Adirondack Mountains

From downtown Albany, I-87 (the New York State Thruway) heads north toward Adirondack country. En route is Saratoga Springs, long known for the mineral-rich and reputedly therapeutic spring waters found at such locations as Saratoga Spa State Park. Horse racing is big here as well; the Thoroughbreds run from July to early September at Saratoga Race Course.

Lake Placid lies in the heart of the Adirondacks, a region known as the High Peaks. Fall—when the trees explode with color and roadside farm stands overflow with apples and pumpkins—is an exceptionally pretty time for a country drive. Ticonderoga, just west of the Vermont border, is a quiet town today but played a pivotal role during the American Revolution.

From Ticonderoga, scenic SR 9N follows the western shore of long, skinny Lake George. The village of Lake George, at the southern edge of Adirondack Park and the southern end of the lake, is a summer getaway for legions of New Yorkers. Beautifully framed by mountains and dotted with more than 350 islands, the lake offers a perfect setting for a sightseeing cruise.