Years ago, my grandfather planned a family day trip to the Adirondack Museum on Blue Mountain Lake. He drove, my grandmother sat in front — the easier to distract my grandfather — and my mother and I sat in the backseat. From Plattsburgh, the drive to Blue Mountain Lake seemed interminably long, punctuated by Grandpa’s patented distracted wanderings into the wrong lane, usually when a tractor trailer was bearing down on us from the opposite direction. Getting to the museum, much less home, seemed doubtful.
Yet make it to the museum we did and it was a wonderful day for our merry, multi-generational group. Founded in 1947, the museum, now known as Adirondack Experience, the Museum on Blue Mountain Lake, preserves the history of the Adirondacks, big and small, famous and less so. Since its founding, it’s been a great, secluded place for families to visit, including mine, a spirit that the museum carries on with vigor to this day.
2022 Temporary Exhibition: Scarred Landscape
The special exhibition Scarred Landscape: The Adirondack Photographs of J. Henry Fair is now open to the public. This presentation, which was developed especially for ADKX, will feature 12 large-scale aerial photographs that capture sites of environmental damage in the Adirondack landscape. Over the course of his illustrious multi-decade career, Fair has leveraged the power of photography to tell the stories of people and nature, focusing in particular on the impact of human activity on the environment. The exhibition engagesviewers with the beauty of Fair’s work, while also drawing critical attention to urgent environmental concerns. Scarred Landscape also dovetails with ADKX’s ongoing virtual program series, Adirondacks for All, which explores the ways in which experiences of inequity in the Adirondacks relate to issues of preservation, pollution, and access to land, water, and nature. The exhibition will remain on view through October 2023.
Minnow Pond Trail and ADKX Boathouse
The ADKX Boathouse at Minnow Pond is a great way to get in some family fun on the water. Located at the end of an easy to walk 0.75 mile trail, Minnow Pond is a beautiful spot for a paddle, but you won't need to bring your own. The boathouse, a rustic Adirondack design, offers visitors the option to borrow canoes, guide boats, and other classic Adirondack watercraft, some of which are meticulously cared-for vintage boats. If you always dreamed of being a rugged Adirondack guide, here's your chance to give it a try, at least for a few hours.
Live performances - Evenings at the Museum!
Visit the ADKX for a series of fun and family-friendly live performances, Wednesdays July 13 through August 31. Enjoy live music on the lawn, game nights, dance performances, and the Hide Away Circus! Tickets and more information at: https://www.theadkx.org/evenings-at-the-museum/.
Mushroom Mania Festival - New event!
Whether you are an expert in the world of fungi or are simply curious, join the Adirondack Experience this summer for a fun-filled, family-friendly festival all about fungi! With activities and crafts, workshops, presentations, hikes, and more there is sure to be something for even those who have never before considered mushrooms as anything other than something an adult makes you eat. Come learn about the mycelium superhighway hidden beneath your feet on Saturday, August 20th, 2022 from 10am-5pm at the Adirondack Experience, the Museum on Blue Mountain Lake.
Mohawk and Abenaki Art Market
This art market celebrates the art of the indigenous peoples of the Adirondacks on Saturday, August 27. Emerging and accomplished artists from Akwesasne and Kahnawake will be on site selling and demonstrating beadwork, basket making, leather work, and handcrafted jewelry in both traditional and contemporary forms. Having the opportunity to engage with the artists and learn about Mohawk and Abenaki traditions is a great bonus for those browsing the market. Get there early to pick up an amazing piece of art!
Xperience for All - New event!
Come celebrate outdoor recreation and explore the broad opportunities for outdoor enjoyment. On Saturday, September 24, ADKX will be free for all on the day of the event. The day will feature workshops, games, demonstrations, and presentations, all in the spirit of providing museum visitors a foundation to safely pursue recreation on their own.
No matter when you visit the ADKX, you're sure to enjoy a day full of discovery and adventure. Your family will love the interactive exhibits, original buildings, and the beautiful campus. The view of the lake is awesome and there's even a full-size railroad car to explore! My family loves it, so I'm sure yours will too.
Round out your Adirondack vacation by adding in some shopping, dining, and camping. We have plenty of everything.
