18 Finest Issues to Do in Lake Placid, New York In 2023

I spent many a summer time in Lake Placid throughout my childhood once I was a aggressive determine skater and it has all the time had a magical place in my coronary heart as The Olympic Metropolis. There are many issues to do in Lake Placid NY be it summer time or winter making for a beautiful weekend getaway.

Positioned within the coronary heart of the Adirondack Mountains of New York State, Lake Placid is the right year-round mountain getaway – and these are the very best issues to do in Lake Placid to benefit from your keep.

High Issues to Do in Lake Placid NY

Just lately Dave and I watched the documentary The Making of a Miracle on Ice concerning the American hockey crew that confronted off with Russia within the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid to win gold. This was such an incredible second in American historical past and a visit to Lake Placid is a should for anybody road-tripping by Up State New York.

Lake was America’s first winter trip vacation spot and is understood for internet hosting two Winter Olympic Video games in 1932 and 1980. Apart from being generally known as a winter resort, there are various issues to do in Lake Placid in the summertime too. Let’s take a look at all the explanations it’s best to add Lake Placid to your locations to go to in America’s bucket record.

Lake Placid Points of interest

Lake Placid is a village in New York State positioned within the Adirondack Mountains. It’s positioned in what known as the Tri-Lake Area which incorporates Lake Placid and two different lakes – Saranac Lake and Tupper Lake.

Humorous sufficient, the city of Lake Placid isn’t positioned on Lake Placid correct, its principal avenue is definitely on Mirror Lake. Lake Placid is 5 hours from New York Metropolis and Boston and it’s 2 1/2 hours from Montreal and 5 hours from Toronto, Canada. So, are you able to discover Lake Placid NY with us? Let’s go!

1. Stay Out Your Olympic Desires

Lake Placid was residence to not one, however two Winter Olympics, the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics, and it has preserved that historical past with the superb Lake Placid Olympic Museum and excursions of the Olympic services.

Dave and I’ve gone again to Lake Placid in recent times for each summer time and winter actions and I used to be reminded of that Olympic magic whereas strolling by city and exploring the Olympic Websites.

We love the Winter Olympics and certainly one of our favourite issues to do in Lake Placid is stay out our Olympic desires by exploring the websites. There are many Olympic websites to discover in Lake Placid, so let’s verify them out.

2. Lake Placid Olympic Ski Leaping Complicated

Till you’ve been to the highest of an Olympic ski leap, you’ll by no means actually recognize how terrifying it’s. I can not fathom standing on two tiny items of wooden solely to slip down a near-vertical ramp that flings me off the tip into the air. Lake Placid’s Ski jumps are nonetheless used for coaching, however even non-jumpers can get just a little style of what it’s wish to expertise the necessity for pace on the Olympic Leaping Complicated.

Attempt your hand at zip-lining proper beside the 90-meter leap that emulates the feeling of ski leaping at speeds as much as 30 miles per hour. Take a look at the Olympic Sky Flyer Jumper Zipline for particulars.

3. Olympic Skyride

In case you are not fairly up for the heart-racing journey, you possibly can nonetheless discover the Olympic Ski Jumps by taking the gondola as much as the glass elevator 120-meter excessive ski leaping tower the place you’ll trip a glass elevator as much as the viewing platform for panoramic views of the Adirondack Mountains.

It’s a attractive scene. (in case you aren’t a skier or snowboarder likelihood is you don’t trip gondolas rather a lot, so this can be a enjoyable factor to do.) See the Olympic Leaping web site for particulars.

4. Stroll the Alpine Village

Lake Placid appears like just a little Swiss Village with ski chalets, outlets, and picturesque surroundings. Positioned on Mirror Lake, Lake Placid lives as much as its identify with its placid waters reflecting the encompassing Adirondack Mountains, bushes, and swiss-style chalets.

