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ADKids guide
Top 50 locations in New York
byJaime Manka and
Edward Smathers
Live update: Updated May 16, 2022Copy link
Copy link1. Hague Town Beach Park, Lake Shore Drive, Hague, NY, USA
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:
Jaime MankaSuch a Wonderful and Relaxing Beach with a Playground, restrooms, parking, and walk to restaurants.
Make sure you have a full tank of gas as there is not a station nearby. The closest station is a true relic and charges "lake prices" 20 minutes south on 9N from Hague. Shop keepers there are super friendly and always cooking something with bacon.
Headed towards the beach frim the parking lot to the left is the visitor center and restrooms. Further on is the Playground area, then a small wooded/shaded area on the beach where I recommend tossing out your blanket and setting up as you will be directly between the playground and the water's edge.
Safe and shallow waters for the littles to play and splash in. No need for worries here, sitting in this preferred spot is ideal to keep an eye on the water and the playground, especially if you have multiple children that go off in opposite directions.
https://townofhague.org/town-park/
https://townofhague.org/town-park/
2. The Beach at Huddle Bay Rd Bolton Landing, NY
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaThis is an unmanned beach, no lifeguard.
Huddle Bay Rd. Bolton Landing
is super tiny, super clean, easy, accessible, shallow, warmer water, part shade, porta-potty on-premise, trash cans on-premise, picnic tables on-premise, uncrowded, secret beach!
3. Tenant Creek Falls Trail Head, Mudcreek Road, Hadley, NY, USA
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaHope Falls.
Enjoy a very scenic drive to this destination. Super simple hike. 0.9 mile in to the 1st fall. This was the only fall I have gone to in this location as I have yet to travel to the next two falls for they are on an unmarked trail. I want to though, when I have more of a group to go with.
I carry two toddlers in front and back packs. I was able to do this with my hiking poles. Very safe swimming hole for the littles and deep enough closer to the fall for a dip. A child of age 4 and up can easily walk this. Ages 2 and 3 they will stumble quite a bit. Bring water shoes, water, lunch, towels. Very relaxing and private.
https://www.adirondack.net/business/tenant-creek-falls-12941/
https://www.adirondack.net/business/tenant-creek-falls-12941/
4. Charles R. Wood Park
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaPappy's Adventure Playground is located on the outside of Charles R. Wood Park (formerly the Gaslight Village) in Lake George, NY.
A stunning combination of natural play and wildlife preserve. Fun for all ages. Take a stroll up to the Lake George Strip for soft serve icecream after playing. I prefer to go on cooler days as there is not shaded areas.
https://www.lakegeorge.com/guides/charles-r-wood-park/pappys-playground/
5. Split Rock Falls
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaOk... this was AWESOME. Not much of a hike.. more like a scramble to get down to the swim area. Watershoes are an absolute must.
#adkfunplacestogo
6. Delong-Usher Park, New York 9L, Lake George, NY, USA
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaFrom the parking lot is the Playground, 2 pavilions, the restrooms to your left, and tennis courts straight out past the playground. The playground equipment is for all ages and in the shade. The paved walkway to the beach is very steep, be mindful not to bring too much. Once at the top of the stairs to the right is another set of restrooms. The right side of the beach has shade, left is full sun. This is a super safe, extremely clean, and well managed property. Shallow swimming area perfect for non-walkers to sit in the water and toddlers to splash around. A beach where parents can relax.
https://www.lakegeorge.com/business/ushers-park-beach-8742/
7. Warren County Fish Hatchery, Echo Lake Road, Warrensburg, NY, USA
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaThe Warrensburg Fish Hatchery was a Great Surprise. Pavillions, BBQ, restrooms, small playground in sand so bring the sand toys. On the entrance to the Hatchery is Echo Lake Beach. So beautiful and quiet! This will Playdate will be had again!
Julia ShablaevaLooks great!
ALSO FEATURED IN:Top 50 locations in United States
8. Echo Lake Warrensburg, NY
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaCute, Clean Beach. Agility Course.
9. Jungle Experience Zoo
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime Manka#adkfunplacestogo
Jungle Experience Zoo
Definitely worth the trip. You're not rushed, you can stay as long as you'd like, pack a lunch and eat it in the picnic area with the reptiles. This is a small Zoo with a good amount of animals. There are cage free animals running around for the kids to touch. Safe, friendly, can pay to feed the animals, can pay to hold a snake or interact with a kangaroo, clean for being around a bunch of animals. The port-a-potty is located by the picnic/reptiles area which is also clean and has a handwashing feature!
