We get quite a lot of rain in the Adirondacks during the spring and summer months. For those hoping to enjoy outdoor activities during their stay, bad weather can really ruin a trip. Don't let gloomy weather spoil all of your fun! Have some back-up activities planned just in case the rain rolls in. Below are just a few of my recommendations for activities during bad weather.
1. Visit The Wild Center in Tupper Lake
The Wild Center allows its visitors to explore their relationship with nature in the Adirondacks through family-friendly indoor and outdoor exhibits. It is one of my favorite museums/interpretive centers in the Adirondacks and has something for everyone. Kids and adults love the interactive science-based exhibits. You can view different animals up close or take a "Wild Walk" across the treetops. Visit their website for more information on current exhibits and hours of operation before planning your trip.
2. Enjoy the shops on Main Street in Lake Placid
While there are great shops and restaurants throughout the Adirondacks, Main Street in Lake Placid offers the most shopping in a close proximity, making it ideal for rainy days. Just bring your umbrella or rain jacket! While enjoying the shops, take in the scenic views of Mirror Lake or grab lunch at one of many restaurants along Main Street.
There are so many great exhibits and events at this museum! The Adirondack Experience focuses on the history and people of the Adirondacks. From logging in the Adirondacks, to the history of outdoor recreation and boating, to new interactive exhibits incorporating the Adirondack wilderness, there really is something for everyone. Make sure you check out their Special Events Calendar. They host some of my favorite ADK events such as the "Made in the Adirondacks" fair and the "Adirondack Rustic Furniture" fair.
The Adirondack Experience is a scenic 1.5 hour drive from Dartbrook Lodge. Take in the sites in Newcomb and Long Lake along your way!
4. Catch a film at The Palace Theater or Lake Placid Center for the Arts
Lake Placid is lucky to be the home of two theaters! The Palace Theater is a quaint old theater on Main Street that shows current films at more affordable prices. The Lake Placid Center for the Arts offers more "artsy" films, performances and shows. Check out their website for a list of upcoming shows and events.
5. Go Beer Tasting at a Local Brewery
We have some great breweries in the Adirondacks! A couple of my favorites are located right in Lake Placid: Lake Placid Pub & Brewery (try the famous Ubu Ale!) and Big Slide Brewery. Further away in Tupper Lake, you can find another local favorite, Raquette River Brewing, or take a drive in the opposite direction towards Lake Champlain to visit Ledge Hill Brewing near Westport.
6. Tour the Olympic Center in Lake Placid
Lake Placid is well known for being home to the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympic Games. There are many activities (both indoor and outdoor) in the area that focus on our olympic history. Purchase an "Olympic Sites Passport" to gain access to all of the venues, from the Lake Placid Olympic Museum to the skydeck at the Olympic Jumping Complex.
7. Relax at the Lake Placid Spa
Being a local in a tourist area has its perks - like access to all the luxuries of a vacation destination! One of my favorite splurges is a day at the best spa in town, The Lake Placid Spa. Browse their website for their various packages and treatments.
8. Take a Fitness Class at a Nearby Studio
Even on a rainy day, there are plenty of places to get your exercise indoors. We have some great fitness centers and studios nearby. Some of my favorites include: Keene Fitness, Hot Yoga Lake Placid, True North Yoga, The Studio at High Peaks Cyclery, Cross Fit Lake Placid, and more!
9. Take a Drive up Whiteface Veteran's Memorial Highway
If the clouds are still above the mountains on a rainy day, its still possible to get great views on top of Whiteface. If you can see the top of Whiteface from down below, chances are you will still get a great view up top! Avoid being wet all day hiking and take a drive up the mountain instead. Stay dry and still enjoy the views at the top inside the Castle Cafe, offering rustic cuisine and breathtaking scenery!
10. Visit the Adirondack History Museum in Elizabethtown
The Adirondack History Museum offers exhibitions on early farming and frontier life, wilderness exploration and recreation, logging and mining and contemporary art and historical documents to help visitors better understand and appreciate the various connections made between the past and present in the Adirondacks. It's just a short 15 minute drive from Dartbrook Lodge!
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