NEWSLETTER
Sitting at the crossroads of the Adirondack Park, Tupper Lake isn’t just any lake town. With pristine waters for paddling and picturesque hiking trails, Tupper Lake is the perfect destination to make you feel one with nature. Here’s your 48-hour guide to Tupper Lake’s finest.
Originally published 08/18/2015
Friday
2 pm: Putt Around
As you swing into Tupper Lake, start off your trip with a round of mini golf at the new Timberjaxx Pass! The ADA-compliant 18-hole mini-golf course is inspired by the Adirondack wilderness with a 9-foot waterfall and hidden passages. Top off the fun with a special treat at their ice cream shop.
5 pm: Grab Dinner at Little Italy
Head on over to Little Italy, the spot in town for pizza, pasta, and all your favorite Italian dishes. Make sure to try their sliders, made on their house-made garlic knots!
7:30 pm: Watch the Sunset
Walk over to Tupper Lake Municipal Park to watch the sun go down. Sitting in heart of the Village of Tupper Lakes, the park is the perfect place to take a stroll or sit on the lake to watch the sun recede and the sky turn pink.
8:15 pm: Try a Local Brew
Credit: @raquetteriverbrewing on Instagram
Want to sneak in a quick sample of the Adirondacks' booming craft beer scene? Head over to Raquette River Brewing, a microbrewery beloved for small-batch ales, including the inventive and tasty mango wheat!
Saturday
9 am: Enjoy a Hearty Breakfast
Start your day off right with an authentic lumberjack breakfast at one of the local diners, like Main Street Restaurant or Reandeau's Swiss Kitchen. You’ll need the calories for what lies ahead! Make sure to grab a sandwich and water for a lunch on the go in the afternoon.
11:00 am: Enter the Wild
Head to the world-renowned Wild Center, where you can spend the afternoon wandering wildlife exhibits, watching otters swim, and roaming the nature trails. Make sure to check out the Wild Walk, the region’s only trail across the treetops.
3 pm: Hit the Trails
Spend the afternoon starting a leg of the Tupper Lake Hiking Triad. The Adirondacks are known for their hiking challenges, and the most family-friendly of the bunch is this three-mountain effort that's the perfect entry for new hikers. Mount Arab, Coney Mountain, and Goodman Mountain are all a short drive from Tupper Lake and range in duration from one to 1.7 miles.
6 pm: Explore the Local Dining Scene
Experience dining at its finest at Amado or Woodshed on Park for a rejuvenating dinner after your long day of nature exploration. Your adventure is far from over, so be sure to hydrate and carb up!
7:30 pm: Go Stargazing
Credit: @adkskycenter on Instagram
It is imperative that you make it to the Adirondack Sky Center & Observatory by dusk—you’ll never see a sunset the same! Tupper Lake’s state-of-the-art facility is miles and miles away from surrounding city lights, making its stargazing and views of the expansive skyline truly unforgettable. When it gets dark, explore the above on a more micro level through various telescopes. It’s an out-of-this-world (sorry, we had to) experience!
Sunday
10 am: Make Breakfast Sweeter
Grab a coffee at The Washboard, a combination laundromat, donut shop, and gift shop that has been a staple in Tupper Lake for more than 25 years! You'll be able to spot it easily because the three-in-one business features two black and white horses on its roof.
10:15 am: Hit the Beach
Spend the morning relaxing on Little Wolf Beach, considered by many Tupper-ites to be the town’s hidden gem. It’s a town run facility for the whole family, with activities like paddle boarding, snorkeling, volleyball and nearby playgrounds for the little ones.
12 pm: Explore the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks
Now that it’s started heating up, head to the breathtaking Ausable Chasm, where naturally formed sandstone aging back to 500 million years ago creates nice cool shade. Make sure to take a family float tour through the Grand Flume and Whirlpool basin.
How to get there:
Major Area Airports:
Adirondacks Regional Airport, 96 Airport Road, Saranac Lake, NY 12983 (30 minutes to Tupper Lake)
Train:
Amtrak to Westport Station (1 hour from Tupper Lake – take a shuttle, taxi or rent a car) Book fast and receive 15% off any travel from NYC to select destinations throughout New York State!
Bus:
Trailways or Greyhound to Saranac Lake.
Drive:
From Montreal: 2.5 hours
From Albany: 2.5 hours
From Boston: 5 hours
From NYC: 5 hours
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