Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, Family Adventures Ahead may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our site.There’s something special about fall in the Adirondacks.
Cool mornings, mountain views covered in red and orange, quiet lakes reflecting the changing leaves, and small towns that feel made for a fall weekend. Add in hiking, scenic drives, apple cider, campfires, and cozy cabins, and it’s easy to see why the Adirondacks are one of our favorite places for a family fall getaway.
And with more than six million acres to explore, the Adirondacks aren’t just one destination.
Families can spend a weekend exploring Lake Placid, relax along the shores of Lake George, rent a cabin near Old Forge, or escape to a quieter mountain town like Saranac Lake or Keene Valley.
The hardest part may simply be deciding where to go.
We’ve narrowed it down to five of the best Adirondacks fall destinations for families, including what to do, when to visit, and where we’d stay.
Fall in the Adirondacks: At a Glance
Few places do fall quite like the Adirondacks. Brilliant foliage, mountain views, peaceful lakes, and classic Adirondack towns make this one of our favorite regions for a family fall getaway. Whether you want an activity-packed weekend or a quiet escape surrounded by nature, these five destinations offer something a little different.
🏔️ Lake Placid — Mountain scenery, Olympic attractions, family-friendly activities, and plenty to explore around the High Peaks
🍁 Lake George — Beautiful lake and mountain views, scenic drives, family attractions, and an easy mix of adventure and relaxation
🌲 Saranac Lake — A quieter Adirondack escape with beautiful fall scenery, outdoor adventures, and a charming small-town atmosphere
🚂 Old Forge — A classic family destination with scenic lakes, easy hikes, fall activities, and plenty of Adirondack character
🥾 Keene Valley — Dramatic High Peaks scenery, excellent hiking, and a quieter mountain getaway for families who want to spend their weekend outdoors
When Is the Best Time to See Fall Colors in the Adirondacks?
Fall foliage generally starts earlier in the Adirondacks than it does across much of New York.
Higher elevations and northern areas can begin showing significant color in mid-to-late September, while many popular Adirondacks destinations typically reach their best color somewhere between late September and mid-October.
The exact timing changes every year depending on temperature, rainfall, elevation, and location, so don’t plan your entire trip around one predicted “peak” day.
Instead, think of the Adirondacks as having a fall foliage season rather than a single peak weekend.
As your trip gets closer, check New York’s current foliage reports before you leave.
FAA Tip: If you’re traveling specifically for foliage, book lodging early—especially for popular September and October weekends.
1. Lake Placid
Best for: The classic Adirondacks family getaway
Fall timing: Late September through early October
If you’re visiting the Adirondacks for the first time, Lake Placid would be our first choice.
The village combines incredible Adirondack scenery with enough restaurants, shops, attractions, and lodging to make traveling with kids relatively easy.
Start with a walk around Mirror Lake, explore downtown Lake Placid, and learn about the town’s Olympic history.
Families can also take a scenic drive toward Whiteface Mountain or head out on one of the area’s many family-friendly hikes.
And sometimes the best fall activity is the simplest: grab something warm to drink and find a spot overlooking the mountains.
Things to Do With Kids in Lake Placid
🍁 Walk along Mirror Lake — Enjoy the fall colors reflecting off the water and take an easy stroll along the shoreline.
🏘️ Explore downtown Lake Placid — Browse the shops, grab a treat, and enjoy the walkable village atmosphere.
🏅 Visit the Olympic sites — Explore Lake Placid’s Olympic history, from the ski jumps to the famous 1980 hockey arena.
🚗 Take a scenic fall drive — Head out of town for mountain views, colorful forests, and plenty of photo stops.
🥾 Find an easy family hike — Choose one of the area’s shorter trails for Adirondack scenery without committing to a major climb.
💦 Visit High Falls Gorge — Follow the walkways and bridges past waterfalls, cliffs, and rushing water just outside Lake Placid.
