The other end of the 'dacks

May 29, 2008 8:54 AM

Adirondacks filter: I'm going camping at Cranberry Lake next weekend. I want your "must see/do" recommendations in the area.

Yep, well aware that Visiting the 'daks has been covered before, but all the replies relate to High Peaks region and/or generic touristy stuff that I already know about. I'm specifically interested in the area around Cranberry Lake (St. Laurence County, mostly).

Last time I was up there I visited Benson Mines, did some kayaking in the lake, collected a few rocks for the garden over at the mine near Lake Bonaparte, and explored back roads.

So what are your suggestions for that neck of the woods?

posted by jdfan to Travel & Transportation around Adirondack Mountains, NY (3 answers total)

Born and raised in St. Lawrence County, although a good jaunt away from Cranberry. It's a pretty isolated spot there and its been quite a few years, but I do remember many fun hikes all centrally located from the public campgrounds.

Now if you are interested in driving at all there are a few quaint historic towns with nice restaurants. Potsdam and Canton are both just about 45 minutes to an hour drive.

The best bets in Potsdam are Tardelli's, Maxwells, Sergi's (Great local pizza), Mama Lucia.

Canton has a bit less to offer in my opinion, but it's a cute little place with a similar charm.

The bonus to traveling this far is you are only minutes from the mighty St. Lawrence and you could check out other, blink you've past it, towns. Waddington is one such little place and it's were I proudly spent my youth, they host the title of "world's greatest Carp fishing". It's worth the drive just to see how lonely and pretty New York state can get.

Have fun!
posted by huxley at 1:54 PM on May 29, 2008

Best answer: Wow, you are so lucky. You'll be in the area for the Canton Dairy Princess Festival. More John Deere tractors than you can shake a stick at!! I don't think anything has made me feel more like I lived in the middle of small-town USA than eating hot dogs at the block party they had last year.

Lamspon falls is near Cranberry Lake, it's one of my favorite spots. And Stone Valley in Colton is great too.

There's a Canoe Regatta in Madrid (pronounced MAD-rid, not Ma-DRID)on June 7 & 8. If there are other local events, North Country Now will list them on their calendar up to 7 days in advance. That website is a great resource for lots of events and businesses in the area.

P.S. Don't go to Maxfield's in Potsdam. My husband has been the chef there for two years, but quit this week. The food will suck now. I'd suggest one of two new cafes in Canton that I like if you go there.... Partridge or Blackbird.

And in case you haven't hit all the high points of the high peaks, I absolutely love the VIC in Paul Smiths. I wish I had more suggestions, but I'm not too outdoorsy and the two kids keep me home more. But feel free to mmail me if you want some more targeted suggestions or help when you have your plans narrowed down.
posted by saffry at 3:57 PM on May 29, 2008 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Awesome! Thanks :) I lived in Plattsburgh for 5 years, so I'm reasonably familiar with the area (and the crazy pronounciations... never quite found out if Peru was PAY-ru or Peh-ru).

Thanks again :)
posted by jdfan at 7:35 AM on May 30, 2008