adirondacks vs finger lakes for family trip

[Anonymous]

Thanks all, from OP. What we’re mainly looking for is beautiful nature activities, and both areas clearly have them but I prefer the descriptions of Adirondacks so will start my sesrch there. To clarify my food comments, we mainly cook at our rental on these kinds of trips, but I would like a well stocked grocery store and ideally a nice wine/cheese shop (doesn’t need to be fancy) and/or a brewery. Many thanks again!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks all, from OP. What we’re mainly looking for is beautiful nature activities, and both areas clearly have them but I prefer the descriptions of Adirondacks so will start my sesrch there. To clarify my food comments, we mainly cook at our rental on these kinds of trips, but I would like a well stocked grocery store and ideally a nice wine/cheese shop (doesn’t need to be fancy) and/or a brewery. Many thanks again!

Grocery store options will be better in the Finger Lakes (there's a Wegmans in Ithaca, for example), and availability of fresh local produce in general, as there are just more farms in that area. Also lots of wineries to pick up wine. Ithaca Beer Co is good.

When we go to the Adirondacks we usually stop in the Albany area for a grocery run on the way up, but where we stay is pretty far from a decent grocery. More options in the Saranac/Lake Placid area. Raquette River brewery is great and worth a visit if you stay near there, they sometimes have food trucks too.

Both are great areas!

[Anonymous]

Depending on how much you like cheese, if you choose the Finger Lakes a stop to visit this cheesemonger might be in order.

https://www.syracuse.com/food/2023/07/her-cheese-stands-alone-syracuse-shop-owner-named-top-cheesemonger-in-america.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks all, from OP. What we’re mainly looking for is beautiful nature activities, and both areas clearly have them but I prefer the descriptions of Adirondacks so will start my sesrch there. To clarify my food comments, we mainly cook at our rental on these kinds of trips, but I would like a well stocked grocery store and ideally a nice wine/cheese shop (doesn’t need to be fancy) and/or a brewery. Many thanks again!

Grocery store options will be better in the Finger Lakes (there's a Wegmans in Ithaca, for example), and availability of fresh local produce in general, as there are just more farms in that area. Also lots of wineries to pick up wine. Ithaca Beer Co is good.

When we go to the Adirondacks we usually stop in the Albany area for a grocery run on the way up, but where we stay is pretty far from a decent grocery. More options in the Saranac/Lake Placid area. Raquette River brewery is great and worth a visit if you stay near there, they sometimes have food trucks too.

Both are great areas!

Agree with all of this! Raquette River is great and the food trucks are solid.
Hex & Hop in Bloomingdale is also good.
We do our major food shopping at one of the chain places in Lake Placid, and there are a couple of wine shops there too. Nori’s in Saranac Lake has a good selection of cheese - many local options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks all, from OP. What we’re mainly looking for is beautiful nature activities, and both areas clearly have them but I prefer the descriptions of Adirondacks so will start my sesrch there. To clarify my food comments, we mainly cook at our rental on these kinds of trips, but I would like a well stocked grocery store and ideally a nice wine/cheese shop (doesn’t need to be fancy) and/or a brewery. Many thanks again!

I think lake George around Bolton landing would meet your needs quite well. It is the most beautiful lake for swimming. Clear, deep. Hit up the sandwich shop, go to the gem for bbq and drinks. Go up to silver bay or Roger’s rock for hiking or to borrow a sunfish. Go into Keene valley and hike dix, or giant, and hit up the noon mark diner. While I love the finger lakes, I think the Adirondacks has it beat on natural beauty.

One word of warning. The Adirondack hikes are extremely popular since Covid. Just plan with that in mind.

[Anonymous]

Love this thread! I also like both. Watkins Glen, at the southern tip of Seneca, definitely has a cheese shop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks all, from OP. What we’re mainly looking for is beautiful nature activities, and both areas clearly have them but I prefer the descriptions of Adirondacks so will start my sesrch there. To clarify my food comments, we mainly cook at our rental on these kinds of trips, but I would like a well stocked grocery store and ideally a nice wine/cheese shop (doesn’t need to be fancy) and/or a brewery. Many thanks again!

Grocery store options will be better in the Finger Lakes (there's a Wegmans in Ithaca, for example), and availability of fresh local produce in general, as there are just more farms in that area. Also lots of wineries to pick up wine. Ithaca Beer Co is good.

When we go to the Adirondacks we usually stop in the Albany area for a grocery run on the way up, but where we stay is pretty far from a decent grocery. More options in the Saranac/Lake Placid area. Raquette River brewery is great and worth a visit if you stay near there, they sometimes have food trucks too.

Both are great areas!

Ithaca Beer Company may have been good 10 or 15 years ago, but not any more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks all, from OP. What we’re mainly looking for is beautiful nature activities, and both areas clearly have them but I prefer the descriptions of Adirondacks so will start my sesrch there. To clarify my food comments, we mainly cook at our rental on these kinds of trips, but I would like a well stocked grocery store and ideally a nice wine/cheese shop (doesn’t need to be fancy) and/or a brewery. Many thanks again!

Grocery store options will be better in the Finger Lakes (there's a Wegmans in Ithaca, for example), and availability of fresh local produce in general, as there are just more farms in that area. Also lots of wineries to pick up wine. Ithaca Beer Co is good.

When we go to the Adirondacks we usually stop in the Albany area for a grocery run on the way up, but where we stay is pretty far from a decent grocery. More options in the Saranac/Lake Placid area. Raquette River brewery is great and worth a visit if you stay near there, they sometimes have food trucks too.

Both are great areas!

Ithaca Beer Company may have been good 10 or 15 years ago, but not any more.

That’s a shame! I prefer Prison City in Auburn, but Ithaca Beer was always a good place to hang out.

