Saranac Lake is located in the Adirondack Park, just west of Lake Placid, with a vibe parallel to that of Woodstock, NY: think history-meets art-meets-outdoor adventure. Widely known as the first place to treat tuberculosis, Saranac Lake is filled with what are known as “cure cottages.” These homes were originally why city folk came to Saranac Lake. The fresh air of the Adirondack region improved the health of those that had fallen ill, and in turn the construction of cure cottages filled the Saranac Lake area.
Saranac Lake is a special place, and you’ll notice this within five minutes of walking down Main Street. If you’re a native, you can’t walk down the street without seeing someone you know. Even if you’re only visiting, you’ll be greeted as if you’re a local. This is a close-knit community that pulls for each other. Every local business roots for the rest, and all of the residents come together for the love of their hometown, even if that means volunteering on a weekend to stack massive ice blocks to build an ice palace for the upcoming Winter Carnival.
The annual Saranac Lake Winter Carnival, which takes place January 31 to February 11 is reason alone to plan a trip. Witness the creation of an ice palace, enjoy live music and try your hand at everything from ice skating to curling to a fry pan toss.
Get Outdoors
Try your hand at something you might not have access to easily in the city, and head over to Dewey Mountain, a snowshoe and cross country ski destination with 13 km of ski trails and 4 km of snowshoe trails. It’s a small but friendly mountain, perfect for all ages and experience levels, with low priced rentals and a day pass for only $5. If your mood calls for more of a Zen setting, reserve a spot at Earthshine Yoga for the Round Robin class on Sunday morning.
Stay
If a little character is important to you in a lodging choice, The Porcupine Inn is exactly what you need. This luxurious bed and breakfast situated in the historic Highland Park neighborhood is a little slice of magic. Poet Thomas Bailey Aldrich had this home built for his son, Charles, who had fallen ill with tuberculosis. If you’re lucky, you’ll stay in Charles’ room with the “cure porch” that he slept in to let the fresh air work its wonders.
Insider Tip
There has been a big push to keep the arts at the forefront of life in Saranac Lake, and just by strolling through downtown, you can’t help but notice how much of it there truly is. A self-guided art gallery tour is just what you need to soak in the talent of the area. Start at the Adirondack Artists Guild which features art from 14 different local contributors. From there, print out the Saranac Lake ArtWorks Brochure and follow the art trail at your leisure.
Eats+Drinks
For a little Adirondack town, there are quite a few options, all of which are quite fantastic. Blue Moon Cafe, a popular gathering spot for locals, will satisfy your afternoon cravings with savory sandwiches, hearty salads, and even a late breakfast menu. A newcomer to the neighborhood, Bitters & Bones offers a fresh take on Adirondack cuisine with menu items that include vegan and vegetarian options, and cocktails that are just as well crafted as the rustic interior. Grab a late brunch at Left Bank Cafe, with a French inspired menu including tartines and crepes. Don’t forget to stop at the Left Bank Cafe Patisserie next door to grab a coffee and fresh croissant for the road.
Take the Trailways Bus from NYC
Catch an Adirondack Trailways bus to Saranac Lake from Port Authority and you’ll be there in 8 hours.
For more information on the Adirondacks, visit saranaclake.com and www.lakeplacid.com
Photo credits: The author, Blue Moon Cafe and Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism
Regina Baker is an active long distance running and outdoor adventure enthusiast based in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York. When she is not running, Regina spends her time making the most of what the great outdoors has to offer, whether it be open water swimming, cycling, skiing, hiking, skating, or kayaking.
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram