Rentals Near NYC: Adirondacks Waterfront Cabin

I'm always a little weary of a listing that doesn't have an interior shot, but then again, how many listings have plenty of pictures, and they're awful. So it isn't necessarily a barometer. This cabin looks so sweet on the outside, I might just harass the listing agent for more pics, or get on the phone and dig deeper. Just imagine having morning coffee with that lake lapping right next to you. It's on Kiwassa Lake, sleeps up to 6, has a private dock, and is $1500 a week.

Santa's Workshop: Adirondacks

Words of wisdom for any parent on a trip:  don't hype up anything you plan to visit, unless you have called ahead and verified once, and maybe twice, that the place you are heralding as the greatest thing in the world is (1.) open, and (2.) has availability.  I had been talking up Santa's Workshop for days.  It was supposed to be the cutest little amusement park, around since 1949, and here we were, staying just a 20 minute drive from it.  It was pouring rain on Saturday, so we headed out on a lovely Sunday morning, all excited, until we got to the empty parking lot.  How could this be?  How could any tourist attraction be closed on a Sunday in the height of the summer?  But yes, it was.  And it was devastating.  Poor Clara...she took it hard...and it probably took a good 15 minutes to get over it.  We promised a return, and that we would call way way way in advance and make sure they were open.  It looked really cute from the outside.

Escape From NY-Dartbrook Lodge, Adirondacks

On the other end of the spectrum from Whiteface Lodge, is the small  Dartbrook Lodge. It's in a 'blink-and-you'll-miss-it' town, called Keene, but it's completely charming, and quiet, and has more the feel of a weekend cabin of your own in the Adirondacks, than a full-service property like Whiteface. The cabins are tastefully done, have all organic sheets and towels, and the details are just right. The owners even did the landscaping right, planting meadow flowers and leaving the grass high around the cabins, so the cabins don't look manicured, but like they belong. Next door is Cedar Run, a breakfast and lunch spot that has simple and delicious everything, plus items you can take out. And dinner at Tip A Canoe just across the street is great, so at the end of a long day out skiing or hiking, you can just walk to dinner. The wine list is smart, and the food is thoughtful and uncomplicated. On the other side of the cabins is the Dartbrook Rustic Goods Store, and it has everything from the best local artisan Adirondack mirror or table, to locally made balsam fir hand washing gel. The guys who own Dartbrook are so passionate about the area, and happy to share their secrets about where to go and what to do. It's about 15 minutes from Lake Placid, and 10 minutes from Keene Valley, with fantastic views along the way, of glassy lakes lined with birch trees.

Escape From NY-Whiteface Lodge, Adirondacks

This summer we went to the Adirondacks, our first time. It's such a huge area, that I will do several posts about our time there, but for those of you looking for a getaway that might involve skiing, definitely some snow activities, and a perfectly done lodge, I have the place.  Whiteface Lodge is in Lake Placid, which is pretty much in the middle of the Adirondack State Park, which is 6 million acres, and, according to Wikipedia, that's the size of Vermont.  So it's huge. To get to Lake Placid, home of the Winter Olympics of 1980, you should plan about 5 hours--it's 288 miles.  It's straight up the Thruway, which they call the Northway once you hit the Adirondacks.  It's really like you're in a different state, and one that's very far away.  No mini malls.  Lots of businesses that have been family run since the 40s.  No bad developments.  But back to the Whiteface: an Olympic skier who became an entrepreneur, concepted the place, wanting to have a lodge that harked back to the great camps that were so prevalent in the 19th century. It's totally grand in its huge beams and high ceilings, but also very cozy with lots of wood and fireplaces. The rooms are nicely appointed, the beds comfortable, and a family of four could easily fit into a  one bedroom suite, the smallest room, as it has a queen size bed, and a queen size pullout couch.  I just looked online, and they have a winter special, that has a winter rate of $395 per night over the weekend, and that includes breakfast, and all of the amenities they offer.  Now usually, I don't get too excited about those, but listen up: movie theater, game room, indoor and outdoor pool,bowling, ice rink, kids club, complimentary shuttle into town (which has no parking so you will actually use this), free valet...and the best part? They have a washer/dryer in the common area, with complimentary laundry detergent!  I couldn't believe it.  The food at Whiteface is excellent--we loved the breakfasts--granola, eggs, pancakes, waffles, organic yogurts, juices...etc...it isn't a skimpy free breakfast.  We didn't eat lunch there, but dinner was great.  They have a bar area where they have some live entertainment (it was a great singer/guitar player one night, and the next it was a little hokey), and we just got drinks, and a pizza for Clara, from their wood burning oven.  They have a nice menu for kids, which is a step above average--good quality version of the classics.  The wine list was great. And it's in the middle of everything--which you'll read about on the next couple of posts.