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Six Things To Do While Staying at Ay-Dee-Kay
Besides the canoeing, kayaking and fishing you can do right outside the back door of Camp Ay-Dee-Kay here are six things we think you should do while visiting the Adirondacks!
1. Take a seaplane ride with Payne's Air Service:
 Tom Payne 2. Take a Trip to the Adirondack Museum:
 Praised as “the best of its kind in the world” by the New York Times, the Adirondack Museum tells the stories of how people lived, worked and played in the Adirondacks – the place where America’s idea of wilderness was born. Changing exhibits, special events and a variety of activities make the museum special to all types of interests. Beautifully landscaped grounds and gardens overlook a spectacular vista of lakes and mountains. When did trains come to the region? What was it like to live in a lumber camp? Who were the boat builders? Who dug for iron ore? When was there a horse in every barn? Twenty-two buildings and indoor/outdoor exhibits, on grounds surrounded by native trees and flowers, show how people have lived, moved, worked, and played in the Adirondacks. Ongoing interpretive programs link past with present. Here you’ll find the small wooden boats crucial for work and transportation in a region laced with rivers and lakes; you’ll find buckboards and elegant sleighs, stagecoaches, a Model T Ford, and a mahogany paneled private railroad car fit for the wealthy landowners who built sprawling Adirondack retreats called “Great Camps”. You’ll find exhibits exploring the region’s main industries – logging, mining and tourism. You’ll see a hermit’s camp, a one-room schoolhouse, a cottage decorated entirely with mosaic twigwork, a large collection of innovative rustic work and furniture, and the sleek lines of the indigenous and renowned Adirondack guideboats. Camping in the woods, surveying, hunting, skiing, trapping, and other evidenStay on Route 28 for approximately an hour until you reach Blue Mountain Lake. At the intersection, turn right onto Routes 28N and 30. We are located on the left, about halfway up the hill.ce of human endeavor since the 1800s are all noted in museum exhibits. An exciting new Visitors Center with Museum Store, and the Lake View Café will complete your visit. Average visit is 3-4 hours.
Directions: To reach the Adirondack Museum from Camp Ay-Dee-Kay you head north on Route 28 for approximately an hour until you reach Blue Mountain Lake. At the intersection, turn right onto Routes 28N and 30. The museum is located on the left, about halfway up the hill.
3. Go Hiking up to Black Bear Mountain or Bald Mountain:
The Old Forge Region abounds with hundreds of State Hiking Trails. No matter what your level of ability, there is a trail to suite you. From the breathtaking views and vistas of Bald Mountain, Rocky Point and Castle Rock, to the slow, level meandering strolls in the woods to Moss Lake, it is an experience one should not miss.If you're trying to get away from it all, then maybe a hike into this great wilderness is just what you're looking for. There's nothing more fulfilling or more enjoyable than discovering the great beauty this region has to offer. From babbling brooks, hidden ponds and lakes, breathtaking scenic views off mountain tops, hiking gives you the chance to enjoy nature as you never have. And all while enjoying the company of friends and family. There are hundreds of trails in the Old Forge region, each one unique in its own way -- and each one well worth the trip. Although it would be impossible to list them all, we have highlighted some of the hikes we like and sources of additional assistance to help make your trip an enjoyable one. Black Bear Mountain: On Route 28, just south of downtown Inlet. The trailhead is all the way to the right of the parking lot. From the trailhead to the summit is 3.5 miles (steeper intermediate) or you can take the steeper, more difficult 2.1 miles. Parking area is also used for Rocky Mountain.
Bald Mt. Trail North on Rt. 28 4.5 miles past Tourist Information Center in Old Forge. Turn left on Rondaxe Rd. Go one tenth mile to parking area on left. It is a one mile hike, 30-40 minutes with a few steep sections offering excellent view of Fulton Chain of Lakes.
Fly Pond & Pond: Directly across Rondaxe Rd. from Bald Mt. Parking area. Eight-tenths of mile hike. 30 minutes, Level. Leads past Fly Pond, Carry Mountain Pond, old bed of Raquette Lake Railway, Scenic Mountain, Mountain Pond. Bubb Lake & Sis Lake: Offers hiking, camping, swimming and fishing. 2.3 miles, 1 hour. 7.6 miles north of Tourist Information Center in Old Forge on north side of Rt. 28. Beginner to intermediate. Some early ascent, then mostly level. Leads by two beautiful scenic lakes. Moss Lake: Take Big Moose Road in Eagle Bay 2.1 miles, trail head on left. Hiking, canoeing, camping, swimming & fishing. 2.5 mile loop, 1 hour. Relatively level. Cascade Lake: Hiking, canoeing, waterfall, camping, swimming, fishing. 4.6 mile round trip, 2.5 hours. Easy grades. Take Big Moose Rd. from Eagle Bay nine tenths of mile. Parking area on right. Scenic trail, nice waterfall on north end of trail. These are just a few of the many trails found locally. By no means a complete list. We highly recommend buying one of the many hiking books available for the West Central Adirondacks. They give detailed information concerning each trail and will prove an invaluable tool in making your trip fun, safe and enjoyable for all. And always remember to bring map and compass, tell someone where you're going and when you are due back. And sign in at all register boxes found at trail heads.
4. Visit Great Camp Sagamore:
One of the best things you and your family can do when visiting the Adirondacks is to take a visit to Great Camp Sagamore at Racquette Lake. Located less than an hour away on Rt. 28, Camp Sagamore is a unique opportunity to experience what life was like for the wealthy who built these elaborate "Great Camps" in Adirondacks during the Guilded Age. Its 27 authentic buildings were the wilderness estate of the Vanderbilt family from 1901-1954. Now a National Historic Landmark & a not-for-profit organization dedicated to education.
 
Directions: Follow Rte. 28 through the towns of Alder Creek, Forestport, Woodgate, Thendara, Old Forge, Eagle Bay, and Inlet. Stay on Rte. 28 to the village of Raquette Lake. There will be signs for Camp Sagamore on your right.
5. Visit Enchanted Forest/Water Safari Park:
Located on Rt. 28 in Old Forge the Enchanted Forest/Water Safari is New York's Largest Water Theme Park with over 50 rides & attractions! With all the 'get wet' action of 32 water rides, the thrill of classic amusement rides or the fun filled experience of our themed attractions, there's something for every member of your family!
Water Rides: Cool off this summer on one of the 31 water rides at Enchanted Forest/Water Safari. From relaxing tube rides to high speed slides there's fun filled action for all ages!
Just For Kids!: 
Enchanted Forest/Water Safari is perfect for kids of every age! The park makes a special efforts to be sure all of the young guests are taken care of and have fun! The coolest place for kids is the Sawmill at the Adirondack Expedition. It's a three story water playground for parents and children of all ages to enjoy together. There are lots of slides, rides and attractions for children of all ages to enjoy!
6. Take a lake cruise on Old Forge Lake Cruises:
 There are no roads around the Fulton Chain of Lakes that provide the picturesque views you’ll enjoy from the deck of the Clearwater, Zilpha or President Harrison. Your cruise will follow the old steamboat route through the lakes of the Fulton Chain. Enjoy the natural beauty of the Adirondacks while your Captain's narration bring the area's colorful history and folklore to life.
Sightseeing Cruises - 2 hrs. Kids’ Cruises - 1 hr.* Heritage Cruises with Lunch - 2.5 hrs. Mailboat Cruises - 3 hrs. Directions: From Camp Ay-Dee-Kay go north on Rt 28 just past the Enchanted Forest/Water Safari, Old Forge Cruises will be on the right.Old Forge Cruises is located on Route 28 in Old Forge,
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