Surprisingly beautiful rest stop when you're just used to the NJ turnpike situations of bland buildings with the necessities. It's technically a welcome center which explains the fact that it's a much more calming and appropriately fitting to its environment in how it fits right in. There aren't any restaurants or shops here but plenty of vending options including souvenirs and other non food items. Facilities are clean and there's even a couple of photo op setups. It has a dog run and playground outside as well. read more

Very nice stop and easy pull-off from the highway! The bathrooms are nice and clean and there are some information pamphlets as well as an interactive large map. There were lots of locally made treats in vending machines and I got the macaroons which came out nice and chilled. There was a nice staff member there who helped everyone out with the vending machines too. There was some "I heart NY" merch in shirts and mugs too. I'd love if they added Adirondack merch too though. Lots of seating, Adirondack-style chairs to stretch your legs out on if you're taking a break from driving. There is also a kids playground and a dog area as well as a small area for everyone else to walk around. Overall, it was a great and easy stop! read more

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The food is fresh and delicious. The staff considerate kind and very knowledgeable. The vending machines have all fresh stuff. I enjoy going toI love here just to stop and get the heroes or the sandwiches in the place is extremely clean and well taking care of read more

The lady bathroom attendant was working so hard this evening. The bathrooms had an amazingly clean scent because she had just Finished mopping and cleaning it. Everything was perfect . There were oodles of vending machines with nice options most of which were very healthy . They even had vending machines were you can buy I love New York shirts, mugs... Etc. Giant assortment of her Iures of local tourist attractions of the Adirondacks. Also a cute chairlift photo op ! What a delight ! read more

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We were on the way to Lake Placid (Adirondack area) and saw this rest area in the nick of time and took an exit [Northbound side of the Northway, between exits 17 and 18.], it looks very beautiful, well maintained, not your typical rest area, and there was a big I love NY sign was there. Upon googling, found out that, they have like 10-11 rest areas like this, across the New York state and Kirkwood one is mind-blowing. In fact, someone can make a list of all these rest areas - they are themselves a hit tourist spot. Take a selfie in a chairlift from Gore Mountain - it's a good spot for a picture, also you can just relax by the faux fireplace vending machine options are there. The facility is a comfortable, modern gateway to the Adirondacks region, promoting local attractions. For family travelers, an outdoor children's play area with a zip line is available, along with a pet comfort area, free Wi-Fi, cell phone charging stations, picnic tables, and Adirondack chairs Parking: it's a rest/ service area ;) read more

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Stopped as a quick rest stop break and to stretch our legs. The entire facility was immaculate and clean. They had a separate area for snacks and sitting. The bathrooms itself were clean, well light, and smelled flower fresh. Parking outside was ample and easy to get off the highway and get back on. read more

A LOVELY WELCOME CENTER. Though this is irrelevant to the welcome center structure, the first thing that happened was a nice woman offered to take my photo in front of the giant "I heart NY" sign. There is an individual all gender bathroom stall near the men and women's restrooms. There were many stalls in the clean women's restroom. I was impressed because this was a rare bathroom that had a sealant on the door where you cannot see between stalls! Everything at the welcome center is well thought out from the rocking chairs near the fireplace to the gigantic vending machines filled with local snacks and tourist items. For kids, there is a playground with a zip line outside. You'll have to see the beautiful little details such as the plaques of famous New Yorkers on the walkway or the handwritten sign detailing how far the next gas station is. read more

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Great stop on my trip to NY ! I loved the photo props ! Made for some great pictures ! Lots of information ! Restrooms ! Clean ! Vending machines with gifts ! Love it ! read more

What an amazing welcome into the Adirondacks after a long drive! Absolutely spotless, with tons of refreshments for sale from local shops. Very nice place to unwind and take a break before continuing your journey into the mountains or on the way to heading home. read more

Adirondacks Welcome Center - Center - Travel Services Near Me - Queensbury, New York

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This new rest area is GORGEOUS, especially compared to what used to be here. It's nice to see some of New York's tax dollars going to Upstate. The interior of the building has a great Adirondack lodge feel to it. I only stopped here quickly before meeting a friend in Queensbury. As I parked, I noticed the fenced in pet area with poop bags, so no reason not to pick up after your fluffy friend. Adirondack chairs are inside and outside of the building, a nice tribute to this region. There is a nice small playground for the kids, a great opportunity to burn some energy off here for the little ones. There were a couple of great photo ops here! Outside they had a giant "I heart NY" sign, as well as a chair lift with snow backdrop inside. I didn't buy any food here, but they had some super unique vending machines with NY specific products. An ATM is also on premise. This is a great place to stop and stretch your legs while you check out the mini exhibits on this area and do some travel planning at the various kiosks. read more

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This is everything a Welcome Center should be! It was clean and spacious, there were plenty of places to sit and relax for a while, and they have some vending machines with coffee, drinks, and some local snacks. The outside has a big I love NY sign that makes for a great selfie, it's got a small kids playground, and I saw a sign for a park but I didn't walk down to see if it had any types of trails, or if it was just the small area with trees. You'll definitely feel welcome here, and if you need a spot to take a break on your trip then you can't go wrong stopping here. read more

