The Village Of Lake Placid
A year-round vacation choice, the Village of Lake Placid, idyllically situated in the midst of New Yorks Adirondack Mountains, offers a typical summer vacation at the lake type experience with its multiple lakes for water sports and fishing. Off the water, mountain biking, golfing and hiking keep everyone happily busy. These activities linger into autumn as the trees sport brilliant shades of red, yellow, and orange.
In the winter, you will be rewarded with skiing Whiteface Mountain, sitting by a roaring fire and the unforgettable aroma of pine trees. An ideal home base for explorations throughout the Adirondacks, theres so much to do youll want to visit again and again.
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Thats exactly what I did!
My first visit was with two of the grandkids in the summer. Since then, Ive returned for two consecutive end-of-winter visits to check out the colder sports and peaceful snowy landscape.
In my opinion, these are some of the best things to do in Lake Placid with or without kids.
Pretend Youre An Olympic Bobsledder
Adrenaline junkies will jump at the chance to go up to 55 miles per hour at the famous Lake Bobsled Experience at the Olympic Sports Complex. Sit between a professional bobsled driver and braker as you race the same track used in the 1980s Olympics. The feeling of the speed and wind whipping past you will simply take your breath away! Traveling in the summer? Dont worry, in warmer temps, the bobsled runs on wheels.
Boots And Birdies Miniature Golf
Create meaningful memories with your family by visiting Boots and Birdies Miniature Golf. Being family owned and operated itself, Boots and Birdies knows the importance of family bonding and aims to offer its visitors with the best opportunities to do so. Challenge each other to some friendly competition by playing through the 18-hole miniature golf course. As you play your way across the whimsical western-themed course, youll also have the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful views of the Adirondack mountains. After the game, children can then test their luck and hunt for gemstones, fossils, and other treasures at the custom-built mining sluice for a truly western experience.
1991 Saranac Avenue, Lake Placid, New York 12946, Phone: 518-837-5309
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Getting To Lake Placid
Located 282 miles north of New York City, the drive to Lake Placid primarily runs on the New York Thruway with the last 15 miles meandering along the picturesque NY-73.
For our drive, Chevy loaned me a Chevy Blazer. As we exited the thruway, light snow began to fall. For my Florida-based grandkids, snow is always exciting. Driving a vehicle that wasnt mine, I wasnt sure how Id feel about this portion of the drive.
But the Blazer handled the road like a boss taking away any apprehension I previously felt. Thats a win in my book!
Go Shopping In The Local Specialty Shops
Stay local and explore some of the specialty shops on Main Street in Lake Placid you cant find anywhere else.
- Ruthies Run is a favorite specialty clothing shop for skiwear and accessories.
- Mini Euromart carries a variety of goods from around Europe for those who are looking to score some sentimental and ancestral favorites.
- Pure Placid features handcrafted soaps, lotions, candles, and other goods inspired by local wildlife and mountain bliss.
- And you cant leave without stopping in at High Peaks Cyclery to see if there are any sporting accessories to complete your Adirondack vacation.
- Adirondack Popcorn Co. Stop by here for some deliciously flavored popcorn. Whether you love sweet or salty, theres a flavor here for everyone. I loved dill pickle popcorn. It was delicious!
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How To Get There
Its a pretty straight shot from NYC and Hoboken + Jersey City once you hop on 87. Take Route 17 N and then drive North on 87 for about 3+ hours. Youll pass Lake George, and then will hit the Adirondacks. Theres about a 30-min drive on a very scenic road that will really get you in the mood for a mountain escape on the way, and then voila, youre there.
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Lake Placid Summer Activities
Explore Lake Placid Lake
I know its confusing, why is the lake near the village called Mirror Lake when the town is called Lake Placid?! Well, there actually is a Lake Placid Lake, but its not the one adjacent to Main Street.
Theres another lake body located on the northern side of the town that you can only access by boat. There is a narrated one-hour-long boat tour you can take to explore Lake Placid lake.
- The Lake Placid Marina & Boat toursoffer first-come-first serve tours starting at 9am that cost $20 for Adults / $15 for kids 3-12 / FREE for kids under 3
- Location: 24 George & Bliss Lane Lake Placid, NY 12946
Walk the Mirror Lake Loop
Another fun thing to do on a visit to Lake Placid NY in the summer is a stroll around Mirror Lake.
The stroll around Mirror Lake goes for about 2.7 miles along a paved sidewalk and is the perfect place for a walk, bike, or run and is a great way to take in the fresh mountain air while you get your steps in!
We loved the Mountain Views and spotting the prettiest lakeside cabins on our walk!
Enjoy the beach at Mirror Lake
During the summer in Lake Placid, you can actually go swimming in Mirror Lake.
The Lake is situated on the south end of the lake and theres a sandy beach, a pier, and a launch site for canoes or kayaks. Theres also a changing facility, tennis courts, and playground that the kids will love.
