Set in the Adirondacks, Tupper Lake has a slower pace of life
Perhaps the least developed of the Adirondack’s Tri-Lakes, Tupper Lake has a cozy community in a mountain setting and along the water. Locals here are a quick drive from the amenities and recreation of nearby Saranac and Lake Placid, which both have large tourism markets. However, Tupper Lake has its own charm, with locally owned businesses, parks and cultural institutions in a smaller village that feels less touristy and more established.
Adirondack architecture and farmhouses incorporate natural materials
Tupper Lake’s older homes on smaller, wooded lots create a cozy, small-town feel, but there are also more rural properties set deeper in the woods. Homebuyers will find a variety of price points in Tupper Lake. Fixer-uppers can sell for less than $100,000, while turnkey cottages, ranch-style houses and bungalows sell for between $100,000 and $350,000. Farmhouses with steep roofs and clapboard siding are also common. A few larger homes sell for more, with the most spacious properties on the water going for over $1 million. These pricier options often incorporate Adirondack architectural elements, with rustic cabin-style exteriors and oversized windows offering sweeping nature views.
Recreation on waterways and mountainsides
The area has many ponds and lakes, with Tupper Lake connecting to Simon Pond, Raquette Pond and Raquette River. Locals enjoy paddling and kayaking on the calm waters surrounded by rolling green mountains. “We’ll pick a random spot on the map, find a boat launch, find some firewood, get our cats, and pack to go camping. You can pick wherever, there’s so many [boat launches] in Saranac and Tupper,” says Chase Jermano, area resident and Realtor at Tina Leonard Real Estate. One of many nearby options for hiking and mountain biking is the Adirondack Rail Trail, a 34-mile path connecting the Tri-Lakes.
Tupper Lake Waterfront Park has peaceful views of Raquette Pond and facilities including basketball and volleyball courts, picnic tables, walking trails and the Little Loggers Playground, a rustic, themed jungle gym alluding to the town’s once thriving logging industry.
James C. Frenette Sr. Recreational Trails allow for cross-country skiing in Tupper Lake. The village was also once home to the Big Tupper Ski Resort, which has not operated since 2013. The property was sold in late 2024. The current owners have expressed interest in reopening to the public, but there is currently no plan for the resort’s return. “There’s something in the works. If they get it running again, the real estate market will go nuts,” Jermano says.
Farm-to-table at The Woodshed on Park, beer at Raquette River Brewing
Tupper Lake has many locally owned dining options. The Woodshed on Park has upscale dining options with made-in-house breads, sauces, pastas and more that diners can enjoy in this eclectic, dimly lit venue. “The Woodshed is an outstanding restaurant that people are always raving about. It’s farm-to-table with a very unique vibe and setting, and some outstanding drinks,” Jermano says. For more casual dining, Raquette River Brewing has beer flights to enjoy alongside plates of loaded nachos, pizza and tacos. For groceries, Shaheen’s IGA and Save A Lot are both in town.
Downtown Tupper Lake has cultural options as well. The restored circa-1914 Adirondack State Theater plays first-run movies, and the Tupper Arts Center sponsors events with local musicians and artists, teaches art classes and hosts exhibits.
Family-friendly events include Tupper Lake Field Day and Wild Lights
Visitors can change their outdoor perspective with the Wild Walk at The Wild Center. This elevated walking path offers panoramic views of the landscape and a viewing deck shaped like an oversized eagle’s nest. The Wild Center also has animal exhibits, educational programs and seasonal events like the Wild Lights. This winter attraction features thousands of lights and music compositions woven through the Wild Walk. “It’s a great thing to do in the cold, dead of winter,” Jermano says.
Each July, the community comes out to celebrate Tupper Lake Field Day. Families dress according to the year’s theme, which have historically included picks like a lumberjack luau or Christmas in July, and check out vendors, participate in activities including an ax-throwing competition, riding a mechanical bull and face painting.
Students attend the Tupper Lake Central School District
Students in the area typically begin at L.P. Quinn Elementary School, which has a C-minus from Niche, and continue to C-rated Tupper Lake Middle-High School. According to Niche, this small school has just over 400 students between grades six and 12, and an 11-to-1 student-to-teacher ratio. The school has a student-run online publication called the Flannel Free Press that highlights art, essays, photos and other student-created projects.
Getting around Tupper Lake and beyond
State Route 3 leads 70 miles northeast to Plattsburgh, New York. Tupper Lake is also about 75 miles south of the Canadian border, and Montreal is 130 miles away. Residents may opt for snow tires and vehicles with all- or four-wheel drive during the colder months, as the area receives an average of 108 inches of snowfall annually. The Adirondack Regional Airport is about 22 miles northeast of Tupper Lake. It services flights from John F. Kennedy International Airport and Boston Logan International Airport. The Tupper Lake Health Center offers primary care in the village, and the Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake has more services 22 miles east.
Written By
Faith Wakefield
