10 Things To Do in Jay NY

Whether you are a visitor or resident of the quaint mountain town of Jay, NY, there are plenty of activities to stay busy year round. Depending on your interests and the season, Jay offers a variety of opportunities to enjoy everything the Adirondacks has to offer including outdoor activities, festivals, music and food!

Below you will find something for everyone in our ADKPP guide on “10 Things To Do in Jay NY” in all seasons.

10 Things To Do in Jay NY

1. Explore the Ausable River

Get out and explore the Ausable River that meanders right through the center of the community, flowing from Keene to Jay and continuing on to Ausable Forks then Lake Champlain. Paralleling route 9N on the East Branch and route 86 on the West Branch, the Ausable is one of the longest rivers in the Adirondacks. Whether you travel up or downstream from Jay, there are interesting sights and communities to explore in both directions. The West Branch of the Ausable River in particular is most known for its fishing opportunities.

2. Visit the Covered Bridge & Historic Sites

If Adirondack history is your passion, the Historic Jay Covered Bridge is not to be missed. A popular place to snap portraits and scenic river photos, this site is on a slower section of the Ausable River. In addition to enjoying the beauty and timelessness of a historic covered bridge, this spot is perfect to enjoy taking a quick dip and cooling off on hot summer days. Additionally, there are other historical sites nearby like John Brown Farm in Lake Placid, Saranac Lake’s Laboratory Museum and the Underground Railroad Museum in Ausable Chasm.

3. Explore the Arts

If you enjoy the arts, Jay has several galleries and other opportunities to see local artisans’ work and interact with the community. Right in Jay, Jay Craft Center and Young’s Studio & Gallery offer a wide selection of locally made arts, crafts and other products. As you head out of town to Upper Jay, you will find the Upper Jay Art Center, a popular spot to see music, theater and visual arts.

4. Take A Ride

Almost every season offers a wonderful opportunity to explore nearby areas on scenic roadways. Whether you jump in a car or hop on your bike, the beauty of the Adirondacks will welcome and amaze you in whichever direction you choose. One of the best times to take in local beauty from the roads is fall. When autumn foliage blazes in peak colors, the bright hues light up the mountains and hillsides, especially on a day after it rains.

5. Take A Hike

One of the more popular things to do in Jay NY is hiking. This centrally located community offers the perfect base camp for nearby world-class hiking opportunities and some of the best the Adirondacks have to offer. Popular nearby hikes include many Adirondack 46ers as well as other less traveled and smaller mountains and hills.

Many of the Adirondack 46ers can be accessed by a short 20-30 minute drive to Lake Placid or Keene and Keene Valley. Additionally, there are various trail systems even closer that offer spectacular views including Cobble Lookout, Blueberry Hill, and the Flume Trails.

6. Visit The Mountain

Whiteface Mountain is a 15-20 minute drive away from Jay making it an ideal home base for downhill skiers and snowboarders. Offering the highest vertical in the east, Whiteface has a variety of terrain that will test even the most experienced riders. The mountain is also perfect for building skills and bringing up young and new skiers and riders.

There are a variety of development programs available at the Bear Den Lodge. These programs are facilitated by certified instructors to help all levels expand skill sets and work their way higher up the mountain. Hitting the slopes is a favorite winter time past-time for many in the Jay and surrounding regions.

7. Go Cross Country Skiing or Snowshoeing

Not a fan of the downhill? Grab your cross country skis or snowshoes to explore nature and enjoy one of the best winter things to do in Jay NY. Nordic skiing and snowshoeing both offer a more relaxed way to get outside, exercise and beat cabin fever. There are various options near Jay to experience these classic Adirondack winter activities. Some are fee based at private facilities, while others are free on public lands. Below is a short list of locations to x-c ski or snowshoe:

