If you and your family love being outdoors in the summertime, Old Forge, NY should be at the top of your list of places to visit! The quaint village, with plenty of shops and restaurants, is surrounded by beautiful mountains and a crisp, clean lake that feeds into a chain of Adirondack lakes for miles and miles.

Below are the top 10 reasons Old Forge should be your next summer vacation destination:

1. Old Forge is home to Enchanted Forest Water Safari, NY’s largest water theme park with over 50 rides and attractions. Water Safari has something for everyone in your family—from exciting water rides like Killermanjaro’s Revenge and Mamba Strike to family water rides like Cascade Falls and Log Jammer. You can rent cabanas for the day and there’s also amusement rides and attractions like the Family Circus Show, Sky Ride, and Storybook Lane. https://www.watersafari.com/

 

2. Hiking – There’s a trail for every hiker in Old Forge, from family-friendly Gull Lake Trail to the popular Bald Mountain with a spectacular view of the Adirondack Mountains. If you’re searching for hiking trails or walking trails, these family hiking trails will be perfect for your vacation.

 

3. Biking – Whether you’re a seasoned mountain bike rider, or just like to hop on your bike and take a leisurely ride around the village, Old Forge is a fantastic place to pedal ‘til your heart’s content! Try the Old Forge Mountain Bike Trail System or McCauley Mountain with twenty different mountain bike trails for all skill levels. Biking – https://mccauleyny.com/mountain_biking.html

 

4. Speaking of McCauley Mountain, make sure you ride their Chair Lift and enjoy the amazing views of the Fulton Chain of Lakes and Whiteface Mountain and Mount Marcy in the distance. You can even pack a lunch and have a picnic at the top! https://mccauleyny.com/chair_lift.html

 

5. If you really want to get a birds-eye view of the Adirondacks, a ride on a seaplane from Payne’s Air Service is highly recommended. And if you’re lucky, you might even spot a moose! Call 315-357-3971 or visit their website: http://www.paynesairservice.com/general-info

 

6. Another great mode of transportation to view the area by is hopping aboard a train at the Adirondack Scenic Railroad in Thendara. You can choose from a 1 ½ hour roundtrip adventure to Beaver River, where you travel thru forests and over rivers and streams or a three-hour roundtrip train ride to Big Moose. You can purchase a boxed lunch or visit their café car. Also highly popular, are the Adirondack Scenic Rail Bike Adventures that gets your blood pumping as you pedal thru the ADK forest. Each railbike seats four people and there are now two trips offered. Definitely a family fun adventure! https://adirondackrr.com/ https://adirondackscenicrailbikes.com/

 

7. If you prefer a slower paced activity, try your hand at the Thendara Golf Club, a beautiful, 18-hole par 72, Donald Ross-designed championship golf course. A number of famous golfers including Lee Trevino, Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus have played there. The meticulously maintained fairways and greens, coupled with the surrounding mountainside scenery, makes it a joy to play there, no matter your level of play. https://www.thendaragolfclub.com/

 

8. Old Forge may be best known for all of their outdoor activities, but if you’re a fan of the arts, make sure you check out View Center for Arts and Culture. This multi-arts center draws artists from across North America. There are four galleries, as well as the intimate performance space, Gould Hall. View also offers art classes and serves as a community center for the region. To learn more, visit them at viewarts.org.

 

9. Your vacation in Old Forge wouldn’t be complete unless you chose to go camping while you were there! And luckily, there are many ways you can experience the camping lifestyle! Located conveniently next to Water Safari, Old Forge Camping Resort has everything from RV and tent sites, to cabins you can rent. https://www.oldforgecamping.com. This campground is open year-round for family travel and getaway trips any season!

 

10. If Local Shopping and Cuisine are your pleasure during your family vacations, Old Forge has both! Handmade crafts and trade are featured in these classic American establishments. Visit ACE Hardware at the Old Forge Department Store or the Old Forge Hardware store (it’s unlike any other!). Pick up a gift for your favorite furry friend at Wagging IT In The ADK, and for your campsite, grab fresh foods at DiOrio’s Supermarket. Pizza and ice cream to fine dining, you will find what you’ve got a taste for in Old Forge. Here are some of the delicious options in the area:

• Screamen Eagle / Matts Draft House
• Tony Harper’s Pizza & Clam Shack
• Slickers Adirondack Tavern
• Front Door Diner/Back Door Bar
• Daiker’s
• Steak House
• Keen Kitchen
• Montezuma Winery
• Ozzie’s Coffee Bar
• Benny’s Ice Cream