New York

explore like never before

Get Custom Travel guides packed with local tips
Experiences|Activities

Ride The Longest Toboggan Chute In New York At Lake Placid’s Waterfront For A Day Of Pure Fun

Lake Placid offers a unique winter attraction with its historic toboggan chute that sends riders 1,000 feet onto Mirror Lake.

Updated Feb 12, 2022

Written by 

Lea Monroe

Out in western New York, just outside of the city of Buffalo within Chestnut Ridge Park, you can find the oldest operating toboggan chutes in all of the Empire State. While we certainly love to make note of our state's oldest attractions, there's always something to be said about the biggest ones as well. Taking you on the longest toboggan chute ride of your life, see why you're going to want to plan a trip up north to Lake Placid after discovering this unique winter attraction! It is, without a doubt, the best snow tubing in New York. Check it out!

Make your way up north to the scenic town of Lake Placid, and you'll quickly find that during the wintertime things are quite exciting up this way!

alt
RHal4D/Flickr

On Mirror Lake in town, you'll find all sorts of activities going on during New York's coldest season, from hockey games and ice skating to dog sled rides and more.

advertisement
alt
Lake Placid Region/Flickr

Out of all of the different ways that you can enjoy getting out on the frozen lake, there's nothing else quite like jumping aboard a toboggan and seeing what the historic chutes are all about.

alt
simon.lebrun/Flickr

Lake Placid's very first toboggan ride originally went up during the 1960s after it was constructed out of materials from an old Lake Placid Olympic Ski Jump chute, lasting all the way until the winter of 2016, whereafter a new one was built and has remained here since.

alt
Lake Placid ADK/Facebook

Taking you 30 feet up into the air, the most special and unique thing about this toboggan ride is the fact that it sends you up to 1,000 feet out onto Mirror Lake. Wheeeeee!

alt
Sean O'Keefe/Google

In order for the Lake Placid Toboggan Chute to be up and running, there must be at least 10 to 12 inches of ice frozen over on the lake, but with views of our High Peaks and the small-town Adirondack scenery it's more than worth the wait.

alt
Lake Placid ADK/Facebook

With toboggan rentals available on-site, see why you won't want to let another winter pass you by without experiencing the Lake Placid toboggan cute in New York! To find out more about enjoying Lake Placid's toboggan chute, click here!

advertisement

To discover more ways to have fun in the Empire State while things are frozen over, be sure to read about how The Longest Snow Tubing Run In New York Can Be Found At Hunter Mountain!

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

Experiences|Activities

This Incredible Train Ride Will Take You Through Some Of The Most Beautiful Fall Scenery In New York

The Adirondack Railroad offers a scenic fall train ride from Thendara Station to Otter Lake, showcasing New York's magnificent fall foliage.

Updated Aug 1, 2024

Written by 

Lisa Sammons

There's something so special about a scenic train ride in New York. Trains have such an old-fashioned appeal that reminds you of simpler days. Getting to see the scenery without having to worry about driving is definitely a big plus. No traffic and dealing with gas stations? Sounds like a win to us. There's no better time to take a train ride from Thendara Train Station in New York than in the fall. We're famous for our incredible fall scenery in NY, and what better way to view it than from the window of a train? We've got a number of great options for rail excursions; however, there's one scenic fall train ride in NY that stands above the rest, and that's the Adirondack Railroad's round trip from Thendara Station to Otter Lake.

advertisement

The trip departs from Thendara Station. The station has been an important passenger train stop for over a century.

alt
David Patterson/Google Reviews

Most of the Adirondack Railroad's crews are volunteers. The railroad is operated by the Adirondack Railroad Preservation Society. The society works to restore old train depots and garner interest in railroads.

alt
Adirondack Railroad

The train travels in spring, summer, and fall, but we're particularly partial to a fall train ride in New York. The fall foliage in New York is magnificent and this is such a great way to get a perfect view of the changing leaves.

alt
nywilds/Flickr

The Adirondack Railroad's historic cars will transport you over the Moose River, where you'll enjoy beautiful panoramas of the changing scenery.

