I spent many a summer season in Lake Placid throughout my childhood once I was a aggressive determine skater and it has at all times 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 season or winter making for an exquisite 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.
Prime Issues to Do in Lake Placid NY
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 often known as a winter resort, there are a lot of 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 situated within the Adirondack Mountains. It’s situated in what is 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 situated on Lake Placid correct, its foremost 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. Reside Out Your Olympic Desires
Lake Placid was house 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 amenities. Whenever you go to Lake Placid, you should not miss spending a while immersed in Olympic historical past.
Dave and I’ve gone again to Lake Placid in recent times for each summer season 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 dwell out our Olympic desires by exploring the websites. There are many Olympic websites to discover in Lake Placid, so let’s test them out.
2. Lake Placid Olympic Leaping Advanced
Till you’ve been to the highest of an Olympic ski soar, you’ll by no means actually recognize how terrifying it’s. I can’t fathom standing on two tiny items of wooden solely to slip down a near-vertical ramp that flings me off the top into the air.
Lake Placid’s Ski jumps are nonetheless used for coaching, however even non-jumpers can get a bit of style of what it’s wish to expertise the necessity for pace on the Lake Placid Olympic Leaping Advanced.
Strive your hand at zip-lining proper beside the 90-meter soar that emulates the sensation 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’ll be able to nonetheless discover the Lake Placid Olympic Ski Jumps by taking the gondola as much as the glass elevator 120-meter excessive ski leaping tower the place you’ll experience a glass elevator as much as the viewing platform for panoramic views of the mountains.
It’s a attractive scene. (when you aren’t a skier or snowboarder chances are high you don’t experience gondolas quite a bit, so it is a enjoyable factor to do.) See the Olympic Leaping web site for particulars.
4. Stroll the Alpine Village
Lake Placid seems like a bit of 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 on the Large Slide Brewery (Residence of the Large IPA) to get pleasure from an area brew on the terrace with views of the Olympic Ski Soar. There are lots of 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 regionally brewed beer
Many Olympic websites are situated 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 world, 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 Primary Avenue. I don’t know why, however Dave and I really like going to the flicks after we journey. There’s one thing about it that makes you’re feeling like an area.
5. Lake Placid Olympic Middle
The Lake Placid Olympic Middle and Museum is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Lake Placid for sports activities lovers. Whenever you go to Lake Placid, make sure that to go contained in the Lake Placid Olympic Middle and witness the arenas the place historical past was made.
The rinks and museum are situated proper within the heart of downtown Lake Placid and are simply one of many high Lake Placid points of interest. The museum showcases memorabilia from the previous Olympics together with highlights from Miracle on Ice. Canadians love arenas, so we felt proper at house right here.
6. Herb Brooks Enviornment
I’ve had the privilege of ice skating in the entire historic arenas on the historic Olympic Middle in Lake Placid. Herb Brooks Enviornment 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 often known as Miracle on Ice. The Lake Placid Olympic Middle is situated at 2634 Primary Avenue, Lake Placid and guests can skate on the ice to expertise the historic locations.
Within the winter, you’ll be able to even expertise skating on the Lake Placid Olympic Oval. Lake Placid is likely one of the few locations on earth that allows you to really feel what it’s wish to skate on an out of doors oval.
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 situated within the coronary heart of Lake Placid Village however feels a world away.
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 may 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
Whenever you go to Lake Placid, we extremely counsel staying on the lake. The Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa is situated instantly on the lake. Spend a day on the spa adopted by a stroll on the Brewster Peninsula Nature Trails, and effective eating at evening at The View Restaurant. All rooms have a non-public balcony with mountain and lake views.
8. Hike The Brewster Peninsula Nature Trails
One of the crucial in style 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 in style for mountaineering and mountain biking in the summertime and cross-country snowboarding and snowshoeing within the winter.
The Brewster Peninsula Nature Trails are only a brief drive from downtown, this lovely spot provides simple strolling trails excellent for chicken watching and appreciating nature. Positioned on the Brewster Peninsula on the jap shore of Mirror Lake, it is a great spot to discover the pure great thing about the world whereas having fun with out of doors actions resembling mountaineering, 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 provide varied loops of various lengths and problem ranges, accommodating each informal walkers and extra avid hikers.
The Brewster Peninsula Nature Trails
The Lake Shore Path is a beautiful 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’ll be able to anticipate to come across picturesque views of the 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 have now been snowboarding on Whiteface Mountain and let me let you know it’s at all times a thrill to observe the footsteps of Olympians. This mountain was used within the 1934 and 1980 downhill snowboarding occasions and is likely one of the high Lake Placid points of interest in winter drawing snow lovers from around the globe.
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 22 miles of terrain.
In case you are planning on hitting the slopes, you might wish to keep nearer to Whiteface Mountain. Take a look at this Condominium Keep simply two minutes from the mountain. Sleeps 8 and has a 6-person sizzling tub!
