The Empire State has an abundance of small towns that are worth visiting, and we love talking about them! Tucked away in remote locations where they manage to keep some of our most stunning outdoor attractions hidden, it’s in these small towns that visitors can discover the real New York. Waiting for you along the northern border of Essex County, the tiny town of Wilmington will surround you with unforgettable views.
Just one of the many beautiful towns you can find inside of the Adirondack Park, Wilmington has a population of just over 1,200 residents.
Google Maps If you look all around the town of Wilmington, you’ll find some of our other favorite locations like Upper Jay, Keene Valley, Lake Placid, Saranac Lake… and the list goes on!
Heading this far up north into the Adirondacks means that every drive you take will be a scenic one.
Marco/Flickr
Marco/Flickr Here’s a tip, if you can manage to get someone else to drive for this adventure… do it! Having the luxury of being a passenger while traveling around Wilmington means that you’ll be able to sit back, relax and take in all of the epic views. If you visit before winter’s over you’ll often find that the roads you travel along are lined with mountainside icicles that are absolutely breathtaking.
One of the first things you may want to do after you get into town is to stop somewhere to get something to eat.
The Hungry Trout/Yelp
The Hungry Trout/Yelp
The Hungry Trout/Yelp Looking for not only something to eat, but a place to stay? Well then it’s a good thing that the wonderful Hungry Trout Resort is right in town! Just off of Route 86, the resort features a fine dining restaurant that offers views of Flume Falls along the Ausable River with its large picture windows. The cozy ambiance will quickly warm you up during the winter and make you feel right at home as you feast on something off of their unique menu. To find out more information about this resort and restaurant, click here.
How to get here: 5239 Route 86 Wilmington, NY 12997
Spitting distance from The Hungry Trout is the parking area for the Wildforest Flume Trailhead.
Google Maps
James St. John/Flickr If getting a view of Flume Falls from the restaurant wasn’t adventurous enough for you, then get outside and enjoy the waterfront trails that await you at the Flume Trailhead. The Flume Trail System features a variety of scenic trails that take you along the Ausable River and Flume Falls, an adventure that’s perfect if you decide to make a visit during the summer. To find out more information about the Flume Trail System and to view the map of various trails, click here.
Still itching to get a bit closer to nature? Then plan a trip to Adirondack Wildlife Refuge.
Holakat/TripAdvisor
Holakat/TripAdvisor
Steve1362/TripAdvisor An incredible non-profit organization within the Adirondacks, the Adirondack Wildlife Refuge features a beautiful variety of animals. Hidden inside the town of Wilmington on 50-acres of land, the Refuge Center features a one-mile long hiking trail that will steal your breath away. At the center you’ll be able to learn about animals like wolves and foxes as well as others like owls and bears. To find out more about the animals that you’ll find at the center and when you can visit, click here.
How to get here: 977 Springfield Road Wilmington, NY 12997
Easily the most popular attraction in town, High Falls Gorge is one of the many stars of Wilmington.
André Carrotflower/Flickr
IntrepidSprite/TripAdvisor The private nature park is an absolute must-visit, sitting on 22-acres of land along the Ausable River. The park features bridges, boardwalks and hiking trails that will blow your mind. In some of the areas that you’ll explore you’ll find see-through floors that allow you to see the rushing water of the river flowing right underneath you! An unforgettable experience that will test your fear of heights.
While it’s stunning to see the rushing water during our warmer months, High Falls Gorge turns into a whole other world once winter comes.
Martin Bravenboer/Flickr
Photo Credit What’s better than exploring epic boardwalks and trails that give you insane views of waterfalls? Roasting marshmallows afterwards to warm yourself up on the weekends! During the winter the park offers snowshoe rentals that you can use to explore their one-mile long trail through the woods.
No matter what season you decide to visit, you’ll want to check out the park’s cafe and gift shop.
André Carrotflower/Flickr
Kristi824/TripAdvisor After exploring all there is to see at High Falls Gorge, you’ll want to stop into the gift shop to bring home a little something that will always let you remember this amazing trip. After shopping around and working up your appetite even further, you can head over to the River View Cafe to sit down and enjoy a meal before you hit the road once again. To find out more information about visit this natural wonder of Wilmington, click here.
