Well, here is the annual “vacation like a local” or “live like a tourist in your own town” list.

I don’t like to pigeonhole activities as being touristy. As far as my family is concerned any of the activities on this list are “just another day of fun in the Adirondacks.” The one benefit of exploring our own area is to constantly rejuvenate that sense of wonder for the Adirondacks. Here are a few of our favorite transitional weather activities when Mother Nature can’t decide if it is spring or winter. Each activity is best shared before or after a nice local meal. Have fun!

Be an Olympian (whiteface.com) or just ski in their tracks. Spring skiing is still happening at Whiteface Mountain with Easter service, egg hunt and pond skimming on the schedule. Enjoy the glass elevator and view from the Olympic Jumping Complex or brush up on the area’s Olympic history at the Winter Olympic Museum.

Become a … SaranacLake 6er, Tupper Lake Triad, or start your Adirondack 46er.

Participate in a hiking challenge or just enjoy a nice spring walk. Please make sure to dress appropriately for the weather and trail conditions. If there is snow, wear snowshoes and if there is ice, please wear microspikes. Remember not to posthole. (Thanks!)

Swim – No, I’m not talking about a Polar Plunge or an exotic sandy shore. These places offer public swimming hours to kick back and have some fun:

-Paul Smith’s College, Paul Smiths: Call for recreational swim hours at 518-327-6389

-North Country Community College Saranac Lake will be closed during spring break.

-Champy’s FunCity, Plattsburgh, Mini Water Park: $10 per person for 3 hours, $5 for children under one year when accompanying a full paying person, Free/supervising adults. Family Fun Center: pay as you go in the downstairs arcade, bowling, laser tag, three-story Ballocity play structure, and indoor mini golf. Call 518-562-2730 for hours.

Yoga with wolves? Yes, indeed! The Adirondack Wildlife Refuge in Wilmington is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday through Monday, and it’s free.

See rehabilitating raptors and meet the resident wolves or enjoy the daily 10 am wolf talk. There are also free trails surrounding the property. Each Wednesday, take a yoga class while viewing the wolves out the window. Call 855-965-3626 to confirm yoga.

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Indoor climbing walls

Keep in mind that you do not need a lot of rock climbing experience to enjoy spending a few hours at a climbing gym. Perhaps after a few hours you’ll want to hire a guide and start rappelling on real Adirondack rock.

≤The Climbery, located at High Peaks Cyclery, 2733 Main St, Lake Placid, 518-23-3764, is open 7 days a week, Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday, Wednesday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., $10 for climbing and shoe rental, $7 for climbing pass without shoe rental (closed Easter Sunday). Each pass is good for the whole day so come and go during business hours.

≤The Crux, Willsboro: is open through mid-May. $10 for adults, $8 for children (12 and younger). Call 518-963-4646 for hours of operation.

≤Paul Smith’s College: Not just for swimming. Enjoy the three-story rock climbing/ bouldering wall as well as full fitness center. Call 518-327-6097 for hours and availability.

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Bowling

Bowling is great exercise and also just plain fun. All the bowling lanes offer daily specials, food, beverages and other activities.

-Romano’s Saranac Lanes, 11 Bloomingdale Ave, Saranac Lake, 518-891-8301.

-Bowlwinkles, 2750 Main St, Lake Placid, 518-523-7868, (arcade and bounce houses)

-Lakeview Lanes, 1939 Route 30, Tupper Lake. 518-359-2234.

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Bike rentals

There is still snow and mud on the trails and sand on the roads so biking may not be an option for everyone. There are also great trails for off-road options.

≤Placid Planet Bicycles, 2242 Saranac Ave, Lake Placid, 523-4128

≤High Peaks Cyclery, 2733 Main St, Lake Placid, 523-3764

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Art and entertainment

There are spots left for the Lake Placid Center for the Arts and BluSeed Studios Free Student Spring Art Classes. Go to LakePlacidarts.org or BluSeedStudios.org.

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Go to a local bookstore:

Check out The Bookstore Plus, Lake Placid and The Book Nook, Saranac Lake for local books, art supplies, story times, crafts, and author visits. Perhaps even an Adirondack Family Time guidebook of over 300 seasonal activities. (wink, wink)

Visit a fish hatchery: Take a free self-guided tour of the Adirondack Fish Hatchery in Lake Clear (518-891-3358) to learn about area landlocked salmon. Open daily April 1 to Nov. 30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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This is just the tip of the Adirondack iceberg when it comes to fun things to do, but a great starting point for making fun memories.

Diane Chase is the author of the “Adirondack Family Activities” guidebook series, “Adirondack Family Time: Your Four-Season Guide to Over 300 Activities.” For more family-friendly activities go to www.adirondackfamilytime.com.