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A Guide to Saranac Lake, Adirondack Mountains, NY
At six million acres large, the Adirondack Mountains are the largest protected natural area in the lower 48 states. The park is bigger than the Yellowstone, Everglades, Glacier, and Grand Canyon National Park combined — and it’s right in our backyard! Many New Yorkers think the Adirondacks are too far for a weekend; but the park begins just 215 miles from NYC, easily reached in under four hours. (Or catch the daily flight from JFK to SLK!) From there, we’re heading deeper into the park, along the most beautiful stretch of road imaginable through the Adirondacks High Peaks region, the scenic town of Keene, and finally to the village of Saranac Lake. Upon arrival in Saranac Lake, visitors find a historic community that blends outdoor adventure with authentic small-town Adirondack vibes. Its tagline, “decidedly different” rings true: it’s far less touristy than its sister city to the east, Lake Placid, home of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics and was built up for the massive tourist influx. By comparison, Saranac Lake feels decidedly laid back, preferring community vibes over touristy ones. Throughout the entire Adirondack region — from Lake George to Lake Placid to Saranac Lake — its villages, lakes and mountains converge with waterways, forest trails, and dirt roads to create a nature lover’s paradise. Wondering the best time of the year to visit the Adirondacks? The answer is year round! This Upstate destination offers outdoor attractions in all four seasons. Known best as a winter wonderland, in snowy conditions visitors flock to Whiteface for its signature slopes. But summer offers just as much, if not more, adventure, as the lakes, rivers and ponds thaw and snowmelt transforms the landscapes into lush greenery. Spring through fall, hiking, paddling, and swimming opportunities are as bountiful as the vast landscapes in the Adirondacks. Check out our guides below for the best places to hike and get outdoors – plus where to stay, eat and drink during your stay in Saranac Lake. Where to Stay in Saranac Lake: White Pine Camp The Hermit's Hut at White Pine Camp is tucked away from most of the other cabins. There’s no shortage of lodging in the area, from modern hotels to Airbnbs to glamping, plus a few Adirondack Great Camps. Those unfamiliar with the term Great Camp might be misled by its name — an Adirondack “camp” actually refers to what wealthy people in the early 1900’s used as their summer homes. The luxurious-meets-rustic cabins and cottages give visitors an authentic Adirondack experience that isn't possible with other types of lodging. The finest example in this region is White Pine Camp, located in Paul Smiths NY, with perfectly rustic and cozy lodging overlooking Osgood Pond. Thirteen distinctive cabins and cottages feature soaring roof lines, hand-built Adirondack style furniture, stone fireplaces or wood stoves, and breathtaking views. Trails through the property are perfect for leisurely strolls, while ...
Introducing: the Escape Club by Escape Brooklyn
Escape Brooklyn is thrilled to introduce our monthly newsletter: the Escape Club. Each month, subscribers will get access to discounts and giveaways to some of our favorite Upstate hotels, Airbnbs, restaurants, shops and more with loads of discounts and perks, exclusive to our Escape Club members. Looking to buy Upstate? Every month, we interview a Catskills/Hudson Valley real estate professional to share their unique perspective on the market. They’ll leave us with some insightful tips, too. Last, keep up to date with all the exciting new openings, plus the best best events, in Upstate NY. Escape Brooklyn is powered of a tiny team of women freelancers, led by Founder & Creative Director Erin Lindsey. Currently Escape Brooklyn is funded by advertisers, but by charging a small amount monthly to our very large audience, it expands our bandwidth to bring much more content to your fingertips – including discounts, giveaways, and Upstate insider information you won’t find anywhere else. Your financial support is much appreciated, and 1% of our profits go directly to battling climate change. Click Here For More Info, or to Join the Escape Club
A Guide to Hudson, NY
Hudson, NY is the perfect town for your maiden voyage upstate — in fact, it was ours! This once "sleepy town" now brands itself the "downtown of Upstate" with 200 independent establishments including antique and boutique shops, hotels, art galleries, restaurants and bars, mostly along Warren Street. Visually, this charming town is a treat, delighting visitors and aesthetes with its stunning and Wes Anderson-esque architecture. The restoration of some 300 historic buildings in two square miles makes it one of the historically richest, and most diverse architectural cities in New York State.
