Surprising Facts about Lake Placid

For centuries Lake Placid had drawn the attention of many people, telling tales and stitching up stories of old. The lake now had become one of the top tourist attractions in the New York State. Aside from its controversial stories, its crystal clear water surrounded by luscious greenery, Lake Placid is gaining travelers across the globe. With the Adirondacks Mountains looming over the lake, winter sports activities are everything, but you can enjoy Lake Placid anytime and in any season. 

Considered as the wild frontier, Lake Placid was founded in the 1700s and it still preserved its rustic vibe despite modernization. Whenever you go to Lake Placid you cannot ignore the fact that the Adirondacks Mountain played a big effect in making it a great holiday destination. But there is more to Lake Placid than meets the eye or magazine for that matter. There are some things Lake Placid is known for, and here are some of the surprising facts you might know about the lake. 

It hosted the Winter Olympics - twice 

As the lake is really great during the winter season, it hosted the Winter Olympic Games not once but twice. It’s one of the only three places on earth to make it happen. To date, Lake Placid belongs to the group of superb ten cities in the world to have hosted the prestigious competition more than once since it started in 1896. Lake Placid first hosted Winter Olympics in 1932 and another in 1980. The Lake Placid Olympic Center and Museum draw hundreds of visitors a year to see some of the equipment used during the world-renowned international game. 

Lake Placid gave birth to the word vacation 

Lake Placid isn’t just a vacation destination, its vacation - as it invented the word. During the good old days, when ‘Brits’ go on a holiday – think of Vanderbilts and Rockefellers they need to do some vacating during the summer. So they went to chill in the northern woods and smell the fresh air of the Adirondacks Mountains. Since then, Americans started to go on vacation as well in Lake Placid. 

Row to your heart’s content 

Lake Placid and its surrounding region hide about 30,000 miles of waterways, this only means one thing, it’s every boater’s dream paradise. Just think of what you can do in a place teeming with streams, rivers, and ponds. But that is nothing with what the Adirondacks Mountain hides; you can boat, hike, swim, and explore miles of untouched forests. Imagine these bodies of water transforming during winter, it’s a magical place to enjoy winter sports. Daredevils ascend perilous frozen waterfalls and test their limit in the icy cliffs of Cascade Pass. While a lot of people either enjoys skating or ice fishing on Lake Placid. 

Nothing can paint ‘Autumn’ better than Lake Placid 

If you want to see autumn at its full glory, then visit Lake Placid during this season. The region boasts of autumn leaves in a vibrant shade of red and gold in every hue you can think of. Thanks to the thousands of hardwood trees covering the Adirondacks Mountains, fall colors has never been this colorful. Having one of the longest fall seasons, trees like beech, maple, and oak celebrate it with a vibrant display of leaves varying in colors. 

The Adirondacks is HUGE! 

When they say that the Adirondacks played a big role in making Lake Placid a great holiday destination, these people are not exaggerating. The Adirondack is so huge it can fit Yosemite, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, and Great Smokey Mountains inside it with a lot of space to accommodate the Glacier as well. Stretching for about 6.1 million acres of land, the Adirondacks is the largest protected natural area in the country. Big thanks to the Forever Wild status implemented in 1892, more than 2 million acres of mountains, streams, and woods were preserved to this day. Because of the act, the Adirondacks serve as home to thousands of animal species including more than 100 species of birds. 

Lake Waramaug: Some of the Best Place to Visit

Spanning about 650 acres of land and stretching several parts of towns of Washington and Warren in Litchfield County, Connecticut, Lake Waramaug is a picturesque holiday destination for people who love camping, boating, lake fishing, picnicking, and swimming. Located about 24 miles north of Danbury, the lake can compete to other bodies of water surrounding Connecticut. Named after the Native American Chief of the Wyantenock tribe, Chief Waramaug who used to inhabit the surrounding area of the lake, the place is fast becoming a quick vacation hideaway for people who want to be with nature. Here are some of the spots you may not want to miss when visiting Lake Waramaug. 

