Birdsong is a spacious, Adirondack retreat that's perfect for any season
It's no secret that I love the Adirondacks, and Keene is always my go-to spot when I want to explore the high peaks area. When I found out that our neighbors and realtors Patrick and Julie had purchased a home there and were offering it as a rental, I couldn't wait to check it out. The best part is that it's dog-friendly, which can sometimes be hard to come by!
Birdsong is located right off the main road in Keene, making it super accessible to lots of great hiking and entertainment. Even though it is centrally located, its tucked back from the road so you feel totally at peace during your stay. With four bedrooms and a gorgeous open main-floor layout, the home can accommodate up to 10 guests, making it perfect for a group getaway to the mountains. Here are some of the awesome amenities you can enjoy there:
- 4 bright and spacious bedrooms
- 3.5 baths with shower supplies and hair dryer
- A very well stocked kitchen with condiments, spices, coffee fixings and all the cooking equipment you'll ever need
- A gas fireplace
- A new fire pit with seating for 8
- Outdoor grill
- Private garden and parking
- WiFi and Smart TV
- Laundry room
- Heated flooring in the main room (perfect for chilly mornings!)
Birdsong is all about the special touches that make for a five-star stay:
While all of the amenities were amazing, there were a few things about Birdsong that truly made it stand out from other places we've stayed. They have a dog bowl station set up in the mudroom and also have a dog crate and bed that we used during our stay. It was so convenient not to have to lug our giant crate in from the car. They also labeled all the main floor light switches which is SO HELPFUL when you aren't that familiar with a house. In addition to the fire pit area outside, there is a super comfy hammock which was perfect for lounging and reading on a summer day. The living room has an entire shelf full of games and puzzles to keep the whole family entertained, and there were plenty of ADK magazines and maps to browse. Their welcome guide, which they send in advance, includes the location of items like a first aid kit, hair dryer and grill supplies. The guide also includes a list of recommended hikes (by difficulty rating) and a whole host of options to check out for dining, exploring and entertainment. I thought it was so fun that guests could fill out a card with their favorite memory or thing they did and pin it to the guest board so that others could take a look and get inspired to go somewhere new!
Where to hike while you're in Keene:
Keene and the surrounding area (which includes Lake Placid) is the perfect Adirondack Mountain town. Of course there's plenty of hiking, but if you're not into that, there's lots of other places to take advantage of in the area. Here are some of our recommendations!
Hiking
- Mt. VanHovenberg (4.3 miles, out and back): this is a great ADK high with views of the high peaks for minimal effort. The first half of the trail is mostly flat, and then you get some elevation gain in the second half. Compared to other hikes in the area, it's pretty easy with no scrambling and lots of breaks in the climbing. About halfway you pass a swamp so be warned, this trail is muddy, but I promise its worth it! Dogs are allowed on leash
- Owl's Head (.9 miles, out and back): my absolute favorite quick hike in the ADKs - this trail is on private land and only open Monday-Thursday, so make sure to plan ahead for your visit. It is all uphill but very short and doable, and the views at the top are everything. I love that you can see the road cutting through the mountains. A favorite for fall foliage views. Dogs are allowed on leash
- Roaring Brook Falls (1.6 out and back): Roaring Brook Falls has two options - lower and upper trail. The lower trail is very easy and perfect for families, and it takes you right to the base of the falls. The upper trail is a bit more of a steep climb, but the views are very rewarding. The water is pretty low this year given the drought. Try to go early or late to avoid peak crowds! Dogs are allowed on leash
Keene is also home to 15 of the 46ers (the ADK high peaks over 4K feet) - make sure you check out AllTrails and other resources before you attempt these. The main route for some high peaks starts on AMR land where dogs are not allowed, and others have sheer rock faces/scrambles/ropes and ladders which may not be suitable for some dogs! Also plan to go early, parking can be limited and many lots were pretty full during the weekdays when I was there.
Some of the other recommended hikes from the Birdsong guidebook that I haven't done include:
- Easy: Cobble Lookout, Big Crow
- Moderate: Baxter Mountain, Giant's Nubble via Ridge Trail
- Harder: Jay Mountain, Rooster Comb, Hurricane Mountain, Hopkins Mountain
Where to eat/drink/explore:
Food/drink:
- Big Slide Brewery - located about 25 minutes away in Lake Placid, Big Slide Brewery has a great pub menu and lots of beer to choose from on tap (my favorite was the hot pepper ale!) They have a very spacious dog-friendly patio area, but it can get busy later in the day so just be prepared for that if you go after a hike!
- Old Mountain Coffee - I always stop here on my way out of town or after a sunrise hike! My personal favorite is the iced maple latte. I am not sure if they have seating outside/if it is dog friendly because I've always gotten my coffee to go, so make sure to call ahead if you are traveling with a dog
- Forty-Six - amazing farm to table restaurant right in Keene with local, sustainably sourced fare that changes regularly. We had an amazing meal here last time we were in Keene. They do have outdoor seating, but I can't remember if it's dog friendly or not so make sure to call ahead!
For views without the effort:
- Marcy Field - This active airport runway has a park with a flat walking path where you can do an off leash walk or play fetch while taking in beautiful views of the peaks around you. This is a great spot to visit for sunset and a quick walk when you don't feel like doing anything steep. It's just about 2 miles from Birdsong
- Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway - If you want sweeping views you can access without hiking, pay the toll (starting at 20$) to drive Veterans Highway to the top of Whiteface. This spot boasts 360 degree views and you can see all the way to Canada. The road is open until October 10th.
Other attractions:
- Chapel Pond - right off Route 9N, we stopped at this swimming area on the way back from a frisbee session and it was the perfect spot to cool down quick!
- Cliffside Coaster - the longest coaster in North America, this coaster features the 1980 Olympic Sliding Track and takes you through the beauty of the ADKs. You can also check out the rest of the Lake Placid Olympic sites including the ski jumps, luge ride and museum.
- Wild Center at Tupper Lake - this incredible museum in Tupper Lake is fun for the whole family. You may have seen the Wild Walk which features a trail along the tree tops, a suspension web and a giant eagle's nest. They also have a Forest Music exhibit where speakers placed along the trail provide natural music that fits the scene - its an amazing experience!