🏔️ Explore Wilmington and Whiteface Mountain — Spend an afternoon around Wilmington and the Whiteface area for mountain scenery, outdoor activities, and some of the best fall views in the Adirondacks.
Where We’d Stay
Overall Pick: Laurel Lake Placid
We recommend Laurel Lake Placid as our overall pick for families because it combines a fantastic location with flexible accommodations that work especially well when traveling with kids. Just steps from Main Street and about a block from Mirror Lake, families can easily walk to restaurants, shops, and many of Lake Placid’s most popular attractions. The hotel offers everything from double-queen rooms to spacious suites with bunk beds and sleeper sofas, including options that can accommodate larger families. A complimentary light breakfast, game room, free parking, and comfortable common spaces make it an easy home base after a day of hiking, leaf peeping, or exploring the Olympic sites. For a fall weekend in Lake Placid, we think Laurel offers one of the best combinations of location, family-friendly room options, convenience, and Adirondack atmosphere.
Budget Pick: Grandview Lake Placid
Grandview Lake Placid is our budget pick because it offers spacious accommodations and beautiful Adirondack views at a price that’s often lower than many of the downtown resorts. Families appreciate the quiet setting, convenient location just minutes from Main Street, and the extra room to spread out after a day of exploring. It’s an excellent value for travelers who want easy access to Lake Placid’s top attractions without paying premium resort prices.
Vacation Rental Pick: A Vacation Rental at Whiteface Lodge
If your family likes the idea of a vacation rental but still wants the amenities of a full resort, Whiteface Lodge is one of our favorite options in Lake Placid. Instead of recommending a single condo that may be booked for your dates, we recommend looking at the privately owned units available within Whiteface Lodge.
Vrbo has multiple units at the resort, including larger one-, two-, and three-bedroom options. Depending on the unit, families can get separate bedrooms, a kitchen, dining and living space, and access to the resort experience—all features that can make a big difference when traveling with kids.
Why we like it for families: You don’t have to choose between having the extra space of a vacation rental and staying at a family-friendly Adirondack resort. It’s an especially appealing option for larger families or longer fall stays.
2. Lake George
Best for: Families who want mountains + lake activities
Fall timing: Late September through mid-October
Lake George may be known as a summer destination, but we think fall is one of the best times for families to visit.
The summer crowds begin disappearing, temperatures cool down, and the surrounding mountains turn into a wall of fall color.
Take a walk through Lake George Village, drive along the lake, find a scenic overlook, or head out for an easy hike.
Families can also use Lake George as a base for exploring more of the southeastern Adirondacks.
Things to Do With Kids in Lake George
🏘️ Explore Lake George Village — Browse the shops, grab a treat or something warm to drink, and enjoy the lively atmosphere in the heart of town.
🌊 Walk along the lakefront — Take an easy family stroll with beautiful views of Lake George and the surrounding Adirondack mountains.
🚗 Take a scenic drive along Lake George — Follow the shoreline for colorful fall foliage, mountain views, and plenty of scenic stops.
🥾 Find a family-friendly hiking trail — Choose a shorter Adirondack hike where the kids can enjoy the fall colors without tackling a strenuous climb.
🏔️ Visit Prospect Mountain — Head up Prospect Mountain for panoramic views over Lake George and the surrounding fall-covered mountains.
🍁 Explore nearby Bolton Landing — Visit this smaller lakeside village for shops, restaurants, waterfront views, and a quieter Adirondack atmosphere.
🏙️ Spend an afternoon in Glens Falls — Explore downtown, grab a bite to eat, and add a change of pace to your Lake George weekend.
Where We’d Stay
Overall Pick: Lodges at Cresthaven
The Lodges at Cresthaven is our top Lake George pick for a fall family getaway. Its lakefront setting and Adirondack-style lodges put you right in the middle of the fall scenery, with colorful mountains rising around Lake George. After a day of leaf-peeping, hiking, cruising the lake, or exploring the village, families have plenty of room to spread out and relax. The indoor pool is an especially nice bonus on a cool or rainy fall afternoon, making Cresthaven a great home base even when the weather doesn’t cooperate.
