Things to Do in the Adirondacks

In the window of New York State's only Wilderness Canoe Region, four-seasons of Adirondack Discovery activities await.

Lake Clear Lodge Experiences

We are one of the last of the original Adirondack Great lodges open to the public. Great Camp experiences were to be more than renting a room or dining in a restaurant but an interconnected Adirondack immersion. Dinner at our Adirondack Alps Restaurant goes beyond the table to the meandering style of the Great Camp dining experience. You can enjoy the Fireside Speakeasy (you may need a password to get in!), History of Beer Workshops, traditional foods cooking demos, History of Adirondack Food tastings and a host of other fun, savory interactions await you.

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Spring - Fall

All Year

A corner table in the Adirondack Alps 1886 Stagecoach Dining Room. Hand-made Adirondack Chairs, dishware, and hand-painted glasses decorate the table.

Taste of Germany Experience Dinner

Start off in the 1920s Speakeasy Rathskeller, explore the hidden Beer & Wine Cellar with a large variety of Old World Wines and Beers from around the world. Savor authentic German dishes from Ernest’s side of the family from Heritage Chicken Schnitzel to Old World Roulade.

Spring - Fall

All Year

The Lake Clear Lodge & Retreat's Henderson Stagecoach at the Lake Clear Lodge Lakefront with Percheron Draft Horses Jasper and Fly in the foreground.

Specialty Stagecoach & Pioneer Wagon Rides

Through the woods and to the sunset shores of picturesque Lake Clear; where Einstein relaxed. Experience, savor, and smile: your chance to discover Adirondack History in one evening.

All Year

Guests watch Executive Chef Cathy Hohmeyer demonstrate how to make Spaetzle in a 30 minute cooking demonstration.

Old World Cooking Demonstrations

A family-fun 30-minute cooking demo, where everyone rolls in the dough to make their own strudel! Then you can have your dough and eat it too – as your own creation for dessert!

All Year

A bottle of Lake Clear Lodge Giggle Water Honey Whiskey with a custom Adirondack Alps Speakeasy Beer Mug and Decanter, each with a .50 caliber bullet embedded in the glass.

History of Spirits

A 30-minute workshop about the history of spirits, when it started, and why! Were spirits always called cocktails? Highlighted by a tasting of unique variations of our "Giggle Water" spirits.

Spring - Fall

All Year

Guests enjoy a History of Adirondack Food Tasting Dinner (long table) in the 1886 Stagecoach Dining Room while Executive Chef Cathy Hohmeyer explains the history and common roots behind one of the courses.

History of Food Tasting Experience

Savor the five eras of Adirondack Food, featuring the Pioneer era celebrating the origins of the Lodge as an 1800's Stagecoach Inn and Post Office. Cooking demos and stunning sunsets over Lake Clear await you.

All Year

Ernest Hohmeyer gives a presentation on the History of Beer in the Speakeasy Rathskeller while guests sample different beers from around the world.

History of Beer Workshops & Tastings

Join Ernest Hohmeyer for a 30-minute experience about the history of beer, replete with a tasting of 6 beers from around the world! The topic changes monthly, corresponding with seasonal beers and trends, but you can always count on interesting conversation and tasty beverages.

All Year

Executive Chef and Block Therapist Cathy Hohmeyer at the Lake Clear Lodge & Retreat with her Block Therapy materials.

Block Therapy Classes

Join Cathy Hohmeyer, a Certified Block Therapist, for this unique and simple exercise process that all ages and stages can learn and do almost anywhere, anytime!

All Year

Cooking Class at the Lake Clear Lodge & Retreat

Adirondack Alps Cooking Classes

From 30-minute cooking demonstrations before you enjoy our Classic Dining experience to weekend-long‚Äàculinary immersions in Traditional Food preparations & Nutritional Energetics.

Winter

All Year

A table in the Adirondack Alps Stagecoach Dining Room in the Speakeasy Winter.

Speakeasy Dinner Experience

Explore one of the last original Adirondack Lodges with a 3-course Speakeasy Dinner. You'll need a password to get in, and we might even be raided by a 1920s Copper!

Winter

All Year

Percheron Draft Horses Jasper and Fly in front of the 1886 Main Lodge Gazebo with Beautifully Decorated Holiday Sleigh.

Lantern-lit Sleigh Rides

The only lantern-lit sleigh rides in the Adirondacks! Meander over nature trails and to the shores of serene Lake Clear, lit by real kerosene lanterns, and get dropped off at the 1920s Speakeasy.

All Year

Craft beer by the fireplace in our Speakeasy Rathskeller.

Fireside Chats

The Lodge is now the oldest operating family lodge in the 6 million acre Adirondack Park. Beginning in 1886 and spanning 4 generations, we have lived through the early pioneering days, the Cure Cottages period and the birth of the Grand Hotel era.

