Spending Two Days in picturesque Lake Placid
Nestled in the heart of the Adirondacks, Lake Placid, New York, is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and history buffs alike. This historic vacation destination, welcoming travelers since before the invention of the car, offers a variety of popular activities that change with the seasons.
**Summer Activities**
During the warmer months, Lake Placid transforms into a playground for hiking and biking enthusiasts. Trails around Whiteface Mountain and the Adirondacks provide scenic routes, from challenging hikes like Mount Jo to easier mountain biking paths. Visitors can also enjoy kayaking, canoeing, pedal boating, and classic boat cruises on Mirror Lake and Paradox Bay.
For those seeking a bird's-eye view of the Adirondacks, the Cloudsplitter Gondola on Whiteface Mountain and the Olympic Jumping Complex Skyride offer panoramic views. History buffs will appreciate exploring the Lake Placid Olympic Museum, the Olympic Center, and the John Brown Farm State Historic Site. Fishing opportunities and golf on nearby courses add to the outdoor options.
Summer hosts events like the Lake Placid Figure Skating Championships, Ice Dance Championships, and Whiteface Oktoberfest, ensuring there's always something exciting happening.
**Winter Activities**
In winter, Lake Placid becomes a winter wonderland. Whiteface Mountain provides the East Coast's highest vertical drop for downhill skiing and snowboarding. The Bobsled and Luge Complex and the Olympic Ski Jump Complex offer visitors the chance to experience luge, skeleton, and skeleton training or watch Olympic athletes train.
Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are popular quieter ways to experience the snow-covered Adirondacks. The Olympic Center offers an ice rink with free skate rentals, including historic rink experiences where the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" took place. Unique winter experiences such as dog sled rides and zip lines add adventure.
**Year-Round Activities**
Lake Placid is truly a four-season destination. Indoor amenities at The Whiteface Lodge include game rooms, heated indoor/outdoor pools, a movie theater, and a bowling alley. Tennis, pickleball, and basketball are available on-site for casual or competitive play regardless of season.
**Unique Attractions**
The Cliffside Coaster at the Olympic Jumping Complex is the longest coaster in North America, winding along the 1980 Olympic Sliding Track. The Taste of NY Cafe in the Whiteface Mountain base lodge offers delicious snacks. Bluesberry Bakery offers made-from-scratch pastries such as apple strudel and cinnamon buns.
Lake Placid's Olympic Sports Complex at Mt Van Hoevenberg offers 31 miles of impeccably groomed cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails. Santa's Workshop at the North Pole is a Christmas-themed attraction offering the chance to see Santa's reindeer, shop, and visit Kris Kringle.
Luxurious lakeside living can be found at Mirror Lake Inn, with family-style rooms, kitchens, and sitting areas. Thunder Mountain Dog Sled Tours and Mike Arnold Dog Sled Rides offer dog sled rides across Mirror Lake.
Caffe Rustica serves fresh Mediterranean dishes and wood-fired pizzas, and Emma's Lake Placid Creamery offers maple soft serve. Smoke Signals on Main Street is a favourite for Southern-style barbecue and offers outdoor seating overlooking Mirror Lake. Big Slide Brewery, located five minutes from Lake Placid, offers great craft beer and a farm-to-table menu.
Adirondacks Regional Airport is 40 minutes from Lake Placid, Amtrak Westport Station is 45 minutes (by shuttle, taxi, or rental car), Trailways or Greyhound buses serve Lake Placid, and Lake Placid can be reached by car from Albany, Montreal, Boston, NYC, and other locations.
Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast, a history buff, or simply looking for a relaxing getaway, Lake Placid, New York, offers something for everyone.
- In the summer, Lake Placid's diverse range of sports includes hiking, biking, and water sports like kayaking, canoeing, and classic boat cruises, while history buffs can tour the Lake Placid Olympic Museum or the John Brown Farm State Historic Site.
- As winter arrives, the sports scene shifts to downhill skiing, snowboarding, luge, and skeleton at Whiteface Mountain, and visitors can also enjoy dog sled rides, zip lines, and cross-country skiing.
- Regardless of the season, Lake Placid offers a lifestyle catering to all interests, with indoor amenities like game rooms, heated pools, movie theaters, and bowling alleys, and year-round sports options such as tennis, pickleball, and basketball.