[Anonymous]

I agree with the poster that noted the Finger Lakes is a very large region and a lot of the attractions are far from each other. If you want to see the highlights of the Finger Lakes, plan to spend a lot of time in the car.

We just spent two weeks in Lake Placid and I think it checks a lot of your boxes. Great hiking and paddling. You can rent kayaks on both Mirror Lake and Lake Placid. Motor boats are not allowed on Mirror Lake so it is also great for swimming and stand up paddle boarding.

There is a new bike trail between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake.

All the Olympic stuff is great. We did curling one night at the 1930 hockey arena. There is a good climbing wall for the kids at the Mt. Van Hovenburg Sports Complex. And the hike up Mt. Van Hovenburg is short but stunning.

Lake Placid Brewery and Big Slide Brewery are decent and kid friendly. Lisa G's is a nice restaurant. The grocery and liquor stores are sufficient.

Merrill Thomas is the agency we usually rent through and they are always helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks all, from OP. What we’re mainly looking for is beautiful nature activities, and both areas clearly have them but I prefer the descriptions of Adirondacks so will start my sesrch there. To clarify my food comments, we mainly cook at our rental on these kinds of trips, but I would like a well stocked grocery store and ideally a nice wine/cheese shop (doesn’t need to be fancy) and/or a brewery. Many thanks again!

Grocery store options will be better in the Finger Lakes (there's a Wegmans in Ithaca, for example), and availability of fresh local produce in general, as there are just more farms in that area. Also lots of wineries to pick up wine. Ithaca Beer Co is good.

When we go to the Adirondacks we usually stop in the Albany area for a grocery run on the way up, but where we stay is pretty far from a decent grocery. More options in the Saranac/Lake Placid area. Raquette River brewery is great and worth a visit if you stay near there, they sometimes have food trucks too.

Both are great areas!

Ithaca Beer Company may have been good 10 or 15 years ago, but not any more.

That’s a shame! I prefer Prison City in Auburn, but Ithaca Beer was always a good place to hang out.

Yes, Prison City definitely makes better beer than Ithaca Beer Company.

Othter top notch beer places in the Finger Lakes include Other Half, Mortalis, Frequentum, and Tin Barn.

[Anonymous]

Making me homesick. Went to Schroon Lake as a kid. You would love it.

[Anonymous]

The cheese shop you want is Nettle Meadow! International award winning cheeses. My parents live there but we first heard of them in DC shops that carry their cheeses. There’s a rustic no frills shop in Lake Luzerne but their main farm is in Hadley. https://www.nettlemeadow.com/

There’s also a hidden gem cidery in Granville—off the beaten path a bit. Pick your own fruits at various times, a cute little gift shop, and a tasting room. https://www.slyborociderhouse.com/

Bolton Landing does have a small brewery right on the main road but I wouldn’t say it’s anything to write home about. There’s also a perfectly fine but small grocery store downtown. All of downtown is walkable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The cheese shop you want is Nettle Meadow! International award winning cheeses. My parents live there but we first heard of them in DC shops that carry their cheeses. There’s a rustic no frills shop in Lake Luzerne but their main farm is in Hadley. https://www.nettlemeadow.com/

There’s also a hidden gem cidery in Granville—off the beaten path a bit. Pick your own fruits at various times, a cute little gift shop, and a tasting room. https://www.slyborociderhouse.com/

Bolton Landing does have a small brewery right on the main road but I wouldn’t say it’s anything to write home about. There’s also a perfectly fine but small grocery store downtown. All of downtown is walkable.

Yes to Nettle Meadow! And go to their farm for the self guided walk to meet a whole variety of farm animals, many of which are being rehabbed and really well cared for. You can buy cheese directly there too if you don't also want to go to their larger market, which is an hour or so from the farm.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The cheese shop you want is Nettle Meadow! International award winning cheeses. My parents live there but we first heard of them in DC shops that carry their cheeses. There’s a rustic no frills shop in Lake Luzerne but their main farm is in Hadley. https://www.nettlemeadow.com/

There’s also a hidden gem cidery in Granville—off the beaten path a bit. Pick your own fruits at various times, a cute little gift shop, and a tasting room. https://www.slyborociderhouse.com/

Bolton Landing does have a small brewery right on the main road but I wouldn’t say it’s anything to write home about. There’s also a perfectly fine but small grocery store downtown. All of downtown is walkable.

Yes to Nettle Meadow! And go to their farm for the self guided walk to meet a whole variety of farm animals, many of which are being rehabbed and really well cared for. You can buy cheese directly there too if you don't also want to go to their larger market, which is an hour or so from the farm.

This is the farm: https://www.nettlemeadow.com/farm-sanctuary

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks all, from OP. What we’re mainly looking for is beautiful nature activities, and both areas clearly have them but I prefer the descriptions of Adirondacks so will start my sesrch there. To clarify my food comments, we mainly cook at our rental on these kinds of trips, but I would like a well stocked grocery store and ideally a nice wine/cheese shop (doesn’t need to be fancy) and/or a brewery. Many thanks again!

I think lake George around Bolton landing would meet your needs quite well. It is the most beautiful lake for swimming. Clear, deep. Hit up the sandwich shop, go to the gem for bbq and drinks. Go up to silver bay or Roger’s rock for hiking or to borrow a sunfish. Go into Keene valley and hike dix, or giant, and hit up the noon mark diner. While I love the finger lakes, I think the Adirondacks has it beat on natural beauty.

One word of warning. The Adirondack hikes are extremely popular since Covid. Just plan with that in mind.

Even since before Covid! In 2019 we had to skip a planned hike because we literally couldn't find a place to park. Not just parking lot, the limited places where there was enough shoulder on the road to safely pull over were full as well. It was crazy. Wasn't like that when I was a kid.