Tupper Lake Winter Guide

If you are looking to expand your Lake Placid and Adirondack adventures, grab our Tupper Lake Winter guide to get started!  This Adirondack community has a wonderful small town feel with exciting opportunities to explore. From educational opportunities at the Wild Center to cross country ski and snowmobile trail systems, your days will be filled with fun.  Unique dining opportunities also abound for the perfect ending to your day.

At Adirondack Premier Properties, our experienced staff and forever agents live in and enjoy the communities we serve.  Read on for our insider info on the best events, activities and eats to make the most out of your Tupper Lake winter experience!

Events – Tupper Lake Winter Guide

Wild Center Wild Lights – November 24th – February 23

The Wild Center in Tupper Lake has a variety of activities that will entertain every age and fill the mind with you all you ever wanted to know about Adirondack nature and environment. The most notable activity during the winter is Wild Lights  beginning just after Thanksgiving. Make the most of your Tupper Lake winter and explore the enchanting lights throughout the Wild Center from November 24 through February 23

Holiday Stroll – December 15th-16th

Take a walk on festive Park Street in Tupper Lake from 4 pm – 7 pm! The Tupper Lake Holiday Stroll is the perfect opportunity for locals and visitors to enjoy the holiday season.  Warm lit trees, stores stocked with the perfect holiday gift finds and events like a free movie at the Public Library make this Tupper Lake winter event a fun outing for all ages.

Phil Edwards Hockey Tournament January 5th -7th

Begin the new year by watching one of the Adirondacks fastest growing hockey tournaments. The Phil Edwards Memorial Hockey Tournament is an adult level tournament for participants must be 18 and over. See teams from all over the region competing for the Phil Edwards Trophy!

ADK Tour De Ski – January 14th

Experience an exciting new cross country ski race throughout the Adirondacks! ADK Tour de Ski races occur on weekends and featuring 6 different venues with multiple distances. The Tupper Lake winter race occurs at the James C Frenette Sr Recreational Trails.

Northern Challenge Ice Fishing Derby – Feb 3rd

Every first Saturday of February, anglers from all over converge onto Simond Pond in Tupper Lake to compete in the Northern Challenge Ice Fishing Derby, a northern pike fishing tournament. Whether you are competing or just a spectator, this is truly a sight to see with over 1,000 participants chasing over $40,000 in cash and prizes!

Tupper Lake Brewski – February 24th

Grab your cross country skis or snowshoes and hit the brew trail. This 1.5 mile long Tupper Lake winter Brewski is a great way to spend time enjoying the Adirondacks with friends old and new. Multiple stations along they way offer samples from a variety of brewers. 2024 participating businesses haven’t been announced yet, but previous years included local Tri-Lakes breweries as well as a few from the wider region like Paradox Brewery (North Hudson), Boots Brewing Company (Watertown) and Nine Pin Cider Works (Albany).

Solar Eclipse – April 8th

Come experience one of the last solar eclipses you will see in your lifetime as the path lands perfectly over the Tri-Lakes Region. View it on your own, stop by the Wild Center or visit the Adirondack Sky Center for this event. The Wild Center is offering a Free Community Day to celebrate the event. The Adirondack Sky Center is making it a two day event, offering family friendly activities on the 7th and 8th and finishing the night off with music!

Activities – Tupper Lake Winter Guide

Cross Country Skiing

There are plenty of options to explore Tupper Lake winter on cross country skis! The James C Frenette Sr Recreational Trails provides multiple groomed trails perfect for beginner to experienced skiers. For a wilder experience, break your own trails in the backwoods. Check out the Deer Pond Loop if you are interested in backcountry ski touring. Be sure to prepare for the worst weather conditions for all xc ski trips.  A backpack with extra warm clothes, water and other cold weather survival gear could be a savior if you get turned around.

Hiking/Snowshoeing

If cross country skiing doesn’t interest you, the James C Frenette Sr Recreational Trails are also designed for snowshoeing. Additionally, you can explore many of the hiking trails around Tupper Lake with snowshoes. As always, if you plan on going into the backcountry, always prepare for the worst. Let someone know where you are going, pack extra supplies (water/food), warm clothes, and matches or a lighter. Being prepared is essential in the Adirondacks. If you don’t have snowshoes, but want to explore head over to the Wild Center. Complimentary snowshoes are included with admission to explore trails around the center!

Ice Fishing

Tupper Lake has been calling winter anglers for generations to seek out a trophy winning fish. As the cold weather bears down on the Adirondack region, ice fishing shanties start to pop up with eager anglers. Some of the best ice fishing can be found on Simons Pond and Raquette Pond. Simons Pond even has a fishing derby with over $40,000 in cash and prizes as anglers compete to find northern pike.

Snowmobiling

Get your sled ready and head out to make the snow fly! Take in the gorgeous scenery on the groomed trails in and around Tupper Lake. The new Adirondack Rail Trail will connect riders from Tupper Lake to Lake Placid. Along the trail system, you will be able to find easily accessible gas, restaurants, taverns, sled repair and lodging.

