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Lake Placid (NY) Inside Activity: Climbing the Walls at The Climbery

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By Diane Chase (Adirondack Family Time) We are always looking for Lake Placid inside activities that do not revolve around watching television. My children have complete understanding of how the TV remote works so my husband and I feel they do not require additional experience. Since my kids are climbing up the walls, really the door frames, we felt it is the perfect time to try the High Peaks Cyclery indoor climbing room. Appropriately named “The Climbery,” High Peaks Cyclery has cordoned off an upstairs room, near the yoga studio, dedicated to the practice and perfection of rock climbing.  We are all novices, unless we can count my daughter’s habit of hanging from the molding. We are told her particular parlor trick will come in handy but will not be the same experience. We sign a waiver and decide to rent shoes along with the 2 hours fee in hopes that the tight fitting climbing shoes will help us grip the rock handles.  The room is heavily padded but we are still require

A Drive or Hike up Lake George (NY) Prospect Mountain

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The view of Lake George from Prospect Mountain Driving to and past Lake George on Route I-87 I’ve often wondered where the footbridge crossing over the Northway leads. There are always signs or flags hanging over or people waving as we pass underneath. After being able to spend a day in Lake George, we discover the footbridge is one start to Prospect Mountain. We’ve been told the 1.5-mile trail is steep and can be difficult. We are only wearing sneakers but decide it is worth the attempt if to only cross the footbridge. I am terrified. My children skip across as if huge trucks were not speeding beneath their feet. They gesture to the drivers to beep their horns. They finally look back, realize I am not following and come back to retrieve me.  The path is relatively steep and follows the old Incline Railway that had been used for guests to reach the once thriving Prospect Mountain Inn. The Inn was destroyed by fire, twice. Now all that remains are pictures, a partial firep

Lake Placid (NY) Fun Center Boots and Birdies: Ropes Course, EuroBungy, Mining and Mini-Golf

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Boots and Birdies Lake Placid mining sluice Though my kids enjoy our outdoor hiking adventures, they like to spend just as much time exploring all the various activities in our area. Recently a friend asked if I knew of any ropes courses around. We’ve been to a large ropes course in Bolton Landing and a few private courses attached to summer camps, but we hadn’t tried the Ropes Adventure Challenge Course at Lake Placid, New York's Boots and Birdies. Booties and Birdies is not just a cowboy themed, 18-hole mini-golf course, but a facility with a variety of activities that can entertain a wide range of ages and abilities. When we park in their lot my daughter gives the Eurobungy a look of longing and is torn between the ropes course and the trampoline bungy. 18-hole mini golf course at Boots and Birdies, Lake Placid Though there are options to save some money with a bungy/ropes course package or multiple tokens, it’s just the ropes course for my little monkey.   I’

The Cobble Lookout Trail: Easy Hikes near Whiteface MT, Wilmington (NY)

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Cobble Lookout trail now has a new sign!  UPDATE: There is a new sign marking the trailhead! Cobble Lookout Elevation = 2,600' Vertical Ascent = 400' Distance -  0.75-mile I am all about the easy hike  for my visiting family, whether they have kids or not. I enjoy backpacking, camping and the more challenging hikes, but nothing is more beautiful than being able to get in an easy hike with a beautiful view and still have my evening free to enjoy another Adirondack (ADK) activity.  Wilmington (NY) Cobble Lookout Trail with views of The Adirondack High Peaks and Santa's Workshop, North Pole Recently while at Lake Stevens we managed to fit in a quick stroll to the top of nearby Cobble Lookout trail off Gillispie Dr (Franklin Falls Rd.). It’s a relatively new trail.  So new, in fact, that at the time of our climb a few weeks ago, a trailhead sign wasn’t part of the program. (I was told to relax and enjoy the mystery and intrigue.)  Wilmington (NY) Co

FREE Adirondack Fire Tower Program at the Adirondack History Museum

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Poke-O-Moonshine Fire Tower The Adirondack (ADK) History Museum is offering a free Adirondack Fire Tower Program on August 12 from 9 am – 3 pm starting at the Elizabethtown museum home base. The daylong session will start with an educational discussion with Fire Tower expert David Thomas-Train. According to Adirondack History Museum Director Aurora McCaffrey this is the second time this summer that this free program has been offered to families with children in 4 th to 8 th grades. “We have held this program in 2013 and a shorter program in 2014,” says McCaffrey. “This summer we did a similar educational day and hike in July. We meet at the museum and the class will visit the whole museum. David Thomas-Train will show the new fire tower exhibit and the light-up Essex County map of all the restored fire towers. He’ll also lead smaller groups up the museum’s fire tower. Then the group heads to Poke-O-Moonshine to climb the mountain.” The hiking participants will lea

