A day at the Adirondack Museum is a definite bucket list item for those enamored of the mountains, lakes and forests of New York’s Adirondack Park. This museum goes well beyond the dimly- lit galleries of historic artifacts one often associates with museums, bringing to life, with multi-media displays, the past and present of the park. The overriding theme is the balance between wilderness and the activities of Man in these six-million acres of publicly and privately held lands.
The Adirondack Museum is perched on a hill overlooking the waters of Blue Mountain Lake and the hamlet of the same name. From Lake George, it is an easy 55 mile drive through the mountains of Warrensburg, North River and Indian Lake.
From the center of Lake George Village drive nine miles through the hamlet of Warrensburg along Route 9 to State Route 28. Follow Route 28 for 45 miles to reach Blue Mountain Lake. Take a right onto Route 30 and the Museum is one mile ahead on your left.
The museum grounds feature modern exhibition galleries and restored historical buildings all connected by meticulously maintained walkways. Outdoor displays of native plants, all labeled, border the paths and Adirondack chairs are liberally spread throughout the campus inviting visitors to rest and reflect.
Permanent exhibits include Work in the Woods, Roads and Rails, Boats and Boating, Woods and Water, and A Peopled Wilderness.
Upon entering the Woods and Waters exhibit visitors are greeted with the chirping of peep toads and the trickle of a brook spilling over mossy rocks. Follow the trail to learn about the plants, animals and hiking trails of the region. The Logging in the Adirondacks exhibit launches visitors into the rugged world of logging camps and river drives; cottages and camps throughout the grounds display the intricate design of rustic Adirondack architecture and detailed twig-work. Adirondack-inspired paintings are displayed in the Lynn H. Boillot Art Galleries.
A free self-guided audio tour is available. Visitors use a remote control device to play recordings of Adirondack residents, or people with Adirondack ties, telling stories and giving detailed information about featured exhibits. There are 35 stops on the audio tour. Stop number one is an introduction by actor Kevin Bacon whose family vacations in the Adirondacks.
Scattered throughout the museum are tables with activities for children making this destination very kid-friendly. Although sunny days are perfect for enjoying the museum grounds, this is also a good pick for a rainy day as most exhibits are under cover.
The Lake View Café at the museum has a full menu of sandwiches, salads and hot items – entering the café, with its panoramic view of Blue Mountain Lake, one can smell the chili simmering in the steam table. An over-stuffed sandwich and fountain drink costs under $10. For finicky kids that will only eat Kraft macaroni and cheese, it’s on the menu. The café also has a large variety of baked goods including cookies and brownies. There is a picnic area for visitors that wish to pack a lunch.
The museum is fully accessible with ramps to each building; the grounds are tobacco-free although smoking is permitted in the parking lot.
Visitors to the Adirondack Museum will walk away with a deeper understanding of the relationship between our busy human world and the ancient environment in which we live, work and play, not just in this unique area of upstate New York, but the entire United States. A quote at the entrance to the Woods and Waters building sums up this sensibility:
“We cannot teach our children what is special about our history on freeways or in shopping malls …protecting the remnants of wild country left today is an action that defines our nation. Take away wilderness and you diminish the opportunity to be American.” – Roderick Frazier Nash, 2004
The Museum is open daily from the end of May through mid-October. Check the museum website for current admission prices and hours. The Adirondack Museum often hosts free days for year-round Adirondack Park residents. Contact the museum at (518)352-7311 for more information.