Historic Downtown

  Snowy winter days mean outdoor adventure, cross-country skiing through pine forests, ice skating on a frozen pond, and gleefully tubing down local hills and mountains. It also means warming up and getting cozy with a hot drink and a tasty treat. Saranac Lake has a delightful variety of coffee shops and restaurants perfect for finding ideal sweet indulgences and the best coffees. We’... [Read More]

There’s nothing quite like the sound of skateboard wheels on cement against a backdrop of “Know Your Enemy” by Rage Against the Machine. If you grew up in the ‘90s, it’s a classic thrasher scene: music blasting from speakers, young people hanging out, the cheers when a trick is landed, and the sound of palms and board slapping the ground when it’s not. But... [Read More]

For the residents of Saranac Lake, their downtown clock tower is one of the iconic symbols of the community. It sits high above the entrance to the town hall, at a major intersection which contains important civic buildings. It is diagonally across from Riverside Park, with its bandshell, boat docks, and benches. This landmark is used when giving directions. Places are "three down... [Read More]

The beauty of this 'Round the Mountain race is... it doesn't have to be a race. You don't even have to be in it to revel in the fun. It's a great way to kick off the paddling season and get those competitive juices flowing, or be a spectator, cheering the first boats and experiencing the scenic and picnic possibilities along the shores of Lake Flower. Any time, it can be a... [Read More]

I’m not a history buff, but one thing that’s always fascinated me is the Adirondacks’ place in the world. If you ask the right people, big names get thrown around. Bill Clinton has visited; Melville Dewey, creator of the Dewey decimal system, lived in Lake Placid; and poet Sylvia Plath broke her leg on Mount Pisgah in Saranac Lake while visiting in 1952. The ... [Read More]

As I stroll through the village of Saranac Lake, a virtual Norman Rockwell or Currier & Ives painting, I keep waiting for the horse-drawn sleigh to pass by — the passengers in stocking caps and mittens, colorful quilts piled on top of them.  The horse-drawn sleigh never materializes, I shiver and zip up, and one word comes to mind — coffee. [img:rs90646-a69i6892lpr.jpg... [Read More]

The Adirondacks are a geological treasure chest. They are an extension of the Canadian Shield, one of the world's largest continental shields. These mountains, rivers, and lakes have the ancient magma, glacial errata, and billion years old rocks that make for fine hunting. Iron ore seams, dramatic sandstone layers, and plenty of igneous minerals add up to a delightful mix of... [Read More]

One thing about vacationing with children is the constant need for fun activities. There's also the challenge of finding things the whole family can enjoy. There's quite a range of possibility if there's a mix of teens, young children, and different ages and abilities. To help with with that vacation budget, the Saranac Lake area offers a number of free fun activities and events. Some of them... [Read More]

Here in Saranac Lake, we are all about art. Even when it escapes the gallery and flutters around everywhere. It can turn up in unexpected places. Our downtown area is a great place to hunt for it, too. Along with the hot beverages and fresh, made-on-the-premises, pastry, there's plenty of "food for the soul." Our collection of galleries and shops live to set free a creative spirit... [Read More]

Saranac Lake has a wonderful farmers market every Saturday in the summer and fall. It's more than fresh local produce, though of course there is plenty of that. We've expanded our farmers market into locally grown meats and cheeses, cut flowers, honey and maple syrup, delicious snacks, and even artisan crafts like pottery and hand-turned fountain pens. Since it is held in Riverside Park, there... [Read More]

When it was announced that the Hotel Saranac would open again, with a classic refurbishment befitting its historic landmark status, the entire village was thrilled. Then we started getting calls and emails. Was it true? When would the hotel open? Can they make a reservation now? Turns out, the rest of the world is thrilled too. To understand the pull of this extraordinary hotel, we must... [Read More]

Saranac Lake has been a fascinating place for a long time. I never know when I'll run into a fun and interesting bit of trivia about its moments of fame. These interesting items can turn up anywhere along the town's history. Here's some from the first half of the twentieth century.revolutionary mop patent“Be it known that I, EDWARD DoBBINs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Saranac Lake... [Read More]

When we have special dietary needs, it's easy to feel like there is "nothing to eat." But in the Saranac Lake area, we have fresh food prepared in kitchens with real chefs in the back. Our servers will be sympathetic and quick to check with them. We'll fill that plate in no time. Specialty dining is not just close to my heart; it's close to my stomach. I've been dining gluten free since 2010.... [Read More]

Martha Reben was one tough lady. She came to the Adirondacks at the age of twenty-one, to cure in the famous tuberculosis sanitarium in Saranac Lake. But after three-and-a-half years, it looked like she was losing. Her condition was described as "severely debilitated" and she was facing a procedure of last resort where ribs were removed to collapse a lung. At this same time, 1931,... [Read More]