Where To Eat – Tupper Lake Winter Guide

Breakfast

Washboard Laundromat & Donut Shoppe

48 Park Street, Tupper Lake

This a staple breakfast stop for locals and visitors alike. For over 25 years, this establishment has been serving donuts on Park Street. This building also has a laundry mat, so you can grab breakfast and finish your laundry at the same time! The donuts are freshly made every day with multiple options for frosting with the signature being the Maple Bacon Donut!

Larkin’s Junction Depot

58 Main Street, Tupper Lake

Larkins is your one stop shop! Grab breakfast, lunch or some maple syrup to go! A bakery and deli provide the perfect fuel for your day exploring the Tupper Lake area. Breakfast menu offers breakfast pizza, burritos and sandwiches. If you are looking for baked goods, they have donuts, scones and banana bread. Lunch menu includes salads, soups and sandwiches perfect for on the go eating. Finally, prepared heat and eat dinners make at-home dinner prep a breeze after a long day of exploring. These meals include lasagna, shepherds pie, pulled pork with mac and cheese, meatloaf and pot roast.

Main Street Restaurant

79 Main Street, Tupper Lake

Enjoy homemade food and a great atmosphere at the Main Street Restaurant. Start your morning off with a diner style breakfast. A variety of egg dishes including omelets and sandwiches or pancakes and french toast make the perfect start to your day! Lunch is also available with salad, soup, sandwiches and burgers. Finally, dinner is served with a variety of Italian and seafood dishes as well as steaks!

Lunch

Little Italy

146 Park Street, Tupper Lake

Stop in to grab a slice of pizza to keep your adventures going! If you are looking for something a little more substantial, Little Italy offers pasta and Italian dishes, subs and specialty salads to keep you fueled up for your daily adventures or dinner!

Waterside Cafe At The Wild Center

45 Museum Drive, Tupper Lake

Exploring The Wild Center? Stop by the Waterside Cafe to warm up and grab an eco-conscious meal or snack to fuel up for the next round of exploring.

Spruce & Hemlock

111 Park Street, Tupper Lake

Spruce & Hemlock offers more than souvenirs and home decor, recently opening a bakery and deli! Pick up a breakfast sandwich, baked good, coffee or smoothie to start your day of exploration throughout the Tupper Lake Region. If you are stopping to warm up and take a break, lunch time offers build your own sandwiches and subs. Online or in store ordering available. Limited seating also available, so this is best as a grab and go!

Dinner

Pine Grove 

 166 Main Street, Tupper Lake

Pine Grove offers home cooked and casual dining. You will be welcomed with your favorite classics from burgers and sandwiches to more fine dining with chicken,  steak, Italian and seafood dishes.

Amado

10 Cliff Avenue, Tupper Lake

If you are looking for intimate dining Amado is your go to! Amado offers an eclectic menu with 9 taps featuring local craft beverages and 70 different bottled wines. They also offer monthly wine pairing dinners! For dinner you will find vegan, Brazilian and fine dining options perfect to explore different styles and flavors of food. If you are grabbing lunch,  a variety of burgers, sandwiches, salads and soups are on the Amado menu.

The Swiss Kitchen

92 Park Street, Tupper Lake

The Swiss Kitchen is a family owned restaurant offering meals from breakfast to dinner. Find your diner favorites in the morning, burgers for lunch and regional favorites at dinner. Make sure that you save room for a slice of homemade pie!

Snacks, Pub Food and Breweries

Foul Line Sport Bar

1939 State Route 30, Tupper Lake, NY

WIth 12 different game TV’s, this is the perfect stop for every sports enthusiast! The bar also has something for everyone with darts, pool, skee ball and basketball. Part of a bowling alley (Lakeview Lanes), you can hit the sports bar, then hit the lanes with family and friends. The kitchen offers pizza, wings and other pub foods!

Raquette River Brewery

11 Balsam Street, Tupper Lake, NY

If you like craft breweries, Raquetter River Brewery is a must stop! This 3,000 square foot beer hall offers 12+ small batch Ales that you can get in pints, flights and to go cans and growlers.  There’s also plenty of seating to enjoy the beer there! If you are hungry, head outside to find 2-3 food truck options with wood fired pizza, Mexican and BB-Q regulars. During the warmer months, the patio opens up with corn hole and free music.

P-2’s Irish Pub

31 Main Street, Tupper Lake, NY

Stop in to enjoy the only establishment serving Guiness in Tupper Lake. This is a family run business offering a full range of pub fair including burgers, fries, wings and chicken sandwiches. Additionally, P-2’s hosts live music occasionally. It’s a perfect stop to grab some food and see a show!

As you explore Tupper Lake winter and enjoy all the area has to offer, contact our experienced staff at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Adirondack Premier Properties if you find yourself in need of a vacation rental or looking to buy a piece of property in the area. Our forever agents are here to help you with all of your real estate needs.  Give us a shout today!