Fridays July 11th, 25th, August 8th, 22nd – 6pm-8pm
Join us for a relaxed evening of music under the stars! Bring your acoustic instruments, your voice, or just your love of music as we gather around the campfire for an informal jam session. All skill levels are welcome—whether you’re strumming, singing, or simply enjoying the warm glow and good company.
There’s something special about discovering a place through the eyes of the people who live there. As someone who was born and raised right here in the Adirondacks, I’ll admit—it’s easy to take this place for granted. Sometimes we get caught up in the more touristy activities and forget about the hidden gems right in our own backyards.
So today, I want to share a few of my favorite lesser-known spots across the four towns that make up the Adirondack Hub: Minerva, Newcomb, North Hudson, and Schroon Lake. These are places that locals love and visitors often miss—places full of quiet beauty, rich history, and that welcoming Adirondack spirit.
Let’s start with my hometown—Newcomb. This little town raised me, and while I’m not giving away all our secrets, I’m happy to share a few local favorites.
One of my go-to adventures is paddling a stretch of the Hudson River from what we call the “pump house” at the end of Santanoni Drive. It's an old building we used to draw water from, and just beside it is a small portage spot where you can launch a canoe or kayak. From there, you can paddle a peaceful stretch of the Hudson for a couple of miles. It’s serene, beautiful, and, chances are, you won’t see another soul. (Pro tip: it’s also deep enough for a swim where you launch—perfect for a refreshing dip.)
Another hidden gem is Woodruff Pond, located just beside the school. It’s a short, easy hike that takes you back to a quiet pond with a lovely lookout. It’s not a heavily trafficked trail, but it’s well worth the walk for a bit of solitude and natural beauty.
Next up: Minerva. Most people know about Donnelly Beach or the popular hike up Moxham Mountain, but there’s one adventure that many haven’t heard of: John Burroughs’ Cave, tucked away in the Vanderwhacker Mountain Wild Forest.
This trail is unmarked and a little tricky to find, so I recommend doing some research before heading out. The path follows an old railroad bed alongside a brook, and a small waterfall marks the entrance to the cave—once visited by naturalist John Burroughs himself. It’s the kind of quiet, rugged trail that makes you feel like you’re discovering something forgotten by time.
North Hudson always manages to surprise me. Tucked off the beaten path along Blue Ridge Road is the Adirondack Buffalo Company, a must-stop if you’re in the area. They sell incredible local bison meat (I always go for the medallions), and their produce and baked goods are top-notch—especially their pies.
If you keep driving past Blue Ridge Falls, there’s a small pull-off near the Branch River. A short path takes you down to a peaceful opening along the water. It’s not deep enough for paddling, but it’s a great spot to cast a line or enjoy a quiet picnic in the sun. It’s simple, scenic, and wonderfully quiet—everything I love about this area.
If I didn’t already live in Newcomb, Schroon Lake might be my top pick. Sure, the main street is picture-perfect, with cozy cafés and cute shops, but the real charm is what’s waiting just beyond.
In summer, the best way to experience Schroon Lake is to get out on the water. Whether you launch your boat from the north or south boat launch, cruising around the lake never gets old. If you’re looking for a quieter spot to unwind, head to the hamlet of Adirondack on the western shore. There’s a lovely public beach that’s usually less crowded, and right nearby is the ADK General Store—a perfect place to grab a sandwich or cold drink before settling in for a relaxing afternoon.
Of course, I can’t give everything away. But hopefully, these little local tips help you discover a side of the Adirondack Hub that most visitors don’t see.
If you truly want to vacation like a local, start by slowing down. Paddle a quiet river, find a trail that’s not on the map, chat with a store owner, or spend an afternoon just soaking in the silence. And if you find yourself falling in love with these towns—well, maybe it’s a sign you should move here. We’d be more than happy to welcome you.
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Kids age 10-16 come to the AIC to learn how to safely build a cozy campfire in this fun, hands-on class just for kids! We’ll explore fire safety basics and the best techniques for building and enjoying a fire in the great outdoors. Parents must be present.
