I spent many a summer season in Lake Placid throughout my childhood after 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 season or winter making for a beautiful weekend getaway.
Situated within the coronary heart of the Adirondack Mountains of New York State, Lake Placid is the proper year-round mountain getaway – and these are the most effective issues to do in Lake Placid to benefit from your keep.
High Issues to Do in Lake Placid NY
Not too long ago Dave and I watched the documentary The Making of a Miracle on Ice in regards to the American hockey crew that confronted off with Russia within the 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid to win gold. This was such a tremendous 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 thought for internet hosting two Winter Olympic Video games in 1932 and 1980. Moreover being often 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 is named 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 most important road 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 Goals
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 services.
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 one in all 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 test them out.
2. Lake Placid Olympic Ski Leaping Complicated
Till you’ve been to the highest of an Olympic ski bounce, you’ll by no means really respect 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 top into the air. Lake Placid’s Ski jumps are nonetheless used for coaching, however even non-jumpers can get slightly style of what it’s prefer to expertise the necessity for pace on the Olympic Leaping Complicated.
Attempt your hand at zip-lining proper beside the 90-meter bounce 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
If you’re not fairly up for the heart-racing journey, you’ll be able to 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 journey a glass elevator as much as the viewing platform for panoramic views of the Adirondack Mountains.
It’s a attractive scene. (in the event you aren’t a skier or snowboarder likelihood is you don’t journey gondolas lots, so this can be a enjoyable factor to do.) See the Olympic Leaping web site for particulars.
4. Stroll the Alpine Village
Lake Placid looks like slightly Swiss Village with ski chalets, outlets, and picturesque surroundings. Situated 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 take pleasure in an area brew on the terrace with views of the Olympic Ski Bounce. There are lots of native craft beers to style, and one other suggestion 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 Heart, and the pace skating oval. The Lake Placid Historic Society is a superb place to pop in to be taught in regards to the wealthy historical past of the realm, from its Olympic heritage to its Adirondack roots.
At night time, head over to The Palace Theatre and catch a film at this classic cinema proper on Most important Avenue.
5. Olympic Heart
The Olympic Heart and Museum is without doubt one of the finest issues to do in Lake Placid for sports activities lovers. Make sure that to go contained in the Olympic Heart 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 Enviornment
I’ve had the privilege of skating on the entire historic arenas on the historic Olympic Heart 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 Crew took gold within the 1980 Olympics. They grew to become often known as Miracle on Ice. The arenas are at the moment closed for renovations, however you’ll be able to nonetheless tour the museum.
7. Paddle On Mirror Lake
I’ll always remember seeing Mirror Lake for the primary time, its nonetheless waters replicate 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 thought for its serene ambiance and gorgeous views.
It is a stunning 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 positive eating at night time 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 well-liked issues to do in Lake Placid is to move out to the Brewster Peninsula Nature Trails. It’s a set of 4 trails which are well-liked 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 quick drive from downtown, this stunning spot affords straightforward strolling trails good for chook watching and appreciating nature. Situated on the Brewster Peninsula on the jap shore of Mirror Lake, this can be a good spot to discover the pure fantastic thing about the realm whereas having fun with outside 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 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’ll be able to anticipate 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 range.
9. Ski Whiteface Mountain
We’ve been snowboarding on Whiteface Mountain and let me inform you it’s all the time a thrill to observe 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.
If you’re planning on hitting the slopes, you might 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. If you’re planning on doing quite a lot of outside 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 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 mountaineering. There’s even a zipper line right here and like most ski hills all over the world.
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 stand up to the ski hills of Whiteface Mountain.
If you’re not snowboarding, you’ll be able to merely benefit from the journey 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 gorgeous 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 massive sister, Whiteface Mountain, and the Adirondacks within the summertime and to take pleasure in some mountaineering.