Lake Waramaug State Park 

Tourists usually go to Lake Waramaug State Park as their first holiday destination. Connecticut bought the land surrounding the lake in 1920 and transformed it into their official state park for their locals. Now, this public recreation area stretches about 95 acres of pure fun. Both locals and tourists come here to enjoy its very beautiful scenery and great campgrounds. The park also offers great fishing spots, water activities, and camping. 

Hidden Valley Preserve 

For a bit of adventure, try hiking at Hidden Valley Preserve. Known to have an easy hike for beginners on a short loop, this park has suspension cable and a trail lined with luscious greenery. The Thoreau Bridge is a destination itself with stunning views; you can either hop on a bike or go on foot to fully emerge yourself in the beauty of nature. 

Kent Falls State Park 

If you are visiting during the spring season then head straight to Kent Falls State Park. Spring is the best time to see the 250 feet graceful waterfalls cascading gently down a beautiful trail. The place is excellent for hiking and for a quick picnic with your family. Locals consider Kent Falls State Park as their hidden gem and you can only marvel at it during springtime. You may want to bring some fishing equipment as it’s a perfect place to reel in trout. 

Wethersfield House 

Aside from awesome state parks, Lake Waramaug has a bit of history worth visiting. The Wethersfield House was the country estate of Chauncey Devereux Stillman, the grandson of James Stillman president of what became the Citigroup bank. Sitting on 1,200 acres of land in the Northeast Dutchess County, you can visit their Wethersfield Main House, Gardens, Carriage House, and Farm. Its location, which is the highest point in the area, provides perfect panoramic views of Berkshires to the north and Catskills to the west. 

Hopkins Vineyard 

Nothing beats ending your tour in scenic hills of Litchfield County overlooking Lake Waramaug while sipping a glass of wine. And the best place to do is at Hopkins Vineyard. For centuries Hopkins Vineyard produces award-winning wines on their Connecticut farm. They even held events varying from barrel tastings to wine bottle painting parties. Visiting them would be the perfect ending to your Lake Waramaug holiday vacation. 

Santa Barbara: Destinations to Include in your Bucket List

The longest section of the West Coast in the US, Santa Barbara is the county seat of Santa Barbara County. Located between the Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, it has almost perfect weather, one that is often described as the Mediterranean. Tourists who visited Santa Barbara wants to enjoy the beach and relax. Because the city is gaining the popularity of the past few years, some visitors may find the surprising turn in the island. Santa Barbara boasts the latest trend in fashion on State Street and will set your imagination free with amazing watercolor arts in the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. 

Many considered Santa Barbara as one of the most glamorous towns in California. Lined with beautiful Spanish-style buildings with gorgeous architectural decors, the city has it all from the palm-lined waterfront to scenic mountaintops. When a major earthquake hit Santa Barbara in 1925, it destroyed most of the city. It was then rebuilt in a Spanish Colonial Revival style resulting in the marvelous display of architectural wonders that adorned the city today. 

Families with little children in tow loved how top tourist attractions in Santa Barbara stand within close proximity, making it easy to plan and explore the city with many child-friendly destinations as well. As there are many great tourist spots in Santa Barbara, here are some of the best destination you can tick off your bucket lists. 

Stearns Wharf 

Visiting Stearns Wharf is a great way to start your journey in Santa Barbara. Blessed to have breathtaking views of the sandy beaches and harbor, your views cannot get better than having Santa Ynez Mountain as your backdrop. Founded in 1872, it held the record as the longest deep-water pier between San Francisco and Los Angeles. You and your family can surely enjoy the place lined with great restaurants, two sites of the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History. Treat your kids with some ice cream while enjoying a very relaxing stroll around the pier, don’t forget to try and have a seafood lunch while overlooking the beach. 