Join us at the Adirondack Interpretive Center Sunday’s at 1pm and enjoy BBC’s mini-series, Life! Feel free to bring a comfier camp chair as well as snacks and drinks (Non-alcoholic beverages only, please)!
From the BBC and the Discovery Channel, producers of Planet Earth and The Blue Planet: Seas of Life, comes the newest landmark natural history series, Life. In Planet Earth, we brought you the world as you’ve never seen it before. Now, get closer with Life. Four years in the making, filmed over 3000 days, across every continent and in every habitat, with breathtaking new high definition filming techniques not available for Planet Earth, Life presents 130 incredible stories from the frontiers of the natural world, 54 of which have never been filmed before. Packed with excitement, revelation and entertainment, this remarkable 11-part blockbuster, narrated by Oprah Winfrey, captures unprecedented, astonishingly beautiful sequences and demonstrates the spectacular and extraordinary tactics animals and plants have developed to stay alive.
This lecture is a fun guide into using your camera to capture the fleeting awe-inspiring moments in nature. Katie will share some of her favorite magical moments and explain the techniques used. Optional mini photo adventure after the presentation.
Please see attached flyer for all info! Located at Town Park's Softball field in North Hudson NY!
Join the Town of Schroon Lions for our Annual Garage Sale at the Schroon Lake Boathouse...lots to look, lots to buy!
Are you spring cleaning, Schroon Lake? Instead of giving away those things you no longer want or need, consider donating to the Town of Schroon Lions Club for the annual Memorial Day Garage Sale. For donations, please contact the Lions Club at 518-796-5470 or 518-532-7577.
Learn how to identify priority invasive plant and animal species and take action to protect our local waterbodies in this 2-part workshop. Workshops are geared toward all who enjoy spending time on the water and are free.
Come join us for a relaxing afternoon of painting whether it be watercolor, acrylic or other techniques. We supply the space, you bring the supplies.
Unwind with us every Monday through Thursday from 4-6pm for the best Happy Hour in town!
Make memories that matter with a cozy stay in our spacious Family Glamping Tent—designed for comfort
Valentine's Day dinner for two at The Brown Swan, Champagne & Barkeater chocolates upon arrival and a two night stay at The Lodge at Schroon Lake.
Enjoy a complimentary third night when you book a three-night stay, a daily $25 dining credit, a
Celebrate love in the cozy charm of The Brown Swan this Valentine’s Day.
Stay on Indian Lake for three nights during the Boreal Birding Festival and get an additional 20% off our already off-peak prices.
This Mother's Day, give Mom the gift of tranquility and connection with a peaceful horseback trail ride through the scenic Adirondack forest at Circle B Ranch at 50% off!
This package includes overnight accommodations, round-trip shuttle service f
Overnight accommodations at The Lodge at Schroon Lake & Exclusive access to 50% off Gore Mountain lift tickets for each registered guest
Experience the thrill of Adirondack waters with a half-day guided fishing trip or private chartered boat fishing trip for t
Canadian Residents enjoy 25% off!
This spacious, lakefront home is th
Celebrate Thanksgiving with a cozy escape to The Lodge at Schroon Lake, complete with a festive dinner at The Brown Swan!
Enjoy the tranquil lakeside getaway at a discounted rate exclusively for AAA members! Benefit from 10% off your stay as a valued AAA member.
Immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the Adirondacks with a professionally guided half-day hike or paddle for
Get ready to raise a glass and celebrate St.
Two-night stay at 25% off
This spacious, lakefront home is th
Enjoy game-day favorites from our special menu, featuring crave-worthy classics like wings, sliders, chili, and more, perfect for sharing or savori
Three-night stay at 30% off.
Treat someone special to one drink of choice (iced or hot), a beautiful
Stay this winter at Rowe's Cabins and recieve 20% off your stay.
Get the third night of celebrating mom for FREE!
• One-night stay at 15% off.
Don't ghost your getaway plans- spend Halloween lakeside with