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Hands down the nicest rest area I've frequented in my lifetime! You'll probably say the same after visiting here. One would never know that you're nestled between the suburbia of Clifton park and Queensbury, this place makes you feel like you've reached a true destination...and you have! The "forever wild" Adirondack Park is one of New York State's (and our nation's) treasures, and its welcome center located in I-87 (AKA "the northway") really does it justice. One will find clean restrooms, comfortable Adirondack chairs inside and out in which to relax, interactive displays of New York State's boundless opportunities for adventure (from culinary to the great outdoors), a display and map of the Adirondack Park, and quite a few vending machines stocked with food, drink and health products made right here in NYS by local NYS-based companies! Goat cheese? Artisanal face mask? Cheesecake crafted by nuns? Kosher snacks? Coffee from local roasters? You can find all of these and more..from a bank of vending machines! With how nice this is, I'm sure it will get quite crowded in the summer months. While here, don't forget to use the onsite boat washing station to do your part in keeping our upstate waterways clean! After you've heeded nature's call of course. read more

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You can imagine my surprise when I came upon the Adirondacks and found that the mountains weren't in giant shapes of chairs. This welcome center gave all the Adirondack chair energy your heart could want. I don't normally review welcome centers but this one is so much fun! They have a huge ski lift photo op inside, an I (heart) NY photo op outside, a park, Adirondack chair chilling spots, and more fun hangouts. When driving to Lake Placid, this is a great spot to pull over. The staff is welcoming and want to assist your needs. They were adamant they are *not* a Visitors Center which is why they don't get 5 stars. There's no information to pick up. It's purely a photo op and that is a bit confusing as a road tripper. read more

Adirondacks Welcome Center - Travel Services Near Me - Queensbury, New York

This place is beautiful. Very nice facilities and everything was clean with great vending choices

Cleanest and Most Well Laid Out Rest Area on Rt 87 North way ! Pretty new as well , Great Signage , Clean , well lit , Wonderful Parking ! Better than any Gas Station along this Route , Thanks To Whom ever keeps it clean ! Very nice read more

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Awesome place and i want to give it five stars but there was such strong outhouse/dump station smell around the center i'm giving it a four instead. It took awhile to get used to the smell while I was parked there but overall, it is a very well managed facility. read more

I think this rest stop and welcome center raises the bar quite high for others. Well staffed, well maintained, and well designed for travelers heading into the great Adirondacks. While indoor resembles a nice hotel lobby the outdoor has kids gyms with a zip line to air-out the yunguns. Smallish but clean pet area is fenced for relaxed pet relief time. Well done folks! read more

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Not a million years did i think I would review a road side welcome center, nor did I think I'd be leaving a 5-star review...yet, here I am doing just that! This pit stop is well worth the time weather you have to use "the facilities" or not. It's designed beautifully - like a ski chalet with warm wooden interiors, a fireplace and a whole lot of information on the Adirondacks and NY in general. The best part (other than the very clean bathrooms) are the vending machines. They did an *amazing* job of curating interesting foods from all around New York state. So if you're on your way to a friend's cabin for the weekend, pick up some food and drink here! Or grab some for the car ride! There's even Instagrammable content, if that's your thing! read more

Adirondacks Welcome Center - Travel Services Near Me - Queensbury, New York

Large rest stop with plenty of truck parking. Plenty of car parking too. This place does have washroom facilities. Tons on maps posted for NYS. Easy on and off Route 87. 90/Review-a-Day Challenge read more

Oh my word this place is pretty and CLEAN. Need to keep this for my Vermont road trip folder. Looks newly renovated plenty of parking. Kids play are but it's closed off due to COVID. Did I mention clean?!? read more

So impressed with this welcome center. There is an employee who stood out named Daniel, that helped me with my purchase through the vending machine and made suggestions on what was good. I ended up getting a salad and a saratoga water and was very pleased with the freshness and customer service. Rest rooms were very clean too. read more

Small but super clean. Very cozy and has a cabin type feel. Not that it matters for a rest stop, but still a nice vibe to step into between long stretches of driving. Clean bathrooms. No store, but lots of vending machines (though they have like "fancy" drinks and snacks). Lots of info for the region. Also tons of seating if you packed your own snacks and need a place to eat or map out the rest of your journey. read more

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This was quite possibly the nicest rest stop I have ever been to. Not only are the facilities clean, but the ambiance here makes you want to just stay and hang out and not get back on the road again! Its rustic stone walls and bright seating area make it easy to relax and chill for a bit. They have some nice picture opportunities, including the I LOVE NY sign at the outside entrance and the ski lift inside. There's also a remarkable playground with rubber floors and bright equipment. It was perfect for the kids to get out some energy in a safe, gated in space before heading back to the car. My husband and I even tried out the zipline for ourselves! Definitely worth the stop if you need to make one; even if you don't! read more

This rest stop was just recently renovated, from a small gross little stop to an updated, modern take of an Adironack structure that fits this area. I am amazed how they completed this quickly. The restrooms are clean and has vending machines that offer NY made products from the area. This is quite a change of what it used to be, going from scary and unsafe, to clean updated and comfortable. read more

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I love have clean and kid friendly it is. It is great for both locals and visitors. One of the cleanest rest areas ive seen in a long time

Truly astonishing, I think this is what rest stops and welcome centers are starting to become! Your honestly have that authentic Adirondack feeling when you walk through the door! It even smells like crisp mountain air inside! The outside has a miniature dog park, for the canine companion and even a small playground for the youngsters! Great job NYS! read more

This was a pleasant surprise! My kids (ages 9 and 12) had a blast on the zip line. The interior is spotless, bright and spacious. The vending machines are amazing and there are marble tables and counters to sit in this area. I've never seen high end machines with local products and they are impressive. Some examples are honey, soap, cheese, chocolates etc. Great for yourself or gifts. The map of the Adirondacks on the floor was beautiful and informative. There is a small "museum" of historical items from the area and some interactive information screens. Definitely worth a stop even if you don't need the restroom! read more