Inspiration Port 

Taking a hike at Inspiration Point will definitely clear your mind. As the name implies, it boasts of amazing views that will keep both your heart and mind pounding for joy. There are two ways to get to Inspiration Point, an easy way and a more challenging way to reach the top. If you are a beginner hiker or never tried hiking your life, you may want to start with the Tunnel Trail which is about 3.5-mile hike round trip. The other is called Jesusita Trail and considered to difficult with steep hike and stretches about 7 miles round trip. 

Santa Barbara Museum of Art and Mission Santa Barbara 

You have never been to Santa Barbara if you haven’t visited the Santa Barbara Museum of Art and Mission Santa Barbara. The Santa Barbara Museum of Art was recently opened after a massive 5-year renovation project filled with great exhibits and amazing artworks. They had a mix of rotation exhibits as well as a great permanent collection that anyone can appreciate. Meanwhile, the Mission Santa Barbara is the most iconic landmark in the city. Built on 1786 with Franciscan friars still loving today, it has a great historical value to Santa Barbara. Dubbed as the”Queen of the Missions”, it has a very picturesque setting. You may notice that the Mission Santa Barbara has a strong influence on the overall look of the city. 

How to Spend your Time in San Juan Island

An archipelago in between Vancouver Island in Canada and Washington in the US, San Juan Island sits in the northwest corner of the US. It has four islands which are all accessible by a ferry operated by the Washington State Ferries system. Located about 60 miles north of Seattle, ‘The City that never sleeps’, and just a few minutes away from Anacortes WA, San Juan Island is a perfect vacation getaway to relax and see all of the Pacific Northwest. 

Most people who visit the island came to enjoy peace and quiet. Tourists love how they can enjoy the island’s natural beauty without crowds. Because despite its proximity to larger cities, San Juan had maintained its serenity and country charm. Aside from its natural beauty, the island’s temperament weather is what keeps tourists coming back for more. San Juan’s temperature rarely goes beyond the 70s or below the 40s all year round, and it doesn’t rain much. So when you are visiting the island expect it to be full of sunshine and almost perfect weather. With that in mind, you can have all the fun and enjoy outdoor activities without worrying too much about the weather, as every day is the perfect day to go out and have fun under the sun in San Juan. 

San Juan is home to the Southern Resident Killer Whales or commonly known as Orca pod, and is also considered as one of the main events of any tour in the island. At least 80 whales in this pod swim the waters of San Juan. To help you list down the things that you can do on the island, here’s a teaser about some of the best things and places to do in San Juan. 

Tour Friday Harbor 

Most tourists catch a passenger ferry from Anacortes that stopped directly into Friday Harbor. This is the perfect time to tour the island on your first day. As the only incorporated town in San Juan, Friday Harbor boasts of many great cafes and restaurants. You can even rent bicycles to explore the entire island to see many scenic wineries, beautiful parks, an alpaca farm, and lots of countryside farms. Be lost in many of its farmer's markets, bookstores, and art galleries. You can even kayak on its sandy beach and whale watch, there tours available in the city that goes out of Friday Harbor on regular basis. 

Have an unforgettable experience in Pelindaba Lavender Farm 

Visiting lavender farms is one of the many great experiences you can have; just taking a sniff of lavender farms can take you to paradise. Kids would love to smell and run in the fields plus you can have an amazing photo op. Explore the fields and buy your heart’s desire at their excellent gift shop full of assortments of lavender products either for personal care or culinary use. 

Don’t miss to whale watch from Lime Kiln Point 

After soaking under the sun, smelled the nicest flowers in the island, its time to treat your eyes with some people considered as the greatest show on earth: whale watching. Aside from seeing them up close on a boat, whale watching from Lime Kiln Point is downright magical. You got to see how an enormous pod of orcas can be. Even without any whale in sight, you can still have a breathtaking view of the island. And visiting Lime Kiln Point would be the perfect place to cap off your journey in San Juan Island.