Stay in a vacation rental with the whole family!
Planning for a family vacation can be difficult, but with all the activities and vacation rentals the Whiteface Region has to offer, picking out priorities for your itinerary has never been easier. Whether you’re traveling with your children, Grandma and Grandpa, or even bringing along your entire extended family, our communities can cater to everyone’s interests and capabilities. Come along as we answer some of your trip questions and give you the scoop on the best vacation rentals in the Whiteface Region.
We’re visiting with our entire extended family. Where should we stay? What can we do as a group?
Finding space for all your aunts, uncles, cousins, siblings, children, and more might just be the most daunting part of planning any trip. Luckily, booking your vacation rental through Adirondack-Vacation allows you to choose from over 10 properties that sleep groups in the double digits. Each spot on their roster permits you to bring your pets, so don’t leave anyone out of your vacation!
With a range of ages and interests coming along, activities everyone will love are a must. That's why hot tub soaks and fire pits perfect for roasting marshmallows are offered at every property. But where on Earth should a group of all ages go? Taking a drive up the Whiteface Veterans’ Memorial Highway can be a catch-all for interest levels and abilities.
Along the way, stop at one of the pull-overs for a picnic, with packed lunches and sammies from Little Supermarket (Little Super as we like to call it) in Wilmington. Once you’ve reached the uppermost parking area, take the short hike up to the summit for 360 degree views of the northern Adirondacks, and peer through the stationary binoculars. Be sure to stay off the alpine vegetation, it comprises some of the rarest plants in all of New York state! For those who can't (or don't want to) hike to the view, take the elevator instead. Yes, there’s an elevator that goes straight up though the upper part of the mountain, bringing you to the Summit House, and it is ADA-accessible. At the end of your visit, stop in at the Castle Gift Shop for souvenirs.
Where could we stay, and what places could we visit, if we’re taking a trip with Grandma and Grandpa?
The Whiteface Region may be known for its adrenaline rushes on the ski slopes and big mountain biking, but leisure travel and relaxing outdoor activities abound here too. Stay at Josie’s Retreat in Wilmington, a quiet property on 3 private acres of Adirondack land. This space feels like home away from home; not too luxurious, but perfectly cozy. Close to town, this place gives you and the grandparents quick access to supplies for your stay, and to all the local dining options for you to explore. Up A Creek Restaurant is less than a half mile from your door, so morning coffee and breakfast is a walk away. Dinner at the Hungry Trout or Cadence Lodge is also a quick drive in the other direction.
The big mountain views our region offers aren’t off-limits to our elders! The Cloudsplitter Gondola at Whiteface Mountain gets you and yours to a scenic observation deck and picnic area, with sights including Lake Placid, the High Peaks, and the winding valley that follows the West Branch of the Ausable River. Pick up a Lake Placid Legacy Sites Passport to experience more historic and scenic sites like this with the grandparents.
My partner and I are travelling with our baby. Are there lodging and activities for us?
Having a baby or toddler doesn’t mean nixing your adventure plans. Sure, things have changed, but making plans with the little one (or two or three) in mind doesn’t have to be difficult. Adirondack Mountain Retreats has some serene properties for a young family, like the Couples Retreat in Au Sable, the Zen Den in Jay, and the cozy Coleman Cabin in Jay. Blue Pepper Farm is great for groups of young families, as they have cribs for the little ones. It’s also located on a working farm with plenty of animals to visit, and a pool for a relaxing, end of day dip.
All of these options put you close to chill hikes you could do with your baby in the carrier pack. The Owen, Copperas, and Winch Pond loop is a prime example, with a lean-to along the way in case you need a flat spot to change diapers and take a breather. Bonus: you get tons of views along each body of water, and the grades are never too steep. Another great option for toting around a baby on your back is Cobble Lookout, with views down to Wilmington and the Ausable River watershed.
At some point on your trip, you need to visit the North Pole. You heard that right! Santa’s Workshop is right in town, and Wilmington welcomes all for chill train rides and plenty of photo ops with Saint Nick and his reindeer. You’re sure to get some keepsake photos to look back on with fondness.
We have young kids/teens coming with us. Any suggestions?
This might be one of the best age groups for the Whiteface Region! The kiddos will be excited to chip away at the Wonders of Wilmington (WOW) Challenges. The WOW Family Fun Challenge includes beginner hikes less than two miles round-trip each, and gets everyone outdoors and enjoying the Adirondack wilderness. We love Connery Pond for its stunning views, and Silver Lake Bog and Bluffs for those wanting to teach their kids about incredible wetland plants. If your family is feeling particularly adventurous, there are some longer hikes in the WOW Hiking Challenge, like Jay Mountain, that may tucker your kids out enough for you to get some quiet hot tub time at your vacation rental.
Speaking of, Sugar House ADK Base Camp puts you in the center of all these hiking trails, and also holds amenities fit for family fun. From a game room with pool and ping pong tables, to a hot tub and fire pit, the fun doesn’t stop when you get done hiking. Another option is the Algonquin Mountain Chalet, also fit with a game room, plenty of space for kids to roam, and even a barrel sauna for the parents to get away. Take home some food from The Twisted Raven while you’re on your way back from a day away, and take a night off from cooking!
I have a relative who uses a wheelchair. Are there things for us to do?
Disability-friendly attractions and resources are everywhere in the Whiteface Region. Not only could you hop on the Cloudsplitter Gondola or take the drive up Whiteface Mountain, as mentioned above, but you could also experience one of the area’s most impressive geological wonders. At High Falls Gorge, ADA-compliant trails take you above waterfalls, through narrow gorges, and to scenic views that’ll take your breath away. It’s magic.
Jay and Upper Jay are lovely spots for those using a wheelchair, with plenty of accessible activities. The Jay Entertainment and Music Society hosts all sorts of events, including Music on the Green. It’s also a short ways away from the Jay Covered Bridge. Down the road, dining at the Ice Jam Inn is accessible, and a quick call ahead of time will let them set up a ramp for you to enjoy a quintessential Adirondack eatery experience.
The Cadence Lodge offers amazing accessibility features, and works hard to ensure that all guests have the experience they want and deserve. Check them out, and book a stay that’ll put you smack dab in the middle of the Whiteface Region.
Make the Whiteface Region your family’s next getaway. With the endless opportunities for dining, countless places to stay, and incredible family fun, this is a region we’re sure you’ll be coming back to visit for the rest of your life!