Ensure you have a drink at the Large Slide Brewery (House of the Big IPA) to get pleasure from an area brew on the terrace with views of the Olympic Ski Leap. There are numerous native craft beers to style, and one other advice is a go to Lake Placid Pub & Brewery for a tasting flight or a pint of their domestically brewed beer

Many Olympic websites are positioned in downtown Lake Placid together with the Olympic Middle, and the pace skating oval. The Lake Placid Historic Society is a superb place to pop in to study concerning the wealthy historical past of the realm, from its Olympic heritage to its Adirondack roots.

At evening, head over to The Palace Theatre and catch a film at this classic cinema proper on Fundamental Road.

5. Olympic Middle

The Olympic Middle and Museum is among the greatest issues to do in Lake Placid for sports activities lovers. Be sure that to go contained in the Olympic Middle and witness the arenas the place historical past was made. The rinks and museum are positioned proper within the middle of downtown Lake Placid. The museum showcases memorabilia from the previous Olympics together with highlights from Miracle on Ice.

6. Herb Brooks Area

I’ve had the privilege of skating on all the historic arenas on the historic Olympic Middle in Lake Placid. Herb Brooks Area is essentially the most well-known and was constructed for the 1980 Olympics. It’s historic as a result of it was on this ice that The US Group took gold within the 1980 Olympics. They grew to become generally known as Miracle on Ice. The arenas are at present closed for renovations, however you possibly can nonetheless tour the museum.

7. Paddle On Mirror Lake

I’ll always remember seeing Mirror Lake for the primary time, its nonetheless waters mirror the encompassing surroundings. Mirror Lake is positioned within the coronary heart of Lake Placid Village however feels a world away. Mirror Lake is adjoining to the bigger Lake Placid and is understood for its serene ambiance and beautiful views.

It is a lovely lake to discover by paddle boats, kayaks, or canoes or just taking a leisurely hike round its shore. (no motorized automobiles are allowed on the water). It was our favourite factor to do in Lake Placid. To take a seat on the nonetheless waters taking within the views is a serene expertise the place you’ll really feel at one with nature.

Within the winter it comes alive with skaters and you’ll even take dogsled rides. Plus, one of many coolest issues to do in Lake Placid in winter is to slip down the Toboggan Chute that empties onto the frozen lake.

Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa

We extremely recommend staying on the Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa positioned straight on Mirror Lake. Spend a day on the spa adopted by a stroll round Mirror Lake wonderful eating at evening at The View Restaurant. All rooms have a personal balcony with mountain and lake views. 

8. Hike The Brewster Peninsula Nature Trails

Probably the most widespread issues to do in Lake Placid is to move out to the Brewster Peninsula Nature Trails. It’s a set of 4 trails which can be widespread for mountain climbing and mountain biking in the summertime and cross-country snowboarding and snowshoeing within the winter.

The Brewster Peninsula Nature Trails are only a quick drive from downtown, this lovely spot affords simple strolling trails good for fowl watching and appreciating nature. Positioned on the Brewster Peninsula on the japanese shore of Mirror Lake, this can be a excellent spot to discover the pure great thing about the realm whereas having fun with outside actions equivalent to mountain climbing, strolling, and birdwatching.

The path system on the Peninsula incorporates a community of paths that wind by the wooded space, offering guests with a peaceable and immersive expertise in nature. The paths are usually well-maintained and supply numerous loops of various lengths and issue ranges, accommodating each informal walkers and extra avid hikers.

The Brewster Peninsula Nature Trails

The Lake Shore Path is a stunning scenic stroll across the lake whereas the Ridge Path takes you as much as a scenic ridge.

The Boundary Path is the longest and the Hall Path is a downhill stroll that takes you to the Lakeshore.

As you discover the Peninsula Nature Trails, you possibly can count on to come across picturesque views of Mirror Lake, its surrounding mountains, and the luxurious forests of the Adirondacks. The paths take you thru a mixture of evergreen and deciduous bushes, offering alternatives to understand the area’s pure variety.

9. Ski Whiteface Mountain

We’ve been snowboarding on Whiteface Mountain and let me inform you it’s all the time a thrill to comply with the footsteps of Olympians. This mountain was used within the 1934 and 1980 downhill snowboarding occasions.

