Looking for things to do in Lake Placid? You’ve come to the right place.
Lake Placid is a scenic upstate New York town great for visiting year-round and full of nature and adventure-seeking activities. Sitting on Mirror Lake surrounded by the Adirondack mountains, Lake Placid’s downtown is picturesque against the water and surrounded by incredible natural beauty.
With a population of just over 2,000, Lake Placid is a small-sized town, but with plenty to do in and around the area.
Being the two-time host of the Olympics, in 1932 and in 1980, there are Olympic memorials and activities in the area, along with breweries, delicious eateries, and hidden gems. Located only 3 hours from Ottawa, less than 5 from New York City, and less than 6 from Toronto, Lake Placid makes for an exciting weekend getaway, whether it’s a girl’s weekend, a romantic vacation, or a family trip with kids.
So let’s jump in! Here are the 13 most epic things to do in Lake Placid.
13 Things to Do in Lake Placid
Here are the most exciting things to do that you don’t want to miss while you’re in Lake Placid.
The Olympic Center
The Olympic Center in Lake Placid is a large historic sports that was used for the 1932 and 1980 Olympics and where sporting events are still held to this day.
Open year-round, the main attraction at The Olympic Center are large arenas where ice skating sports for both Olympics were held.
You can go public skating on the same rink where the Olympic games took place decades ago.
The rinks are all in excellent shape, especially considering that they are over 90 years old. You can learn a lot of interesting facts about Lake Placid in the Olympics and sports records over time. This is a fun thing to do with family or for those interested in sports and Lake Placid’s history.
Visit a brewery
Lake Placid is home to lots of locally-made beers.
Check out Great Adirondack Brewing Company or Lake Placid Pub and Brewery, which are located in the downtown area and offer great views of the lake, where you can relax and enjoy a drink. There’s also Big Slide Brewery located near the Olympic Ski Jump.
If you prefer wine, there are a number of wineries in the area that are part of what makes Lake Placid a great place for your honeymoon, a romantic getaway.
Adirondack wines are made using specialty grapes. Check out Station Street Winery in the downtown area, or Outpost Wine and Spirits, just a 5-minute drive from the main street.
Get out in nature at High Falls Gorge
The High Falls Gorge is a privately-owned 22 acres of natural beauty, just 10 minutes from Lake Placid.
A visit to High Falls Gorge gives you the most picturesque 30-minute nature walk surrounded by forests and breathtaking cliffs, streams, and waterfalls. Some of the walk paths are accessible, which makes this visit possible for anyone, including mobility-impaired or small children. High Falls Gorge is perfect for people who want to get outdoors and enjoy serene views without a challenging hike. However, it’s also highly popular on its own. The sound of the flowing water will leave you relaxed and rejuvenated.
Tickets to the High Falls George can be bought online or upon arrival.
Admire amazing views from mountain summits
Set in the Adirondack mountains, Lake Placid is one of the best places to go if you’re looking for gorgeous views from mountain peaks.
Whether you’re looking for a challenging or easier hike, there are different mountain trails and hikes for different ability levels and preferences. Here are some of the best ones, separated by level of challenge.
EASY HIKES
- Cobble Lookout. A 1.3 mile (2 km) loop brings you to a beautiful lookout and takes just under an hour to complete. It is believed to be one of the best views in the area for the least amount of effort.
- Baxter Mountain. Sitting at 2,000 feet, Baxter Mountain is a 2.9 mile (4.7 km) there and back hike to a summit offering gorgeous views from the top. A little climbing is involved, and it’s considered a moderate challenge. However, it is smooth in most parts and considered kid-friendly.
- Mount Joe. A 1 mile (1.6 km) to the top with a great view at 2,876 feet in elevation, Mount Joe is a great hike for families and beginner hikers. There are two paths, which make it easy to make into a loop for different scenery going up and returning.
MEDIUM HIKES
- Balanced Rocks on Pitchoff Mountain. A scenic 7-mile (11.3 km) loop that takes you to a gorgeous lookout with breathtaking views. A bit challenging but suitable for all ability levels.
CHALLENGING HIKES
- Cascade Mountain. With the summit sitting at 4,098 feet, be prepared to put a full day aside to hike to the top. One way is 2.4 miles (3.8 km) and takes roughly 3.5 hours each way. Plenty of families on this hike. It can be done with the right preparation and a decent level of fitness.
- Whiteface Mountain’s summit is 4239 feet over 10 miles (16 km) hike, which takes around 7 hours to complete. The trail is popular for snowshoeing and hiking all year round.
Step back in history at John Brown Farm
John Brown’s farm is an important piece of Lake Placid’s (and America’s) history and is located just 3 miles (5km) south of Lake Placid.
John Brown was an abolitionist who was imprisoned and eventually executed for his fight against slavery. At his farm, you can learn about John Brown and the important cause he fought for, and visit his grave and farmhouse.
