How to Find Cheap Hotels in Adirondacks, New York

The natural splendor of upstate New York can't be understated. Rolling hills, farmers' fields and majestic mountains offer a strong opposite to the hustle and bustle of New York City. Visiting the Adirondacks in New York offers visitors the very best in winter and summer outdoor activities.

Things You'll Need

• Credit card
• Hotel reservation
• Plane tickets
• Computer
• Luggage
• Map
• Rental car

Instructions

Know Your Destination

1. Get familiar with local geography. The Adirondacks are at the very northern end of the Appalachian Mountains, but are not technically considered part of that mountain range.

2. Bring your sporting gear. The Adirondacks played host to the Olympics in both 1932 and 1980, one of only three areas to host the games twice. Many of the facilities built for these games are still premier destinations.

3. Get ready to sail. The area's most popular summer attractions include sailing on one of the many lakes in the Adirondacks. Lake Placid is one of the most popular, as is Lake George, which draws the most locals.

Travel to the Adirondacks

1. Fly into one of the Adirondacks' regional airports via major hubs like Montreal or New York City. It's only a single connection, and the flight itself takes less than an hour.

2. Travel to the Adirondacks by train if possible. It takes a few hours depending on your point of origin, but offers a scenic tour of an incredible countryside. Fares are generally quite cheap, but depend entirely upon your point of origin.

Find the Right Hotel

1. To book accommodations, contact Adirondack Regional Tourism Council at [phone] or visit their Web site (see Resources below).

2. Book your accommodations early, particularly if you're coming during the winter months. Lake Placid and the rest of the Adirondacks region becomes very busy--and very expensive--the closer you get to holidays and peak snowfall.

3. Book cheap accommodations early as they tend to go fast. Some of the best cheap accommodations hover well below $100.

4. Invite your friends and family to book accommodations with you. Many guests, particularly during the winter months, will make their accommodations more affordable by having a larger number of people sharing the space. This is a great choice for younger travelers looking to maximize every dollar.

5. Consider staying in ski resorts closer to nearby towns. They're typically less expensive than those located at the foot of the mountains (near Whiteface, for example).

Tips & Warnings

• Pack warmly for winter months. It can be bitterly cold in the Adirondacks.