Decidedly Different Appeal
Downtown Saranac Lake is where this village’s decidedly different appeal is on full display. It’s an urban oasis surrounded by scenic mountains and lakes where music, art, and great mountain energy merge to create a lively scene. Enjoy galleries, a theater, music venues, bars, shopping, dining, the landmark Hotel Saranac, and the Adirondack Carousel which features 24 handcrafted Adirondack animals.
Scenic beauty
Watch for the signs that mark the entry ways to the RiverWalk and follow the brick path along the Saranac River as it winds through town. Dine in one of the restaurants or get food to go and sit at the picnic tables in Riverside Park.
Play outdoors
There’s fun for the whole family at Mount Pisgah and Willam Morris Park, near the old train depot, where there’s a playground and the Adirondack Carousel. It's also easy to get out on the trails with snowshoe and cross-country ski rentals and lessons available both in town at Dewey Mountain or on one of an endless supply of wilderness trails.
The arts
Saranac Lake loves art. Art Walks are every third Thursday in summer and numerous galleries offer a glimpse of the local art scene all year. Local art and photography galleries can be found throughout the village, so pick up a scenic photo or a landscape oil painting - a perfect way to take in the beauty of the Adirondacks in your own home. And just because summer is over doesn't mean the fun stops. The Waterhole's upstairs music lounge offers live shows every weekend, and BluSeed Studios always has something going on as well.
Historic roots
Saranac Lake’s downtown is rich with history from its former days as an international treatment center for tuberculosis to its notable vacationers—including Albert Einstein. Pick up a guide to the Walk of Fame in the Welcome Center and take a self-guided tour to learn more about Saranac Lake’s notables. Stop in the Saranac Laboratory Museum to see its rotating exhibits on this village’s eclectic history.
Dining
You won't spend the day hungry here! There are plenty of options for dining and drinking in downtown Saranac Lake. Expect an eclectic mix of restaurants, bars, and coffee shops serving up farm to table meals, local craft beer and cocktails, and even a refreshing hot toddy.