The Fern Lodge is Heaven, just 3hrs from NYC

When work pressure mounts and stress begins to build, you start thinking about the last vacation you took. You remember that most recent getaway, full of fun and relaxation. It seems so distant now, sitting behind your desk at the office – an impossibly far-off fantasy. It’s times like these, when you start to forget there’s more to life than worry and work, that you simply have to put your foot down (or rather put them up) and plan your next retreat.

But where do you go? You don’t have unlimited vacation days, and you’ve got to make this down time count. Well, good news. You can cut the search short right now, because we’ve found you the perfect place to get away from it all. Pack your bags and drive up to The Fern Lodge, one of New York’s finest (and most secluded) Adirondack resorts. Its fresh forest breeze, dazzling blue lakes, and enchanting mountain vistas will get you in the mood for some well-deserved R&R.

At the heart of the magnificent Adirondack Mountains stands The Fern Lodge, an exquisite inn on Friends Lake.

The Fern Lodge’s lakeside lifestyle will set you free as its cozy atmosphere puts you at ease. It’s got all the services and amenities you could need to help you enjoy a weekend (or week) of luxurious living. Let the fresh waters of Friends Lake soothe your body and calm your mind. Take a canoe out to the deep blue center, explore the shores in your kayak, or enjoy the views from your private hot tub.

If you’d like, you can drive south and east down to Lake George, site of the famous Battle of Lake George during the French and Indian War. Take a tour of its historic beaches and enjoy what Thomas Jefferson once claimed was the most beautiful water he’d ever seen. A romantic evening boat tour with complimentary drinks awaits those looking to savor their time on Friends Lake.

Although the lodge is in a very secluded region, without many amenities in the area, there are many different ways to relax at your disposal — making this ideal for either a romantic getaway or a retreat with friends. They have a super cozy movie theater with a huge screen (yes, really!), an old-school popcorn maker, and a ton of great DVDs. They have a ping pong table and a full bar (which is free to use and has decades-old artisanal scotch). They have board games, a pool table, canoeing, picnicking, a sauna, an exercise room, fireplaces all over and a ton of sitting areas both indoors and out.

The Fern Lodge’s five intimate and comfortable guest rooms are full of surprises. Next to your fireplace is a sitting area and a table where you can curl up with a cup of espresso and crack a good book. With a refrigerator and wet bars in each guest room, you can enjoy ice cold beer and wine in your in-room soaker tub! Our bathroom was huge, with a custom-made two-person steam shower and smooth rock boulders to sit on.

Since this is a B&B lodge, you’ll be provided with a delicious made-to-order breakfast every morning. Not just your usual coffee and pancakes, breakfast at The Fern Lodge is much more – a real treat for food lovers. They serve an artful spread of delicious organic food that’ll leave you wishing second breakfast was a real thing.

An hour on NY 28 will take you westward to the Adirondack Museum. Here you can explore the long and diverse history of the Adirondack region. The museum features local crafts, mining and logging exhibits, a private rail car, and a campus including 23 buildings and a remarkable rustic hotel.

Next, head over to Lake Placid, your destination for all things Winter Olympics. The Lake Placid tour affords a great view of Whiteface Mountain, the fifth-tallest mountain in New York and site of the 1980 Winter Olympics alpine skiing competition. After the tour, check out the Lake Placid Winter Olympic Museum and its famous “Miracle on Ice” Arena.

Enjoy the very best at Whiteface Mountain! Get your skis ready and experience the mountain’s Olympic-grade high altitude ski jumps. Be sure to bring those fine goggles of yours so you can take in the beautiful view while you descend. Once you hit the bottom of the mountain again, you’ll probably be tired… and famished. Skip on over to the Village of Lake Placid and treat your taste buds to an array of fine delicacies.

And all this is in driving distance from The Fern Lodge! I’ll admit I wasn’t a seeing-is-believing-type of person before, but this place is just beyond words. You need to get out there yourself and see the real thing.