Bring sun block, water, food.
$10 per person 2 and under are free.
DO NOT TAUNT THE ANIMALS!
10. Natural Stone Bridge & Caves
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaA review by Laura Weston
September 20, 2021.
Just wanted to share a recommendation since I hadn't seen it mentioned before. This morning I decided on a whim to take my kids (4.5 years and 4 months) to Natural Stone Bridge & Caves in Pottersvile (exit 26). We absolutely loved it. It was $17 for adults, $9 for children 5-12, and free for kids 4 and under. It was definitely a tricky trail with a lot of ups and downs but my 4 year old loved borrowing a hiking stick (free) and leading the way, exploring every cave and overlook possible. Definitely not for wanderers, as there are a lot of areas where wandering could lead to disaster. They also had a little dino dig area and tons of cool rocks and fossils. The staff was so nice and helpful and we bought a geode to pop and take home. They're open until mid-October 🥾
#adkfunplacestogo
ALSO FEATURED IN:Top 50 locations in United States
11. Harry J. Betar Jr. Recreational Park at Moreau Rec.
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaFree, Stroller Friendly, Restroom, Picnicking, Splash Pad, Playgrounds for all ages.
#adkfunplacestogo
Opposite side of Original Playground is a New Playground with Splash Pad.
Harry J. Betar Jr. Recreational Park at Moreau Rec.
Fort Edward, NY 12828
(518) 793-0196 https://g.co/kgs/wM3BrL
12. Gurney Lane Recreation Area
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaGurney Lane Recreation Area
118 Gurney Lane, Queensbury, NY 12804
(518) 761-8216 https://g.co/kgs/bsNo4D
13. Moreau Lake State Park
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaBeach, Trails, Lifeguards, Swimming, Kayaking, Bird Watching, Warming Hut, Camping, Grilling, Pavillions, Wildlife, 2 Playgrounds. This Lake State Park Has It All!
Moreau Lake State Park
605 Old Saratoga Rd, Gansevoort, NY 12831
(518) 793-0511 https://g.co/kgs/A8iKMc
https://www.facebook.com/MoreauLakeStatePark/
14. Pack Demonstration Forest
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaJust getting out and walking this educational trail.
2,500 acre environmental demonstration forest maintained by SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Self-guided 1 mile Grandmother's Tree Nature Trail. Includes an 85 acre lake. Nature Trail is wheelchair accessible.
Bring bug spray, water, lunch, and appropriate attire for the woods. Pack Forrest was Amazing! Grandmother's Trail in Pack Forrest is Toddler and New Walker friendly, stroller friendly, also educational with informative plaques posted every so often. BRING MOSQUITO SPRAY!
15. Corinth Elementary PTSO
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaThis Elementary School Playground is Phenomenal and open to the public during the summer and anytime school is not in session. Fantastic and fun Equipment for all ages. Port-a-Potty and Drinking fountain on-site.
#adkfunplacestogo
16. Hudson Crossing Park
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaExplore- Hudson Crossing Park Schuylerville, NY
What an Amazing find. Absolutely peaceful, beautiful, relaxing, and so much more!. There will be a plethora of Events hosted here in the future to come. Paths, trails, sensory gardens, wildlife, pavilions, stories, water, the lock... Very Magical and rivals Up Yonda Farm 😯😯. Bring bikes, all terrain strollers, carriers. So much outdoor play!
#adkfunplacestogo
17. Hovey Pond Park
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaHovey Pond Park-Freedom Park was Amazing today. I feel the need to add; cooler temperature days and morning is the best time to visit this park as there is little shade coverage from the sun.
The Playground, Pond, Gardens, Preserve all very educational, well kept, and so much fun for the kids. Turtles, birds, ducks, fish, geese so much wildlife to find.
Definitely a must to explore.
#adkfunplacestogo
18. Up Yonda Farm
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaOk.. I Can Not Say Enough about this Magical Farm! The only animals are the reptiles that are being rehabilitated inside i.e. Turtles mostly. The Walk is Amazing, Story Walk, Sensory Garden, The Museum, The Trails, The Butterfly Preserve. So Much To List! All Ages. $5 per vehicle. I go almost every other week in the warmer months. I never want to leave. The Toddlers have an extremely amazing time. Bring Lunch And Snacks as you will be there ALL DAY!
https://upyondafarm.com/
https://www.facebook.com/UpYondaFarm/
19. West End Park
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaCute, Quick, and Fun. Toddler Friendly! Easy to get to and off the Beaten Path!