At 1.483m (4,865ft) excessive, it has the best vertical drop east of the Rockies, that is the premier place to hit the slopes within the U.S. East Coast. Whiteface Mountain has 90 trails for all ranges of snowboarding spanning throughout 22 miles of terrain.

In case you are planning on hitting the slopes, you could wish to keep nearer to Whiteface Mountain. Take a look at this House Keep simply two minutes from the mountain. Sleeps 8 and has a 6 particular person sizzling tub!

Keep in Whiteface

Whiteface Mountain is positioned half-hour from Lake Placid. In case you are planning on doing a number of outside adventures right here, you could wish to keep nearer to Whiteface Mountain for an evening or two. Take a look at the Whiteface Mountain Ski Resort Web site for Particulars.

Not visiting in winter? No downside. Whiteface Mountain doesn’t shut down as soon as the snow melts. Take the Gondola as much as Little Whiteface Mountain and participate within the Journey Zone. In the summertime months, it opens up providing disco golf, downhill mountain biking, and loads of mountain climbing. There’s even a zipper line right here and like most ski hills world wide.

10. Little Whiteface Mountain – Cloudsplitter Gondola

To not be confused with Whiteface Mountain, Little Whiteface Mountain is its personal attraction within the summertime. Within the winter, the Cloudsplitter Gondola is the way in which to rise up to the ski hills of Whiteface Mountain.

In case you are not snowboarding, you possibly can merely benefit from the trip on the Cloudsplitter Gondola, which takes you from the bottom lodge to the summit of Little Whiteface. From there, you possibly can take within the beautiful views of the encompassing Adirondack Mountains and Lake Placid and on a transparent day you possibly can see so far as Vermont and Canada!

Within the summertime, there are mountain climbing trails and downhill mountain biking. The Cloudsplitter Gondola up Little Whiteface Mountain for panoramic views of its large sister, Whiteface Mountain, and the Adirondacks within the summertime and to get pleasure from some mountain climbing.

11. Take a Drive up Veterans’ Memorial Parkway

Chances are high you’ll be on a highway journey when visiting Lake Placid, so be certain that to take a scenic drive up the Veteran’s Memorial Parkway beginning in Wilmington at Adirondacks Spruce Lodge.

This paved highway winds its manner all the way in which alongside Freeway 431 as much as the summit.

The scenic 7.96 mi (12.81 km) lengthy drive is a should when visiting Lake Placid. It’s a steep 8% grade which is spectacular contemplating it was inbuilt 1932. This isn’t a free drive-through, in your manner up, you’ll need to pay a toll at an alpine-style gatehouse inbuilt 1934. However the drive is price it’ll pull-offs and scenic views. Price: $20 per car plus $20 per passenger. (Youngsters 6 and beneath are free)

When you attain the parking zone, you’ve gotten a couple of decisions of issues to do like have a chunk on the Citadel Cafe, you possibly can trip the elevator up 27 tales, or hike the attractive lovely path to the summit. It’s only a quick 15-minute hike (.2 miles) to the summit however it’s price it for the view. Plus, you get to see attractive views of Lake Placid.

12. Go to Excessive Falls Gorge

Probably the most lovely locations to go to in Lake Placid is Excessive Falls Gorge. Take a stroll alongside the mountain climbing trails, glass ground walkways, and bridges by this 22-acre nature park to see its lovely waterfalls alongside the Ausable River.

There are 4 falls cascading down the mountain, the Fundamental Falls, Mini Falls, Rainbow Falls, and Climax Falls which you’ll be able to hike out to. It’s only a half-mile round-trip stroll (that’s accessible) and it takes about 45 minutes to an hour. (it may be carried out shorter, however Dave and I like to take images.

Spend a day right here mountain climbing to its spectacular waterfalls like Fundamental Falls with a cascade of 60 ft. There’s Climax Falls and Mini Falls as nicely. To make sure the very best views, there are metal bridges with glass flooring positioned at key factors. This permits guests to get a incredible view of the waterfalls and the gorge beneath.