Get your groove on...The month of February in Saranac Lake kicks off with the longest running winter carnival in the USA. Saranac Lake Winter Carnival has grown over the years to a full-on 10-day celebration of everything winter and then some. Each year the winter carnival committee chooses a theme nearly a year ahead of time to give everyone involved a chance to come up with costumes, floats,... [Read More]

Updated: November 13, 2015When the weather gets chilly, the chilly turn caffeinated. It’s not just the coffee. Hot beverages, like chocolate or cider, are another famous Adirondack tradition we love to share.There’s something special about warming hands around a mug, and warming hearts around a good chat. If the blood is feeling a bit thin, pop into a place where the meal crowd has left, the... [Read More]

There are some great restaurants in Saranac Lake, but probably the most unique eatery (and one of my favorites!) is Eat ’n Meet Grill and Larder.[img:eatnmeetentrance.jpg]The Real Thing...Eat ’n Meet, located at 139 Broadway in Saranac Lake, is what owner John Vargo likes to call a “neighborhood joint.” He tries to produce the quality of food you’d get for $40 a plate in a nice restaurant, but... [Read More]

so much more than a beautiful viewTop things to do when you don't feel like being outsideWe love our Adirondack outdoors. We love our changeable mountain weather. But sometimes, they just don’t go together the way we planned it. Still, many weather challenges are not as daunting as they might appear.A misty day is easy to dress for and does not disturb a lovely walk in the woods. If it's a... [Read More]

Norman Bethune is a famous Saranac Lake artist. His most celebrated work was created here, in the Trudeau Cottage Sanitarium, where he was both a doctor, and a patient. He was also an inventor: the Bethune shears, for thoracic surgery, are still in use today. He was a humanitarian: his many medical patents were donated to the cause of socialized medicine. He was an innovator: he organized... [Read More]

Above:  Be sure to check out the video above, featuring the Saranac Lake Region portion of the 3 day 90-Miler Canoe Classic from Old Forge to Saranac Lake, finishing on Sunday, September 7 in Saranac Lake. By all accounts, September in Saranac Lake is a very busy time for events. The leaves have barely begun to show colors at this point and as they do change, there'll be several events... [Read More]

Saranac Lake has an extraordinary place in its history, tucked between the lumbering and ice harvesting of its earliest times to the lure of its gorgeous scenery in the present. At the turn of the 20th Century, it was a world famous center for tuberculosis care (known as Taking the Cure) and research. While there were many local sanatoriums, some people were able to “take the cure”... [Read More]

Here are just a few of the events happening around Saranac Lake in the next few weeks.  Don't forget you can use your mobile to also search for more events and nearby restaurants, lodging and activities and attractions.ARTS IN THE REGIONArts are a large part of our summer event offerings here in the Saranac Lake area. Every week there are a multitude of cultural events for everyone to choose... [Read More]

it's all about the bloomWhen Spring hits the Saranac Lake Region we know Daffest isn’t too far off!  Initiated a few years ago, Daffest has grown into a community family event consisting of many smaller events within Daffest.  The spectacular, sweeping Daffodil plantings have been expanded every year so the displays within the Village have become quite amazing when they bloom in... [Read More]

Building with IceSaranac Lake's Winter Carnival is a wonderful Adirondack festival. One of the strongest attractions happens even before Carnival officially begins. That would be the building of each year's Ice Palace.Festivities began back at the turn of the century, when Saranac Lake was already established as an internationally famous wellness center. Between winter enthusiasts,... [Read More]

Art & Dining = Blue Moon CafeFood and art go hand in hand. A glass of wine, a plate of cheese and crackers, and an oil painting says gallery opening to us. But what about adding a caesar salad, or salmon and cream cheese on a bagel? We can have it all… at the Blue Moon Cafe in Saranac Lake. While the saying is “once in a blue moon,” we can enjoy this local dining favorite every day. At Blue... [Read More]

While the leaves are busy beginning to change for our annual Adirondack Fall spectacle, think about joining in on one of our regional events. Saranac Lake will be alive with many cultural and historic events during the next couple of weeks.A most popular weekly summer event comes to a close with the final Third Thursday Art Walk on September 19th.  Galleries and sidewalks come alive with... [Read More]

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As the skies clear and a mid-July weekend approaches, area visitors and residents alike will be entertained by numerous fun events and cultural offerings this coming weekend.Take a drive over to The Adirondack Interpretive Center in Paul Smiths to check out their Birds of Prey Demonstration with Mark Manske. Spend Saturday afternoon immersed in the lives of birds of prey. Mark Manske of... [Read More]