There is a Toboggan slide along the lake where you can enjoy a downhill slide in the winter as well!
Paddle Mirror Lake
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Hiking Near Lake Placid
Lake Placid is within Adirondack Park and is surrounded by multiple wilderness areas, making it a hikers dream. Whether youre a day hiker or prefer longer backpacking and camping trips, you will be able to find the perfect route. When planning my hikes, I heavily relied on the guides on LakePlacid.com, which have descriptions of trails and usually maps as well.
Things To Do In Lake Placid New York
I spent many a summer in Lake Placid during my childhood when I was a competitive figure skater and it has always had a magical place in my heart as The Olympic City. There are plenty of things to do in Lake Placid NY be it summer or winter making for a wonderful weekend getaway.
Located in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains of New York State, Lake Placid is the perfect year-round mountain getaway and these are the best things to do in Lake Placid to make the most of your stay.
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Where To Eat In Lake Placid
Most of the restaurants in Lake Placid have a laidback summer vibe, especially on Main Street. Here are my top four recommendations of places to eat in Lake Placid.
Green Goddess Natural Market
This is a natural food store that also serves salads, grain bowls and sandwiches. I had the tastiest quinoa bowl with curried cashews and ginger dressing here I loved it so much I recreated it at home! Come here for fresh ingredients and a nourishing meal.
The Cottage
This lakeside restaurant offers a beautiful view of Mirror Lake, especially at sunset. This is where I had my last meal in Lake Placid: a tangy chicken salad sandwich and balsamic-glazed brussel sprout salad. Come here for the view, stay for the simple yet tasty menu.
Saranac Sourdough
Hands down the best breakfast I had in Lake Placid. Although only two people were working the busy restaurant during my visit , the pancakes were delicious! I went with the sourdough pancakes and a side of olive sourdough toast. Make sure to try their sourdough breads baked in house.
Emmas Creamery
Expect a long line at Emmas Creamery on most summer afternoons. The 50s style ice cream parlor is worth the wait!
Honorable Mention: Stewarts Shops is a great place to pick up an early morning breakfast sandwich or extra snacks/water before a big hike.
Why You Should Visit Lake Placid New York This Summer
A panoramic view of Mirror Lake in Lake Placid, New York.
Getty
This summer, many families are taking driving vacations due to COVID, and a good option for many families is Lake Placid in Upstate New York. Located in the heart of the Adirondacks, this pretty town has plenty of outdoor adventure activities, great dining options, and lots of family-friendly fun.
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Lake Placid Olympic Attractions
Lake Placid was home to the 1932 and 1980 Olympics. While its impressive to host any Olympics, Lake Placid holds a special place in United States Olympic history. If youre a hockey fan or just a fan of the US Olympic experience, you know the United States college players beat the Russian professional hockey team during the 1980 Olympics on their way to Olympic Gold. If you dont know the story, check out the movie Miracle. Although you know that the United States wins gold, its still a really great movie and worth a watch.
Many of the Lake Placid Olympic facilities and venues remain in use today. Some are used in their original form while others have been modified to cater to tourists. The town established an Olympic Center and has a central website to learn more about and book tickets for visiting various Lake Placid Olympic experiences.
We Composted While On Vacation
As a self-proclaimed composting nerd, our vacation would not have been complete with composting. We brought a WasteWell bucket with us to collect all the compostable materials and food scraps. Not only did we reduce our waste, but I also got to introduce the family with whom we traveled to composting! Whether you take a road trip and bring your own bucket or find a ShareWaste host in the area, there are often a handful of ways to compost even when youre on vacation.
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Us Olympic Training Center
With free guided tours available Monday through Friday, get to know the real Lake Placid Olympic Training Center through the eyes of history.
To this day, the US Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid still stands as one of the best training centers for Olympic and Paralympic athletes. The Lake Placid Olympic Training Center is home to bobsled and skeleton, as well as freestyle skiing, among others. You also may see athletes training for boxing, kayaking, wrestling, and more. Be observant, you might see a future U.S. Olympian.
Things To Do In Lake Placid: Bobsled Experience
Imagine sliding at breakneck speed in a tiny bobsled down the track used in 1980 by the Olympic bobsled athletes, the best bobsledders in the world! All the facilities Olympic athletes used during the Olympic Games held in 1980 in the Whiteface Mountains are still in use today, and you can, just for a while, pretend to be one of those athletes.
Sitting between the professional bobsled driver and brakeman, you will start at the half- track normally used by professional sliders from all over the world. The speed and the rumble of the sled will take your breath away, and you will love every moment. If you want to go again, and it is very likely you will, they will give you 20 percent off.
