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Adirondacks Stops Inside the Blue Line?

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I do not have as much Adirondack time inside the Blue Line as some folks here, and am not looking to give away any secrets, but I’d like to hear what folks consider must stops/must sees when travelling in and out of the Adirondacks.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Line_(New_York_State)

Some things are immediately obvious. Any supplies, from ice to gas to lunch, get pricey once you approach the Blue Line. Some things are not as obvious.

Do go the speed limit, or slower, through the little Adk towns. There are people everydamnwhere, including folks in yokes carrying canoes across the road, with a restricted field of vision and out-of-crosswalk right of way expectations.

You will see more boats on roof racks than you ever thought possible, including some high-end stuff, which is another reason to go slow and have a gander at the pricey boats. If you know canoe Makes and Models playing “What is that?” is endless driving past fun.

There is some cool/touristy stuff to see, including the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake. $20 a ticket may be worth the cost if you are a single, and have time to kill on your dawdling way out. At $80 a family we have never been all the way inside; it wasn’t as much the cost as the Oh-gawd-last-thing-I-want-to-do after a trip is endure crowds. The unpaid lobby exhibits were worth repeated family stops. Or maybe subsequent stops were for the restrooms.

https://www.theadkx.org/

Same like-to-see-it-someday for the Old Forge Hardware Store. I have heard that it is “charming”. And ca-ching pricey. The town of Old Forge itself is too crowded for me, coming or going. We have yet to ever stop anywhere in Old Forge.

https://www.oldforgehardware.com/

There are some wonderful outfitters shops along any route into the Adks, those to me are worth a stop to just look around and ogle boats and gear. And get hopelessly tangled in weird side-zip PFD design, and need assistance getting free.

I’ll offer one suggestion, outside the Blue Line. Coming up from the south our favorite stop is in Sherburn. At Gilligan’s for handmade hard ice cream, handspun milkshakes or malteds (Yes Virginia, there is a difference).

https://www.gilliganssherburne.com/

I think we stopped at Gilligan’s the very first time we went to the Adirondacks. I know we have stopped every time since, often both coming and going. Wouldn’t miss it and I’m salivating at the thought of a real malted.

Adirondack denizens, what’s your worthy stop en-route or out?
 
While in Old Forge, watch out for deer freely walking in the middle of roads, sidewalks and lawns without any fear. it is said that they are on the payroll of the Chamber of Commerce, to attract tourists from the south. The OF Hardware store is worth a visit, but if you really need any kind of hardware or camping gear, go across the street to Ace Hardware for more reasonable prices. Next door the Strand Theater is remodeled in the old original theater style and is a treat to view a selection of very current movies. My wife and I have at times been the only ones viewing a movie in an otherwise empty theater (there are several separate theaters in the complex) Say hi to owners Bob and Helen.
 
Wild Center Tupper Lake
Paul Smiths Visitor Information Center
Bog River Falls
Donnelly's. You get to choose the size not the flavor
Placid Boat Works. Take a spin on Mill Pond
St Regis Outfitters Saranac Lake NY
 
Raquette River Outfitters in Tupper Lake - strike up a conversation with Rob and Ann. The beach in Long Lake (early morning or evening) - great view up the lake. Raquette Lake Navigation Company - lunch cruise around the lake (decent food and interesting history of the area). The Visitor's Interpretative Center in Paul Smiths and Debar Pond Lodge. I second the Wild Center, Bog River Falls, Donnelly's and Oscars.
 
I really think Sagamore is worth a visit. It's pricey (+/-$30 for a guided tour) but what a chunk of history. You can also pay ten bucks and walk around the grounds, check the (really neat) canoes out, but not go inside the great house.
 
Raquette River Outfitters in Tupper Lake - strike up a conversation with Rob and Ann.

I second this, they have a very nice shop with a lot of stuff (traditional) to interest and canoe tripping aficionado. I stopped in there last fall when I picked up my Saliga and regreted not having more time to talk with them. Rob is a wood canvas boat guy, owning a 18.5 foot EM White Guide. He seemed very interested in my 20' White. I'd like to get back up there and let him take it for a paddle.
 
I do not have as much Adirondack time inside the Blue Line as some folks here, and am not looking to give away any secrets, but I’d like to hear what folks consider must stops/must sees when travelling in and out of the Adirondacks.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Line_(New_York_State)

Some things are immediately obvious. Any supplies, from ice to gas to lunch, get pricey once you approach the Blue Line. Some things are not as obvious.

Do go the speed limit, or slower, through the little Adk towns. There are people everydamnwhere, including folks in yokes carrying canoes across the road, with a restricted field of vision and out-of-crosswalk right of way expectations.

You will see more boats on roof racks than you ever thought possible, including some high-end stuff, which is another reason to go slow and have a gander at the pricey boats. If you know canoe Makes and Models playing “What is that?” is endless driving past fun.

There is some cool/touristy stuff to see, including the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake. $20 a ticket may be worth the cost if you are a single, and have time to kill on your dawdling way out. At $80 a family we have never been all the way inside; it wasn’t as much the cost as the Oh-gawd-last-thing-I-want-to-do after a trip is endure crowds. The unpaid lobby exhibits were worth repeated family stops. Or maybe subsequent stops were for the restrooms.

https://www.theadkx.org/

Same like-to-see-it-someday for the Old Forge Hardware Store. I have heard that it is “charming”. And ca-ching pricey. The town of Old Forge itself is too crowded for me, coming or going. We have yet to ever stop anywhere in Old Forge.

https://www.oldforgehardware.com/

There are some wonderful outfitters shops along any route into the Adks, those to me are worth a stop to just look around and ogle boats and gear. And get hopelessly tangled in weird side-zip PFD design, and need assistance getting free.

I’ll offer one suggestion, outside the Blue Line. Coming up from the south our favorite stop is in Sherburn. At Gilligan’s for handmade hard ice cream, handspun milkshakes or malteds (Yes Virginia, there is a difference).

https://www.gilliganssherburne.com/

I think we stopped at Gilligan’s the very first time we went to the Adirondacks. I know we have stopped every time since, often both coming and going. Wouldn’t miss it and I’m salivating at the thought of a real malted.

Adirondack denizens, what’s your worthy stop en-route or out?
Welcome back! see you at Gillgans.
 
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