The Deer’s Head Inn in Elizabethtown
The oldest tavern in the Adirondacks offers charming lodging and delicious dining.
Photos courtesy of Deer’s Head Inn.
The Deer's Head Inn is a gem in Elizabethtown in the Lake Champlain region of the Adirondacks. Guests at this charming historic lodge attest to its unique, cozy allure.
First opened in 1808, the Inn has seen a lot of history:
It was a military hospital during the War of 1812
Stored bootleg liquor during prohibition
Hosted John Brown's widow while his casket lay at the county courthouse across the street
Boasts entries from at least two U.S. Presidents (Harrison and Cleveland) in its guest books.
Mussels
And while it may be the oldest Inn in the ADK, it is anything but old-fashioned. The interiors have a modern, updated feel without sacrificing the original structure's integrity. The Inn's keepers chose to decorate each guest room uniquely, so this place is anything but cookie-cutter. All rooms have private baths with either king or queen-size beds. Amenities include:
24-hour check-in
Air conditioning
Carbon monoxide detector
Contactless check-in / check-out
The Inn's bright beacon is its restaurant which draws diners back for repeat visits. In this part of the ADK, a dining establishment needs local creds to compete with the best. And this is where Deer's Head excels. Their seasonal menus are mostly farm-to-table and draw upon the bounty of their Essex County food producers.