Keep in Whiteface
Whiteface Mountain is situated half-hour from Lake Placid. In case you are planning on doing loads of out of doors adventures right here, you might 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 drawback. 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 mountaineering. There’s even a zipper line right here and like most ski hills around the globe.
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’ll be able to merely benefit from the experience on the Cloudsplitter Gondola, which takes you from the bottom lodge to the summit of Little Whiteface. From there, you’ll be able to take within the beautiful views of the encompassing Adirondack Mountains and Lake Placid and on a transparent day you’ll be able to see so far as Vermont and Canada!
Within the summertime, there are mountaineering 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 mountaineering.
11. Take a Drive up Veterans’ Memorial Parkway
Chances are high you’ll be on a street journey when visiting Lake Placid, so make sure that to take a scenic drive up the Veteran’s Memorial Parkway beginning in Wilmington at Adirondacks Spruce Lodge.
This paved street winds its means 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 in-built 1932. This isn’t a free drive-through, in your means up, you’ll need to pay a toll at an alpine-style gatehouse in-built 1934. However the drive is value it would pull-offs and scenic views. Value: $20 per car plus $20 per passenger. (Children 6 and beneath are free)
When you attain the parking zone, you could have just a few decisions of issues to do like have a chew on the Citadel Cafe, you’ll be able to experience the elevator up 27 tales, or hike the attractive lovely path to the summit. It’s only a brief 15-minute hike (.2 miles) to the summit however it’s value it for the view. Plus, you get to see attractive views of Lake Placid.
12. Go to Excessive Falls Gorge
One of the crucial lovely locations to go to in Lake Placid is Excessive Falls Gorge. Take a stroll alongside the mountaineering trails, glass ground walkways, and bridges by this 22-acre nature park to see its lovely waterfalls alongside the Ausable River.
Excessive Falls Gorge has it’s identify for good motive. There are 4 falls cascading down the mountain, the Primary 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 executed shorter, however Dave and I like to take images.
Spend a day right here mountaineering to its spectacular waterfalls like Primary 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 implausible view of the waterfalls and the gorge beneath.
You possibly can 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 also be out there 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 many who’d wish to get pleasure from a meal within the nice open air.
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 heart devoted to the outside. With 120 acres sprawling alongside Blue Mountain Lake, there are many issues to do for out of doors 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 many actions. It is a nice weekend escape for the entire household.
14. Olympic Bobsleigh Expertise
If there’s one solution to actually really feel like an olympian it’s to get on the Olympic Bobsleigh monitor. The Lake Placid Olympic Bobsleigh expertise at Mt. Van Hoevenberg enables you to cruise down the Olympic monitor with knowledgeable driver.
The sliding heart monitor was up to date in 1999 from the unique however I see that it’s present process reconstruction once more, so I’d test to see if excursions are open. You possibly can go to the Web site right here.
15. Cliffside Coaster
If the bobsled seems like a bit of an excessive amount of (or whether it is closed), an excellent possibility is to hop on the Cliffside Coaster as a substitute. You have got management over your personal pace on this slide experience down the mountain alongside the 1980 bobsled monitor. We’ve executed just a few of those slide rides and they’re a blast for the entire household. Cool reality, it’s the longest mountain coaster in the USA. Verify 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 solution to the Cascade Cross Nation Middle. With 14 miles of groomed trails, it has one thing for everybody.
Cascade Cross Nation Middle additionally provides cross-country ski leases and what’s actually cool is you could strive your hand on the Lake Placid Olympic cross-country ski trails at Mt. Van Hoevenberg. Should you go to Lake Placid in winter it is a actually enjoyable factor to do. Get extra particulars on the Cascade Ski Middle.
17. John Brown Farm State Historic Web site
For historical past buffs, a go to to the John Brown Farm State Historic Web site is a should. He was part of the underground railroad and moved to the Adirondacks to ascertain a neighborhood the place slaves may dwell freely.
Sadly, he was captured and hanged in 1859. He was buried at his house and it has now been become a museum that has been preserved in time displaying the private 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 open air to get pleasure from its many mountaineering trails. Mount Jo is situated simply exterior of Lake Placid and has some simple hikes to the two,876-foot-high summit.
The paths are only one.1 miles and 1.3 miles lengthy however provide lovely views of the excessive peaks of the Adirondacks and so they overlook Coronary heart Lake.
19. Saranac Lake
Although Lake Placid provides a lot to do inside its borders, a brief drive away lies one other gem within the coronary heart of the Adirondacks – Saranac Lake.
By venturing out a bit additional to Saranac Lake throughout your keep in Lake Placid, you’ll have the ability to expertise much more of the beautiful magnificence, wealthy historical past, and cultural appeal that the Adirondacks have to supply.”
