Old Forge is a village of about 750 people (2010) in the Adirondacks. As one of the western gateway communities of the Adirondack Park, Old Forge forms an extensive business district, primarily directed at tourism especially during the summer months.

Understand

Old Forge souvenir village in 1973

Old Forge is a formerly-incorporated village in the southwestern corner of Adirondack Park, serving as point of entry to the park from a large area of Central New York. An Adirondack ski resort known for its lake-effect snow, the tiny village holds one of the records for the lowest winter temperatures in New York, at -52 °F (-46 °C) on February 17, 1979.

Get in

• From Herkimer, take NY 28 northbound.
• To pick up NY 28 from Utica-Rome use NY 12 northbound (from Utica and I-90) or NY 365 (Rome).

Get around

A car would be the best way to get around, but there are scenic railroad rides and cruises for seeing the area in depth.

By boat

• Old Forge Lake Cruises, ☏ +1 315 369-6473. It provides 2-hour tours the Fulton Chain of Lakes. 
• Norridgewock Tour Boat, ☏ +1 315 376-6200. Cruise along the Stillwater Reservoir 

By train

• Adirondack Scenic Railroad, 2568 State Route 28, Thendara, toll-free: +1-800-819-2291. 

By snowmobile

• Towns of Webb & Inlet Snowmobile Trail, 3140 State Route 28 (visitors' info centre). Network of groomed scenic trails open early December to April Fool's Day (weather permitting); permits available at visitor's info (+1-877-OLDFORGE) and other locations. Trails connect to the Central NY regional network. $45-80/snowmobile permit. 

See

• Goodsell Museum, 2993 Main St, ☏ +1 315 369-3838. Tu-Sa 10AM-3PM. Local history museum in listed heritage house; various books and reprints of old maps for sale by the town's historical society. 

Do

• 1 Enchanted Forest Water Safari, 3183 State Route 28, ☏ +1 315 369-6145. A major amusement park and water park destination in New York. Calypso's Cove Family Fun Center adjacent; the same company also operates an inn and a campground. $30/person.  
• 2 Experience Old Forge.  - located in Old Forge
• 3 McCauley Mountain Ski Area, ☏ +1 315 369-3225. Alpine ski hill, Last Run Café (+1 315 369-2551, winter only) and ski shop (instruction, rentals) (+1 315 369-3144). McCauley Mountain offers a 633 foot vertical drop, 21 ski trails, one double chairlift, two T-bar and two rope tows. In summer, the chairlifts operate for sightseers daily (except W) 9:30AM-4:30PM mid-June to Labor Day and F-Su until Columbus Day ($5/person, $4 for ages 6-16 and over 65, children age 5 and under free.)  
• The western terminus of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail is found near Old Forge. The water trail continues on for approximately 700 miles to the eastern terminal in Fort Kent, Maine. The route runs through public and private lands. It is based on routes once used by Native Americans and pioneers and is the longest water trail in the United States.

Buy

• Mountainman Outdoor Gear, 2839 NY State Route 28, ☏ +1 315 369-2300. Outdoors clothing and equipment, paddlesports shop (+1 315 369-6672). Moose River trips and boat rentals operate from Clark Avenue (+1 315 369-6670) and there's another set of locations in Saratoga Springs. 

Eat

Old Forge is known for its unique style of rectangular Pizza.

• Adirondack Dog House, 3169 Route 28. Hot dog stand, next to Water Safari. 
• Adirondack Pizzeria, 3105 State Route 28, ☏ +1 315 369-6028. Pizzeria and arcade, wings, finger food, salads and submarines. 
• Benny's Ice Cream, 2933 State Route 28 (Main Street), ☏ +1 315 369-6636. 
• Billy's, 3047 Main Street, ☏ +1 315 369-2001. Italian-American 
• Daikers, 161 Daikers Circle, ☏ +1 315 369-6954. noon-9PM (restaurant), bar closes 2AM, reduced hours/closed Tuesdays off-season. Restaurant with bar, finger food, pizza and live music. Fish fry 5PM-9PM every Friday. 
• Frankie's Taste of Italy, 2824 State Route 28, ☏ +1 315 369-2400. Italian food, gelato. 
• Keyes Pancake House, 2967 Route 28, ☏ +1 315 369-6752. 7AM-2PM. Breakfast and diner food. 
• Tony Harper's Pizza & Clam Shack, 3062 Main St, ☏ +1 315 369-3777. 11AM-10PM daily, midnight on weekends. 

Drink

• Slickers Adirondack Tavern, 3132 State Route 28, ☏ +1 315 369-3002. Pizza, burgers, sandwiches, soups, frozen mixed drinks. 

Sleep

• The Fulton House, 200 Fulton House Way, ☏ +1 315 360-6496. Family owned and operated, five cottages for weekly rental, overlooking scenic 4th lake. 
• North Woods Inn & Resort, 4920 NY 28 (Fourth Lake, Old Forge), ☏ +1 315 369-6777. Accommodation, fine and casual dining, tap room, boat slips, rentals, weddings and events 
• Water's Edge Inn, 3188 State Route 28, ☏ +1 315 369-2484. 

Motels

• Blue Spruce Motel, 2898 State Rte. 28, ☏ +1 315 369-3817. 
• Christy's Motel, 2902 State Route 28, ☏ +1 315 369-6138. 
• Clarks Beach Motel, State Route 28, ☏ +1 315 369-3026. (updated Jun 2015)
• Country Club Motel, 2747 State Route 28, ☏ +1 315 369-6340. 

Connect

• Old Forge Library, 220 Crosby Blvd, ☏ +1 315 369-6008. Special Adirondack collection, 24/7 wi-fi, used books for sale, free programs. 

Go next

• Central New York. Utica is 50 miles (80 km) to the south.

Routes through Old Forge

Oneonta ← Herkimer ←

S  E

→ Warrensburg → END