20. Montcalm Street Park
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaPerfect for Toddlers and Older Kids. Pack a Lunch and toss out a blanket for a picnic. Tennis Court too.
21. Adirondack Experience, the Museum on Blue Mountain Lake
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime Mankahttps://www.theadkx.org/
https://www.facebook.com/theADKX/
22. Haviland Cove Park
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaHaviland Cove Park
Bush St, Glens Falls, NY 12801
(518) 615-0446 https://g.co/kgs/rHcJpn
23. Warren County Public Playgrounds
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaA PDF to An Awesome Map for Warren County Public Playgrounds https://warrencountyny.gov/sites/default/files/healthservices/kids/play_map.pdf
24. Shelving Rock Falls
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaRecommended this place!
ALSO FEATURED IN:Top 50 locations in United States
25. John Dillon Park
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaThisnis Someone Else's Review. I will eventually do my own. Can't wait!
John Dillon Park. This park is in Long Lake, NY and welcomes all kinds of visitors, but especially those with disabilities. 😀
John Dillon Park has wheelchair accessible trails, including the 2.5-mile (5 miles round trip) Handsome Pond Trail. This trail is mostly graveled, but does have some boardwalk sections. The gravel was surprisingly very smooth & wheelchairs handle it like a champ!
In addition to accessible trails, John Dillon Park also has 9 lean-to’s, all of which are wheelchair accessible. They have some lean-to’s with fold-down beds even, and all of them come with accessible picnic tables, fire pits, and you can have electricity to charge your wheelchair if needed. If you’re looking for the ultimate outdoors camping experience, this is it! And best of all, it’s completely free to stay here!
The park also offers boating trips on an accessible pontoon boat and has places to go fishing in Grampus Lake. It is a beautiful area & I love how accessible it is! Much of the accessibility is thanks to John Dillon Park’s Outreach Coordinator, Jason Thurston, and he is a wheelchair user himself.
26. Swede Mountain Firetower
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaSwede Mt. was a little rough and it took longer with kids. It is doable while carrying babies.
You Will Need Hiking Poles. All ages can do this hike! The parking lot gets full pretty quick. I recommend getting there no later than 10am. It took us about 2.5 hours round trip with little walkers and carrying babies.
#adkfunplacestogo
ALSO FEATURED IN:Top 50 locations in United States
27. Meadowbrook Preserve
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaMeadowbrook Preserve Walk Queensbury today was Awesome. I had no idea about this area. It has to be one of the most toddler friendly walks ever. I will be going back. The toddlers had so much fun exploring the leaves, trees, moss, and mushrooms. BOB stroller friendly, Not Regular stroller.. must be all terrain.
#adkfunplacestogo
28. Magic Forest
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaPerfect for walkers up to age 5/6. The Rides are Nostalgic. Definitely get a Season pass if you have this age group. All the rides are geared to those who can sit up and hold on unassisted.
29. The Wild Center
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaNot My Review. I have gone and this review is perfect.
I have been but Definitely get A Library Pass at your Local Library.
Y’all, The Wild Center is one of the coolest museums I’ve ever been to. I spent a few hours at The Wild Center and it was sooo much fun! 😄 Some of my favorite things at The Wild Center were:
🔹 Wild Walk- I was able to roll on a smooth, accessible path above the treetops. The Wild Walk gave me a different (and much higher) perspective of the Adirondacks.
🔹 Forest Music This trail winded through the forest and was surprisingly smooth to roll on. As I rolled on the trail, I saw various sculptures and heard music on 24 speakers spread throughout the woods. The sights and sounds made for a really unique experience and showed me how spectacular the outdoors truly are.
🔹 Hall of the Adirondacks - This is the indoor museum. I saw otters, turtles, fish, and learned all about the Adirondacks & nature in general.
The Wild Center is a museum unlike any other museum that I’ve been to. I absolutely loved it & was so happy to find such great accessibility! Whether indoors or outdoors on nature trails, I could tell that The Wild Center aims to be a place for all to enjoy the best of the Adirondacks.
