With 6.1 million acres to explore, the Adirondack Park is New York State’s ultimate playground, and it’s the ideal setting for an amazing weekend in the woods. Located about five hours northeast of Ithaca, the ’Dacks provide a host of outdoor activities, ranging from hiking to mountain biking to rock climbing to canoeing, plus anything and everything in between! In my effort to galvanize you to go out and explore New York’s backyard, I’ve come up with the ultimate weekend for someone’s first, fifth or twentieth visit to the Adirondacks:

Friday Night: Drive, Eat, Sleep

Skip your last class, grab your friends and gear and head North! Race the setting sun to your campsite, where you can pass the evening ’round a campfire, make s’mores and get amped for the following days. Free camping is available along Rt. 73 — you just need to know where to look …

Saturday: Day-hike Algonquin Peak [Elevation 5,114 ft.]

Wake up early and head in to Keene, the gateway to the High Peaks region of the Adirondacks. Park your car at the Adirondack Loj Visitor Center, sign the trail register and make your way down the trail. The first 0.9 miles is a nice, flat warm-up for the steepness ahead. Three miles and 3,000 ft. of elevation stand between you and the summit of Algonquin, the second tallest mountain in New York. This peak boasts stunning views of Avalanche Lake and Mt. Colden and is frequently less crowded then its slightly taller neighbor, Mt. Marcy. If you are feeling particularly ambitious, tag Wright Mountain along the way, then continue on to Iroquois and bag three peaks in a day!

Rest and refuel at the Noonmark Diner in Keene, a local hangout and home to the best pie you will ever eat after a long day of hiking. Try the strawberry rhubarb. You won’t be disappointed.

Resources: A good start for planning your hike is 50 hikes in the Adirondacks by Barbara McMartin. For a more detailed volume, try Tony Goodwin’s Adirondack Trails: High Peaks Region. Forget your hiking boots? Need a daypack? Buy or rent gear from the Mountaineer in Keene Valley, an amazing gear shop that’s locally owned and staffed by a great group of people.

Sunday: Canoe/Kayak on the Saranac Lakes

With over 3,000 lakes, the Adirondacks are a paddler’s paradise. Arguably one of the best locales is just 40 minutes away from Keene — the Saranac Lakes. Sleep in late and head out at your leisure, remember: canoeing is all about the journey [and making sure you get the middle seat]. Rent canoes or kayaks in town, drive the five minutes to the put in, and let the rest take care of itself. Bring a swimsuit and food, and spend your day cliff jumping and picnicking. There is no better way to get outside and experience the amazing autumn foliage then lounging around in a boat with good food and great friends.

Dine out at Eat ‘n Meet, home to an amazing array of delicious local food and some awesome people. Stop at Lake Placid on your drive out and grab some dessert, taking time to peruse all the touristy shops, and ogle at the height of the Olympic ski jumps. Race the sun back home to Ithaca, but plan on losing this time — the sunset over Keene Valley is not to be missed.

Resources: I highly recommend renting from ALTO [Adirondack Lakes and Trails Outfitters] for renting boats / paddles / pfds / whatever for your day on the water.

Dinner in Lake Placid is always an option, but be prepared for the tourists, and plan to pay accordingly for your meal.