Make the Most of Your Adirondack Getaway! Check Out Major Attractions Within 1 Hour of Garnet Hill Lodge

Posted in Fall at Garnet Hill, General, Summer at Garnet Hill

Garnet Hill Lodge is the perfect place to get away from it all in the Adirondacks, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t close to other prime attractions!

When you opt to stay with us, you not only get to make use of on-site trails, dining, and amenities, but you’ll also be within one hour of all the attractions below (times noted are approximate). Browse a ton of options of things to do close by so you can best plan your trip and make the most of your visit to the Adirondacks.

Discover Unique Outdoor Adventures

These three attractions are so unique they don’t fit into their own category. Check out railbiking, scenic skyrides, and cave explorations.

Gore Mountain

Location: North Creek, 20 minutes away

Highlights: Gore Mountain is much more than a ski resort. They offer year-round activities from hiking and biking to disc golf and scenic gondola rides, which are particularly popular in the fall thanks to the stunning foliage our region gets each year.

Revolution Rail

Location: North Creek, 16 minutes away

Highlights: Experience the Adirondacks in a whole new way when you try railbiking with Revolution Rail. Their North Creek location offers two different routes (one 7 miles and the other 7.5) that run through the fall season. This is a super easy, scenic activity through gorgeous Adirondack backcountry.

Natural Stone Bridge & Caves

Location: Pottersville, 38 minutes away

Highlights: Natural Stone Bridge & Caves features the largest marble cave entrance in the eastern US. Check out self-guided and above-ground nature trails in the warmer months, and see how this Adirondack wonder transforms in the winter, with the ice flows changing the landscape beneath the Stone Bridge and along the river.

Dive Into Local History & Explore the Arts at a Museum

There are four fantastic museums within an hour of our lodge that offer everything from visual arts to performing arts to historical reenactments.

Adirondack Experience – The Museum at Blue Mountain Lake

Location: Blue Mountain Lake, 38 minutes away

Highlights: This family-friendly history museum consists of over 20 buildings across 120 acres overlooking Blue Mountain Lake. There’s something for everyone at this open-air campus with permanent and rotating exhibitions, and plenty of scenic spots on the campus. They’re open July through October.

Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts

Location: Blue Mountain Lake, 37 minutes away

Highlights: Open late June through mid-October, the Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts specializes in visual and performing arts, workshops for adults and kids, and much more. This multi-disciplinary arts center fosters quality programs in the arts, sciences, and humanities.

Fort William Henry Museum

Location: Lake George, 49 minutes away

Highlights: Fort William Henry is a museum and historic site dating back to 1755 that highlights the famous fort’s significance in the French and Indian War. Take a guided or self-guided tour (they also do ghost tours through the fall!), or browse their calendar for upcoming live reenactments.

North Creek Depot Museum

Location: North Creek, 16 minutes away

Highlights: Located next to Revolution Rail, the North Creek Depot Museum explores the area’s role in American history. They’re open Memorial Day Weekend through Columbus Day Weekend, and in addition to the exhibits, you can also check out a restored freight house and engine house, a sand tower, and a 90-foot turntable.

Spend the Day at an Amusement Park

If you’re seeking excitement in the form of roller coasters, waterslides, and more thrilling rides, you’ll have to plan an excursion to The Great Escape!

Six Flags Great Escape & Hurricane Harbor

Location: Queensbury, 54 minutes away

Highlights: This classic Queensbury amusement park dates back to 1954, and it is now owned by Six Flags. The Great Escape & Hurricane Harbor consists of classic thrill rides like roller coasters, family-friendly rides like the Storytown Train, and a water park full of high-speed slides, racing tunnels, and much more.

Find Fun on the Water

Raquette Lake Navigation Company, photo provided

Speaking of water-filled fun, guests at our lodge will be in close proximity to take a tour on Blue Mountain Lake or cruise around Lake George or Raquette Lake. These guided sightseeing tours are typically open through Columbus Day Weekend, or around mid-October.

Blue Mountain Lake Boat Livery

Location: Blue Mountain Lake, 38 minutes away

Highlights: Blue Mountain Lake Boat Livery provides two-hour boat tours that will take you across three scenic lakes (they also offer boat rentals). Their boat tours offer a glimpse into the rich history of Blue Mountain Lake, a popular place for families during the late 19th century. As you take in the sights, you’ll learn all about the great camps, steamboats, and Adirondack workers of the 1800s.