Positioned Simply 20 minutes from Lake Placid, Saranac Lake is a vibrant neighborhood recognized for its cultural and inventive scene. Pop into the Adirondack Artists Guild which is a Co-op artwork gallery representing the artists residing and dealing within the space. It’s an ideal place to discover a regionally made memento.
Within the winter, it hosts the annual Saranac Lake Winter Carnival famed for its Ice Palace, an enormous construction constructed from blocks of ice harvested from Lake Flower.
Saranac Laboratory Museum was the primary lab constructed for the analysis of tuberculosis. At the moment, it serves as a museum educating guests concerning the historical past of the illness and the village’s function in its therapy.
Wild Middle: Though it’s a bit additional away, situated in Tupper Lake, the Wild Middle is a must-visit for nature fans. This pure historical past heart features a museum, a planetarium, and the Wild Stroll—an elevated path among the many treetops.
The place to Keep in Lake Placid
Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa – Positioned instantly on the lake with a full-service spa, eating, and balconies with lake and mountain views.
Hampton Inn & Suites Lake Placid – We stayed on the Hampton Inn and Suites in Lake Placid situated on Mirror Lake. It’s only a brief stroll to the primary avenue and the Lake Placid Winter Olympic Museum. We stayed right here throughout our first go to to Lake Placid and cherished it.
Lake Placid Inn Boutique Lodge – situated simply exterior of Lake Placid, this boutique lodge is situated instantly on Lake Placid. It provides free personal parking.
Whiteface Lodge – One of many grandest properties within the Adirondacks evokes a sense of the decadence of the nineteenth century. Boasting a movie show, bowling, canoeing, and ice skating within the winter. There’s a spa, a number of eating choices, and an indoor-outdoor pool.
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 implausible views of the lake.
Lisa G’s: An area favourite for wings, burgers, and different traditional American consolation meals.
Prime of the Park: This tapas and wine bar is understood for its nice number of small plates and its beautiful rooftop views.
Smoke Alerts: Should you’re within the temper for hearty BBQ and luxury meals, this restaurant must be in your record.
How you can Get to Lake Placid
Lake Placid is situated within the Adirondack Mountains in Upstate New York. Nevertheless, your actual route will rely on the place you’re coming from. Listed below are just a few basic instructions:
From New York Metropolis: Lake Placid is a few 5-hour drive north from New York Metropolis. You possibly can take the I-87 N (Northway) in direction of Albany and proceed on I-87 N to Exit 30. From there, take Route 73 towards Lake Placid.
From Toronto: In case you are driving from Toronto it’s 500 kilometers (or 310 miles) and often takes between 6 to 7 hours. you’ll take the Queen Elizabeth Manner (QEW), heading to Niagara and the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge border crossing. After crossing the border, take Interstate 190 South after which merge onto Interstate 290 East to Tonawanda and merge onto Interstate 90 East then north on Interstate 81. Comply with NY-342 East, and switch proper onto US-11 North. In Malone, flip proper onto NY-30 South. At Paul Smiths, take NY-86 East to Lake Placid.
From Boston: Should you’re driving from Boston, you’ll be able to 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: Should you’re driving from Montreal, you’ll be able to take Autoroute 15 S. Proceed onto I-87 S (indicators for Albany) getting into the USA (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’ll be able to hire a automobile or take a shuttle to Lake Placid.
By Prepare: Amtrak provides service from NYC’s Penn Station to Westport, NY, on the Adirondack Line. Upon arrival in Westport, a shuttle service could be organized to Lake Placid.
About Lake Placid
Lake Placid is a captivating village situated within the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York. Recognized for its lovely landscapes and wealthy historical past, let’s check out some key details about Lake Placid: You might also like 15 Enjoyable Details about New York Metropolis
Winter Olympics: Lake Placid is notably certainly one of solely three locations on the planet 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 throughout the Chilly Warfare period. Ironman Triathlon: Lake Placid is house to an annual Ironman Triathlon, which is a serious occasion drawing opponents and spectators from around the globe. 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 preferred vacation spot for mountaineering, 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 jap United States. Water Our bodies: The village of Lake Placid is situated 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 could possibly swell with guests throughout peak vacationer seasons. Wildlife: The area round Lake Placid is wealthy in wildlife, with prospects to identify animals like black bears, deer, bobcats, and all kinds of birds. John Brown Farm State Historic Web site: That is the house and gravesite of abolitionist John Brown. The location is now a New York State Historic Web site. Seasonal Actions: Lake Placid provides a variety of out of doors actions year-round, from snowboarding and snowboarding within the winter, to mountaineering, biking, and water actions in the summertime.
Photograph credit score: John Brown Mwanner at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 , by way of Wikimedia Commons
And now you could have the knowledge you should take a street journey to Lake Placid, NY Have you ever been to Olympic Metropolis? What are your favourite issues to do in Lake Placid?