Budget Pick: Holiday Inn Resort Lake George – Adirondack Area by IHG
We recommend Holiday Inn Resort Lake George – Adirondack Area by IHG for families looking for a convenient, family-friendly place to stay during a fall weekend. Its location just minutes from Lake George Village makes it easy to spend your days leaf-peeping, hiking, taking a fall cruise on the lake, or exploring the shops and restaurants downtown. When the Adirondack weather turns chilly, the indoor pool gives kids something fun to do back at the hotel. Spacious family rooms and on-site dining also make this an easy, comfortable home base for a fall Lake George getaway.
Vacation Rental Pick: A Family-Friendly Lake George Home
For families who prefer the extra space of a vacation rental, we’ve narrowed the Lake George options to highly rated homes that we think make the most sense for a family getaway. Our search focuses on entire homes with at least 2 bedrooms and 3 beds, guest ratings of 9.0 or higher, and prices between $250 and $450 per night.
Why we like it for families: Having separate bedrooms, multiple beds and your own living space can make a big difference when traveling with kids. A full kitchen also makes breakfasts and easy dinners simpler, while many Lake George rentals add outdoor spaces that are especially nice during fall foliage season.
3. Saranac Lake
Best for: A quieter Adirondacks weekend
Fall timing: Late September through early October
If Lake Placid sounds great but you’d prefer something a little quieter, take a look at Saranac Lake.
It’s close enough to Lake Placid that families can still visit many of the area’s major attractions, but Saranac Lake has its own personality.
You’ll find lakes, mountains, hiking and a small downtown without quite the same resort-town atmosphere.
That makes Saranac Lake particularly appealing for families who want their Adirondacks trip to feel a little more relaxed.
Things to Do With Kids in Saranac Lake
🏘️ Explore downtown Saranac Lake — Wander through the small downtown, browse local shops, and enjoy the laid-back Adirondack atmosphere.
🌊 Walk along the waterfront — Take an easy family stroll near the water and enjoy the colorful fall scenery surrounding the village.
🚗 Take a scenic fall drive — Explore the roads around Saranac Lake for mountain views, quiet forests, and brilliant Adirondack foliage.
🥾 Find an easy family hike — Choose one of the area’s shorter trails for a kid-friendly way to experience the mountains and fall colors.
🛶 Explore the surrounding lakes — Saranac Lake is surrounded by water, making it a great place for paddling, exploring the shoreline, or simply taking in the views.
🏅 Visit Lake Placid for part of the day — Lake Placid is close enough for an easy side trip to explore its Olympic attractions, shops, and Mirror Lake.
🧺 Pack a picnic and enjoy the scenery — Sometimes the best Adirondack activity is the simplest: find a beautiful spot by the water, unpack lunch, and give the kids some time to explore.
Where We’d Stay:
Overall Pick – Vacation Rental – A Family-Friendly Saranac Lake Home
For families who want more space and a true Adirondack home-away-from-home, we’ve narrowed the Saranac Lake options to highly rated vacation rentals that we think work especially well for families. Our search focuses on properties between $350 and $550 per night with at least 2 bedrooms, 3 beds, and guest ratings of 9.0 or higher.
Why we like it for families: Saranac Lake is a great place to choose a vacation rental because having your own cabin or house can become part of the getaway. Separate bedrooms give everyone room to spread out, a full kitchen makes family meals easier, and many properties offer porches, fire pits, lake views or other outdoor spaces that are especially appealing during fall.
Budget Pick – voco Saranac Lake NY – Waterfront by IHG
For families looking for a more affordable Saranac Lake stay without giving up the Adirondack setting, voco Saranac Lake NY – Waterfront by IHG is our budget pick. The hotel sits directly on Lake Flower, giving families beautiful water and mountain views while keeping downtown Saranac Lake close by.
