A former healing town is now an outdoor destination
Saranac Lake first gained fame as a healing town. In the late 1800s, brisk mountain air was thought to cure tuberculosis, making the Adirondack Mountains region ideal for patients seeking cures. Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau founded the Adirondack Cottage Sanitarium here in 1884, and the destination grew significantly during the following decades. Although modern TB treatments made sanitariums obsolete, vacationers and permanent residents still enjoy Saranac Lake's crisp air, winter sports and compact downtown with locally owned businesses. Plus, reminders of the village's past remain, with preserved "cure cottages" serving as private homes, and the Trudeau Institute studying viral illnesses to this day.
Paddling, skiing, hiking and biking among many recreational options
Lined with dense woods and surrounded by the peaks of the Adirondack Mountains, Lake Flower and Upper and Lower Lake Saranac are among the many bodies of water in the area available for paddling, fishing, canoeing and kayaking. Hiking is another popular pastime, with one nearby option, Baker Mountain Trailhead, offering sweeping views of lakes and valleys from the summit. The Adirondack Rail Trail connects Lake Placid, Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake – known as the tri-lakes – over 34 miles of hiking and biking paths. Locals gear up in the winter for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at Dewey Mountain Recreation Center. "Everybody that lives here, they come out here to play outside. You can't beat it," says Chase Jermano, Saranac Lake resident and Realtor at Tina Leonard Real Estate.
Rustic homes in the woods and along the water
Home prices in Saranac Lake can vary greatly. Fixer-uppers on small lots can sell for under $100,000, while spacious custom properties facing the water have sold for up to $3.4 million. However, the median single-family home price is $350,000, with most properties selling for between $200,000 and $660,000.
Architectural styles are also diverse. Adirondack Architecture, which incorporates natural materials, steep roofs and front windows opening up to water views, is popular. Traditional-style homes from the early 1900s are common too, and other styles like Cape Cods, ranch-style and split-level homes can also be found. Near downtown, the Helen Hill Historic District has a collection of historic homes featuring cottages with "cure porches" – once used for tuberculosis patients to get fresh air – and other distinct styles like Queen Anne and Tudor Revival properties.
Jermano notes that Saranac Lake tends to feel more residential compared to nearby Lake Placid, which is a tourist destination with a major second-home market. "We do see some of that here, but it's not as strong. There are pretty good restrictions on rental properties," he says.
The Winter Carnival draws crowds from around the country
Saranac Lake's signature event is the Winter Carnival. Held over 10 days each year, this event invites crowds to check out ice sculptures, participate in the fry pan toss or snowshoe races, and watch the parade and fireworks show. The fireworks go off behind the winter carnival ice palace, a massive structure that's built and adorned with lights each year. Volunteers bring out cranes and chainsaws to cut and move the ice blocks for the palace.
Garry Trudeau, Saranac Lake native and "Doonesbury" cartoonist (who happens to be the great-grandson of Dr. Edward Livingston Trudeau, founder of the Adirondack Cottage Sanitarium), designs collectible posters and buttons corresponding with each year's theme, another enduring visual of the celebration.
Events in Saranac Lake continue year-round, including live music at venues like the Waterhole Music Lounge and a Saturday morning farmers market at Riverside Park. "The best part about Saranac Lake is that there are so many community-driven events. Everyone is super friendly," Jermano says.
Locally owned businesses contribute to downtown's unique character
Art galleries like the NorthWind Fine Arts Gallery and Adirondack Artists Guild Gallery, as well as independently owned shops like The Book Nook and Goody Goody's Toys & Games, line Broadway and Main Street. Locals can savor breakfast sandwiches and platters at Blue Moon Cafe or enjoy a burger and beer at Bitters & Bones. "Saranac is very local. There are a lot of local shops, and we don't have a big commercial presence," Jermano says. For essentials, Fusion Market has convenience items close to downtown, and Aldi is just down the road.
Kids attend the Saranac Lake Central School District
Students living in the area may begin at Petrova Elementary School and progress to Saranac Lake Middle School. Both these schools earn B-minus ratings from Niche. Students graduate from B-plus-rated Saranac Lake High School. This school has robust extracurricular options, including music ensembles such as the concert band and choir, and athletic teams such as ice hockey and skiing. Private options include the St. Bernard's School, a Catholic institution serving Pre-K through 5th grade. It is not yet rated by Niche.
Getting to and from Saranac Lake
Saranac Lake is car-dependent. The village receives an average of 108 inches of snowfall annually, so all-wheel or four-wheel drive vehicles with snow tires may be necessary in some conditions. The village is about 60 miles south of the Canada-United States Border, about 105 miles south of Montreal. Saranac Lake is also about 150 miles north of Albany, New York. The Adirondack Regional Airport, about 7 miles north of downtown Saranac Lake, has round-trip flights from Logan International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport. For medical care, the Adirondack Medical Center is in the village off Lake Colby.
Written By
Faith Wakefield