• Wilmington Community Trails – Free – The Flume Trails and trails on Hardy Road are multi-use trails that are free to use. These are natural snow covered trails where you may have to break trail depending on the current conditions.
• Cascade Welcome Center – $$ – The Cascade Welcome Center is found just outside of Lake Placid on Route 73. The trails are groomed and prepared for skiers and snowshoers to explore. They also offer rentals, classes and events for anyone who is looking to learn or spend some time with friends and family.
• Mt. Van Hoevenberg – $$ – Mt. Van Hoevenberg is just a little farther down Route 73 from the Cascade Welcome Center. These trails are also groomed. This facility was updated recently to make it a world cup worthy venue. Snow blowing keeps trails open if the weather isn’t cooperating.
• Adirondack Rail Trail – Free – This is the newest trail system in the region. It runs from Lake Placid to Saranac Lake and continues out toward Lake Clear and Saranac Inn. This trail system is continuing to grow and will eventually finish in Tupper Lake. Multi-use throughout the seasons, summer users include walkers and bikers while winter is popular with cross country skiiers, snowshoers and snowmobilers. If you are visiting and don’t have your own equipment, Sara Placid Sled & Spoke offers rentals for bikes and snowmobiles.
• Heaven Hill Trails – Free – A local trail system off Bear Cub Road in Lake Placid, Heaven Hill Trails offers spectacular views of the surrounding Adirondack Mountains. These trails are un-groomed so you may need to break trail or follow tracks made by others.
• Peninsula Trails – Free – Part of another local Lake Placid trail system on Peninsula Road, the Peninsula Trails are also un-groomed. These trails offer a short, relaxed adventure on pretty level trails making it ideal for all age groups.

8. Try A New Restaurant

Whether it’s date night, a family celebration or just a night off from cooking, there are plenty of restaurants to try around Jay. New restaurants continue to pop up throughout the region giving diners plenty of chances to try something new. If you have not tried New Vida Preserve’s Restaurant or the Ice Jam Inn, now is the time to enjoy a night out.

9. Explore Nearby Communities

The small town life can be a little slow sometimes even for the most chill personalities, so taking a day trip to nearby communities to explore on free days is always a great option any time of year. Find new restaurants, get some retail therapy or try some new activities. Opportunities to explore are endless when branching out around the Jay region. Below are a few options for easy day trips from Jay:

• Lake Placid, NY – A short 20 minute drive will bring you into Lake Placid, NY. Take in the Olympic Spirit in this tourism focused community that offers Olympic, international and local events. A variety of competitions and entertainment events are offered throughout the year. Some of the larger summer events are the Horse Shows, Ironman, and Summit Lacrosse Tournament. In winter, catch the Empire State Winter Games and various world cup winter sports at the world class Olympic facilities.
• Saranac Lake, NY – Take an extra ten minute drive from Lake Placid to Saranac Lake, a more community focused and artsy town surrounded by multiple waterways. This community offers a wonderful opportunity to get out on the water to explore 25 miles of connected lakes. In winter, experience the one of a kind Saranac Lake Winter Carnival. Occuring annually over two weeks at the beginning of February, the carnival is the ultimate celebration of winter with events, entertainment and an unforgettable ice palace.
• Plattsburgh, NY – If you are looking for a larger city with even more options than Lake Placid and Saranac Lake; take a 40 minute drive to Plattsburgh, NY. On the shores of Lake Champlain, Plattsburgh is one of the larger cities in the area offering big box stores, a mall, and various restaurants.
• Burlington, VT – Looking to explore further? Take a trip to Burlington, Vermont, just under 2 hours away! This trip brings you to the shores of Lake Champlain to take a scenic ferry over to Vermont followed by a 30 minute drive on the Vermont side to Burlington. Burlington is an artsy city with plenty of shopping including the pedestrian only Church Street Marketplace. This market place is just off Lake Champlain so you can enjoy meals and activities with sights and sounds of the nearby lake.

10. Find Some Peace & Quiet

As a smaller community, Jay, NY provides the perfect opportunity to hide away from it all and enjoy some true relaxation. Take some time for yourself and find peace and quiet while surrounded by nature and Adirondack wonders. Also, many properties in Jay have screened in porches, a classic Adirondack design feature that provides comfortable spaces to enjoy shade and a bug reprieve in the warmer summer months.

If these activities align with your interests and lifestyle and you want to explore purchasing property in Jay, NY, contact one of our top rated ADKPP real estate agents to start your search! Adirondack Premier Properties often has many available listings in Jay, and our Wilmington & Jay Region page is a great place to start exploring what’s on the market. Call 518-523-3333 to book a showing or get the latest on new listings today!