THINGS TO DO
in the ADIRONDACKS

Ideally situated near Gore Mountain, our Adirondack cabin is perfectly placed for exploring lakes, trails, and the region’s best year-round adventures. Learn more about us here.

One of the top things to do in the Adirondacks is hike, and while there are more choices than you'll have time for, one of our favorites is the Moxham Mountain Trail.  

This moderately challenging 5.3-mile round-trip hike takes about 3 hours and rewards adventurers with incredible views throughout. The trail climbs steadily through beautiful forested terrain, offering multiple scenic overlooks along the way, including a great vantage point of Gore Mountain. At the 2,418-foot summit, you'll be treated to sweeping panoramic views—an ideal spot to rest, refuel, and take in the natural beauty of the Adirondack Mountains.

Looking for a family-friendly thing to do in the Adirondacks? Minerva Lake and Donnelly Beach offer year-round fun. In the summer, you can rent a canoe, kayak, or paddleboard and explore the lake’s three scenic islands. The beach features a lifeguard-staffed swimming area, playgrounds, tennis and basketball courts, picnic tables, grills, and seasonal food stands—perfect for a full day of outdoor relaxation.

A local tip that most outsiders don't know is that in the winter, you can lace up your skates for free ice skating or join a pickup hockey game on the frozen lake or at the outdoor rink under the Donnelly Beach pavilion. And if you call ahead, they'll even turn on the lights for night skating!

When it comes to things to do in the Adirondacks in winter, Gore Mountain—New York’s largest ski resort—is a must-visit. It’s a hub for cold-weather fun, offering downhill skiing, snowboarding terrain parks, and the renowned Nordic Center for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

But Gore mountain activities aren't just awesome in the winter! In the warmer months, ride the scenic gondola skyride to access over 14 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. You can even bring your bike up and cruise down the mountain. Summer visitors can also enjoy a round of disc golf at the Airbender Woods course or browse local crafts and enjoy live music at the Mountain Master Craft Series.

A unique and hands-on adventure for all ages, the Garnet Mine tour lets you explore the world’s largest garnet deposit. Discover the history and geology of the area, try your hand at finding your own garnets, and see how these deep red gemstones are cut and polished. You can even create your own souvenir jewelry—perfect for kids and adults alike. It's very reasonably priced, family-friendly outdoor activity where you may even learn some history!

The Hudson River Gorge is consistently ranked among the best whitewater rafting destinations on the East Coast—and for good reason. With thrilling rapids, crystal-clear water, and breathtaking scenery, it’s an unforgettable experience for adventurers ages 8 and up (depending on the season and river conditions).

The most thrilling time to raft the Hudson is in early spring (starting in April), right after the snowmelt or a heavy rain, when the river runs at its wildest. Just be prepared—the water is much colder then! If you’re planning a family rafting trip, want to swim, or prefer a more relaxed ride, summer and fall offer gentler rapids and warmer conditions.

Keep in mind that the Hudson River Gorge releases are controlled by the dam and only run on Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, so plan ahead as rafting isn’t available every day.

We highly recommend Beaver Brook Outfitters, a trusted local company known for safe, guided rafting trips, plus their guides are awesome! Heron Pond Hideaway guests receive an exclusive $15 per person discount—contact us directly for your code!

Explore downtown North Creek for a variety of locally made and curated goods, from art and antiques to home goods, chocolates, coffee, and ice cream. Don’t miss the Hudson River Trading Company, a local favorite! When hunger strikes, enjoy several wonderful restaurants, including one led by a talented contestant from Hell's Kitchen. Visit North Creek's website for all of the details.

This is one of our family’s favorite things to do in the Adirondack no matter the season! Ride a 2- or 4-person railway bike along the Hudson River and through the Adirondack forest for a one-of-a-kind outdoor adventure. In the fall, the colorful foliage is spectacular—but don’t worry if you’re visiting another time of year. The rail bikes operate for most of the season, and in summer, you can even add a relaxing 1.5–2 hour lazy river tubing trip for extra fun.

Looking for something truly special? Their Twilight Tour is a can’t-miss experience: enjoy a peaceful sunset ride, stop for a cozy campfire with s’mores halfway through, and return under the stars with glow sticks and lanterns lighting your way. It’s a magical outing and a unique way to experience the Adirondacks after dark.

In our opinion, the Natural Stone Bridges and Caves are one of the most family-friendly things to do in the Adirondacks as it's interesting for adults and kids alike. Walk the 3/4-mile self-guided nature trail to explore Sawmill Site Waterfalls, Artists' Gorge, potholes, and surface caves. Descend through Stone Bridge, the largest marble cave entrance in the eastern US, to lighted caves with raging water or dark pools. The trail has over 500 stairs and takes 45-60 minutes.

Your ticket also includes access to two hiking trails with stunning Adirondack views. Families can enjoy a playground, climbing wall, and Dino Dig as part of admission, with other activities available for a fee. Most kids love to peruse the beautiful stones for sale so be ready!

For a real adventure, sign up for the guided 3-4 hour spelunking cave crawl. In winter, explore 14.5 miles of snowshoeing trails, or experience the annual Stone Bridge Caveman 6K and 15K Extreme Snowshoe Race.

For avid anglers, the central Adirondack area offers some of the best and most under-fished waters in the East, making it a true fisherman’s paradise. Located at the edge of the Siamese Ponds Wilderness and Upper Hudson River, the town of Johnsburg is the perfect base for your Adirondack fishing adventure. Bring your own gear, stop by Crossroads for bait, then head to one of the area’s remote ponds, streams, or rivers for an unforgettable brook trout fishing experience. Popular spots include John Pond, Clear Pond, and Thirteenth Lake, all known for their excellent trout fishing. Just remember, a valid fishing license is required.

Originally built for the wealthy Pruyn family and opening its doors in 1893, Camp Santanoni is a must-visit destination in the Adirondacks. Nestled within the nearly 13,000-acre Santanoni Preserve, this National Historic Landmark is one of the earliest examples of the iconic Adirondack Great Camps.

Today, visitors can experience the property much as the Pruyn family originally envisioned, enjoying both the history and outdoor recreation they cherished. If you’re curating your itinerary of things to do in the Adirondacks, Camp Santanoni deserves a spot. Open year-round, it offers a range of ways to explore: snowshoe the scenic trails on a self-guided winter tour, or join a guided summer tour for an in-depth look at this historic retreat.

For a more adventurous outing, rent (or bring) a bike to cycle the five-mile journey to the Main Lodge—or opt for a relaxing ride in a horse-drawn carriage through the forested trail.

Our Adirondack vacation guide wouldn't be complete without mentioning Lake George since it's such a popular vacation spot in the Adirondacks! We often get asked the distance from there to our cabin (~45 min). While we find it a tad touristy, it's still a great place for a day trip if you're seeking a specific event or destination!