An Accessible Family-Friendly Getaway to the Adirondacks

Jun 30, 2025

Scenic steamboat cruises, mountainside splendor, and outdoor adventure aplenty, an unforgettable family-friendly getaway awaits in the Adirondacks! Accessible for travelers with cognitive and developmental disabilities, your journeys may lead you to cool destinations like the Wild Center with an accessible trail of elevated bridges through the treetops or the Adirondack Rail Trail for a family e-bike ride through picture-perfect mountain towns. Follow along with the family behind @ourhuddybuddy as Melanie and her sons Colton (13) and Huddy (5), who has Down Syndrome, embark on an amazing Adirondack adventure and get inspired to plan your own family vacation in New York State.

@ourhuddybuddy #ad We had the most amazing time with @I LOVE NY exploring the Adirondacks in New York! From treetop walks to steamboat rides, every stop was fun, family-friendly and accessible for Huddy. Visit iloveny.com/accessible to plan your trip. Click the link! @visitadks @Lake Placid @The Wild Center @PSCVIC #AccessibleNY #AccessibleTravel #VisitAdirondacks #VisitADKs #ILNYAmbassador #downsyndromefamily ♬ Light and refreshing piano pop for commercials(970224) – zeema

DAY 1:

8:30AM: Breakfast at Biscotti Brothers

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Rise and shine! A jam-packed day of fun awaits, so plan to fuel up with breakfast at Biscotti Brothers. This family-friendly cafe features all the breakfast classics from Nutella and banana French toast to hearty omelets, plus a children’s menu with kid-sized favorites.

10AM: Morning cruise with Lake George Steamboat Company

All aboard! It’s time for some family fun out on the water with Lake George Steamboat Company. Get ready to step back in time aboard one of the company’s three historic vessels, the Mohican, the Minne Ha-Ha, or the Lac de Saint Sacrement. Imagine how people traveled the lake more than 100 years ago aboard the Minne Ha-Ha Paddlewheel Cruise with the sounds of an authentic steamboat as your soundtrack and the views of the surrounding Adirondack Mountains as your backdrop. The Minne Ha-Ha hour-long narrated cruise is perfect for all ages with plenty of seating and space for little ones to move around, an accessible first and second deck with a lift that accommodates strollers and wheelchairs, and a snack bar on board. The Lac de Saint Sacrement is also accessible with a lift to upper decks. The Mohican is only accessible on the first deck.

12PM: Lunch at The Algonquin

After a morning on the water, enjoy lunch out on the dockside deck at the Algonquin. Found in the quaint hamlet of Bolton Landing, this summertime favorite serves up burgers, sandwiches, salads, pasta, fish tacos, and a variety of kid-friendly dishes.

2PM: Learn about nature at Up Yonda Farm

Credit: @ourhuddybuddy on Instagram

Explore the great outdoors at the 75-acre Up Yonda Farm! Head into the farmhouse to meet the farm’s ambassador turtles, Scorpion and Tommy, or dive into hands-on exhibits about the animals, birds, and pollinators of the Adirondacks in the museum. After learning about nature, experience it for yourself along three miles of trails or at the pond, where kids can borrow nets to catch frogs. Don’t miss out on a visit to the Butterfly Garden, which opens June 27. Up Yonda also hosts a variety of fun family events including naturalist demonstrations, scavenger hunts, animal encounters, and more. Most of the paths around the property are gravel including those from the parking lot to the bathrooms and museum. Getting to some of the attractions on the property requires going through grass. Check out the property’s map for accessible routes or call 518-644-9767 for more information.

5PM: Stop for dinner at The Lighthouse Grill

Lakeside beauty meets Adirondack charm at The Lighthouse Grill! Relax on the covered deck and choose from delicious American cuisine menu items like salads, fried chicken sandwiches, and tacos, plus vegan options.

7PM: Bon’s Ice Cream and Adirondack Mini Golf

Credit: @ourhuddybuddy on Instagram

You can’t go wrong with ice cream and mini golf! Encourage some family-friendly competition, where you’ll navigate through the 18-hole course packed with all kinds of themed obstacles. Fun fact: built in 1994, Adirondack Mini Golf was the first ever ADA accessible mini golf course in the US. Finish out the night with ice cream at Bon’s serving soft and hard flavors, flurries, sundaes, and floats. Bon’s Ice Cream and Adirondack Mini Golf is cash only.

DAY 2:

11AM: Explore the forest at Paul Smith’s VIC

Grab breakfast in Lake George and get ready to head about two hours north towards Paul Smith’s College Visitor Interpretive Center. Spend time in the forest, discover wildlife, and let the kids burn off some energy on the outdoor playground at this center dedicated to fostering positive relationships with nature. It’s also home to 25 miles of hiking trails including the wheelchair and stroller-friendly Barnum Brook Trail, a .6-mile loop with a fine gravel base and accessible overlooks. Be sure to pop into the Butterfly House to peep butterflies and moths and check the Paul Smith’s VIC calendar for immersive events like guided canoe paddles, birding excursions, and group hikes. Each year, Paul Smith’s VIC also hosts the Adirondack Nature Festival for People with Disabilities (August 16, 2025), providing opportunities for people with disabilities and their families to connect in nature through programs and activities like interpretive walks, adaptive outdoor equipment demonstrations, sensory walks, and more.

