adirondacks vs finger lakes for family trip

[Anonymous]

Finger Lakes do not impress me compared to the Adirondacks. Western NY is depressing.

[Anonymous]

The finger lakes have better good options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The finger lakes have better good options.

Autocorrect! I meant FOOD options

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We went to Deep Creek Lake this summer and had a surprisingly great time (I say surprisingly bc we usually take summer beach trips). We (dh, b/g teens, dog and me) enjoyed kayaking, paddle boarding, swimming, biking and hiking. We missed having some better food choices, but we don’t need much as we bbq and cook a lot - we’d have preferred nearby a well stocked grocery store, a decent restaurants, a brewery or winery - maybe a few cute shops but not essential.

I’m looking into renting in the Finger Lakes or Adirondacks next summer. Can anyone describe the differences between these two lake areas? Thanks!

I think it really comes down to the relative importance between the outdoor activities and amenities you referenced. Adirondacks for the outdoor activities; Finger Lakes for the amenities. Each place has both, but they have their relative tilts. And both are great places to visit.

[Anonymous]

The Finger Lakes are less remote, so it’s easier to get groceries and the like. And just a comment on accessibility- you are going to be doing a lot of driving regardless of where you go. Letchworth and Ithaca are about 2 hours apart, and Watkins Glen is about 40 minutes from Ithaca. Similarly, it’s 2 hours from Lake George to Lake Placid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Finger Lakes do not impress me compared to the Adirondacks. Western NY is depressing.

So are MANY corners of the North Country. It depends where you are.

[Anonymous]

Some of the finger lakes are so cold it’s hard to swim in June, so keep an eye on that!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The finger lakes have better good options.

Autocorrect! I meant FOOD options

I can’t comment on the Finger Lake but will say that the food options around Lake Placid were pretty bad. Both ridiculously overpriced ($35+ entrees) and poor quality. What you’re really paying for is being right on the lake; the food itself doesn’t matter so much. We had a place with a tiny kitchen and would prioritize getting a place with a real kitchen in the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The finger lakes have better good options.

Autocorrect! I meant FOOD options

I can’t comment on the Finger Lake but will say that the food options around Lake Placid were pretty bad. Both ridiculously overpriced ($35+ entrees) and poor quality. What you’re really paying for is being right on the lake; the food itself doesn’t matter so much. We had a place with a tiny kitchen and would prioritize getting a place with a real kitchen in the future.

It doesn't get much better anywhere else in the region. Lake George may have some decent food but that's 90 minutes away.

Saranac Lake may have some decent food as well.

[Anonymous]

what about poconos

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look at rentals on Upper Saranac Lake. Lovely water for swimming, boating, paddling - beautiful nearby hiking - a little more upscale and less crowded than Lake Placid (and certainly than Lake George).

I think the scenery in the Adirondacks is much better than the Finger Lakes.

I grew up spending summers on Upper Saranac and this is a good call. There are all sorts of rental options and it's close enough to Saranac Lake/Lake Placid/Tupper Lake so you're never all that far from touristy stuff or groceries or whatever.

[Anonymous]

I like Lake Skaneateles. Really cute town. It has vineyards, parks, falls, restaurants and the lake is very clean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The finger lakes have better good options.

Autocorrect! I meant FOOD options

I can’t comment on the Finger Lake but will say that the food options around Lake Placid were pretty bad. Both ridiculously overpriced ($35+ entrees) and poor quality. What you’re really paying for is being right on the lake; the food itself doesn’t matter so much. We had a place with a tiny kitchen and would prioritize getting a place with a real kitchen in the future.

It doesn't get much better anywhere else in the region. Lake George may have some decent food but that's 90 minutes away.

Saranac Lake may have some decent food as well.

Saranac has better food than Placid. Tupper Lake too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We absolutely love Lake George. The mountains are gorgeous and the lake is pristine. I was not a lake person until I visited this one.

Yup, just avoid Lake George Village which is super tacky touristy. Bolton Landing is more your vibe.

Pp you're quoting and I agree completely. We love the Sagamore but there are lots of smaller cabin style resorts near Bolton's landing that look wonderful and which I'd love to visit if my DH wasn't so stuck on the Sagamore. I've never actually spent time in lake George village.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Look at rentals on Upper Saranac Lake. Lovely water for swimming, boating, paddling - beautiful nearby hiking - a little more upscale and less crowded than Lake Placid (and certainly than Lake George).

I think the scenery in the Adirondacks is much better than the Finger Lakes.

I grew up spending summers on Upper Saranac and this is a good call. There are all sorts of rental options and it's close enough to Saranac Lake/Lake Placid/Tupper Lake so you're never all that far from touristy stuff or groceries or whatever.

I'm from the Finger Lakes and I agree with all of this. Maybe familiarity breeds contempt but I think as a vacation destination the Finger Lakes are just....chill. The Adirondacks are stunning. Saranac Lake is great and has a variety of options from canoe camping to rentals.

I wouldn't consider either area a food destination whatsoever. Ithaca has "ethnic foods." That's the level we're looking at here. But OP is OK with cooking so that's fine.