87 Bobsled Run Rd, Lake Placid, NY 12946, USA, Phone: 518-523-4436
Expert opinion: Where should I go this weekend for fun? FL, CA, Myrtle Beach, OR, New England weekend, Charlotte, Williamsburg, LA, PA
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Things To Do In Lake Placid
We fell in love with this area a few years ago when we made a big mother-daughter road trip through New York and explored different corners of the Adirondacks before moving on to the Finger Lakes. This year was the perfect time for another summer road trip to dig into the region in more depth, and exercise those hiking muscles that have been dormant since our trip to the Canadian Rockies last summer.
After two weeks spent in the Adirondacks, here are some of our favorite things to do in Lake Placid in the summer for families, hikers, or anyone.
Hot Fun All Year Round
Lake Placid is home to a diverse range of events, capitalizing on our open spaces, fresh air, prime outdoor adventures, community spirit, and state-of-the-art venues and arenas.
Our Olympic legacy remains strong as we traditionally host world-class sporting events year-round, from the Empire State Winter Games to Ironman, and everything in between. Live entertainment also thrives in our mountain town at the many local taverns and restaurants. At the Lake Placid Center for the Arts, visitors and locals alike will find exciting classes and dynamic performances in all seasons.
In the warmer months, events really start to heat up. Foodie specials abound and our area parks and waterfront are ideal for a picnic or family get together. There’s also music! Spend an evening relaxing on the shore of Mirror Lake or take in the fall foliage at the annual Flaming Leaves Festival.
Colder temperatures don’t mean that the fun slows down. In December, join us, in person or virtually, for the Holiday Village Stroll for a chance to meet Santa and celebrate the season!
There is something happening all the time in Lake Placid and the High Peaks Region with many more events on the calendar. We understand that not everyone can be with us right now, so please do check our calendar to see what events you can attend virtually.
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Visit High Fall Gorge
High Fall Gorge is a beautiful place in Adirondacks where you can admire the majestic waterfalls cascading over rocks from the viewpoints along the trail path. We visited in summers and loved the greenery around the area. In Autumn, you will see waterfalls on the backdrop of fall foliage and in Winters you will find frozen waterfalls something I would love to see.
Checkout their website for season updates and pricing details. They have a cute cafe & gift shop take a look before heading back.
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Enjoy Olympic Events Even In The Summer
Lake Placid may be most famous for hosting not one, but two Winter Games, but that doesnt mean the Olympic-themed activities cease when the snow melts. The town serves as the summer training grounds for a slew of Olympic athletes, including ski jumpers and freestylists who practice their big air stunts during the Summer Jumping Series. Held at the Olympic Jumping Complex every Wednesday and Saturday across July and August, the event lets you witness Alpine flyers soar off of the 90-meter tower and freestyle athletes flipping into a 750,000-gallon pool.
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Lake Placid Gondola Ride Up To Olympic Ski Jumps
Lake Placid has two enormous ski jumps that were used for the Olympics and are still used as an Olympic training facility. While we are far from qualified to use the Lake Placid ski jumps, we took the gondola and elevator up to the top of the ski jumps. There is a viewing area at the top of the ski jump which provides great 360 degree views of the Lake Placid area.
Kanu At Whiteface Lodge
Kanu has some unbeatable lodge vibes. With stunning views of the mountain, wood- and stone-covered walls, and super tall chairs, its impossible not to feel regal + important here . HG tip: Order the cosmo at the bar while you wait for dinner, and at dinner, the scallops and the filet you wont be disappointed. Really anything on the menu is excellent, albeit a bit on the pricier side.
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Get Out On The Golf Course
In the summer, try your hand at golfing at one of Lake Placids award-winning courses.
- Whiteface Club & Resort Golf Course
- Lake Placid Club Links Course
- Lake Placid Club Mountain Course
- Craig Wood Golf course
Each of these courses offers its own perks and challenges. Several well-known golfers have honed in their game on these courses, too. Perfect your skills with some of the best here!
Get Ice Cream At The Whitebrook Dairy Bar
We LOVED the ice cream in this hidden gem dairy bar. You must try the soft-served options. They are only opened on the weekends but its a super easy stop if youre going to Whiteface Mountain, High Falls Gorge, or Cobble Hill Lookout. Its a good thing its a long drive from me, or Id be here every weekend.
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Brewster Peninsula Nature Trails
In summer or winter, Brewster Peninsula Trails are great for stretching your legs, snowshoeing, mountain biking, running, hiking, cross country skiing, or just strolling along and enjoying the nature and the view of the lake. It starts at the gate with Corridor Trail, which starts by going down slightly and continues to descend until it flattens out at the point where it meets three other trails.
It is about .75 miles long, and it takes less than 15 minutes to walk it. Lake Shore Trail goes along the shore of Lake Placid, ending at a dam. It is fairly rocky and uneven but great fun and quite scenic. It is 0.4m long, adding up to 15 minutes of travel time. You can also take Boundary Trail and Ridge Trail.
Peninsula Way, Lake Placid, NY