A Guide to Cold Spring, NY
Cold Spring, NY is one of our favorite daytrips from NYC. An hour on the MetroNorth puts you right in the heart of town and its scenic, walkable Main Street. Though it's only about half a mile long, Cold Spring's Main Street packs a punch, with its cute boutiques and restaurants nearly packed in a row, made extra special by the scenic backdrop of its surrounding mountain landscape. Cold Spring is also home to one of the best and most famous Hudson Valley hikes, Breakneck Ridge. The combination makes it the perfect day trip: spend the morning hiking, then indulge in the shops, restaurants, and services that Cold Spring has to offer. To get to Cold Spring, NY take the Hudson Line on the MetroNorth. If you’re going straight to town, get off at Cold Spring station; hikers can continue on to the Breakneck Ridge stop, which drops steps from the trailhead. (Note that you'll need to catch specific trains for this stop, which only run on weekends and holidays. If not, you can rent a bike, or catch a cab.) What to Do in Cold Spring, NY: Shop Main Street, Hike a Mountain, Visit a Design Legend’s Home The Cornish Estate Ruins are incredibly accessible, just a 1.8 mile round-trip trek from the parking lot. All photos by Erin Lindsey/Escape Brooklyn. One of Cold Spring’s biggest draws is Breakneck Ridge. The very popular trail, named for its short but steep scramble at the beginning, gives way to incredible views of the Hudson Valley. Despite its 10/10 difficulty rating, the trail is always crowded on weekends, though if you continue past the overlook it clears out considerably. Take the time to continue along the trail instead of heading back down — the views are totally worth it. (2021 update: new trails have been built this year to make the ridge’s peak ascents easier to access!) Another nearby trail of interest is the Cornish Estate Trail, only 2 miles long and one of the coolest, most interesting hikes in the Hudson Valley. The short trail leads hikers to the ruins of a massive stone estate dating to 1910. Areas to explore include the house’s dramatic stone and brick remains (including stacks of fireplaces), and various structures including a swimming pool, greenhouse, a laundry facility, and a pump house. For a more leisurely way to take in Mother Nature, visit Manitoga, the home, studio, and woodland garden of design legend Russel Wright. After the 90-minute tour, visitors are free to roam the three trails on the 75-acre property. All the outdoor spaces were designed by Wright himself, from the tree and boulder placements to the mossy forest floor. It’s a ten minute cab ride from Cold Spring, and tours are $20. Cold Springs' very attractive Main Street – easily accessed from the MetroNorth - ...
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Night Fox A-Frame in Livingston Manor, NY
Offering two bedrooms, this design-forward home shares one bathroom, a kitchen, and a living room/dining room area stocked with fun board games. Enjoy meals at the long dining table, or head outside for al fresco dining in the fresh Catskill Mountain air.
Cabin on the River in Narrowsburg, NY
This magical riverfront cabin is an oasis of tranquility and mid-century modern design, situated on the banks of the Ten Mile River. Spend summer days cooling off in the river, then move to the streamside dining table for al fresco dinners. At night, a fire pit on the deck is the perfect spot to get cozy – or gather round the fire pit in the front for an expansive view of the stars. The centerpiece of the outdoor oasis is the creekside wood burning hot tub, giving off serious "spa in the forest" vibes. Load it up on your arrival to get the water warming, then spend the day alternating between creek dips and hot tub sessions. This sweet getaway sleeps six guests, with games and books for kiddos – and dogs – so bring the whole family! For easy drinks and dinners, location is walkable to Blue Fox Tavern; and just a few minutes into the town of Narrowsburg, with its great shopping, farm-to-table restaurants, river activities, and more. Check the Escape Brooklyn Guide to Narrowsburg for more information on the area.
Shell House Half Dome in Roxbury, NY
Built in 1996, the Shell House was created as a prototype for future dome structures, and personal retreat, for architect Seymore Rutkin and his wife. Its design was intended to be a part of the outdoor environment, but protected from it — giving the feeling of an amphitheater in reverse, with a beautiful view of the Catskills as the main attraction. After years of preservation and few renovations, these days, the Shell House is an extraordinary Airbnb and artist retreat, with four bedrooms sleeping ten guests. Stunning communal spaces and unique rooms will make this a stay you won't soon forget: from its 25-foot ceiling living room, with floor to ceiling windows; to its four bedrooms with stunning views of the Catskills; to a pink clad bathroom with a soaking tub, illuminated by the natural light coming in from a porthole.
White Pine Camp near Saranac Lake, NY, Adirondacks
Dating to 1907, the incredible White Pine Camp was originally developed as summer homes for the wealthy — known as “camps” in the Adirondacks region — overlooking Osgood Pond. It passed through many hands, including President Coolidge; White Pine Camp even served as the summer White House for the President and his family. (Rumor has it that the President spent more time fishing than his executive duties during his time here!)