1:30PM: Stop for lunch in Saranac Lake

After a morning outdoors, refuel with a bite in the picture-perfect village of Saranac Lake. If you’re looking to get a taste of the local dining scene, try Bitters & Bones and River Trail Beer Works, both are local favorites.

4:30PM: Take a spin on the Adirondack Carousel

Credit: @ourhuddybuddy on Instagram

Old fashioned family fun can be found at the Adirondack Carousel! Choose from 24 wild animals including a frog, moose, or bobcat, or the Chris Craft-style wheelchair-accessible boat for your journey, each hand-carved and painted by local artists.

5:30PM: Settle in for the night with dinner and a sweet treat

If you’re looking to stay in Saranac Lake, a relaxing stroll through the village will lead you to a variety of family-friendly dining options. Lake Placid is also just a 20-minute drive away with a picturesque downtown filled with a plethora of restaurants, including Lisa Gs, which serves up creative American cuisine. Don’t forget dessert! End an adventure-filled day with soft serve ice cream from Donnelly’s.

DAY 3:

8:30AM: Breakfast at Nori’s Riverside Cafe

Kick off day three at Nori’s Riverside Cafe! With a menu that features tasty vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and local meat options, Nori’s is the perfect place to start your morning. Whether you choose a raspberry banana muffin, fresh-baked croissant, vegan breakfast burrito, or just a cup of coffee, you won’t be disappointed.

11AM: Let adventure run wild at The Wild Center and Wild Walk

Spend the morning exploring the Wild Center and Wild Walk in Tupper Lake, an amazing indoor and outdoor adventure for all! Start inside at the museum and learn about the history and wildlife of the region at interactive exhibits like the Hall of the Adirondacks which features real fish, turtles, otters, and other animals you may find in the area. Then it’s time to head outdoors to experience the Wild Walk, an accessible trail of elevated bridges that lead you through the Adirondack treetops. Along the way you’ll stumble upon some whimsical sights like a giant bald eagle’s nest, a human-sized spider’s web, and a four-story treehouse. Let the good times roll at the Wild Center’s new Raquette River Roll, a ball run with an elevated track that runs along the Fen Trail. The 1.2-mile gravel trail is accessible and stroller-friendly. Wagons and strollers for children are also available to borrow free of charge, as well as manual wheelchairs and walkers.

1PM: Pause for lunch at Waterside Cafe

Grab lunch right at the Wild Center’s Waterside Cafe for a bite with a view. Committed to sustainability, the cafe sources 22% of its food from local vendors, featuring a menu of crowd favorite salads, plant-based burgers, and all-beef hot dogs.

3:00PM: Hit the Adirondack Rail Trail

Credit: @ourhuddybuddy on Instagram

Nothing beats a family bike ride! Head to Bike Lake Placid, where the friendly staff will hook you up with everything you need for your cycling adventure. Bikes, e-bikes, and bike trailers are available to rent and include a helmet, bike lock, and charger (for e-bikes). Now it’s time to get those wheels spinning! Admire the lush forest and mountain views as you pedal along this 34-mile trail, which is wheelchair accessible and stroller-friendly with a mix of gravel and paved sections, wide path, and no more than 2% grade the entire way.

5:30PM: Make your way back to Saranac Lake for dinner

End the last night of your getaway with dinner in Saranac Lake. If you’re in the mood for delicious Dominican cuisine, Our Plates is the place to be with empanada, yuca fries, tostones, and more.

DAY 4:

10AM: Stop for one last adventure at High Falls Gorge

Stop for a quick breakfast in town and get ready for one last adventure at High Falls Gorge! This 22-acre privately owned park is exciting for all ages, where you can walk along the Ausable River as it tumbles down four majestic waterfalls. There are two ways to view the falls. The Waterfall Walk loops you around the waterfalls on wood-decked walkways, glass platforms, and open stairs with handrails. The Easy Path is a half-mile round-trip walk that’s perfect for all abilities with a gravel and deck surface, no stairs, and benches along the way for resting points.

Hotels in the area:

Fort William Henry Hotel (Lake George): Dazzling lakeside elegance awaits at this historic hotel just steps from top attractions, boutiques, and restaurants in Lake George Village. Mobility and hearing accessible rooms are available with features such as accessible bathrooms, visual alarms, and more.

Hotel Saranac (Saranac Lake): Cozy up amid the pristine lakes and lush woods of the Adirondacks at this historic yet modern hotel. Nestled in the heart of the Village of Saranac Lake, Hotel Saranac features 78 guest rooms and 24 suites, including mobility and hearing accessible accommodations with visual alarms, accessible bathrooms, and more.

Other activities you may want to check out:

Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway (Wilmington): Did you know you can drive up to the summit of New York’s fifth highest peak? Follow Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway for spectacular 360-degree views, where you can see all the way to Canada and Vermont on clear sunny days. At the summit, there is a castle built from stone, a restaurant and gift shop, and an elevator carved deep inside the mountain top itself.

Guided Canoe Trip on the Raquette River’s Oxbow (Tupper Lake): Looking to spend some time out on the water? Make a reservation for a guided canoe trip with the Wild Center! Each trip is led by a NYS Licensed Wild Center Naturalist, where you’ll paddle through the Raquette River’s Oxbow and explore different marsh habitats. Plus, you may even get to see wildlife. To get to the Wild Center dock, there is a gravel trail with slight to moderate grades and the cut-off trail has exposed rocks and roots.