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Photo credit by bobistraveling

Whether a vacation will be a success or not is largely decided during the choosing of the destination. The one thing that makes a destination stand out above all others is the amount of entertainment options available in the area. When most people think of vacationing in New York, they picture crowded tourist attractions like the Statue of Liberty, Times Square and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. However, there is much more to New York than the highly populated areas of New York City. One of the most beautiful areas of the state also is one of the least populated. The Adirondack Mountain region sits in the northeastern portion of New York, and the bulk of the area is set aside in one form of government protected land or another. Despite the fact that this is one of the least populated areas of a very populated state, there is no shortage of wonderful things to do for those that visit the area.

Experience the Ausable Chasm

The Ausable river flows through one of the more fascinating areas of the Adirondacks, filled with unique and mind blowing rock formations. Visitors can hike through the area to see the river as it winds its way among the rock formations, but that isn't the best way to experience this section of the river. The absolutely best way to experience the Ausable Chasm is from the river itself. It is possible to take a raft or tube ride down the river, and see the natural wonders of the area up close and in person. See why many refer to the Ausable Chasm as the Little Grand Canyon of the East.

Enchanted Forest Water Safari

With well over fifty rides, Enchanted Forest Water Safari is the largest water theme park in New York state. Enchanted Forest Water Safari is more than that though, as it also offers standard amusement park rides. The park gives its young visitors the chance to interact with live storybook characters. Food and lodging are available for families to take advantage of if they choose. The park first opened in 1956, and has entertained millions of visitors since then.

Port Henry

The community of Port Henry is a small village with a population of less than 2,000 people, which sits on the eastern edge of the Adirondack Mountains. The town rests high on a bluff above Lake Champlain, and offers some of the best views available of nearby Vermont's Green Mountains. It is a popular location for those seeking to experience outdoor recreational opportunities as well as those looking to escape the city and experience a quaint mountain town.

Adirondack Scenic Railroad

The Adirondack Scenic Railroad is a great way for modern day travelers to experience luxury rail accommodations the way the rich and famous traveled more than one hundred years ago. Visitors can take a ride on the Adirondack Scenic Railroad for one of the most intimate and rare looks at the fantastic beauty of Adirondack Park.

High Falls Gorge

Nestled near Whiteface Mountain, High Falls Gorge is a great location for travelers to get out and experience nature firsthand as they walk the paths that crisscross the area. The Ausable River flows through the area, and spills over the granite cliffs to the valley below. The paths are professionally groomed and the bridges are safe and sturdy. Many photographers over the years have utilized the vantage points of the High Falls Gorge area to help them create some of the nicest nature photos taken in New York.

Wilder Homestead

A great attraction for fans of the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder is the boyhood home of Almanzo Wilder. The home has been restored, and now is a wonderfully put together museum.

Lake George Steamboat Company

Steamboat rides on Lake George are a once in a lifetime experience that most people never get to enjoy. Visitors to the Adirondacks can enjoy just such an experience thanks to the Lake George Steamboat Company which offers several different types of water excursions on the lake, including dinner cruises, birthday cruises, fireworks cruises, moonlight cruises, and even paddlewheel cruises.

Fort Ticonderoga

Sitting above a narrow stretch of water connecting Lake Champlain with Lake George, Fort Ticonderoga is a very large military fort built in the eighteenth century. The fort was involved in a number of important battles during the French and Indian War as well as the American Revolution. The fort is now a privately owned tourist attraction that treats its visitors to regular re-enactments from the French and Indian War.

The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom

One of the top attractions in the Adirondacks region is The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom which is an amusement park run by Six Flags. The park is a fully functional amusement park with a waterpark included. The park is home to seven roller coasters and almost forty rides not counting what is available in the waterpark. The park is located in Lake George, New York and open regularly from May through October.

Adirondack Museums

A great way to spend some time during a vacation in the Adirondacks is to learn a little about the region. There are a number of museums in the area, with some focusing on an individual community while others focusing on the entire region. Still others focus on general history, art, natural history and georgraphy, or even a specific niche subject. Some of the museums in the Adirondack region include The Chapman Historical Museum (Glens Falls, NY), Adirondack Museum (Blue Mountain Lake, NY), Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks (Tupper Lake, NY), 1812 Homestead Farm and Museum (Willsboro, NY), Adirondack History Center Museum (Elizabethtown, NY), Adsit Log Cabin (Willsboro, NY), Bluff Point Lighthouse (Valcour Island, NY), Bolton Historical Museum (Bolton Landing, NY), Champlain Valley Transportation Museum (Plattsburgh, NY), Fiddlers Hall of Fame and Museum (Redfield, NY), Horicon Museum (Brant Lake, NY), Mennonite Heritage Farm (Croghan, NY), North Creek Depot Museum (North Creek, NY), Railway Historical Society of Northern New York (Croghan, NY), Slate Valley Museum (Granville, NY), War of 1812 Museum (Plattsburgh, NY), and the World Awareness Children's Museum (Glens Falls, NY).

Lake Placid Winter Olympic Museum

Not only is the Lake Placid Winter Olympic Museum a high quality museum with first class exhibits, it is also the only museum in the United States devoted to the Olympics. Lake Placid has hosted the Winter Olympics twice during its history, first in 1932 and then again in 1980 when it was the site of the famous "Miracle on Ice." The museum features many artifacts from athletes that competed in both Olympic Games held in the village.

Few people who have ever visited the Adirondack region of New York leave disappointed. While many travelers consider other places to visit when they plan on traveling to New York, the Adirondacks offer some of the best attractions, natural and otherwise, in the entire state. It doesn't matter if the vacationer is seeking outdoor recreational opportunities, historical sites, resort accommodations, or any other type of attraction. The Adirondacks are more than capable of supplying all that is needed to make any vacation a stunning success.