This content originally appeared on our Weekend Inspiration newsletter, mailed on 9/20/24. Want to get news like this, straight to your inbox? Sign up for the Escape Club, where upgraded paid membership also gets you exclusive discounts on Upstate getaways you won’t find anywhere else.
Howdy and happy Friday,
It’s our tenth week into these Weekend Inspiration emails and we’re getting such nice feedback! Thanks for all the kind words. Needless to say, we’re going to keep doing them as long as you keep opening them.
This Sunday marks the beginning of autumn – although the trees in the Catskill Mountains are way ahead of all that. We’re enjoying beautiful foliage already, especially in Sullivan County – and mercifully, with beautiful summer temps. (If you know me, I am not a winter girl.) If you’re waiting for October to book a fall trip Upstate, there’s no need.
Need some last minute trip ideas? Our September 1 newsletter is full of exclusive deals: up to 10-25% off our hand-picked getaways, bonus extra nights, spa credits and dining vouchers. You can also check out our recent 25+ Upstate Ideas for Fall.
Further afoot in Upstate New York… I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love the Adirondack Mountains. At six million acres large, it’s the biggest protected natural area in the lower 48 states, making it an ideal spot to see lots of colorful trees.
As a bonus, with all the solar flare activity this year, the Adirondack Park is one of your best bets to see a Northern Lights appearance in New York, with little to no light pollution. (Slide 2 in the linked post below shows a scene in the Adirondacks from this week!)
A post shared by @escape_brooklyn
With that in mind, in today’s newsletter, we’re outlining three incredible trips to the Adirondacks. If you can’t make it that far Upstate, check out our 25+ Upstate Ideas for Fall, mostly in the Catskills and Hudson Valley – with one trip in Brooklyn!
Last, for home shoppers, some very welcome news came from the Fed this week – making these two sweet cabin listings in Kerhonkson that much sweeter. (If you’re not familiar with the area, check out this weekend itinerary.)
Happy Friday and welcome to Autumn – officially!
-Erin + the EB Team
Three Adirondack Adventures to Book This Fall
Sure, the Catskills are closer – but have you even Adirondacked?
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!) Enthusiasts of all hobbies and skill levels can hike extraordinary trails, canoe breathtaking ponds and lakes – or spend days traversing the cultural offerings of the region’s shopping, food and breweries.
Below, we’re sharing three favorite Adirondack getaways to call home base while exploring this expansive wilderness – plus our picks for couples, families, friends, and solo exploring.
Great Camp Sagamore: Raquette Lake, NY
The Property: At Great Camp Sagamore, find classic Adirondack lodge rooms in the main building, plus private lakefront cabins. All rooms have access to shared spaces including a stunning lakeside dining hall – where guests are served three meals a day – and an indoor/outdoor hand-set bowling alley.
An all-inclusive rate grants access to trails, watercraft including canoes and kayaks, property tours, short guided hikes, bowling and more at this iconic Adirondack Great Camp.
Best for: Several hiking trails on the shorter side, tons of programming, and three family-style meals a day in its dining room, make this our pick for family trips.
White Pine Camp in Paul Smiths, NY:
The Property: At White Pine Camp, thirteen distinctively cozy cabins and cottages feature soaring roof lines, hand-built Adirondack style furniture, stone fireplaces or wood stoves, and breathtaking views.
All guests have unlimited access to shared facilities at White Pine Camp: including a Great Room, equipped with WiFi; a Japanese Tea House on a tiny island accessed by a 300-foot wooden bridge; hand-set bowling alley and pool room; a boat house with kayaks, canoes and rowboats for guest use; and many outdoor decks and patios.
Best For: This property is ideal for a casual explorer, and great for couples and friend groups, who will enjoy the privacy of their own cabins. Bring your own meals to enjoy by the fireplace! It’s light on on-site hiking trails, but in close proximity to many gems – and has plenty of water adventures onsite.
Elk Lake Lodge: North Hudson, NY
The Property: Located at the end of a five mile dirt road, inside the 12,000 acre Elk Lake Clear Pond Preserve, Elk Lake Lodge is ringed by the Adirondack Park’s High Peaks Wilderness.
Petite but cozy rooms are located in the main lodge, not far from the lobby – where a shared living space with a massive fireplace, and onsite restaurant/dining room are located.
Two meals a day are included – and we love that lunch is prepared to-go, so you can enjoy in the great outdoors.
Best for: Our pick for the real outdoor enthusiast of all three lodge options, with 40+ miles of hiking trails located within a massive, private nature preserve. Perfect for solo explorers who want to spend days in wilderness and not have to worry about meals.
Real Estate: Hudson Woods Contemporary Cabin in Kerhonkson, NY
Less than two hours north of NYC, this minimalist upstate escape is located in the serene and sought-after Hudson Woods community in Kerhonkson, NY. Three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and offered at $1,495,000 (following a recent $200k reduction.)
Clean lines combined with warm, natural materials are the dominant design features in this home, with large windows flooding each level with ample natural light.
With over four acres of private land surrounded by over one hundred additional acres of Hudson Woods land, this designer home boasts a constant visual connection to the outdoors.
See the full listing here. Listed by Joseph Satto at Fresh Air Realty.
Real Estate: Waterfalls Road Log Cabin in Kerhonkson, NY
Just over an hour and a half from New York City, this fully renovated, turn-key log cabin blends modern style with rustic charm.
Set on nearly three cleared acres in Kerhonkson, this home is located in the foothills of the Catskills, creating a basecamp for outdoor recreation, local shopping, and exploring the surrounding area.
The grounds are just as impressive as the home’s interiors, featuring a full front rocking chair porch, spacious back deck, newly added patio and fire pit area, and fully-fenced yard. In front of the home, a partially finished pickelball court (!) can be easily completed, or reimagined into a front yard patio.
See the full listing here, and attend the open house on September 28. Offered at $895,000. Listed by Dylan Taft at Taft Street Realty.
