A train once used on Marion Carry near Blue Mountain Lake is on display at the former Adirondack Museum, now called Adirondack Experience. (Enterprise photo — Andy Bates)

BLUE MOUNTAIN LAKE — The Adirondack Experience (ADKX, formerly known as the Adirondack Museum) will open its 2021 summer season in two phases.

From May 28 through June 27, ADKX members can access the on-site art and history museum as well as a range of outdoor activities on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. This early access benefit is available to existing members as well as individuals and families who sign up in the coming months.

Starting July 1 ADKX will open to the public, with the 121-acre campus available every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

ADKX is operating under state-mandated COVID-19 capacity limits and will require visitors to wear masks, both in- and outdoors. ADKX also encourages visitors to purchase advance timed tickets, especially for groups of more than two. Tickets will also be available on-site.

“After the long and challenging pandemic year, we are so excited to invite visitors back to the ADKX campus,” ADKX Executive Director David Kahn said in a press release. “We pride ourselves on having something for everyone, whether someone is looking to spend time outdoors, to learn more about the history of this incredible and distinct region, or to explore wondrous artworks inspired by nature or the many vintage boats and trains in our collection.”

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Things to do indoors

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At the core of ADKX is an expansive museum that explores the history of the Adirondacks through the region’s people and their relationships to the magnificent landscapes and wildlife.

ADKX encourages visitors to start their journey on campus with Life in the Adirondacks, a 19,000-square-foot immersive installation that introduces visitors to the Adirondack Park with videos, artworks, artifacts, and interactive elements that actively engage audiences of all ages. Another popular ongoing exhibition is Boats and Boating, which illustrates the importance of boats to the region and features more than 50 vintage boats to view and explore.

Among the special presentations for the 2021 season is the exhibition, From Wilderness to Warfront: The Adirondacks and World War II. The show features letters, military uniforms and other artifacts that capture stories of courage and resilience in the face of global conflict among people from the Adirondacks.

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Things to do outdoors

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Many people travel to and live in the Adirondacks for the incredible opportunities to be outside. The ADKX Boathouse, in particular, has something for everyone, from novices to experienced paddlers and rowers.

The Boathouse sits on Minnow Pond, a roughly 90-acre body of water that is home to loons, otters, beavers, many varieties of fish and other wildlife. Visitors are able to rent a range of boats, including a rotating collection of vintage canoes, traditional guide boats and rowboats for 30 or 60 minutes. Boat rentals are included in the cost of admission to ADKX and don’t require any additional fees, encouraging visitors to take in this beautiful and serene pond.

ADKX also offers a range of trails for visitors to hike. The Minnow Pond Trail is an easy 3/4-mile walk, suitable for the whole family, to discover Minnow Pond, known as a “gem in the wilderness,” by foot. This trail dates back to this site’s early settlement history. As people walk the trail, they can learn about the connections between land and water in the Adirondacks and about the people who were so moved by the recreational wonders of the area that they committed themselves to protect the range of habitats found here.

New for 2021 is the Blue View Trail, which offers a short, vigorous route for more experienced hikers. From the higher vantage point, the views of Blue Mountain Lake are even more breathtaking. The Blue View Trail can be accessed as a spur off the Minnow Pond Trail.