Review: Depot Theatre’s “New York Water” is Dynamic

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New York Water at the Depot Theatre, Westport What: Written by Sam Bobrick and published by Samuel French, Inc, New York Water is a dark comedy about two mid-level professionals who meet while living in New York City.  They make a rash decision to get married and move to the Midwest for a quieter life only to search greener pastures in Los Angeles and finally return to Manhattan. Where : The DepotTheatre , 6705 Main Street, Westport, New York 12993, 518-962-4449,  Ticket price: $29/adult, $27/senior/student, group discounts are available. When: Westport NY: August 7,8,9,10,14,15, at 8 pm and August 9,13,16 at 5 pm. Matt Mundy as Alfred and Juliane Godfrey as Linda in New York Water Cast/Crew: Director: Misti Wills Linda: Juliane Godfrey Alfred: Matt Mundy Stage Manager: Sarah Overturf Scenic Design: Bonnie Brewer Lighting Design: Margaret Swick Sound Design: Jim Carroll Technical Director: Kati Long (WESTPORT) In a world of speed dati

Fishing in the Adirondack (ADK) High Peaks with Kids: Wilmington's (NY) Lake Stevens

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by Diane Chase Recently my husband has started adding a fishing pole to our “must have” gear we leave in the car. The pole and tackle box now sit along side our water shoes, hiking boots, and towels. His logic makes sense.  We are usually finishing a hike or going on some Adirondack adventure that culminates with a watery stop. With 3,000 lakes and ponds at our disposal within the Adirondack Park’s 6-million acres, it is a nice option to always be able to cast a line. A nice place for children to be able to try out fishing is Lake Stevens in Wilmington. Located at the Whiteface Memorial Highway Tollhouse, this small dammed lake is stocked with trout and designated just for children and anyone with limited mobility. In the Adirondacks children under the age of sixteen are not required to have a fishing license. This small lake is also handicap accessible. Lake Stevens is named for J. Hubert Stevens, the 1932 Olympic gold medal winner in the Two-Man bobsled competition. La

Review: PENDRAGON THEATRE BRINGS BELLY LAUGTHS AND GOOD FUN WITH VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE

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Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike at Pendragon Theatre What: Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike won the 2013 Tony award for Best Play. Written by Christopher Durang, this play centers around three siblings, their housekeeper, one adoring neighbor and a 20ish boy toy.    Where : PendragonTheatre, 15 Brandy Brook Ave, Saranac Lake, 518-891-1854,  Advanced tickets price: $25/adult, $22/senior, $15/student with ID, $20/matinee At Door ticket price : $30/adult, $27/senior, $20/student, $15/matinee When: Saranac Lake: July 29, 30, 31, August 1,4,5,6,7 at 8 pm with a matinee at 2 pm on August 2 PENDRAGON THEATRE BRINGS BELLY LAUGTHS AND GOOD FUN WITH VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE Cassandra (Christina Eskridge) predicts the future (SARANAC LAKE)   The comedy Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike is as long in name as it is in laughs. Directed by Shawna Mefferd Kelty, this captivating show is set in present time Bucks County where middle-aged siblings V

Review: DIVE RIGHT IN: DEPOT THEATRE’S “THE BIKINIS” IS A SWIMMINGLY GOOD TIME!

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The Bikinis at Depot Theatre, Westport, NY What:  Created and Written by Ray Roderick and James Hindman, the musical “The Bikinis” joins together an all girl band from the 60s that are reunited over a vote to either save or sell the Sandy Shores Mobile Home (Beach Resort). Upbeat songs from the 60s through the 80s move the story from under the boardwalk through various events in the lives of the band members. Where : Depot Theatre, 6705 Main Street, Westport, New York 12993, 518-962-4449,  Ticket price:  $29/adult, $27/senior/student, group discounts are available.  When:   Westport NY: July 17,18,20,24,25 at 8 pm and July 19,23,26 at 5 pm. (WESTPORT) Rain or shine, a fun beach romp this year is at the Depot Theatre ’s production of “The Bikinis,” showing through July 26 th . This musical treat transports the audience to the sandy shore with over 25 songs performed by an all-girl 60s beach band reunited to perform at a Florida beach resort, 20 years after breaking up.

