Broadalbin is a small town in the foothills of the Adirondacks, tucked along the southern shores of Great Sacandaga Lake. The six-million-acre Adirondack Park stretches into the town’s northern half, where outdoor enthusiasts fish, boat and paddle on the lake. Natural landscapes surround the Village of Broadalbin, a quaint Main Street community with local businesses that serve the area. Residents here enjoy a slower pace of life with access to larger cities in the Capital Region, with State Route 29 running through the village and connecting Broadalbin to Johnstown, the county seat, about 10 miles away.
Year-round recreation near Great Sacandaga Lake and the Adirondacks
Great Sacandaga Lake is a year-round spot for outdoor recreation. The state maintains a public boat launch for powerboating and paddling, and Sand Island is a popular place for boaters to anchor and spend the day. Several marinas and campgrounds line the waterfront, and the lake is also known for its diverse fish population. Anglers often catch smallmouth bass, northern pike and walleye, with ice-fishing popular during snowy months.
Winter brings about 5 feet of snow annually, and the FJ&G Trail offers over a mile of paved path between Broadalbin and Vail Mills for cross-country skiing in winter and walking, biking or running in warmer months. Snowmobilers can explore more than 400 miles of snowmobile trails across Fulton and Montgomery Counties, while winter sports enthusiasts can head to Adirondack ski destinations like West Mountain and Gore Mountain. In the village center, Kenside Park has picnic tables and benches for quiet recreation near Kennyetto Creek. For golfers, nearby Holland Meadows Golf Course has a public 18-hole course.
Housing ranges from 19th-century village homes to lakefront cabins
The town offers a wide range of housing styles that suit various lifestyles. Homes in the village center sit on quiet tree-lined streets and range from Cape Cod and raised ranch-style to 19th-century builds with Victorian, Classical and Colonial Revival elements. Development extends across town with winding roads passing country retreats and ranch-style homes with up to several acres of land. There are also waterfront cottages and cabins overlooking Great Sacandaga Lake. Properties typically sell for $140,000 to $530,000, though lakefront properties can exceed $600,000. Broadalbin’s median lot size is just below half an acre, and its overall CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10 is lower than the national average of 4.
Downtown has local favorites, near bigger cities like Saratoga Springs
The Village of Broadalbin has a quaint downtown with a handful of shops and restaurants. Main Street favorites include Broadalbin Antique Mall and Adirondack Country Market, a one-stop shop for groceries, household essentials and deli sandwiches. Pizza Supreme and Broadalbin Diner are go-to spots for casual eats, while Stacy’s Scratch Kitchen serves a weekly rotating menu of elevated American classics made with local ingredients. Downtown is also home to the Broadalbin Library and houses of worship like Broadalbin Baptist Church. On Route 29, residents can grab a craft beer at Project 29 Pub and Filling Station before heading across the highway for a movie at the Ozoner 29 Twin Drive-In Theatre. Bigger retailers are in Amsterdam and Johnstown, and Saratoga Springs is close enough for a day trip to explore its arts scene, thoroughbred horse racing course and mix of local businesses.
Broadalbin-Perth schools receive B-range ratings from Niche
The Broadalbin-Perth Central School District earns an overall grade of B from Niche and has an average student-to-teacher ratio of 12-to-1. Broadalbin-Perth Elementary School and Broadalbin-Perth Junior/Senior High School both score a B-minus. High school course offerings include a science research class that gives students hands-on experience in environmental science as they build fish cribs, construct artificial reefs and monitor fish behavior to support local habitats in Great Sacandaga Lake.
Annual parade and Adirondack Animal Land light up the holiday season
Downtown is a hub for community events. The annual Broadalbin Christmas Parade brings holiday cheer to Main Street before residents gather at the village office for hot cocoa and pictures with Santa. Just outside town, Adirondack Animal Land features a drive-thru safari and petting zoo known for its dazzling Christmas display with thousands of twinkling lights.
Route 29 links Broadalbin to Saratoga Springs, Johnstown and beyond
Residents live in a car-dependent area with few sidewalks and no public transportation. State Route 29 is the town’s main highway, leading east to Saratoga Springs and west to Johnstown. It’s about a 45-mile drive to Albany and 40 miles to Albany International Airport. For healthcare needs, Nathan Littauer Hospital is just over 8 miles away.
![Sally Stimpson]()
Written By
Sally Stimpson
