Events, attractions, and activities in and around Long Lake this weekend!
Bring yourself, friends, and family to Long Lake this weekend in support of local community establishments, which were heavily affected by recent flooding, but are now back and open for business! These 10 things to do in and around Long Lake are all incredibly fun, family-friendly, and can be combined in so many ways for the perfect adventure in the park! Visiting here can mean lounging by the beach licking an ice cream cone, learning about the regions history, looking at the mountains from up high in a sea plane, or even all of the above! In between activities, local eateries and quant parks are the perfect way to refuel, and recharge for the next activity. Don't miss out on all of the exciting events happening in Long Lake this weekend!
1. Farmers market on Thursday, July 20
Countless community businesses will be at the farmers market at the Mt. Sabbattis lower parking lot to showcase and sell everything from carved wooden goods and Otter Creek wines to fresh veggies and sweets. The market has been ongoing for over a decade, and there hasn’t been a better time than now to go support it!
2. The beach is open!
A quick walk from loads of local businesses, the Long Lake public beach is a great spot to plan a day around. With rentals for everything from kayaks to motor boats nearby, enjoying the lake your way is incredibly easy. Make the beach your basecamp this weekend, and check out all the places nearby!
3. Ice cream
Whether you’ve been at the beach all day, or walking between shops and activities, stop by the acclaimed Custard’s Last Stand for a refreshing cone or sundae. They also have pints for sale, so bring some home before they’re gone! Another fun ice cream stand, which has just started doing Throwdown Thursdays with cornhole tournaments and live music, is The Park. In addition to having some of the best hard ice cream around, The Park doubles as an espresso bar, a burger joint, and sells adult beverages! You'll be hard-pressed to find a more unique location within the Blue Line, so stop by! Both of these pit-stops are participants in the Battle of the Cones, where you can vote for which ice cream stand is the best in the Adirondack Park!
4. Live music at the beach on Friday, July 21
Good news! Since the beach is open, live music is on this Friday, from 6-8 p.m. Altered Tones, a local band, will be playing acoustic covers of classic alternative and rock hits. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, coolers crammed with ice cold drinks, and kick back for an evening of exceptional live music.
5. Adirondack Experience Museum
The world-renowned museum in nearby Blue Mountain Lake is up and running, hitting rewind on time to bring you back into the history of the Adirondacks, and the people within the Park. Upcoming events at the museum include the Adirondack Artisan Festival on Saturday, July 22, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The vendors list is exceptional, and per the museum, “The festival offers a unique and memorable market for all things Adirondack, highlighting the variety of historical and modern processes used by makers and artisans in the North Country today”. In addition to the festival, the museum will keep you occupied for hours on end with new exhibits, extensive collections, and interactive experiences.
6. Sea plane flights
With scenic flights seven days a week, and no reservations needed, Helms Aero Service helps you see the Adirondack Park from high above! Flying over head for nearly 50 years, Helm's has been a fixture of the community, and they've seen a lot of history fly by. That knowledge is evident when you take a tour in the sky, flying over Long Lake and the surround peaks, ponds, and pristine wilderness. Work a flight into your itinerary this weekend for your visit, it's a special experience that you’ll never forget.
7. Dining
In-between all of the activities you’ve done, check out the several options around town for food and drinks. You could try the burger and fries at Long Lake Diner and Owl’s Head Pub, or the Long View Lodge for dinner and a glass of wine. If you’re going for a hike, or really any activity around town, and need a quick lunch, Hoss’s Country Store and the ADK Trading Post are open and have everything you need!
8. Mt Sabattis Recreation Area
Mt Sabattis is at the center of recreation in Long Lake, and bringing those lunch materials from Hoss’s or the Trading Post to the picturesque pavilion here is a perfect plan. The Recreation Area is walkable from downtown, and accessing their hiking trails is super easy! Other activities include hopping on the basketball or tennis/pickleball courts, dropping in at the skatepark, or taking your dog for a walk to see all of the sights.
9. Whitewater rafting
A short drive from Long Lake, Indian Lake is an epicenter for whitewater rafting. Adventure Sports Rafting Company and Adirondac Rafting Company are based in Indian Lake, and reserving rafting trips with them is quick, easy, and something you won’t regret. The Hudson River and Gorge are well-guided by both companies, and adventure-seekers absolutely need to sign-up during a trip to the area.
10. Wild Center
Another close-by attraction, The Wild Center is well-loved by locals and visitors, and the otters, quite possibly the cutest Adirondack animal ambassadors, welcome you with open arms! Learn, play, and discover the interactive and educational exhibits found inside. Wander outside to the treetop trails and wild walking paths to explore the 115 amazing acres of property, and consider going on a guided Naturalist walk or canoe trip!
After a weekend in scenic, activity-filled Long Lake, you'll feel right at home, and as the locals put it, you'll be feeling Long Lakey. Plan your visit to Long Lake, stay in a lodge with a lake view or historic hotel, and discover endless adventures in the heart of the Adirondack Park.
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