$1 Summer Movies at Regal Theatre Plattsburgh

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Each summer Regal Entertainment Group in Plattsburgh offers a summer second-run film series for families called "Summer Movie Express" . The fun, inexpensive events take place every Tuesday and Wednesday during July and August at the Regal Champlain Centre Stadium 8 Theatre, 60 Smithfield Blvd, Plattsburgh. There are two movies offered. All movies start at 10 am and are rated either G or PG  July 14 and 15: Paddington and Turbo July 21 and 22: Rio 2 and How to Train Your Dragon 2 July 28 and 29: Mr. Peabody and Book of Life August 4 and 5: Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb and Penguins of Madagascar August 11 and 12: Madagascar 3 and Dolphin Tale 2 August 18 and 19: Muppets, Most Wanted and Alexander and the Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Day August 25 and 26: The Lego Movie and The Sponge Bob Movie: Sponge Out of Water © Diane Chase is the author of the Adirondack Family Activities™ guidebook series, Adirondack Family Time™guidebooks have easy Adiron

REVIEW: PENDRAGON’S TINTYPES IS FLAWLESS

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Tintypes at Pendragon highlights snapshots of history through song and dance.  What: The Tony nominated play, Tintypes , a musical conceived by Mary Kyte with Mel Marvin and Gary Pearl, is a turn-of-the-century musical revue that provides a series of vignettes into America’s immigrant experience at the onset of World War I. The cast of five actors documents the end of an era through a series of songs and a poignant understory. Where : Pendragon Theatre, 15 Brandy Brook Ave, Saranac Lake, 518-891-1854, www.pendragontheatre.org Advanced tickets price: $30/adult, $25/senior, $15/student with ID, $20/matinee At Door ticket price : $35/adult/senior, $25/student, $20/matinee When: Saranac Lake: July 2, 3,7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17 at 8 pm with matinees at 2 pm on July 4,11,18. VIEW in Old Forge: July 6 at 8 pm. Tintypes: A fun play for all ages.  By, Diane Chase, AdirondackFamilyTime.com (Saranac Lake)  Tintypes , now playing at  Pendragon Theatre  until July 18,

Easy Adirondack Hikes: One of 33 Easy Hikes: Lake Placid's Cobble Hill

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Summit of Cobble Hill  By Diane Chase When I first moved to the area and didn’t have the time or inclination to just climb the 46 High Peaks, I decided to take a different route. That route has led me to explore beautiful trails, walks and swimming holes around the whole Adirondack Park. There are some places that have been worth a repeat visit and other places that were just okay.  My two-year-old hiked in Crocs while carrying "her" purse My route has lead me over hills and through fields exploring all the fun activities that take place in this Tri-Lakes and High Peaks region and beyond . One favorite hike is so conveniently located in the center of Lake Placid that I always suggest it to people of all ages and hiking abilities. Cobble Hill has an elevation of 2,345’ and a vertical ascent of only 462’. My ADK kids can easily finish it within an hour or I can take longer and explore the local flora and fauna. There are a few trail entrances, b

2015 Summer Stock at Westport's Depot Theatre for 37th Season

Depot Theatre Announces its 37th Season   Westport, N.Y. - Complete with classic songs from the 60’s, zany romantic comedy and toe-tapping honky tonk, the Depot Theatre is pleased to announce its dynamic 2015 main stage lineup.   “The Bikinis” opens the season on  July 10 . A non-stop celebration of classics like “It’s In His Kiss,” “Yellow Polka Dot Bikini,” “Heat Wave,” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” punctuate the story of a girl band’s 20-year reunion, and will have audiences dancing in the aisles! The opening musical is followed by “New York Water!”. This quirky, off-kilter adult romantic comedy documents Albert and Linda’s relationship from their first fearful meeting in New York City through to the mid-west and on to the left coast as they search for meaning, happiness, and success.  Rounding out the season is the Northeast regional premiere of “Savin’ Up for Saturday Night: The Honky-Tonk Musical”, with an energetic combination of showstoppers, cat fights