How to get here: 4761 Route 86 Wilmington, NY 12997
Last but not least, we can’t forget to talk about how Wilmington is home to New York’s 5th tallest mountain.
justinknabb/Flickr One of, if not the most popular High Peak to visit in New York, Whiteface Mountain will drop your jaw. The iconic landmark of the Adirondacks can be recognized by all of our residents, a truly photogenic natural wonder. Whether you decide to hike or drive up this mountain, or ski your way down it, there are a handful of ways you can enjoy beautiful views here.
Have you ever taken a weekend to explore all of the natural wonders that are waiting for you in Wilmington? If you find that your heart more so lies in the Catskills, then you’ll want to read about how You’ll Never Run Out Of Things To Do In This One Tiny New York Town!
Google Maps
If you look all around the town of Wilmington, you’ll find some of our other favorite locations like Upper Jay, Keene Valley, Lake Placid, Saranac Lake… and the list goes on!
Marco/Flickr
Here’s a tip, if you can manage to get someone else to drive for this adventure… do it! Having the luxury of being a passenger while traveling around Wilmington means that you’ll be able to sit back, relax and take in all of the epic views. If you visit before winter’s over you’ll often find that the roads you travel along are lined with mountainside icicles that are absolutely breathtaking.
The Hungry Trout/Yelp
Looking for not only something to eat, but a place to stay? Well then it’s a good thing that the wonderful Hungry Trout Resort is right in town! Just off of Route 86, the resort features a fine dining restaurant that offers views of Flume Falls along the Ausable River with its large picture windows. The cozy ambiance will quickly warm you up during the winter and make you feel right at home as you feast on something off of their unique menu. To find out more information about this resort and restaurant, click here.
How to get here: 5239 Route 86 Wilmington, NY 12997
James St. John/Flickr
If getting a view of Flume Falls from the restaurant wasn’t adventurous enough for you, then get outside and enjoy the waterfront trails that await you at the Flume Trailhead. The Flume Trail System features a variety of scenic trails that take you along the Ausable River and Flume Falls, an adventure that’s perfect if you decide to make a visit during the summer. To find out more information about the Flume Trail System and to view the map of various trails, click here.
Holakat/TripAdvisor
Steve1362/TripAdvisor
An incredible non-profit organization within the Adirondacks, the Adirondack Wildlife Refuge features a beautiful variety of animals. Hidden inside the town of Wilmington on 50-acres of land, the Refuge Center features a one-mile long hiking trail that will steal your breath away. At the center you’ll be able to learn about animals like wolves and foxes as well as others like owls and bears. To find out more about the animals that you’ll find at the center and when you can visit, click here.
How to get here: 977 Springfield Road Wilmington, NY 12997
André Carrotflower/Flickr
IntrepidSprite/TripAdvisor
The private nature park is an absolute must-visit, sitting on 22-acres of land along the Ausable River. The park features bridges, boardwalks and hiking trails that will blow your mind. In some of the areas that you’ll explore you’ll find see-through floors that allow you to see the rushing water of the river flowing right underneath you! An unforgettable experience that will test your fear of heights.
Martin Bravenboer/Flickr
Photo Credit
What’s better than exploring epic boardwalks and trails that give you insane views of waterfalls? Roasting marshmallows afterwards to warm yourself up on the weekends! During the winter the park offers snowshoe rentals that you can use to explore their one-mile long trail through the woods.
Kristi824/TripAdvisor
After exploring all there is to see at High Falls Gorge, you’ll want to stop into the gift shop to bring home a little something that will always let you remember this amazing trip. After shopping around and working up your appetite even further, you can head over to the River View Cafe to sit down and enjoy a meal before you hit the road once again. To find out more information about visit this natural wonder of Wilmington, click here.
How to get here: 4761 Route 86 Wilmington, NY 12997
justinknabb/Flickr
One of, if not the most popular High Peak to visit in New York, Whiteface Mountain will drop your jaw. The iconic landmark of the Adirondacks can be recognized by all of our residents, a truly photogenic natural wonder. Whether you decide to hike or drive up this mountain, or ski your way down it, there are a handful of ways you can enjoy beautiful views here.
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