EXPLORE THE AREA
Settle in, then head out
Saranac Lake hands you the water and the village in the same breath. Paddle the Saranac chain in summer, watch the leaves turn from a canoe in fall, then trade the boat for snowshoes and the Ice Palace come winter. Each season keeps its own pace here.
On the shore of Lake Flower and a short walk from downtown, the inn is an easy base for all of it. Morning on the water, an afternoon on a High Peaks trail, dinner at a table in the village. Lake Placid and the Olympic sites are a short drive when you want them.
See our guide below for the best of Saranac Lake and the High Peaks.
Thirty miles of water from the dock
Lake Flower opens into the Saranac chain, more than thirty miles of connected paddling through quiet bays and pine. Kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards are free for guests and waiting on the shore. Take one out before breakfast, paddle to an ice cream stand down the lake, or just drift for an hour. The water is the reason to come, and it starts at the dock.
Downtown Saranac Lake is a short walk along the water, an easygoing village of independent shops, coffee bars, galleries, and a working theater. Browse the bookshop, grab a pastry, catch a Thursday art walk, then find dinner at a table near the lake. The Tuesday and Saturday farmers markets run from June through October. Park once and leave the car alone.
"I'm staying in Saranac Lake at the inn, and my wonderful lake view accommodations actually overlook Lake Flower. I feel as though I'm staying on a houseboat, that's how close my room is to the lake. It's pretty awesome to wake up to this view each morning."
Verified Guest
The Winter Carnival and the Ice Palace
Every winter, the village builds a palace out of ice blocks cut from the frozen lake, the centerpiece of the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival, one of the oldest winter carnivals in the country. It rises a short walk from the inn, with parades, fireworks, and a week of cold-weather fun. Come February, this is the heart of town.
The Adirondack Rail Trail
The old rail line between Lake Placid and Tupper Lake is now a 34-mile, car-free path, and it runs right through Saranac Lake. The grade is gentle and the surface is smooth stone dust, paved through the village, so you can pick it up close to the inn and head out for as long as you like. Ride or walk toward Lake Placid one way, Tupper Lake the other, through woods, wetlands, and the odd mountain view. It stays open all year, for biking and walking in the warm months, then snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling once the snow sets in.
We Recommend:
Handpicked local spots, trails, and quiet corners we love to share.
The Saranac Chain Lakes
More than thirty miles of connected paddling through Lower, Middle, and Upper Saranac, starting right at the dock. Kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards are free for guests.
From your dock.
Lake Flower
The lake out front. Swim, fish, or launch a paddle from the shore without leaving the property.
On the property.
Lake Colby Beach
A quiet local swimming beach with an easy sandy entry, a few minutes from the inn.
Saranac Lake, approx. 1.5 miles.
Lake Placid Public Beach
A day-trip swim in the clear water of Mirror Lake, with a sandy stretch and diving platforms in summer.
Parkside Drive, Lake Placid, approx. 9 miles.
The Adirondack Rail Trail
A 34-mile, car-free path between Lake Placid and Tupper Lake, smooth and gentle, running right through the village. Walk or bike in summer, ski or snowshoe in winter.
Through the village, close to the inn.
Baker Mountain
A short, steep local climb with a big view for the effort, good for a quick morning.
Saranac Lake, approx. 1.5 miles.
Ampersand Mountain
A longer High Peaks-style hike with an open summit looking out over the lakes.
Route 3, approx. 8 miles.
High Falls Gorge
Just a mile from Whiteface Mountain, High Falls Gorge is one of the Adirondacks’ top family attractions. Walkways, bridges, and glass platforms reveal four dramatic waterfalls, with trails through ancient forests and riverside picnic spots. In winter, the gorge transforms into a magical setting for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
NY-86, Wilmington area, approx. 17 miles.
Cloudsplitter Gondola
The Cloudsplitter Gondola carries you on a 15-minute ride above Olympic ski trails and forests to the summit of Little Whiteface. From the observation deck, take in breathtaking views of Lake Placid, Lake Champlain, and the Adirondack High Peaks. The gondola is stroller and wheelchair accessible, with kids six and under riding free.
Whiteface, Wilmington, approx. 20 miles.
Fiddlehead Bistro
The village standout for dinner, small and refined with an inventive seasonal menu.
Downtown Saranac Lake, a short walk.