Outdoor Adventures

Besides our unique Great Camp Experiences, we are in the window of New York State's only Wilderness Canoe Region. Your lodging is our 25 acres where part of your amenities is an incredible swimming beach with one of the world's breathtaking mountain-lake sunsets, summer nature trails, and winter lantern-lit sleigh rides are just the beginning of our Adirondack Discovery Destination!

Winter

All Year

Cross-country Skiing and Snowshoeing at the Lake Clear Lodge & Retreat

Cross-Country Skiing & Snowshoeing

With the growing popularity of our lantern-lit sleigh ride trails, two generations of family carefully designed a meandering cross country ski and snowshoe trail on our 25 acres.

All Year

Adirondack Fishing and Tackle Box in Lake Clear, NY

Fishing in the Adirondacks

Lake Clear has always been known as a fishing lake for all seasons, so much so that a lure is named after it: the Lake Clear Wobbler.

All Year

Trail hikers on a nature path

Hiking in the Adirondacks

We are in the midst of New York State's only Wilderness Canoe Region. From lakes, waters, and streams to berms and mountain ranges.

All Year

Aerial overview of the lake lawn at the Lake Clear Lodge & Retreat

Lake Clear Lodge Property

We are located on 25 acres with nature trails, secluded swimming beach, and one of the world's most spectacular mountain-lake sunsets.

Spring - Fall

All Year

Paddling in the Adirondacks and on Lake Clear

Paddling in the Adirondacks

Paddle on serene Lake Clear, or take one of thousands of paddling endeavors!

Spring - Fall

All Year

Road & Mountain Biking

The St. Regis Wilderness Region, 18,000 acres strong and home to 58 bodies of waters and endless mountains is a haven for cyclists – road and mountain – from the novice to the expert, from adults to children.

Area Attractions

Three generations have lived the Adirondack spirit and serve as your "Experience Guides." The uniqueness of the Lodge is that we can offer you a cosmopolitan experience: The world of New York State's only wilderness canoe region that is an 18,000-acre natural spa canvassed with 58 lakes and ponds. These "Great Woods" frame the Olympic, historical and natural beauty of nearby Lake Placid, Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake, which are quintessential Adirondack communities bustling with things to do. You can "Build Your Own Adirondack Discovery" or immerse yourself in one of our seasonal thematic experiences. You can bike to some, paddle to others and shuttle or drive to more. As the oldest operating Great Lodge in the 6 million acre Adirondack Park, we have built quite the list of diverse itineraries. Have something special in mind? Contact us directly. Discover your imagination!

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Emerald Springs Ranch Horseback Riding

Emerald Springs Ranch

Journey through the Adirondack woods by horseback, just a few minutes down the road!

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The Paul Smith's College Recreation Center Rock Wall

Paul Smith's College Activity Center

The recreation facilities at Paul Smith’s College are discounted for all Lodge guests: Pool, fitness center, dance room, large gymnasium, and rock wall.

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Tuckers Farm Corn Maze

A family favorite! Try to find all the game pieces to build your map and locate the way out.

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The Adirondack Carousel in Saranac Lake, NY

Adirondack Carousel

A unique Adirondack attraction celebrating old fashioned fun for all ages through entertainment, art, and education.

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Paul Smith's College Visitor Interpretive Center

The PSC VIC is dedicated to fostering connections with nature by providing outdoor recreation opportunities, experiential education programs, and year-round art exhibitions.

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Historic Saranac Lake Building

Historic Saranac Lake

Built in 1894, The Saranac Laboratory was the first lab built in the U.S. for the research of tuberculosis. HSL painstakingly restored the building and opened it as a museum.

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Six Nations Indian Museum

The Six Nations Indian Museum provides for the viewing of 3000-plus artifacts with an emphasis on the culture of the Six Nations of the Iroquois Confederacy (Haudenosaunee).

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The Wild Center

Ignite an enduring passion for the Adirondacks where people and nature can thrive together and set an example for the world.

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Adirondack Flying Service

Adirondack Scenic Flights

You’ve never experienced the Adirondacks like this. Each 20-minute flight offers a unique perspective of this amazing park.

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The Adirondack Sky Center & Observatory in Tupper Lake

Adirondack Sky Center & Observatory

Dark skies, high elevation and a group of motivated amateur astronomers comprise the perfect formula for enhancing one of the Adirondack’s top attractions: The stars.

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Titus Mountain

In this modern era of mega-resorts and mega-prices, Titus Mountain Family Ski Center remains committed to welcoming all of our guests with a very special Snow Sports experience.

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The Adirondack Museum (now Adirondack Experience) in Blue Mountain Lake

Adirondack Museum

The Adirondack Museum's 121 acre campus features displays in 24 buildings and 40,000 square feet of exhibitions. There are lush grounds and sweeping views.