Need an escape from life’s constant hustle? Would you prefer to relax in a lounge chair on a white sand beach or on a lake surrounded by forest? If you chose the latter, you’re in the right spot at the right time!
Welcome to your weekend trip to the Adirondacks! This is an interactive journey where you and three friends plan your escape to the wilderness! Intrigued by an option? Keep reading and make sure to keep a tally of how much you’ve spent on your trip! The Adirondacks offer a wide variety of travel options that cater to multiple audiences with varying financial backgrounds and adventure goals, making it a unique place to visit; however, access to the park without a car or ownership of property in the park present accessibility challenges.
All packed and ready? Let’s hit the road!
(Disclaimer: You don’t have your own car or own a home in the Adirondacks)(Clarification: Trip length is 4 days, 3 nights. You can go on this trip with up to three other people and split the cost. Prices have been adjusted.)
First things first, you’ll need to find a ride to the park. Let’s start from New York City and meet in Lake Placid. Here are a few options:
A) Amtrak from NY Moynihan Train Hall At Penn Station to Westport ($40 – $60 per person) (Rome2rio)
B) Your friend who is going to Montreal is willing to give you and your three friends a ride to Westport on their way up (Approximate fuel cost = $28 – 40 total / $7 – $10 after dividing per passenger) (Rome2rio)
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Almost there! You just need to get from Westport to Lake Placid. Unfortunately, there is no direct connection between Westport and Lake Placid through shuttle. You either …
A) Uber (standard = $52 – 72; XL = $86 – $114 total / $13 – $18; XL = $22 – $29 per person)
B) Hitch hike (free)
Welcome to Lake Placid! Now you have to find a place to stay for the weekend. Would you rather…
A) Stay in this cozy Boutique Hotel for up to 4 guests ($194 per night / $48.5 per night per person before taxes and fees) (Airbnb)
B) Relax in this luxurious waterfront Airbnb ($2,145 per night / $536.25 per person per night before taxes and fees) (Airbnb)
C) Set up camp (no amenities) in the McKenzie Wilderness (free year round) (McKenzie Mountain Wilderness)
D) Meadowbrook Campground (with amenities) ($18 per night / $4.5 per person per night) (Meadowbrook Campground)
Enjoyed your adventure? I hope you did! Sadly though, Monday is right around the corner and it is time to make it back. Don’t forget transportation back to New York City!
The Adirondacks offer a wide variety of activities and accommodations, providing flexibility to those who either want a calm weekend in a cabin or an adventure in the deep forest; however, for those without a car or home in the Adirondacks, planning is complex and trip expenses can add up quickly, preventing many from appreciating its beauty. Of course, this hypothetical trip was highly simplified. For example, food, activity, and gear expenses were not included. Moreover, there are a multitude of cheaper options that were not included. Feel free to comment below what your total trip expenses were!
Works Cited
Airbnb. “Vacation Rentals, Cabins, Beach Houses, Unique Homes & Experiences.” Airbnb, 2021, www.airbnb.com/rooms/51594021?adults=2&location=Lake+Placid%2C+New+York%2C+United+States&previous_page_section_name=1001&translate_ugc=false&federated_search_id=4c844afd-aced-40ed-84ea-3d4998892449&guests=1.
Department of Environmental Conservation. “McKenzie Mountain Wilderness.” McKenzie Mountain Wilderness – NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation, 2021, www.dec.ny.gov/lands/105647.html.
Department of Environmental Conservation. “Meadowbrook Campground & Day Use Area.” Meadowbrook Campground & Day Use Area – NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation, 2021, www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/24482.html.
Rome2rio. “Pennsylvania Station (New York City) to Westport – 5 Ways to Travel.” Rome2rio, 2021, www.rome2rio.com/map/Pennsylvania-Station-New-York-City/Westport-NY-USA.
I found this blog extremely informative, Claudia! Usually the cost of accommodation plays a big role in tourists wanting to visit the Adirondack place. Do you think the tourism industry in the Adirondack region should lower the cost of staying in hotels, so that the Adirondack region is exposed to a wider community with a diverse economic background, or would it be better if the prices are high so that less people visit the Adirondack region. Having less visitors would also mean that the wilderness in the region will have stronger protection, although industries within the region might suffocate. Personally, I believe that the Adirondack region does not get enough recognition from tourists but at the same time, recognition of such a pristine region could have many repercussions.
I wonder if tourism industry in the Adirondack region could be expanded while ensuring that the wilderness is protected. Do you think constructing AirBnBs of materials with a lower carbon footprint could be a way to achieve this?
I like this post, very creative and informative on prices. I wonder how accessible Uber is in Westport. Would it come from Burlington? Or maybe the trip is frequently taken and there is a local Uber? I also wonder whether it is worth it for the town or the state to improve travel to Lake Placid and high peaks region in general. Do people actually make this journey to Lake Placid or is this really just hypothetical? It reminds me of the conversation we had in class regarding the train coming to Middlebury. In reality, this train from NYC to Westport is probably more likely taken by people traveling to NYC and not by people who are trying to get to Lake Placid via an Uber.