Old Forge vacation rentals

The strategic location of this upstate New York destination has given Old Forge the nickname of Adirondack Base Camp. Whether you enjoy the mountain activities right in town or use it as a home base for other Central Adirondack sites, the hamlet — which is the largest in the town of Webb — serves as a convenient center point. The call of the mountains attracts outdoor lovers for every kind of adventure, including those that channel animal instincts (birding, horseback riding, fishing) or those with a cranked-up sense of excitement (snowmobiling, mountain biking, river rafting). Add to that museums, golf courses, and plenty of open space, and Old Forge is the ultimate mountain getaway.

Like most mountain destinations, the best season depends on what you’re looking to do here. When the snow covers the region from early December to March, it turns into wonderland for winter sports, particularly snowmobiling, thanks to its wide open trails. It’s no wonder Old Forge dubs itself the Snowmobile Capital of the East, bookended by the Snodeo weekend in December and SnoFest in March. The area is also a favorite for skiing, ice skating, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and ice fishing. The other three seasons also draw outdoor enthusiasts for hiking, canoeing, golfing, waterskiing, fishing, boating, and whitewater rafting. Celebrating holidays is a way of life here, with an annual St. Patrick’s Day parade, Father’s Day weekend car show, Halloween Autumn Adventure, and the Adirondack Christmas on Main Street festival, among others.

McCauley Mountain

Open to skiing an average of 105 days a year, McCauley Mountain Ski Center has 21 ski trails, reaching an altitude of 2,200 feet. When the snow melts, the area transforms into a mountain biking haven with 20 trails — or for a more leisurely activity, take the chairlift up the peak, which is especially stunning in the fall.

Bald Mountain Hike

The hike to the 2,350-foot summit of Bald Mountain (also known as Rondaxe Mountain) is less than a mile with about a 500-foot ascent, but has a huge payoff with its sprawling views, especially atop the Rondaxe Fire Tower. And if that’s not enough to fulfill your hiking dreams, the area has an entire network of trails, including ones to Rocky Mountain and Black Bear Mountain.

View Arts Center

What started as the Arts Guild of Old Forge art show in a front yard in 1951 has grown and moved all over town before settling in its current space in 2011. Now the View Arts Center serves as a hub for every kind of art, with the gallery’s rotating exhibitions featuring formats ranging from sculptures to watercolors. The 200-seat theater hosts theater productions, concerts, and films, while classes are offered in pottery, basketry, fine arts, glass, jewelry making, and writing.