There’s a lot to love about visiting the Adirondacks, but the chance to stay at one of the top-rated Upstate New York Resorts is certainly chief among them. Our Boutique Hotel in Upstate New York offers upscale accommodations, exquisite farm-to-table dining, and unprecedented access to nature, all without leaving our resort. It’s truly the all-encompassing getaway in the Adirondacks you’ve been craving.

The beauty of staying at top-rated Upstate New York Resorts like ours is that you don’t have to worry about making plans for dinner or finding things to do – there’s plenty for you to enjoy right here. However, the Adirondacks are beautiful and worthy of exploring – and when you stay at our hotel, you’ll be well-situated to enjoy some of the best things to do in the Adirondacks.

Spring, summer, fall, or winter – there’s never a wrong time to visit exceptional Upstate New York Resorts like ours. Regardless of what’s going on outside, there are always cozy, comfortable accommodations to call home, with hospitality so welcoming you’ll feel like a pampered member of our family. It’s time to discover Friends Lake Inn, one of the best Upstate New York resorts. Book your room with us today!

One of the Best Upstate New York Resorts in the Adirondacks

Why We're One of the Best Upstate New York Resorts

To call ourselves one of the best Upstate New York Resorts is a big claim, but it’s one we think we can easily back up. Friends Lake Inn, a charming 18-room boutique hotel, is a short drive away from Lake George. We’re located across the street from the quieter and more peaceful Friends Lake, and we offer a range of upscale accommodations, onsite dining, and private access to nature. In short, we offer everything you need to enjoy a memorable stay in the Adirondacks.

We’re the only lodging in the Adirondacks that offers this combination of amenities, not to mention offering a tranquil and peaceful setting in which you can fully relax. Each of our uniquely appointed guest rooms has its own character and charm, and they are outfitted with a range of luxurious amenities.

The Lake Rooms are the most luxurious and spacious. Each comes outfitted with king beds, spa-like bathrooms, fireplaces, porches, or balconies, among other high-end amenities. The sophisticated Tree Rooms all offer king beds, plus a mix of other exceptional features such as balconies, soaker tubs, and steam showers. In contrast, the Bird Rooms are the coziest rooms perfect for the couple that plans to adventure beyond our doors.

Though the accommodations are delightful, one of the best things about staying at Upstate New York Resorts like ours is that you don’t have to worry about where you’re going to eat, thanks to our onsite dining. Breakfast is included with your stay and is made fresh to order for you each morning. You’re welcome to enjoy a drink or lighter fare with us in the Birch Bistro in the evenings, but we urge you to enjoy dining in our upscale dining room at least once during your stay. The Adirondack Dining Room provides the perfect spot for intimate dining focusing on farm-to-fork dining, minus all the formal dress requirements. Reservations are encouraged.

We’re more than just one of the best Upstate New York Resorts, though. Friends Lake Inn has also been rated as one of the most romantic getaways in the Adirondacks. This is, perhaps, why so many couples choose our hotel for romantic getaways, anniversary and birthday celebrations, weddings, elopements, honeymoons, babymoons, and more. The ambiance here is remarkable and isn’t something that can be replicated at other Upstate New York Resorts.

The Best Things to do in Adirondacks

There are a variety of reasons people plan getaways to Upstate New York Resorts like ours. Primarily, people are coming here to unplug and relax, surrounded by the area’s stunning natural beauty. However, relaxing isn’t the only thing to do up here – there are plenty of things to do in the Adirondacks, depending on the season you visit.

The Adirondacks region of Upstate New York is vast – it’s the largest protected area in the lower 48 states. There are more than 2,000 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails in the Adirondacks, along with approximately 1,200 miles of river and thousands of lakes or other bodies of water. That alone means it’s impossible to see everything in one trip.

Our Upstate New York Hotel is located near Lake George, in the southern portion of the Adirondacks. Even so, it’s easy to get up north to places like Lake Placid and Whiteface Mountain while you’re here – it just depends on how much you want to do and how adventurous you want to get. Here are some of our favorite things to do in the Adirondacks:

Go hiking. And when you’re done, go hiking again! There are an incredible numbing of hiking trails in the Adirondacks, and we’d be happy to recommend our favorites for you. Fall is also a spectacular season to enjoy hiking. Come winter, many of these trails are great for snowshoeing or cross country skiing, too.
Similarly, mountain biking is one of the best things to do in the Adirondacks.
The Adirondacks are home to some of the best ski resorts in New York, including our nearby favorite, Gore Mountains. More great places to visit include Whiteface Mountain and Lake Placid. As a bonus, all of these places are just as wonderful to see in the summer and fall as they are in winter.
High Falls Gorge is one of the most beautiful hikes in the Adirondacks, and it’s just about an hour from our hotel.
Many people coming to Upstate New York Resorts are looking for adventure, and that’s what you’ll find at the aptly named Adirondacks Adventure Center. From relaxed river tubing and treetop walks to thrilling ziplines and whitewater rafting trips, this is the place to experience some of the top things to do in the Adirondacks.
Ride the historic rails with Revolution Rail, a ride that takes you along the Hudson River and through the beautiful scenery of the Adirondacks.
There are endless options for paddling in the Adirondacks, but one of our favorite places is just across the street. Friends Lake is privately accessed, providing unparalleled tranquility as you paddle – just one more reason we’re one of the best Upstate New York Resorts. For a bigger boating adventure, head to neighboring Lake George. It’s one of the best lakes in the Adirondacks region!
Sit back and enjoy the scenery on a historic Paddleboat cruise on Lake George. It’s stunning in the summer but even more breathtaking come fall.
Explore the Adirondack’s beautiful winter scenery by snowmobile. It’s one of the most popular things to do in the Adirondacks, and there are plenty of places to race through the trees.
Sometimes, just getting out for a scenic drive through the Adirondacks is all you need to do. This is particularly true in the fall when foliage reaches its peak.

When is the Best Time to Visit the Adirondacks?

As you can see from the above activities, there really isn’t a bad time to visit the Adirondacks. There’s genuinely plenty to do up here any time of year. Even so, summer is by far the most popular season to visit the Adirondacks.

Thanks to the long days and warm yet mild weather enjoyed here during the summer, the Adirondacks provide an exceptional escape from the city. For many, this is why summer is the best time to visit Upstate New York Resorts like ours. You can expect your summer days to be filled with things like golfing, biking, camping, fishing, canoeing, rafting, ballooning, hiking, horse riding, mountain climbing, water sports, spas, and so much more.

Our Upstate New York Resort provides a beautiful place to relax and enjoy some downtime in the evenings. Enjoy a delicious meal in our Adirondacks Dining Room, followed by s’mores at our outside fire pit and a glass of wine on your private porch or balcony, surrounded at all times by the gentle lull of the forest and lake that surround us.

It’s pretty hard to argue with summers in the Adirondacks, but we assure you the other seasons offer plenty as well. Many of these same things enjoyed in summer are possible in fall, too – a season that is made even more dramatically beautiful when fall foliage puts on its annual show. Winter is its own special season, too. When the snow begins to fly, winter sports enthusiasts layer up and head outside for downhill skiing and snowboarding, snowshoeing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, and so much more.

We’ve said it before, but it bears repeating. There’s no bad time to visit the Adirondacks, especially when you have luxurious Upstate New York Resorts like ours to call home while you’re here. It’s time you see it for yourself. Book your room and experience the beauty of the Adirondacks this year.