Hastings Hideaway in Grahamsville, NY
This newly renovated home, Hastings Hideaway, is just 115 miles from NYC – and with five bedrooms, it's spacious enough for 12, yet cozy enough for two. Check in and hole up in this roomy home with multiple gathering spaces — including two living rooms — one with a cozy wood burning stove. In summer months, take advantage of beautiful views from the deck while BBQ-ing or enjoying your morning cup of coffee; then hike the nearby Red Hill Fire Tower and Sundown Wild Forest, followed by a beer at the local brewery, or head back home to take advantage of the newly installed steam shower for two.
Pine Crest Creek in Delancey, NY
Tucked behind pine trees on 5 acres in bucolic Delaware County, Pine Crest Creek features a private trail through the woods that leads to its own babbling brook. Spend your days exploring the nearby towns of Delhi, Stamford and Bovina — at the nearby swimming holes, hiking trails (Bramley Mountain is our fave) farm-stands, flea markets and farm-to-table restaurants — or take in the great outdoors at the house
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Q&A: Tinker Street Tavern in Woodstock, NY
Amid a global pandemic, Tinker Street Tavern opened in July 2021. Aesthetes will find the space delightful; not a single opportunity to pay homage to the bar’s musical history was missed. The historic property was once owned by Albert Grossman — who managed Dylan, The Band, Janis Joplin and Todd Rundgren to name a few.
Love Lamb: Cruelty-Free Sheepskins Made by Hand in Delaware County, NY
Visit an upstate home, and odds are you’ll see a sheepskin elegantly draped over a chair or bench. They’re everywhere, and for good reason: warm, soft, and organic, they’re an easy final touch for the Upstate hygge vibe we all covet.
Before & After: Camp Caitlin
Caitlin Cowger, owner of Camp Caitlin, has a piece of advice when it comes to buying your Upstate dream home: “Don’t look for the house of your dreams. Renovate the house of your dreams.”
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A 1970’s Ranch in Livingston Manor, NY
Located 115 miles from NYC, this charming 1970's ranch home in Livingston Manor has deeded rights to not only one – but two – sparkling lakes just a few minutes walk from the house.
Canopy Hill House in Roxbury, NY
150 miles from NYC, Canopy Hill is a totally turnkey, fully furnished home in the historic and charming town of Roxbury, NY. Sited on six rolling acres of pastureland, this brand new house already feels like home.
The Hempcrete Houses in Stone Ridge, NY
The Hempcrete Houses at Stone Ridge are an enclave of four unique, modern homes to be built with high performance, natural building envelopes using Isohemp Hempcrete Block, widely used throughout Europe and new to this area.
Designed for both wellness and low maintenance living, these stylish houses are made with superior materials in the spectrum of naturally derived or recycled earth-friendly products. No styrofoam or fiberglass insulation is being used in these buildings. This is a natural, breathing, humidity regulating, carbon sinking, and mold resistant envelope with very high energy performance.
Three parcels available, each with 4.2-4.5 acre lots | Highly energy efficient homes available in 1800-3200 square foot, customizable floor plans | Pricing begins at $1,170,000
Listed by Leslie Foti at Coldwell Banker Village Green. For tours, floor, and site plans, contact Leslie Foti @upstateabodes (917) 670-8509 and Antonio Parrotta (917) 575-0725
These modern interpretations of mid-century and contemporary styles feel at home in the Catskills. The Minimalist interior designs provide uncluttered backdrop for warm elements of decor. The houses are spacious without being overindulgent, lending themselves to everyday living, entertaining, or both.
The long and graceful gravel drive leads to lightly wooded, private, and park-like parcels of 4.2 to 4.5 acres set among mature hardwoods and gently terraced with plenty of flatter open land for various options and outbuildings.
Each sister parcel offers designs of varying and flexible floorplans ranging from 1800 to 3200 square feet. Although each house is unique, they share a core program and language of natural and healthy materials. The positioning of each home on the lots has been carefully considered for each parcel, however, adjustments can be made to site each design on one of the neighboring lots according to personal preference.
Features include high efficiency Inverter Heat Pump Systems, Energy Star Electric Appliances, custom cabinetry, imported triple glazed windows, standing seam metal roofs, and high-quality bath fixtures. Numerous finish options are offered at nominal cost variance. A range of upgrades are offered including a natural swimming pool, vegetable garden and others. These unique properties are ideal for people who care about health and wellness, living with nature, and light and space.
At under 2 hours from Manhattan, the subdivision is located 30 minutes to Amtrak at Rhinecliff, 25 minutes to the villages of New Paltz and Woodstock, and 6 minutes from the town of Stone Ridge. Situated in the heart of the Hudson Valley, surrounded by restaurants, activities, and diversions, this is an easy place to live or weekend, relax and entertain.