Bitters & Bones
A lively spot for BBQ, burgers, and craft beer, with a good deck.
Downtown Saranac Lake, a short walk.
The Belvedere
A longtime local Italian institution, classic and unfussy. Saranac Lake, approx. 1 mile.
Campfire Adirondack Grill & Bar — Central dining in the historic Hotel Saranac, from breakfast through dinner. Downtown Saranac Lake, a short walk.
Blue Moon Cafe
A friendly stop for breakfast and lunch, an easy morning walk from the inn.
Downtown Saranac Lake, a short walk.
Pendragon Theatre
Year-round live theater in the village, a fixture of the local arts scene.
Saranac Lake, approx. 0.7 miles.
BluSeed Studios
A community arts space with openings, live music, and classes. Saranac Lake, approx. 1 mile.
Adirondack Carousel — A hand-carved indoor carousel of Adirondack animals, a hit with kids.
Saranac Lake, approx. 0.7 miles.
Lake Placid Olympic Museum
Medals, memorabilia, and the historic 1932 and 1980 rinks at the Olympic Center.
Main Street, Lake Placid, approx. 9 miles.
The Wild Center
A natural history museum in Tupper Lake with the elevated Wild Walk through the treetops. Museum Drive, Tupper Lake, approx. 22 miles.
Spa & Salon at High Peaks Resort
Set on the shoreline of Mirror Lake, the Spa & Salon at High Peaks Resort is perfect for a day of self-pampering. The spa offers an enticing menu of wellness treatments ranging from customized facials, skin treatments, and relaxing massages to full beauty and salon services that will leave you refreshed, revitalized, and looking your best!
2412 Main Street, Lake Placid, NY - 9 miles
The Spa at Mirror Lake Inn is a historical Adirondack hotel and Lake Placid landmark full of charm, elegance, and lakeside luxury. Explore a full range of offerings from a tranquil indoor pool, whirlpool spa and sauna, gym and yoga studio, and breathtaking views of Mirror Lake.
77 Mirror Lake Drive, Lake Placid, NY - 9 miles
The Adirondack Foot Sanctuary in Lake Placid, NY is a “sanctuary for your soul and your soles” and a bucket-list experience for spa lovers! Located in the heart of Main Street, Lake Placid, this foot spa features a wide choice of therapeutic rituals & treatments, quick fixes to recover from outdoor activities, reiki and yoga, mani-pedis, and amazing Adirondack seasonal scents.
2565 Main Street, Lake Placid, NY - 9 miles
Saranac Lake Winter Carnival
Each February the village builds a palace from ice cut out of the lake, with parades and fireworks. One of the oldest winter carnivals in the country.
In the village.
Dewey Mountain Recreation Center
Groomed cross-country ski and snowshoe trails close to town, with night skiing.
Saranac Lake, approx. 2 miles.
Mount Pisgah
The village ski hill, with downhill runs, tubing, and night skiing.
Saranac Lake, approx. 1.5 miles.
Whiteface Mountain Ski Resort
the biggest vertical drop in the East, 90 trails across three peaks.
NY-86, Wilmington, approx. 20 miles.
Skating on Lake Flower — When the ice sets, skate right off the property. On the property, weather permitting.
Set among towering pines on the shores of Mirror Lake, the Lake Placid Club has been a destination for leisure and recreation since 1895. The club features 45 holes of world-class golf across three courses — the Links, the Mountain, and the Pristine Nine — offering challenges for every handicap. After your round, enjoy lunch on the veranda at the Golf House Restaurant with one of the most scenic views in Lake Placid.
88 Morningside Drive, Lake Placid, NY - 10 miles
Founded in 1925 and later renamed to honor PGA professional Craig Wood, this scenic course is set in the foothills of the Sentinel Range Wilderness. Designed by Seymour Dunn, the club attracts players of all abilities with its challenging layout, excellent practice facilities, and onsite PGA pros.
141 Country Club Lane, Lake Placid, NY - 14 miles
Designed in 1919 by Alex Findlay, the “Father of American Golf,” this 9-hole course in Ray Brook offers a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. With creek crossings on five holes, a driving range, affordable greens, and spectacular Adirondack views, it’s an accessible and memorable round for players of all levels. An onsite restaurant and cocktail lounge make it easy to wind down after your game.
Sara-Placid Road, Lake Placid, NY - 4 miles