost boy that steals golf balls at the golf course.
The Lady in the Lake - Lake Placid
In 1933, Mabel Smith Douglass vanished while rowing alone on Lake Placid. Her perfectly preserved body was found 30 years later, tied to a 50-pound anchor at the bottom of the lake. Her ghost is said to haunt the waters near Pulpit Rock, giving her the name Lady of the Lake.
Which Adirondack hotspot or local legend will you explore first?
Discover more Adirondack history and mystery >>
