Hudson Valley to Adirondacks Loop

Head north from New York along the Hudson River to Lake George and Lake Placid, then return south via the Catskills.

A self-drive loop through the eastern half of New York State, taking you from river valley estates and art museums deep into mountains and lakes. Head north slowly along both sides of Interstate 87, and on the return leg, make a one-day drive back through the Catskills to see waterfalls before returning to the city. This route is primarily driving-focused, with hiking options ranging from short walks to long treks. It bypasses the Finger Lakes and Niagara Falls, making it perfect for repeat visitors to the US East Coast who love mountains, lakes, and autumn foliage.

The Whiteface Veterans' Memorial Highway and Lake George cruises are open from approximately May to mid-October, with peak fall foliage from late September to October.

Day by day

Day 1 · Sleepy Hollow to Beacon

New York City（Lyndhurst Mansion、Sleepy Hollow Cemetery） → Hudson Valley（Dia Beacon）

Pick up your car and head north along Route 9; drive about 1 hour to Sleepy Hollow, then another 50 minutes to Beacon.

Dia Beacon is closed on certain days of the week; check the official website for opening hours before departing.

Stay: Beacon

Day 2 · Walkway Over the Hudson & FDR Home

Hudson Valley（Walkway Over the Hudson、Home of FDR National Historic Site & Presidential Library、Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site、Rhinebeck）

Drive from Beacon to Poughkeepsie (approx. 30 minutes), then head north along the river to Hyde Park and Rhinebeck (approx. 20 minutes each).

Stay: Hyde Park

Day 3 · Olana to Saratoga Springs

Catskills（Olana State Historic Site） → Saratoga Springs（New York State Capitol、Broadway Historic District）

Drive from Hyde Park to Olana (approx. 1 hour), then to Albany (approx. 40 minutes), and another 40 minutes to Saratoga Springs.

Stay: Downtown Broadway

Day 4 · Mineral Springs, Battlefield & Lake George

Saratoga Springs（Saratoga Spa State Park、Saratoga National Historical Park） → Lake George（Fort William Henry Museum）

Take short drives within the city to the mineral springs park, drive about 30 minutes to the battlefield, and then drive another 50 minutes to Lake George Village.

July to Labor Day is the horse racing season; hotel rates in Saratoga Springs are high, so book well in advance.

Stay: Lake George Village

Day 5 · Lake Cruise & Fort Ticonderoga

Lake George（Lake George Steamboat Cruises、Fort Ticonderoga） → Lake Placid & Adirondacks（Mirror Lake & Main Street）

Take a 1-hour morning cruise, drive about 1.5 hours along Route 9N to the Fort, and then drive another 2 hours to Lake Placid.

Stay: Lake Placid Village

Day 6 · Whiteface Mountain & Olympic Venues

Lake Placid & Adirondacks（Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway、High Falls Gorge、Lake Placid Olympic Ski Jumping Complex、Lake Placid Olympic Center & Olympic Museum）

Drive about 30 minutes from town to the Whiteface Highway, pass High Falls Gorge on the return, and take short trips around town in the afternoon.

The summit is windy and cold, so bring a jacket; the highway charges a toll and may close during bad weather.

Stay: Lake Placid Village

Day 7 · Heart Lake Hike & South to the Catskills

Lake Placid & Adirondacks（Adirondak Loj, Heart Lake & Mount Jo） → Catskills（North-South Lake & Catskill Mountain House Site）

Drive about 20 minutes to Heart Lake, hike, and then drive south along Interstate 87 for about 4 hours to Tannersville.

Stay: Tannersville and Hunter

Day 8 · Kaaterskill Falls & Return to New York

Catskills（Kaaterskill Falls、Woodstock） → New York City

Take a short hike at the trailhead, drive about 40 minutes to Woodstock, and then drive another 2.5 hours back to New York.

The parking lot along Route 23A is closed; use the trailhead on the Laurel House Road side.