In learning about John Brown, you can be inspired by someone who pushed to create change and fight against injustice.
Take a stroll through Lake Placid’s Quaint Downtown
Lake Placid has a walkable, quaint town center packed with restaurants, bars, hotels, and plenty of shopping. Being right on Mirror Lake, there are plenty of scenic sights downtown, with lake views and mountains in the background.
On the main street of Lake Placid, check out the Adirondack Decorative Arts and Crafts for special souvenirs and unique gift ideas.
Take a short (less than 10 minutes) walk to the Lake Placid Toboggan Chute and the Lake Placid Olympic Museum. Give yourself time to enjoy the setting and scenery of this picturesque lake town.
Go kayaking on Mirror Lake
The nice thing about Mirror Lake is that no motorized vehicles are allowed.
This keeps the lake clean and good for the environment and gives Lake Placid a more laid-back vibe. You can go for a 2.7-mile-long walk around the picturesque lake or enjoy the water on a non-motorized boat. While you can’t take a motorboat on Mirror Lake, there are plenty of other ways to get on the water.
Visit Mirror Lake Boat Rental, a 15-minute walk from the downtown area, to pick up your kayak, paddleboard, canoe, rowboat, or electric boat to take on the lake.
Enjoy a meal with a pristine lakeside view
Lake Placid being right on the lake means plenty of restaurants along the main street with a view of Mirror Lake that you can enjoy with your meal. Some options include:
- Smoke Signals serves barbeque favorites and has live music
- The Coffee Bar serves breakfast and lunch with a view
- Black Bear Restaurant serves steak, seafood, and pasta
- Jimmy’s 21 Lakeside Italian Comforts, Italian Classics, and fine wines
All of these restaurants have outdoor patios open in the summertime and a cozy atmosphere in the wintertime.
If you’re looking for dessert, you’re also in for a special treat on Lake Placid’s Main Street. You’ll find Ben and Jerry’s, Adirondack Chocolate Shop, and Emma’s Lake Placid Creamery all along the Main street of Lake Placid.
Take a ride up to the Olympic Ski jump
This epic ski jump was built for the 1980 Olympics and can still be viewed from the center of town and visited up close today.
You can take a 30-second elevator ride to the top and get a spectacular view of Lake Placid, Mirror Lake, and the surrounding Adirondack mountains from 128 meters in the air.
Take yourself back in time to imagine the brave jumps that skiers made in both Olympic games as they soared off the tail of this jump while competing in the games.
Get an adrenaline rush on the Olympic bobsled
The Mt. Van Hoevenberg Olympic Bobsled Run was built in 1930 and, like the ski jump, was also used for both the 1932 and 1980 Olympics in Lake Placid.
You can book the bobsled experience and try the sport yourself! If you’re an adrenaline seeker, this is a must-try!
Discover a Hidden Castle on Whiteface Mountain
While Whiteface Mountain has a beautiful hiking trail, it also has other activities. There’s a pretty cool gondola that you can ride to the top called the Cloudspitter Gondola.
At the top, you can find the Whiteface Weather Station, also known as the Whiteface Mountain Castle. Made of old stone, it looks like a castle in the sky and will offer you gorgeous lookout views of the surrounding mountainous land from 4610 feet above sea level.
Climb an All-Ages Jungle Gym
The Wild Center is about a 40 min drive from Lake Placid, but well worth a visit while you’re in town.
Whether you’re a group of adults only or with kids, there are plenty of little surprises on the ‘wild walk’ and throughout the center, which are bound to amaze anyone of any age.
The Wild Center was known as the ‘Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks,’ it’s both a museum and a nature outdoor trekking excursion.
There are trails through the forest. A treetops walk on an outdoor jungle gym for all ages from which you have a bird’s eye view of the area. There’s a small museum inside to learn about the history and geology of the area and an education center geared and young kids. There are native animals you can meet, such as otters and large reptiles.
One of the most intriguing parts of the Wild Center is the impressive sculpture made of sticks, an incredible work of art that will be unlike anything you’ve seen before.
Go on a Forest Rollercoaster
The Cliffside Coaster, 10 minutes from Lake Placid, is the longest in North America, at 1.4 miles (2.2 km) long.
If you’re looking for an exciting thrill of a rollercoaster within the wilderness of the forest, this is a must-do. Great for families (for children 9+) or as a unique date idea, the Cliffside Coaster is one of the best activities for thrill and adventure seekers visiting Lake Placid.
13 Things to Do in Lake Placid: Final Thoughts
Between countless outdoor and Olympic activities, Lake Placid makes the perfect weekend for fun, natural relaxation, and stunning views.
Lake Placid offers a good variety for any traveler in terms of opportunities to get outdoors, spend time in nature, and visit historical sights, especially in sports.
We’d suggest spending 3-5 days in Lake Placid to visit all or the majority of the exciting activities listed above and soak up the breathtaking views.