We especially like it for a fall getaway because you can spend the day hiking, exploring town and chasing fall colors, then come back to an indoor heated pool and hot tub—a major plus when October weather turns cool or rainy. The hotel also has an on-site waterfront restaurant, and families can choose double-queen rooms with either town or lake views
4. Old Forge
Best for: A cabin-style Adirondacks getaway
Fall timing: Late September through early October
For families picturing a cozy cabin in the woods, Old Forge deserves a serious look.
Located in the western Adirondacks, Old Forge feels different from Lake Placid and Lake George.
This is a destination where we’d slow the trip down.
Explore town. Go hiking. Drive through the mountains. Spend time near the water. Return to a cabin in the afternoon and let the kids relax while the adults enjoy the fall scenery.
That’s a pretty great family weekend.
Things to Do With Kids in Old Forge
🏘️ Explore Old Forge — Wander through town, browse the local shops, grab a treat, and enjoy the relaxed Adirondack atmosphere.
🚗 Take a scenic Adirondack drive — Head out of town to explore winding roads surrounded by colorful forests, lakes, and mountain scenery.
🥾 Find an easy family hike — Choose one of the area’s shorter trails for a kid-friendly adventure through the fall foliage.
🛶 Explore the Fulton Chain of Lakes — Spend some time along the water, rent a kayak or canoe, or simply find a scenic spot to enjoy the lakes.
🌲 Visit nearby nature areas — Explore the forests, lakes, and quieter natural areas surrounding Old Forge for an easy outdoor family adventure.
🦌 Look for wildlife — Keep an eye out for deer, loons, eagles, and other Adirondack wildlife while hiking, driving, or exploring near the water.
🔥 Spend an evening around a fire — Head back to your cabin or campground, make s’mores, and end the day around a campfire on a cool fall evening.
Where We’d Stay
Vacation Rental Pick: A Family-Friendly Old Forge Cabin
For families who want the classic Adirondack cabin experience, we’ve narrowed the Old Forge options to highly rated vacation rentals with enough space for a family to spread out. Our search focuses on properties between $300 and $550 per night with at least 2 bedrooms, 3 beds, and guest ratings of 9.0 or higher.
Why we like it for families: Old Forge is especially well suited to a vacation rental. Having separate bedrooms, a full kitchen and your own living space makes a weekend with kids easier, while a cabin or cottage surrounded by fall colors adds to the Adirondack experience. Many rentals also offer extras like fire pits, porches, fireplaces or wooded outdoor space that are perfect for a cool fall evening.
Budget Pick: Adirondack Lodge Old Forge
For families looking to keep lodging costs down, Adirondack Lodge Old Forge is our budget pick. It gives you a convenient home base close to Old Forge without paying for amenities you may not use when most of your fall weekend will be spent exploring. After a day of hiking, scenic drives, visiting the Fulton Chain of Lakes, or taking in the fall colors, families can return to a simple, comfortable place to recharge. We especially like it for a short fall getaway when location and value matter more than having a full resort experience.
5. Keene Valley
Best for: Mountains, hiking and incredible fall scenery
Fall timing: Late September through early October
If the scenery is the main reason for your trip, Keene Valley may be our favorite choice on this list.
You’re surrounded by the Adirondack High Peaks, and fall makes an already spectacular landscape even better.
This isn’t the destination we’d choose for families looking for a long list of attractions.
That’s the point.
Come here to hike, explore, drive through the mountains, spend time outside and experience a quieter side of the Adirondacks.
Things to Do With Kids Near Keene Valley
🏔️ Take a scenic drive through the High Peaks — Wind through some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in the Adirondacks, especially beautiful when the fall colors arrive.
🥾 Find an age-appropriate family hike — The High Peaks are known for challenging trails, but there are also shorter, easier options that let families experience the scenery without an all-day climb.
💦 Explore waterfalls — Seek out one of the waterfalls around Keene and Keene Valley for a fun family adventure and a great fall photo stop.
