July is a wonderful time to visit the Saranac Lake Region. We have so many great events at this time of year. From traditional holiday celebrations and history tours all the way to some great modern talents in music and art, we have enjoyable options for every member of the family.
Our Glorious Fourth
We love a small town Independence Day. Join us!
We start our celebrations with the 4th of July Kiddie Parade that ends with a celebration in Riverside Park. Our Saturday Farmer's Market will be in full swing, with farm products, craft items, and other amusements offering a joyous experience that lasts into the afternoon.
The 4th of July Fireworks will start at dusk, at the Lake Flower boat launch. There are many places along the lake to see them, you just have to choose your favorite. If water is on your mind, boats begin gathering in Lake Flower as twilight falls.
The next day, at Paul Smiths College VIC, there will be the VIC Independence Day Star-Spangled Banner Trail Run. Wear your red, white, and blue, and choose from a 20K trail run, 10K trail run, 5K run/walk or a 1K youth run. Events start at 10 a.m.
Our delightful heritage
The iconic image of beautifully crafted wooden boats gliding across blue lakes is part of our Adirondack heritage. We celebrate it July 11th with the Eighth Annual Runabout Rendezvous on Lake Flower. This free event celebrates boats that are antiques, classics, or just unique!
On July 14-19th, Paul Smiths College has their Annual Assembly of the Wooden Canoe Heritage Association. There will be hundreds of vintage wooden canoes. Enthusiasts will be offered programs and workshops about the craft. There are demonstrations and vendors. And plenty of fervent discussion.
Those with an interest in touring Saranac Lake's unique curing past will have a number of historic tours to choose from. The Wednesdays of July will feature a tour of Trudeau Sanatorium, Historic Downtown, the Cure Cottage Museum, and Little Red and the Trudeau Statue. All guided by a member of the Saranac Lake Historical Society, with lots of insider knowledge to share.
Summer Wednesdays and Sundays are when tours are offered at White Pine Camp, the historic Great Camp which was the summer White House of President Calvin Coolidge. These delightful walking tours are led by dedicated guides full of stories.
Want to explore the town while treasure hunting? Saranac Lake's 4th Annual Village Wide Garage Sale will be happening all over town July 11th. Get your map!
our mountain ARTS
The Waterhole's Free Thursdays continue with live music at the Party on the Patio series. There's a breathtaking array of talent on display at this downtown nightspot, but that's far from the end of the music.
June 1st kicks off our free downtown music fest, Music on the Green. Summer Wednesdays fill Berkeley Green, downtown, with varied artists and an appreciative crowd.
It's family-friendly fun this month at Pendragon Theatre. Choose from the puppet-enhanced staging of the classic fairy tale, The Snow Queen, or the musical and historical kaleidescope of Tin Types.
Art has always been part of our village's heart. Start off the holiday weekend with a bang with two July 3rd receptions, and new exhibits being displayed in the many art galleries. There will also be openings at the Paul Smiths College VIC and at Pendragon Theatre.
July's Third Thursday Art Walk will be on the 16th, and will feature over 30 venues. Take this self-guided tour to experience the art and music that spreads itself all over our historic downtown area. Galleries stay open late and area restaurants come up with specials. Read our blog post about the fun of Art Walk.
We've also started Last Saturday Studio Tours. Previous Studio Tours have proven to be so popular that we have expanded the calendar to include both summer and fall. One of our bloggers had a great time on a previous tour.
See our Live Entertainment page to explore the amazing variety of our live music and theatre.
Our wonderful wilderness
We are a fantastic destination for appreciating the wilderness, and Paul Smiths College VIC makes it easy, too. They have a number of different tours, covering the science of rocks to weaving a splint-style basket. Get a lovely after-lunch tour every day from 1-2 p.m. An enthused naturalist explains the abundant flora, fauna and ecology of the Adirondack Park.
Birders won't want to miss the every Saturday Teddy Roosevelt Bird Walk. Other topics range from wildflowers to wild edibles.
One highly popular tour that comes around only a few times a year is Elders Grove. This very old stand of white pines were spared from logging in a long-ago surveying error, and now this obscure treasure gets a guided tour.
We are a great place to learn things while you are here.
Our devotion to wellness
Of course, Saranac Lake's support of wellness hasn't stopped. It's simply changed its form. Now, our focus is on stress reduction, physical and mental rehabilitation, even spiritual expansion and alternative healing.
There's some great events which will add wonderful experiences to a getaway. We have many ways to try yoga in a number of beautiful settings, from a studio to an outdoor deck. Immerse yourself with a Wellness Weekend or a one day Yoga Retreat. Or craft your own wellness getaway with the help of our many wellness professionals.
Sign up for some pulse-pounding action with one of our running activities. Bring your skateboard to the grand opening of our new Skate Park.
It doesn't matter why you are coming this July. Whatever the reason might be, we have an event waiting to be loved.
Book that lodging now to avoid disappointment. Plan on some tasty meals. Explore our many attractions for family fun.