30. Mullen Park
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaHaven't been here yet. Perfect for off the beaten path.
31. Fort Edward Village Recreation
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime Mankahttps://villageoffortedward.com/departments/recreation/
32. Dean Farm Heritage Trail
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaWheelchair accessible.
https://www.visitlakegeorge.com/blog/hiking-highlight-dean-farm-heritage-trail
33. Glens Falls Recreation Ice Center
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaDiscover Glens Falls.
Link to all that GF has to offer.
https://www.glensfallsliving.com/blog/hometown-family-july-2021
34. Visit Glens Falls
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaDiscover Glens Falls
These are Links For Some Awesome Parks and Activities to do. Things may be double listed. Just trying to be thorough. Many Fun places.
https://www.glensfallsliving.com/blog/hometown-family-july-2021
https://www.glensfalls.com/things-to-do/parks-landmarks-nature/parks-picnic-spots/
35. Lake George Recreation Center
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaDiscover a waterfall only .4 miles onto the trail.
https://g.co/kgs/jF7hiA
https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-york/lake-george-rec-center
https://www.lakegeorge.com/business/lake-george-recreation-center-22326/
https://www.visitlakegeorge.com/blog/hiking-highlight-dean-farm-heritage-trail
36. Birch Bark Bookshop
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaNostalgic and 750,000 books.
https://www.facebook.com/Birchbark-Bookshop-1634291466790075/
https://birchbarkbookshop.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/142629545825779/posts/4184196745002352/
37. Lake George Lanes & Games
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaBeautiful Building, Many activities and great deals. Indoor Playground for crawlers up to age 12. Watch for deals on their FB page.!
https://www.facebook.com/sparetimelakegeorge/
http://www.lakegeorgelanesandgames.com/
38. Sagamore Street Park
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaSagamore Street Park
24 Sagamore St, Glens Falls, NY 12801
(518) 615-0446 https://g.co/kgs/b58HmR
https://www.glensfalls.com/business/sagamore-street-park-24378/
39. Wiggle Worms Playland Saratoga
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaWiggle Worms Playland Saratoga
3065 NY-50, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
(518) 306-6728 https://g.co/kgs/vQic8Q
40. Pagenstecher Park
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaPagenstecher Park
Pagenstecher Park
2 3rd St, Corinth, NY 12822 https://g.co/kgs/ibcTML
41. NYS DEC Old Gick Parcel of Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaNYS DEC Old Gick Parcel of Wilton Wildlife Preserve & Park
4402 NY-50, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
(518) 450-0321 https://g.co/kgs/hZZVXH
42. Hudson River Park
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaHudson River Park
Big Boom Rd, Queensbury, NY 12804 https://g.co/kgs/Nevdc4
43. Crandall Park
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaCrandall Park
Fire Rd, Glens Falls, NY 12801
(518) 615-0446 https://g.co/kgs/RiAHQn
44. East Field Park
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaEast Field Park
65 Haskell Avenue, Glens Falls, NY 12801
(518) 615-0446 https://g.co/kgs/cyJkoE
45. Coles Woods
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaColes Woods
Trails for Walking
40 Parkview Ave, Queensbury, NY 12804
(518) 761-8216 https://g.co/kgs/BxYSpp
https://www.visitlakegeorge.com/recreation/coles-woods-trails
46. Bear Slide Trail Head
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaBear Slide Trail Head
Bring your Hiking Pole, Trash Bags for sliding down the water fall, maybe a crash helmet, Water shoes, Lunch, drinking water. So much Fun. Hard to get up the 1st 2/10 of the trail but doable.
River Rd, Warrensburg, NY 12885 https://g.co/kgs/5bf7zH
https://nnywaterfalls.com/buttermilkbrook/buttermilkfalls/
ALSO FEATURED IN:Top 50 locations in United States
47. Wicks from the Sticks
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaGet your craft on here. WFTS always has an Event planned to create a craft for all ages.
Mention ADKMA'S for $1off Events.
https://wicksfromthesticks.square.site/
Wicks from the Sticks
110 Main St, South Glens Falls, NY 12803
(518) 409-4973 https://g.co/kgs/LBCrE1
48. Pilot Knob Trail Head
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaRecommended this place!
49. Cat and Thomas Mountains Preserves
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaRecommended this place!
50. Buck Mountain Trailhead
PEOPLE ARE SAYING:Jaime MankaRecommended this place!
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