NEWSLETTER
Sitting at the crossroads of the Adirondack Park, Tupper Lake isn’t just any lake town. With pristine waters for paddling and picturesque hiking trails, Tupper Lake is the perfect destination to make you feel one with nature. Here’s your 48-hour guide to Tupper Lake’s finest.
Originally published 08/18/2015. Updated 9/19/2025.
Friday
2pm: Putt Around
As you swing into Tupper Lake, start off your trip with a round of mini golf at Timberjaxx Pass! The ADA-compliant 18-hole mini-golf course is inspired by the Adirondack wilderness with a 9-foot waterfall and hidden passages. Top off the fun with a special treat at their ice cream shop.
4pm: Settle in
Get cozy at Trailhead by Weekender near the Tupper Lake business district. Whether you're here to hike, fish, golf, snowmobile, or simply take in the breathtaking scenery, Trailhead is your four-season basecamp for adventure. After a day of exploring, unwind by the fire pit and breathe in the “Forever Wild” natural beauty.
5pm: Grab Dinner at The Woodshed on Park
Credit: @thewoodshedonpark on Instagram
Graze on gourmet dining with a French-Canadian twist at The Woodshed on Park. Chef Evan Sloan, a Tupper Lake native, takes pride in crafting dishes from scratch using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Start your meal with bean dip or corn bisque, and choose from entrees like skillet chicken and biscuits, or New York strip steak with confit potatoes. Pair your meal with expertly crafted cocktails such as the Bird of Prey or Cherry Chapstick. The restaurant’s ambiance has been described as “cozy Alice in Wonderland” combining woodsy decor with vintage antiques.
7:30pm: Watch the Sunset
Walk over to Tupper Lake Municipal Park to watch the sun go down. Sitting in the heart of the Village of Tupper Lake, the park is the perfect place to take a stroll or sit on the lake to watch the sun recede and the sky turn pink.
8:30pm: Try a Local Brew
Credit: @raquetteriverbrewing on Instagram
Want to sneak in a quick sample of the Adirondacks' booming craft beer scene? Head over to Raquette River Brewing, a microbrewery beloved for small-batch ales, including the inventive and tasty mango wheat ale and maple cream porter. The brewery regularly features live music and seasonal festivals.
Saturday
9am: Enjoy a Hearty Breakfast
Start your day off right with a classic diner breakfast at one of the local spots like Main Street Restaurant or Reandeau's Swiss Kitchen. You’ll need the calories for what lies ahead!
11:00am: Enter the Wild
Head up to the world-renowned Wild Center, where you can spend the afternoon wandering wildlife exhibits, watching otters swim, and roaming the nature trails. Propel your senses on the "Wild Walk," a mesmerizing elevated trail that sweeps you through the treetops, revealing whimsical treasures like a human-sized bird nest and an expansive hammock-like spider web.
3pm: Trek the Triad Trails
Spend the afternoon starting a leg of the Tupper Lake Hiking Triad. The Adirondacks are known for their hiking challenges, and the most family-friendly of the bunch is this three-mountain effort that's the perfect entry for new hikers. Mount Arab, Coney Mountain, and Goodman Mountain are all a short drive from Tupper Lake and range in duration from one to 1.7 miles.
6pm: Dine at Amado
Experience fine dining and al fresco ambiance at Amado. Start off with truffle and parm tots or fried yucca before diving into a wild boar italian sausage pizza, a sesame seared ahi tuna, or grilled tofu with sauteed kimchi. With vegan dishes, authentic Brazilian cuisine, surf and turf, there’s something for everyone.
7:30pm: Go Stargazing
Credit: @adkskycenter on Instagram
A night spent at the Adirondack Sky Center & Observatory is a night well spent–you’ll never see a sunset the same! Tupper Lake’s state-of-the-art facility is miles and miles away from surrounding city lights, making its stargazing and views of the expansive skyline truly unforgettable. When it gets dark, explore the above on a more micro level through various telescopes. It’s an out-of-this-world (sorry, we had to) experience!
Sunday
10am: Make Breakfast Sweeter
Grab a coffee and donut at The Washboard, a combination laundromat, donut shop, and gift shop that has been a staple in Tupper Lake for more than 30 years! You'll be able to spot it easily because the three-in-one business features two black and white horses on its roof.
10:30am: Hit the Beach
Spend the morning relaxing on Little Wolf Beach, considered by many Tupper-ites to be the town’s hidden gem. It’s a town-run facility for the whole family, with activities like paddle boarding, snorkeling, volleyball and nearby playgrounds for the little ones.
12pm: Explore the Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks
Head to the breathtaking Ausable Chasm, where naturally formed sandstone aging back to 500 million years ago creates nice cool shade and epic scenery. Make sure to take a family float tour through the Grand Flume and Whirlpool basin, or opt for rock climbing, rappelling, or a riverwalk.
How to get there:
By plane:
Landing at Adirondacks Regional Airport will put you only 30 minutes from Tupper Lake by car.
By bus:
Trailways or Greyhound to Saranac Lake, and then taxi or rideshare for a 25 minute drive to Tupper Lake.
By car:
- From Montreal: 2.5 hours
- From Albany: 2.5 hours
- From Boston: 5 hours
- From NYC: 5 hours
Don’t forget to post photos of your New York adventures on Instagram and Twitter with #ILoveNY and #iSpyNY and tag us on Facebook!