When we think of the Adirondacks, we think adventure. It was adventure that drew us here initially and it’s the spirit of adventure that will keep us here forever.
When you stay with us, we want you to experience that same sense of magic and adventure that fills our hearts every day. We will happily provide you with local recommendations, current events, and activities, and help you plan an unforgettable trip any way we can. We also have connections to many local vendors and resources in the area who welcome our referrals.
You can follow our own adventures on Instagram and Facebook for inspiration, and view our ever-evolving Airbnb Guidebook.
In the meantime, here’s a list of our favorite things to do.
Disclaimer: Everything listed is within a 5 minute to 75 minute distance from Jay, New York.
Beach Days
- Grab your tennis rackets and follow it up with a dip in the swimming hole at the Jay Covered Bridge. A picnic on the rocks afterwards makes this day complete.
- Go kayaking on Lake Everest at the Wilmington Beach and grab yourself some delicious home-made ice cream at the Whitebrook Dairy Bar afterwards.
- Bring your tubes and beach umbrellas and relax at Plattsburgh City Beach for a full-on beach day. The Naked Turtle for happy hour and appetizers at sunset is the spot to go afterwards.
- Au Sable Point Campground for swimming, fishing, picnics, and a children’s playground. We recommend ending the day at The Mariner nearby for a fancy dinner with beautiful Lake Champlain views.
- Rent a boat and take it around Saranac Lake. Afterwards, hit The Boathouse for fancy lakeside dining and drinks fireside.
- The flume trailhead in Wilmington is a network of trails that are great for hiking and mountain biking. Recommend having a cold one after at McDougalls.
- There’s a ton of golfing in the area, but our 3 favorite courses are Bluff Point in Plattsburgh, Harmony Golf Club in Port Kent, and The Lake Placid Links Golf Course.
Hiking Days
- It’s called the high peaks for a reason. Whether you are attempting to be a 46er, a lake placid 9er, or a Saranac Laker 6er, there is an endless supply of amazing day-long hikes.
- Sometimes we like to kick off the morning with a short hike to get the blood flowing. Owls Head Mountain in Keene (private hike open weekdays only), Silver Lake Mountain in Silver Lake, Cobble Lookout in Wilmington, and heaven hill trails in Lake Placid, are our go-tos for a quickie.
Rainy Days
- These are the best spa days. Have yourself an energy healing reiki session or relaxing scalp massage with your host, Gabrielle; or head to the Adirondack Foot Sanctuary for a variety of pampering services; or take yourself to The Whiteface Lodge for a full body massage and facial.
- In Jay, our local studio galleries are also a great way to get out of the rain and go exploring. You can find something unique to buy at the Jay Craft Center, Youngs Studio Gallery, and Styx River Taxidermy; or take a stroll exploring the unique showcase of talent at the Tahawus Center. This is also a good opportunity to kill a day exploring the Olympic Village or the shops on Main Street of Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, or Plattsburgh.
- Begin your day with a fresh breakfast at The Adirondack Mountain Café in Upper Jay and follow it up checking out our local farms. Sugarhouse Creamery, Moon Valley Farm, Aasgard Farm, Mace Chasm Farm, and the North Country Creamery are our top recommendations.
Snow Days
- Whiteface Mountain for your snowboarding and ski-ing fun, followed up by dinner and drinks at Rudys Chalet Whiteface. If it’s a Saturday night and there’s live music playing, you will more than likely spot us here.
- The trails at Mount Von Hovenberg are an A++ for cross country skiing. If you are headed here, you can easily head to Lake Placid afterwards for lakeside dining. A few of our favorite spots for food in Placid are The Cottage, Players, The Great Adirondack Brewing Company, and the Lake Placid Pub & Brewery.
- Grab your snowshoes and hop on any backcountry trail you can find. There are literally thousands. The trails in Paul Smith’s in Saranac Lake are a great option for this, followed by a food pit stop at Bitters and Bones.
