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About the VICs

The New York State Adirondack Park Agency operates the Visitor Interpretive Centers in Paul Smiths and Newcomb. Open year-round, the facilities serve the 6-million-acre Park as environmental education and traveler orientation centers. The Paul Smiths and Newcomb VICs opened in 1989 and 1990, respectively, and have served more than a million people. The Adirondack Park Institute, our not-for-profit friends group, funds curricula, publications, environmental education programs, and special events at both visitor centers.

Mission. To enhance public awareness of Park resources and the Agency’s role in their protection.

Vision. We envision a shared understanding and appreciation of the Park for residents and visitors by assuring parkwide access to resource information and personal interpretation.

Interpretive Trails. Both facilities offer miles of scenic, surfaced trails that feature interpretive signage and brochures explaining the local ecology. Winter in Paul Smiths sees the system adapted for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, while the Newcomb VIC loans snowshoes to winter visitors who wish to explore trails there.

Exhibits. Indoor exhibits on natural history are complemented by regular showings of multi-image presentations on the park. Youngsters will find “touch tables,” games and puzzles to spark their interest in the region’s animals, insects and plants.

Native Species Butterfly House. The country’s first Native Species Butterfly House reopens every June at the Paul Smiths VIC. Observe butterflies in all stages of development as well as their larval food and nectar plants from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Labor Day. In July 2001, the structure was dedicated to the memory of Breck Chapin, former volunteer services coordinator and co-founder of the Butterfly House. The exhibit opened in 1993.

Public Programs. From lectures on bear behavior, orienteering classes, maple sugaring outings, and packbasket weaving workshops, the Visitor Interpretive Centers offer more than 150 public programs annually, many of them free. Summers at the centers feature regularly scheduled interpretive trail walks, night hikes, canoe paddles and live bird-of-prey sessions.

Environmental Education. Environmental education is a priority at the VICs. With the support of a private, non-profit organization called the Adirondack Park Institute, the two facilities sponsor a wide variety of on-site and off-site school programs and Stalking Science teacher training workshops.

Visitor Information Services. Friendly staff and volunteers knowledgeable about the Adirondack Park are eager to help visitors find places to stay, eat and enjoy all the Park has to offer: recreational activities such as skiing, canoeing and hiking; museums and other attractions; concerts, plays and other cultural programs; sporting competitions such as the Lake Placid Horse Shows; and annual community events such as the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival.

Volunteer Corps. Both VICs benefit from a dedicated corps of volunteers, who help with the front desk, educational programs, special events, the Butterfly House, etc.

Facilities. Both VICs feature restful seating rooms inside, outdoor picnic areas, rest rooms, soda machines, water fountains, snack concessions, spaces to eat lunches indoors and public phones. The Paul Smiths VIC also has a “Critter House” playground area.


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			PAUL SMITHS VIC Adirondack Wildlife Festival Barnum Pond Canoe Paddles Bird of Prey Birding Walks Butterfly House Night Hikes Ski/Snowshoe Trips ----- NEWCOMB VIC Birding Walks Bird of Prey Naturalist-Led Trail Walks Snowshoe Workshops GPS Workshops Guided Backcountry Trips
	For Kids For Families For Teachers Paul Smiths VIC Newcomb VIC Newsletter Wildlife Watch Publications Research Program Partners	About Us The New York State Adirondack Park Agency operates the Visitor Interpretive Centers in Paul Smiths and Newcomb. Open year-round, the facilities serve the 6-million-acre Park as environmental education and traveler orientation centers. The Paul Smiths and Newcomb VICs opened in 1989 and 1990, respectively, and have served more than a million people. The Adirondack Park Institute, our not-for-profit friends group, funds curricula, publications, environmental education programs, and special events at both visitor centers. Mission. To enhance public awareness of Park resources and the Agency’s role in their protection. Vision. We envision a shared understanding and appreciation of the Park for residents and visitors by assuring parkwide access to resource information and personal interpretation. Interpretive Trails. Both facilities offer miles of scenic, surfaced trails that feature interpretive signage and brochures explaining the local ecology. Winter in Paul Smiths sees the system adapted for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, while the Newcomb VIC loans snowshoes to winter visitors who wish to explore trails there. Exhibits. Indoor exhibits on natural history are complemented by regular showings of multi-image presentations on the park. Youngsters will find “touch tables,” games and puzzles to spark their interest in the region’s animals, insects and plants. Native Species Butterfly House. The country’s first Native Species Butterfly House reopens every June at the Paul Smiths VIC. Observe butterflies in all stages of development as well as their larval food and nectar plants from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through Labor Day. In July 2001, the structure was dedicated to the memory of Breck Chapin, former volunteer services coordinator and co-founder of the Butterfly House. The exhibit opened in 1993. Public Programs. From lectures on bear behavior, orienteering classes, maple sugaring outings, and packbasket weaving workshops, the Visitor Interpretive Centers offer more than 150 public programs annually, many of them free. Summers at the centers feature regularly scheduled interpretive trail walks, night hikes, canoe paddles and live bird-of-prey sessions. Environmental Education. Environmental education is a priority at the VICs. With the support of a private, non-profit organization called the Adirondack Park Institute, the two facilities sponsor a wide variety of on-site and off-site school programs and Stalking Science teacher training workshops. Visitor Information Services. Friendly staff and volunteers knowledgeable about the Adirondack Park are eager to help visitors find places to stay, eat and enjoy all the Park has to offer: recreational activities such as skiing, canoeing and hiking; museums and other attractions; concerts, plays and other cultural programs; sporting competitions such as the Lake Placid Horse Shows; and annual community events such as the Saranac Lake Winter Carnival. Volunteer Corps. Both VICs benefit from a dedicated corps of volunteers, who help with the front desk, educational programs, special events, the Butterfly House, etc. Facilities. Both VICs feature restful seating rooms inside, outdoor picnic areas, rest rooms, soda machines, water fountains, snack concessions, spaces to eat lunches indoors and public phones. The Paul Smiths VIC also has a “Critter House” playground area.

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