You’ll be able to go to within the winter in addition to Excessive Falls Gorge transforms right into a winter wonderland. Marvel at frozen waterfalls that freeze into lovely ice formations. Snowshoeing can be obtainable on the character path. There’s a present store that sells native arts and crafts, a café serving snacks and heat drinks, and picnic areas for individuals who’d wish to get pleasure from a meal within the nice outdoor.

Since it’s privately run, there’s an admission price to entry Excessive Falls Gorge

13. Adirondack Expertise

Lake Placid is within the coronary heart of the Adirondack Mountains and has capitalized on that location. ADKX is an exercise middle devoted to the outside. With 120 acres sprawling alongside Blue Mountain Lake, there are many issues to do for outside lovers.

Take a hike out to the Whiteface Mountain fireplace tower, hire a canoe to discover the shore, or go on a guided nature stroll. There are artists in residence and plenty of actions. It is a nice weekend escape for the entire household.

14. Olympic Bobsleigh Expertise

If there’s one option to actually really feel like an olympian it’s to get on the Olympic Bobsleigh observe. The Lake Placid Olympic Bobsleigh expertise at Mt. Van Hoevenberg permits you to cruise down the Olympic observe with knowledgeable driver.

The sliding middle observe was up to date in 1999 from the unique however I see that it’s present process reconstruction once more, so I’d verify to see if excursions are open. You’ll be able to go to the Web site right here.

15. Cliffside Coaster

If the bobsled appears like just a little an excessive amount of (or whether it is closed), an ideal possibility is to hop on the Cliffside Coaster as a substitute. You’ve management over your personal pace on this slide trip down the mountain alongside the 1980 bobsled observe. We’ve carried out a couple of of those slide rides and they’re a blast for the entire household. Cool truth, it’s the longest mountain coaster in america. Test for particulars and availability on the Cliffside Coaster at Mt. Voevenberg.

16. Go Cross Nation Snowboarding

If cross-country snowboarding is extra of your factor, make your option to the Cascade Cross Nation Middle. With 14 miles of groomed trails, it has one thing for everybody. It additionally affords cross-country ski leases and what’s actually cool is that you may attempt your hand on the Olympic cross-country ski trails at Mt. Van Hoevenberg. Get extra particulars on the Cascade Ski Middle.

17. John Brown Farm State Historic Website

For historical past buffs, a go to to the John Brown Farm State Historic Website is a should. He was part of the underground railroad and moved to the Adirondacks to determine a group the place slaves may stay freely.

Sadly, he was captured and hanged in 1859. He was buried at his residence and it has now been become a museum that has been preserved in time displaying the non-public belongings of the Brown household. See extra on the New York State Park web site.

18. Mount Jo

Being located within the Adirondacks, one of many high issues to do in Lake Placid is to get outdoor to get pleasure from its many mountain climbing trails. Mount Jo is positioned simply outdoors of Lake Placid and has some simple hikes to the two,876-foot excessive summit.

The paths are only one.1 miles and 1.3 miles lengthy however supply lovely views of the excessive peaks of the Adirondacks they usually overlook Coronary heart Lake.

The place to Keep in Lake Placid

Hampton Inn & Suites Lake Placid – We stayed on the Hampton Inn and Suites in Lake Placid positioned on Mirror Lake. It’s only a quick stroll to the principle avenue and the Lake Placid Winter Olympic Museum.

Excessive Peaks Resort – Positioned on Mirror Lake and inside strolling distance to the principle avenue sights, this is a wonderful mountain retreat in Lake Placid.

The place to Eat in Lake Placid

Lake Placid Pub & Brewery: A go-to for craft beer lovers, providing a variety of beers brewed on-site and a scrumptious meals menu to accompany them.

Artisans on the Lake Placid Lodge: Upscale eating with beautiful lake views, providing a menu impressed by native and seasonal substances.

The View Restaurant on the Mirror Lake Inn: Because the identify suggests, this place is understood for each its high-quality meals and its incredible views of Mirror Lake.

