This may be an urban legend. It could also be an anti-urban legend, we’re not sure. But we hear that the word "vacation" was invented in the Adirondacks. And while experienced etymologists may argue that the Latin “vacatio” means “freedom,” folks here have a different story to tell.
Health care being what it was in the late 1800s, and with the amount of people that were congregating in the New York City area, summer was becoming a dangerous time for fevers and other outbreaks. Being that many of these people were upper-class, they didn’t want any part of staying in the city waiting to get sick; instead, they packed up for the summer and moved into the Adirondack mountains.
In other words, they “vacated.” Or evacuated. Which isn’t nearly as pleasant a thought as the British “holiday,” but given the result - Great Camps, philanthropy and a deep appreciation for the natural surroundings - it became known as a pleasant escape, as we know it today.
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Things to know:
Region: Adirondacks
Average temperature: Low of 2 degrees, high of 75 degrees F.
Number of resorts: 166
Mountain range: The Adirondack Mountains
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