Lake George Steamboat Company

Location: Lake George, 49 minutes away

Highlights: Established in 1817, the highly rated Lake George Steamboat Company offers a variety of specialty cruises and themed events (dinner, fireworks, fall foliage, to name a few) on their three magnificent steamboats.

Raquette Lake Navigation Company

Location: Raquette Lake, 54 minutes away

Highlights: Raquette Lake Navigation Company offers dining, sightseeing, and special events cruises on Raquette Lake. Some favorites include a Sunday Brunch Cruise, the Prime Rib Buffet Dinner Cruise, and the Scenic Excursion, a 90-minute cruise with historic commentary.

Whitewater Rafting Galore

Square Eddy Expeditions, photo provided, credit to: Melody Thomas

There are so many highly rated whitewater rafting companies close to us that you’ll have a tough time deciding which to check out! Several offer more than rafting, too. Whitewater rafting is typically available through the spring, summer, and fall, with springtime being ideal for more experienced rafters.

Adirondack Adventures

Location: North River, 10 minutes away

Highlights: Adirondack Adventures offers whitewater rafting, whitewater kayaking, wilderness camping, and rentals for tubing, paddleboarding, and more. Whitewater rafting takes place on class III-V whitewater rapids down the Indian River as it merges with the Upper Hudson River. Plus, all guests of Garnet Hill Lodge receive $10 off a rafting adventure for four or more people!

Adirondack Rafting Co. – Hudson River Base

Location: Indian Lake, 25 minutes away

Highlights: Raft the scenic Upper Hudson River Gorge with Adirondack Rafting Co. They offer a variety of different sized rafts to meet the needs of any group or river level. Experience the thrill of famous rapids like Cedar Ledges, Blue Ledges, The Narrows, Split Rock, Kettle Mountain, Harris Rapid, and Bus Stop.

Adirondack Sports Rafting Company

Location: Indian Lake, 23 minutes away

Highlights: In operation since 1985, the Adirondack Sports Rafting Company has over 30 years of experience with guided rafting tours. They’re minutes from the Hudson River, have a stellar safety record, and your trip includes a picnic lunch on the river.

Beaver Brook Outfitters (Summer Location)

Location: North Creek, 13 minutes away

Highlights: Beaver Brook Outfitters offers day trips and overnight whitewater rafting trips on Class II, III, and IV rapids along with flatwater kayaking and canoeing, for a more mellow experience; they also do camping trips.

Hudson Rafting Co. Base

Location: North Creek, 17 minutes away

Highlights: Take a whitewater rafting trip on the Upper Hudson River Gore or Middle Hudson River Gorge with the Hudson Rafting Co. Base; they also offer the Middle Hudson River Gorge Ducky with inflatable kayaks, and river tubing.

North Creek Rafting Company

Location: North Creek, 16 minutes away

Highlights: Rafting day trips, overnight rafting trips, self-guided rafting trips, inflatable kayak trips, lazy river tubing, canoe rentals – North Creek Rafting Company has it all! The whitewater rafting day trips are on the Hudson River from April through October, and Moose River and Boreas River during April only.

Square Eddy Expeditions

Location: North Creek, 16 minutes away

Highlights: Square Eddy Expeditions provides Hudson River Gorge rafting trips, overnight trips, guided hikes, and they also offer a Hike In & Raft Out option, where you hike to OK Slip Falls (one of New York’s tallest waterfalls!) and then raft out.

Wild Waters Outdoor Center

Location: Warrensburg, 28 minutes away, and Lake Luzerne, 56 minutes away

Highlights: Wild Waters Outdoor Center has two locations: the Hudson River rafting trip base is in Warrensburg, while the Sacandaga rafting trip base is in Lake Luzerne. They’ve been in business since 1983 and offer the best experience possible for both options. The Hudson River trip runs through October, and Sacandaga through early September.

Whitewater Challengers/ARO

Location: North River, 10 minutes away

Highlights: An on-river snack and wetsuits are included when you whitewater raft with Whitewater Challengers/ARO. They offer rafting trips on the Hudson River Gorge every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, April through October.

If you’re interested in combining your Adirondack getaway with another worthwhile attraction, plan your trip around one or more of the above close-by attractions to Garnet Hill Lodge. After your adventure, remember to make it back in time for a delicious dinner at the Log House Restaurant where you can relax, unwind and reflect on your action-packed day.