🍁 Stop at scenic overlooks — Pull over at viewpoints throughout the High Peaks region to take in colorful valleys, towering mountains, and classic Adirondack scenery.
🏅 Visit nearby Lake Placid — Make the short drive to Lake Placid to explore Mirror Lake, downtown, and the area’s famous Olympic attractions.
🧺 Pack a picnic — Bring lunch and find a scenic spot along a trail, near a river, or overlooking the mountains for an inexpensive family break.
🌲 Spend as much time outside as possible — Keene Valley is all about the outdoors. Slow down, explore the trails and streams, and give the kids plenty of time to simply enjoy being in the mountains.
Important: Adirondacks hikes vary enormously in difficulty. A trail that’s described as “short” isn’t necessarily easy for young children. Always check current trail conditions, distance, elevation gain and difficulty before heading out.
Where We’d Stay
Vacation Rental Pick: A Mountain Cabin Near Keene or Keene Valley
For families who want to stay right in the heart of the High Peaks, we’ve narrowed the Keene and Keene Valley options to highly rated vacation rentals with the space and amenities we think work best for a family getaway. Our search focuses on properties between $400 and $650 per night with at least 2 bedrooms, 3 beds, and guest ratings of 9.0 or higher.
Why we like it for families: Here, the setting is part of the experience. Staying in Keene or Keene Valley puts you close to some of the Adirondacks’ most beautiful mountain scenery, family hikes, waterfalls and scenic drives, while Lake Placid remains within easy reach. After a day outside, having separate bedrooms, a kitchen and your own living space gives everyone room to relax.
Which Adirondacks Fall Destination Is Best for Your Family?
If you’re still deciding, here’s how we’d narrow it down:
⭐ Best first Adirondacks trip: Lake Placid
🎡 Lots of family activities: Lake George
🌲 Quieter alternative to Lake Placid: Saranac Lake
🏡 Cabin getaway: Old Forge
🥾 Hiking + mountain scenery: Keene Valley
🏨 Most traditional hotel choices: Lake Placid or Lake George
🔥 Vacation rental experience: Old Forge or Keene Valley
🏆 Best mix of everything: Lake Placid
How Many Days Do You Need in the Adirondacks?
For one destination, we’d plan on two or three nights.
That’s enough for a long weekend without feeling like you’re spending the entire trip in the car.
If you have four or five nights, consider combining destinations.
One of our favorite combinations would be:
Lake Placid + Saranac Lake + Keene Valley
They’re close enough that you can experience several different sides of the Adirondacks without turning the vacation into one long road trip.
We wouldn’t try to combine Lake George, Lake Placid and Old Forge into a short weekend. The Adirondacks are huge, and distances can be deceiving on a map.
Pick a region and actually enjoy it.
Tips for an Adirondacks Fall Trip With Kids
Pack layers. Fall mornings can feel completely different from afternoons, particularly at higher elevations.
Don’t chase peak foliage too aggressively. There will almost always be beautiful color somewhere in the region during the broader fall season.
Check trail conditions. Weather can change quickly in the mountains.
Book weekends early. Popular fall destinations can have limited lodging availability during the best foliage weekends.
Look beyond hotels. Cabins and vacation rentals dramatically expand your lodging options in smaller Adirondacks communities.
Leave room in the schedule. Some of our favorite family travel moments happen when we’re not rushing from one attraction to another.
Final Thoughts: Is an Adirondacks Fall Trip Worth It?
Absolutely.
What we love about the Adirondacks is that every family can build a different version of the trip.
Stay in Lake Placid and combine Olympic attractions with mountain scenery. Spend a weekend along Lake George. Slow things down in Saranac Lake. Rent a cabin near Old Forge. Or head into Keene Valley and make the mountains the entire point of the trip.
You don’t need a week.
You don’t need an elaborate itinerary.
Sometimes a couple of nights, a beautiful drive, an easy hike, a cozy place to stay and a weekend together are enough.
And when the Adirondacks turn red, orange and gold, it’s hard to imagine a better place for a family fall weekend.