Nine New York towns worth visiting
Explore nine charming and underrated towns in New York, each with unique history, natural beauty, and local attractions. From the serene Adirondacks to the vibrant Finger Lakes, discover what makes these locales special.
A lake within New York is among one of the most snake-filled waters in northern part of the nation, according to the World Atlas.
The Saranac Lake region, nestled in the Adirondacks, is one of five lively waterways highlighted by the World Atlas, a website that publishes content about resources surrounding travel and other topics. Here’s more about the snake-filled lake.
Snakes in the water
According to the World Atlas, the Saranac Lakes region “supports a highly varied snake population along its interconnected waterways.” The area provides prime habitat for northern water snakes, which patrol the waters in search of fish and amphibians. Eastern garter snakes hunt frogs and small invertebrates here while green snakes are smaller and stealthy as they navigate tall grasses near the lakes and hunt insects.
The Saranac Lakes region has roughly 17 miles of waterway connecting the Saranac River with Lake Flower (the main lake within Saranac Lake), Kiwassa Lake, Oseetah Lake and the Lower, Middle and Upper Saranac lakes.
Saranac Lake, NY
The village of Saranac Lake spans three towns in two counties — Franklin and Essex counties — and is the largest community within the Adirondack park in northern New York. This quaint town is often overshadowed by its more frequented neighbor, Lake Placid, yet it offers an equally captivating charm with far fewer crowds.
Winter transforms Saranac Lake into a snowy wonderland, ideal for outdoor enthusiasts who can go snowshoeing, cross-country skiing on nearby Dewey Mountain. The village’s annual winter carnival celebrates snow activities and comraderies and an community-built ice palace. Warmer weather brings on activities such as hiking and kayaking. Local cafes, galleries and shops are aplenty here as well. It’s also home to the Adirondack Carousel, which features hand-carved animals inspired by local wildlife.
Other snake-filled waterways in the northern U.S.
According to the World Atlas, four other snake-filled waterways in the northern part of the country include:
- Door County, Wisconsin
- Mississippi River, Minnesota
- Huron River, Michigan
- Sebago Lake, Maine
