Every weekday morning my alarm clock goes off at 4:00am for my on-air shift on Country 102.5 in Boston. I absolutely love my job and one of the perks is that since I am on the morning show, I am done with work at 9:00am! We hopped right on a 11:45am flight from Boston to Saranac Lake, NY!
My husband Rob and I always celebrate our birthdays in the fall because we are so busy with music shows during our actual birthdays in May and July. So, each year we pick a place we’ve never been to before and we leave for the weekend. In previous years we’ve explored Brattleboro, VT, North Conway, NH and this year we went to a brand new place… this time by plane!
Boston to Saranac Lake on Cape Air
It was our first time doing a birthday getaway by plane, but after experiencing it, we are already planning our next adventure on Cape Air! Here are some things we learned while traveling on this airline.
- There are 12 non-stop locations that Boston regionally flies to, including Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Portland, Saranac Lake, Rutland and more!
- All of the flights are less than 2 hours away from Boston Logan Airport
- There are only 10 seats on the airplane and two pilots, so if the plane isn’t full, it feels like you are on your own private airline, which is super cool! And if you have ten friends, call Cape Air and book the entire plane. Then it truly IS a private flight!
- Taking Brate (our dog) was only $30 each way. That’s a fraction of the price of what it costs on other airlines. So it was even more incentive to bring him along for the journey. (He LOVED it)
Arriving in Saranac Lake
We learned quickly that there are only about four people who provide transportation in Saranac Lake. Polar Express picked us up in a nice, black Sedan and brought us over to our hotel. They do brewery tours, private transportation and group bookings. Bob is the owner and driver and he was very nice! Their phone number is (518) 578-9738
Saranac Waterfront Lodge
Saranac Waterfront Lodge is a brand new hotel that sits right on the base of Lake Flower. The hotel has a beautiful and welcoming lobby, mountainous decor (since many people come to the Adirondacks for hiking and rock climbing), featured local artists, multiple outdoor fire pits, a dock that goes right into the water for swimming and canoeing, breathtaking views, and a convenient restaurant on site called “The Boathouse.” Rob and I had dinner there the first night and got a meat and cheese board, a steak, and lobster pasta. We enjoyed our meal and loved that we could just put the charge on our room and go upstairs when we were done eating!
Brate loved the hotel too. Upon check-in they gave Brate a plush bed, a brand new toy, a bag of treats, a water and food bowl. (All dogs get this treatment, even though Brate thought he was the only special dog).
The Saranac Waterfront Lodge recently launched an expended partnership with the Tri-Laked Humane Society in August. It’s called “Dogcations for Donations,” where guests of the hotel can foster a dog from the shelter for a day, getting the pup outside the typically stressful environment, for a fun outing that can include paddle boarding, hiking, and a lakesude lunch at the lidge. The cost to participate is only $40!!!! That $40 goes directly to the shelter and the hotel will offer a 100% match for each Dogcation booked. More information visit: www.saranacwaterfrontlodge.com/about/pet-friendly
Activities Around Saranac Lake, NY
If you’re staying at the Saranac Waterfront Lodge, it’s only a 10 minute walk to downtown. It’s a really pretty walk along Lake Flower so it goes by quickly! Here are some of our favorite stops in downtown Lake Saranac.
- Hex and Hop Brewery/Tasting Room – This is a satellite location. Their main brewery is only 10 minutes away, but they have 4-6 beers on tap ready to rock. Their beer is made from locally-sourced honey (hence the name Hex and Hops). They love dogs too and Brate loved them. Website: Hex and Hop
2. Bitters and Bones- This bar is owned by a few local guys who all went to high school together. And by golly this place has the BEST chicken wings I’ve ever tried in my LIFE (and I’ve had my fair share of wings). We split the chili maple and the smoked buffalo. My life is forever changed. Seriously, the food was so good I forgot to take a picture. They also had a live acoustic musician who rocked the house! Website: Bitters & Bones
3. Waterhole Music Lounge – This place is an absolute hidden gem! There’s a music venue upstairs. We were lucky enough to catch a ska show while we were there. The downstairs is also a bar, but one with a ton of character. The patrons are mostly locals, and that’s what makes this place the best! There’s a Thursday-night pool league, drink specials, and friendly staff. Don’t forget to bring your cash though because it’s cash-only! Website: Waterhole
4. Blue Moon Cafe – We went to breakfast here. Their menu is large and they make everything in their kitchen from their scones to their corned beef hash. Their staff is incredibly friendly and it’s a very “local” spot. Website: Blue Moon Cafe
8 Miles Away Is Lake Placid, NY
Lake Placid definitely gets all of the attention when you think of this area. There’s lots of tourist shops, restaurants, Olympic training facilities and things to do. Rob and I fond an Uber and spent the afternoon in Lake Placid.
Whatever you do, you have to eat lunch or dinner at The Cottage! Guests could dine inside and look out the big glass windows to Lake Placid. Or they could eat outside near the outdoor fire place. If you’re lucky, you could have your own private dining inside an old ski lift!
Lake Placid was home to the 1932 and 1980 Olympics. Still to this day the facilities are used for training and qualification events for the Olympics. While we were there we visited the museum inside the Olympic Rink, and stopped at the Olympic Jumping Complex.
No matter what you decide to do in upstate NY you will have a great time. There’s truly something there for everyone and everyone.
hotel room 
hotel room 
Boathouse at Saranac Waterfront Lodge 
Hex and Hop
- Breweries
- Bars/Restaurants
- Hiking
- Rock Climbing
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Live Music