11. Take a Drive up Veterans’ Memorial Parkway
Chances are high you’ll be on a highway journey when visiting Lake Placid, so be sure 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 should 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 automobile plus $20 per passenger. (Children 6 and below are free)
When you attain the car parking zone, you’ve gotten a couple of decisions of issues to do like have a chunk on the Citadel Cafe, you’ll be able to journey the elevator up 27 tales, or hike the gorgeous stunning 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 stunning locations to go to in Lake Placid is Excessive Falls Gorge. Take a stroll alongside the mountaineering trails, glass flooring walkways, and bridges by this 22-acre nature park to see its stunning waterfalls alongside the Ausable River.
There are 4 falls cascading down the mountain, the Most important Falls, Mini Falls, Rainbow Falls, and Climax Falls which you’ll 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 completed shorter, however Dave and I like to take images.
Spend a day right here mountaineering to its spectacular waterfalls like Most important Falls with a cascade of 60 toes. There’s Climax Falls and Mini Falls as effectively. To make sure the most effective views, there are metal bridges with glass flooring positioned at key factors. This enables guests to get a incredible 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 stunning ice formations. Snowshoeing can also be accessible 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 prefer to take pleasure in a meal within the nice outdoor.
Since it’s privately run, there’s an admission charge 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 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 permits you to cruise down the Olympic monitor with an expert driver.
The sliding middle 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 looks like slightly an excessive amount of (or whether it is closed), an amazing choice is to hop on the Cliffside Coaster as a substitute. You’ve got management over your individual pace on this slide journey down the mountain alongside the 1980 bobsled monitor. We’ve completed a couple of of those slide rides and they’re a blast for the entire household. Cool reality, it’s the longest mountain coaster in the US. 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 Heart. 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 which you can strive your hand on the Olympic cross-country ski trails at Mt. Van Hoevenberg. Get extra particulars on the Cascade Ski Heart.
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 might stay 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 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 prime issues to do in Lake Placid is to get outdoor to take pleasure in its many mountaineering trails. Mount Jo is positioned simply exterior of Lake Placid and has some straightforward hikes to the two,876-foot excessive summit.
The paths are just one.1 miles and 1.3 miles lengthy however provide stunning 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 road and the Lake Placid Winter Olympic Museum.
Excessive Peaks Resort – Situated on Mirror Lake and inside strolling distance to the principle road 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 gorgeous 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 thought for each its high-quality meals and its incredible views of Mirror Lake.
Lisa G’s: An area favourite for wings, burgers, and different basic American consolation meals.
High of the Park: This tapas and wine bar is thought for its nice choice of small plates and its gorgeous rooftop views.
Smoke Indicators: Should you’re within the temper for hearty BBQ and luxury meals, this restaurant ought to be in your record.
Find out how to Get to Lake Placid
Lake Placid is positioned within the Adirondack Mountains in Upstate New York. Nevertheless, your precise route will rely upon the place you’re coming from. Listed below are a couple of common 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 in direction of 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. Observe 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) coming into the US (New York). Take exit 34 for U.S. 9 towards Keeseville/Au Sable Chasm/Port Kent. Observe U.S. 9 S and NY-73 W to Lake Placid.
By Airplane: 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 affords service from NYC’s Penn Station to Westport, NY, on the Adirondack Line. Upon arrival in Westport, shuttle service may 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 stunning landscapes and wealthy historical past, listed below are some key info about Lake Placid:
- Winter Olympics: Lake Placid is notably one in all solely three locations on this 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 through the Chilly Warfare period.
- Ironman Triathlon: Lake Placid is house to an annual Ironman Triathlon, which is a significant occasion drawing opponents and spectators from all over the world.
- Excessive Peaks Area: Lake Placid is located within the Excessive Peaks area of the Adirondack Mountains, with 46 peaks over 4,000 toes, making it a well-liked 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 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 may well 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 location 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 mountaineering, biking, and water actions in the summertime.
Mwanner at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 , by way of Wikimedia Commons
And now you’ve gotten the data you have 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?