Lisa G’s: A neighborhood favourite for wings, burgers, and different basic American consolation meals.

High of the Park: This tapas and wine bar is understood for its nice collection of small plates and its beautiful rooftop views.

Smoke Indicators: For those who’re within the temper for hearty BBQ and luxury meals, this restaurant needs to be in your record.

Learn how to Get to Lake Placid

Lake Placid is positioned within the Adirondack Mountains in Upstate New York. Nevertheless, your actual route will rely on the place you’re coming from. Listed below are a couple of normal instructions:

From New York Metropolis: Lake Placid is a few 5-hour drive north from New York Metropolis. You’ll be able to take the I-87 N (Northway) in the direction of Albany and proceed on I-87 N to Exit 30. From there, take Route 73 in the direction of Lake Placid.

From Boston: For those who’re driving from Boston, you possibly can take I-90 W. Proceed on I-90 W to Schroon. Take exit 30 from I-87 N. Comply with U.S. 9 N and NY-73 W to Lake Placid.

From Montreal: For those who’re driving from Montreal, you possibly can take Autoroute 15 S. Proceed onto I-87 S (indicators for Albany) getting into america (New York). Take exit 34 for U.S. 9 towards Keeseville/Au Sable Chasm/Port Kent. Comply with U.S. 9 S and NY-73 W to Lake Placid.

By Aircraft: The closest airports to Lake Placid are Adirondack Regional Airport (SLK) in Saranac Lake, Plattsburgh Worldwide Airport (PBG), Burlington Worldwide Airport (BTV) in Vermont, and Albany Worldwide Airport (ALB). From there, you possibly can hire a automobile or take a shuttle to Lake Placid.

By Practice: Amtrak affords service from NYC’s Penn Station to Westport, NY, on the Adirondack Line. Upon arrival in Westport, shuttle service might be organized to Lake Placid.

About Lake Placid

Lake Placid is a captivating village positioned within the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York. Recognized for its lovely landscapes and wealthy historical past, listed below are some key info about Lake Placid:

• Winter Olympics: Lake Placid is notably certainly one of solely three locations on the earth which have hosted the Winter Olympics twice, first in 1932 after which once more in 1980.
• Miracle on Ice: The 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid is most well-known for the “Miracle on Ice” the place the U.S. hockey crew defeated the closely favored Soviet Union crew through the Chilly Struggle period.
• Ironman Triathlon: Lake Placid is residence to an annual Ironman Triathlon, which is a significant occasion drawing rivals and spectators from world wide.
• Excessive Peaks Area: Lake Placid is located within the Excessive Peaks area of the Adirondack Mountains, with 46 peaks over 4,000 ft, making it a well-liked vacation spot for mountain climbing, climbing, and tenting.
• Whiteface Mountain: Close by Whiteface Mountain is the fifth highest mountain in New York, and its ski space has the best vertical drop within the japanese United States.
• Water Our bodies: The village of Lake Placid is positioned close to two main our bodies of water, Mirror Lake and Lake Placid, offering loads of alternatives for water sports activities, fishing, and scenic enjoyment.
• Inhabitants: As of the final census knowledge earlier than my coaching cut-off in 2021, the inhabitants of Lake Placid was round 2,500 residents, however it will probably swell with guests throughout peak vacationer seasons.
• Wildlife: The area round Lake Placid is wealthy in wildlife, with potentialities to identify animals like black bears, deer, bobcats, and all kinds of birds.
• John Brown Farm State Historic Website: That is the house and gravesite of abolitionist John Brown. The positioning is now a New York State Historic Website.
• Seasonal Actions: Lake Placid affords a variety of outside actions year-round, from snowboarding and snowboarding within the winter, to mountain climbing, biking, and water actions in the summertime.

Mwanner at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 , through Wikimedia Commons

And now you’ve gotten the data it’s good to take a highway journey to Lake Placid, NY Have you ever been to Olympic Metropolis? What are your favourite issues to do in Lake Placid?