A minimum of four or five days is necessary to explore some of the highlights of the Adirondacks, though one to two weeks would allow for more leisure and flexibility, especially if you want to do some hiking or canoeing.

A good base of operations is Lake Placid or Saranac Lake—from these two scenic village/towns, located amidst the High Peaks, it’s an easy drive to various attractions and good hiking trails. Alternatively, you might want to base yourself in the charming Victorian town of Saratoga Springs, and take overnight trips to the Lake George and Lake Champlain regions.

Take an extra three days to explore the Thousand Islands region if you possibly can—or travel there directly. The region is unique to the state.

Travelers who stick only to the Adirondacks’ roads and villages will get a one-sided sense of the place. The roads offer superb views, to be sure, but roads also make it easy to underestimate the park’s vast and haunting wildness. The only way to truly experience the Adirondacks is by canoe or foot.

With the exception of major towns such as Saratoga Springs and Lake Placid, and ski resort areas, much of the North Country closes down during the off-season, which begins in mid-fall and runs through mid-to-late spring. If traveling during that period, be sure to call ahead to make sure attractions, restaurants, and hotels are open.