Curated Adventures from The Fern Lodge as your base camp

Breweries, Wineries, Distilleries, Oh MY!

Brewery, Wine, Distillery Tours Visit 1 or all of the 28 breweries, wineries, distilleries in the immediate area on your own- we’ll help you weave it into your day! Check out many area craft beverage options on the map.Maybe start with Bolton Landing Brewing Co, take a walk down through the Park to take a look at the magnificent Lake George. Head down to Lake George Village and visit Adirondack Winery and Adirondack Pub and Brewery and the Lake George Distilling Co. The drive up Prospect Mountain gives you a magnificent view. The hike up is really nice too (but well-traveled). If you still want more: Northway Brewing Co, Mean Max Brew Works, Coopers Cave Ale Co and Davidson Brothers Brew Pub are all close to each other in Glens Falls. On another day: Don’t forget to head north Paradox Brewery and Lake Placid Brewery!

Extreme Adventure

Check out the tree top adventure/ropes course at Adirondack Extreme featuring giant zip lines, swings, slides, nets, suspended bridges and more…. Find your “inner monkey”!  Six courses with increasing difficulty- can you make it to the Black Course?

Afterwards, drive down into Bolton Landing for a tasting and a bite to eat at Bolton Landing Brewery Company or if you prefer- a great cup of Cappuccino at The Bear’s Cup Still ready for more? The Hike to The Pinnacle is short with a really magnificent  view of the Narrows in Lake George.

Experience the Winter Wonderland!

Downhill ski at Gore Mountain, cross-country ski at Garnet Hill (and any number of other options close by!) , snowshoe at the Fern Lodge trails (snowshoes provided), re-visit your inner child by sledding at Dynamite Hill, take a snowmobile tour with C&C Snowmobile Tours, book a romantic one-horse-open sleigh at Circle B. Then come return for a hot chocolate fireside at The Fern Lodge and an under-the-stars hot tub with snowflakes falling on your face.

Northward Ho’!

A visit to the Adirondack Experience (museum) is a truly “not-to-be-missed” full-day itinerary. The history of the Adirondacks (mining, tourism, logging) is on magnificent display on an indoor-outdoor campus overlooking the most spectacular view of Blue Mountain Lake. If you can get an early start book a fabulous tour of the Great Camp Sagamore and/or an amazing historic boat tour of the lake with Racquette lake Navigation.   

Classic Day Outing from The Fern Lodge AKA Two Short Hikes and a Brownie Sundae!

The Town of Chester maintains a group of trails collectively called The Chester Challenge. All 8 trails are within 10 minutes of the Lodge. They are all fairly short hikes with a magnificent view. Ascend Kipp Mountain (1.5 hours round trip) – its steep at the top but short with a really great view looking south down Loon Lake. Treat yourself to a really great lunch at Main Street Ice Cream– save room for dessert! The gift shop upstairs is really nice, as is Rustic Charm across the street and Panther Mountain Trading Co heading just  ¼ mile south on Main St/Rt 9. Work off that Hot Brownie Sundae or Milkshake with another short hike/walk in to Palmer Pond OR continue your adventure theme  with a visit to an area swimming hole with rope swing and cliff jumping ; check out The Black Hole! You should have plenty of time to cap off your great day with the daily Boat Tour at the Lodge with hors d’oeuvres and drinks (check what time it will be)

Ski the Adirondacks

Alpine ski at nearby Gore Mountain or Nordic Ski at Garnet Hill or even Whiteface Mountain and Mt. Vanhovenburg in Lake Placid.

There are to numerous to list FREE places to  cross-country ski including frozen Friends Lake. Don’t forget to snuggle in front of the fire with good book and a a hot cocoa back at Base Camp!

Revolution Rail- Rail Bike Tours along the Hudson in North Creek

Stop at Izzy’s or Café Sarah in North Creek for a lunch or snacks to take with you. At Revolution Rail ride your own rail bike for 2 and explore a section of the Adirondacks that has never seen passenger traffic. Check in at the historic North Creek Railroad Station, then take a short shuttle ride 5 miles north of town to the tour launch point. After a short safety briefing, the tour guides will lead the rail bikers further north on a 6 mile round trip cruise. The tour takes riders through the beautiful Adirondack forest canopy along the banks of the Hudson River, and then over the Hudson on a spectacular trestle bridge before turning for home and returning to the launch point and the shuttle bus ride back to the North Creek Railroad Station. Each tour takes approximately 2 hours. You need an advance reservation. Saunter through Hudson River Trading Co to pick up some quality crafter souvenirs or gifts for yourselves  the babysitter back home. Enjoy a great beer or wine at either The Barking Spider in North Creek before coming back to the Lodge. Check out the fantastic mural across from Café Sarah Bakery with a cappuccino. Bring your bathing suits and stop for a swim at Minerva Lake or at the Back Hole!

Crazy Mix; Scenic drive, Fort Ticonderoga, Star Trek Museum AKA Something for Everyone!

Take a beautiful drive over Rt 8 to Ticonderoga. See for yourself what a strategic location Fort Ticonderoga www.fort-ticonderoga.org was in the French and Indian war and what a magnificent view the soldiers had from the ramparts! Take some time before or after visiting the museum, to see the park in the middle of Ticonderoga and see the waterfalls ”LaChute’.  Hard to believe, but Ticonderoga is also home to The Star Trek Museum; they have the original set from Star Trek including the command bridge of the Enterprise, with the “beam me up” chutes. A worthwhile stop- whether you are a “Trekkie “ or not! You could always come home via the lakeside drive over Tongue Mountain and stop at Bolton Landing Brewing Co for a quick tasting or snack. If you bring your bathing suits and a towel, there are lovely places to swim at Roger’s Rock State Campground our public beaches in Hague, or 2 public beaches in Bolton Landing, or hustle your way “home” to the lodge for a plunge  in  pristine Friends  Lake!

Visit Lake Placid

It’s a really beautiful scenic drive up to Lake Placid. Stop en route at Exit 29 for a tasting at Paradox Brewery. In Keene, stop at  Dartbrook Rustics or at any number of rustic shops, bakeries and cute cafes.  Window shop down Main Street of Lake Placid, stop for lunch at any number of great luncheon spots, go to the top of the ski jumps, take the lift up Whiteface or drive up Whiteface Memorial Highway, take a walk around the lake and end up at Lake Placid Brewing Co for an Ubu Ale. Save room for a piece of pie at The Noonmark diner in Keene Valley on the way home. On the way home stop in Schroon Lake for a quick hike up Mt Severance (at the north end of town) or at 9 Mile Coffee Shop lunch or a great cup of coffee. Or on the way up or back stop at Paradox Brewery for a great wood –fired pizza and a Paradox Brew on tap.

Come see for yourself why the Fern Lodge offers one of the best weekend getaways in New York State!

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