alt
Ronald Parrish / Google Reviews

The round trip's midpoint is Otter Lake. This shallow lake in Oneida County is heavily planted and provides lovely views.

alt
Cheryl Barcomb/Google Maps

This is a great quick trip if you're not looking to spend all day on the rails. Clocking in at an hour and a half, this ride allows for plenty of time to enjoy the area's other attractions.

alt
Adirondack Railroad

Is there anything better than a scenic train ride in New York? We sure don't think so! If you have experienced a train ride through the Adirondacks, tell us all about it in the comments.

advertisement

Want to learn more about the Thendara Station to Otter Lake round trip (or reserve tickets?) Check out the Adirondack Railroad website.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/new-york/charming-trains-ny/

Another beautiful place to explore in the fall is New York's Watkins Glen State Park. Check out some of the awesome scenery you can expect when you visit in this video, then download the AllTrails+ app to get up-to-date hiking trail info:

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

Experiences|Activities

Pedal Through The Adirondack Mountains During New York’s Foliage For The Ultimate Fall Outing

Revolution Rail offers a unique fall rail biking experience through the Adirondack Mountains in New York.

Updated Aug 1, 2024

Written by 

Lea Monroe

Out of all the seasons that we get to experience here in New York, it's fall that often feels the shortest. Flying by in an instant, once the leaves get to turning we only have so long to enjoy all of our state's fall colors. See why there's nothing quite like pedaling through the Adirondack Mountains during this time of year with Revolution Rail, a fantastic chance to take pedal cars on train tracks, that belongs on your New York bucket list.

advertisement

As New Yorkers, you're most likely already familiar with the fact that you can enjoy a variety of scenic train rides through the Adirondack Mountains and other areas of our state, but some are still discovering the great adventure of rail biking.

alt
Revolution Rail/Facebook

Up in the small town of North Creek, adventurers can explore the railroad with Revolution Rail during the fall.

alt
Ankit Dhaniwala/Google

Revolution Rail features two and four-person rail bikes, where you can explore a formerly abandoned railroad while our state's fall colors are changing right before your eyes.

alt
Andrew K/TripAdvisor

Grab your friends and family of all ages and begin to pedal along this historic railroad, where you'll cross the beautiful Hudson River.

alt
Revolution Rail/TripAdvisor

In total, you'll spend about 2-hours out on the railroad during this out-and-back fall excursion.

alt
Kerry1428/TripAdvisor

Rail bikers will be able to pedal along the rails at their own pace, even having opportunities to stop and explore through the Adirondacks before turning back.

alt
Dan H/TripAdvisor

With dates for their season booking up fast, now's the time to start planning your fall adventure with Revolution Rail in North Creek.

advertisement
alt
karpatsar/TripAdvisor

To find out more about riding through the Adirondack Mountains, visit the Revolution Rail website.

What are your thoughts on this fun-filled autumn adventure? Be sure to share your thoughts with us in the comments below -- we would love to hear from you! Ready to take on more fall activities like this fantastic pedal railroad in New York? Then check out how you can take an exhilarating ride on the longest zipline in New York. It's an adventure you won't soon forget!

Looking for more beautiful New York adventures? Check out this stunning footage of Watkins Glen State Park:

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

All Stories

Nature
Hiking

This Natural Wonder in Oregon is the Definition of a Hidden Gem

by Courtnie Erickson
on Nov 6
alt
Stays
Camping

The Amazing Campground in Hawaii We Want to Visit All-Year Round

by Andrea Verschuyl
on Nov 6
A camper van light up at night beneath a starry sky.
Nature
Hiking

The Remote Destination in Missouri Where the Drive is Worth the Final View

by Alana Fravell
on Nov 6
alt
Trip Ideas
Small Towns

There’s No Place Like My Hometown of Decorah, Iowa for the Holidays

by Trent Jonas
on Nov 6
alt
Nature
Hiking

Skip the Crowds: Explore Michigan’s 5 Quietest Trails and Parks This Month

by Tori Jane
on Nov 6
alt