The Historic Saranac Experience

What to Expect

The Saranac Laboratory Museum is open year-round Tuesday - Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Admission is $7, students pay $5, and children 12 and under are free. Visitors typically spend 30 minutes to one hour exploring the museum. Exhibits are self-guided, however staff is always on hand to help guide visitors through the exhibits and answer any questions. While at the museum: 

• Tour the main laboratory space to find out about Saranac Lake's unique history.
• View a variety of short films on local history.
• Visit the museum store.

Why visit

Saranac Lake has both a celebrated backstory and a devoted group of fans. This makes our local history museum something decidedly different. Through its time as a health destination, Saranac Lake became home to people from all over the world, which added to the eclectic nature of its culture. Today Saranac Lake is a popular heritage tourism destination. 

Check out

There are an array of fascinating historical sites, tours, and special events. Here is a just a taste!

There are more than 170 properties in Saranac Lake listed on the National Register of Historic Places. One such property is the Bartok Cabin, where the great composer Bela Bartok spent the last summer of his life. Located near Lake Flower, the cabin's location reminded Bartok and his wife of the Alps. Bartok channeled the creative energy of Saranac Lake to write Concerto for Orchestra. Tours of the cabin are provided by appointment. 

On the first Wednesday of each month, join a guided walking tour of the Trudeau Sanatorium. The sanatorium was named after Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau - a physician who moved to Saranac Lake after his own tuberculosis diagnosis. After the discovery of antibiotic treatment for tuberculosis, the Trudeau Sanatorium closed. The property is now privately owned and generally not open to the public, so a guided tour — outdoors only — is your ticket to experience this place, full of Saranac Lake history.  

Then on the last Wednesday of the month meet at the Hotel Saranac for a casual breakfast gathering to learn and chat about Saranac Lake history. Presentations include topics from Adirondack ghost hunting to the Knollwood Club. Enjoy a delicious continental breakfast and rich conversation. Both will leave you satisfied! 

Start planning your trip to historic Saranac Lake today. Find your ideal lodging and don't forget to play outside while you're here!