Unforgettable Things To Do In Lake Placid New York

Searching for the best things to do in Lake Placid in summer? Check out the best Lake Placid Olympic sites and best spots for a Lake Placid family vacation.

We took in a lot of what this beautiful region of Upstate New York has to offer during our family road trip through the Adirondacks. Among our favorite destinations was the huge Ausable Chasm and experienced the views of the Adirondack mountains from a 30-foot eagle’s nest at the Wild Center. But through all of our adventures, one of the coolest parts of our Adirondacks family vacation was finding all the cool things to do in Lake Placid New York.

But we weren’t satisfied with just one or two adventures, we wanted to discover ALL of the Lake Placid things to do for families. So we set out on an epic weekend through the Olympic city. And we didn’t leave disappointed. From epic views to adrenaline-pumping thrill rides, we did not want to leave Lake Placid, NY! If you’re looking for tips on the Adirondacks in winter, check out this post here.

About Lake Placid New York

Unlike many of the quiet towns in the Adirondacks, Lake Placid during summer is booming. Everywhere, there were families on-the-go. Taking in all of the Lake Placid things to see and do. It is evident that Lake Placid family vacations were a hot ticket, so we were excited to learn more.

For a tiny village of only 2,500 people, during the summer, Lake Placid NY sure seems a lot bigger. Even when combined with the nearby town of Saranac Lake, the year-round population doesn’t reach 10,000. Thanks to the stunning natural scenery of the Adirondacks, tourism in Lake Placid has been booming for over a century.

And you can’t even talk about Lake Placid without talking about sports. Everywhere we went to Lake Placid, people were cycling, running, climbing, and hiking. This active lifestyle has been bread over the last 100 years. Lake Placid was home to not one, but TWO Olympic games, the first in 1932, and the latest in 1980. One fun thing to do before you visit Lake Placid is to pick up some vintage Lake Placid Olympic shirts for exploring the sites.

Interested in exploring more things to do in New York State? Check out our New York family travel blog.

Where Is Lake Placid NY?

Lake Placid, Tupper Lake, and Saranac Lake make up a region of the Adirondacks called the Tri-Lakes region. The town of Lake Placid, NY, actually sits on the south shores of Lake Placid and encompasses the scenic Mirror Lake.

Lake Placid is about a 6-hour drive from Toronto, and it’s about a 5-hour drive to get from NYC to Lake Placid. This makes it a perfect spot to break up a road trip from Toronto to New York or vice-versa.

Top Things To Do In Lake Placid In Summer

Many people think of visiting Lake Placid in winter to participate in the massive amount of snow sports that the region has to offer. There are just as many, if not more, Lake Placid summer activities for those who make the journey.

Get An Adrenaline Boost At The Lake Placid Olympic Sites

We couldn’t imagine coming here without visiting the Lake Placid Olympic Village. After all, Lake Placid is almost synonymous with the Winter Olympics. And The Olympic Center is one of the most exciting things to do when visiting the Adirondacks. The Lake Placid Olympic Center itself is best experienced with the Olympic Sites Passport, which gets you into many of the Lake Placid Olympic attractions.

Lake Placid Olympic Bobsled Experience

The Olympic bobsled run was the first thing that we got up to in Lake Placid. Unfortunately, D was too young as the Lake Placid bobsled experience is only open to those aged 6 and up. But C was so excited to take part that D was perfectly happy cheering us on enthusiastically from the viewing platform.

During the summer, the bobsled is run on wheels. A safety cage and seat belts keep all the riders locked in tightly. But all that safety doesn’t take away the thrill of the ride. Once we donned our helmets, we went rocketing down the bobsled run at crazy speeds. And far from being afraid, C was whooping and hollering the entire way down. The bobsled experience also includes a t-shirt and photos, which makes taking some memories with you even more accessible.

Pro-Tip: Looking to learn more about the Wandering Wagars? Check out our story here.

Lake Placid Olympic Ski Jump Complex

We had never been to the top of an Olympic ski jump complex before. Standing at the top of the 120 meter Lake Placid ski jump platform was humbling, to say the least. The gondola ride to the base of the lift was beautiful. And watching the ski jump training take place below us gave us a taste of what was in store for us when we reached the top. It was the view from the top that inspired us to go skiing in nearby Titus Mountain the following winter.

It was refreshing to see all of the Olympic ski jumping memorabilia that lined the jumping complex walls. What we weren’t prepared for was just how spectacular the Adirondack Mountain views were going to be. They were incredible!

Visitors to the Lake Placid ski jump complex can also sign up for tube rides down the hill for an additional cost. We’ve done plenty of winter tubing in Mont Tremblant Quebec, so we skipped this activity. It sure looked fun, though!

Lake Placid Olympic Center Museum

Because we are Canucks, life can be hockey, hockey, hockey. The boys and I all play hockey during the winter. And during the summer, we can often be found shooting balls in our driveway. So a visit to the Lake Placid Olympic Center, where the storied “Miracle on Ice” occurred during the 1980 Olympics was a must!

The Olympic Sites Passport includes access to both the Olympic Center Museum, and the figure skating shows regularly held at the Olympic skating rink in Lake Placid. During the winter, though, those who visit Lake Placid can even skate laps on the Olympic speed skating oval. That would be cool!

Whiteface Mountain Lake Placid

Although access to Whiteface Mountain is included with the Olympic Site Passport, it can definitely be considered a destination of its own. Whiteface Mountain is a short drive from Lake Placid on the far side of the Bobsled and Ski jump complexes. The Whiteface mountain ski resort is primarily located on the smaller, aptly named, Little Whiteface Mountain. Note, however, that the epic views of Lake Placid are at the peak of Whiteface Mountain.

Little Whiteface Mountain Gondola

Visiting the Whiteface Mountain Ski Resort is one of the top things to do in Lake Placid in summer. It’s a perfect spot to combine Adirondack hiking and scenery with great food and cool activities. The top summer activities at Whiteface are downhill mountain biking and hiking. We, however, were there to view the peak of Little Whiteface Mountain on the resort’s Cloudsplitter Gondola ride.

At the top of the Whiteface Mountain gondola are beautiful views of Lake Placid and a few hiking trails, including one that will take you to the base of the mountain. We got a hoot out of climbing the rocky peak of Little Whiteface and calling ourselves mountain climbers.

The Cloudsplitter Gondola is covered by the Olympic Sites Passport. Otherwise, there is a fee of $20 for adults and $16 for children. Kids 6 and under are free.

Veterans Memorial Highway to Whiteface Mountain Peak

Just 1 km up the road from the Whiteface Mountain Ski Resort is the Veterans Memorial Highway’s entrance. Access to the Veterans Memorial Highway is covered by the Olympic Sites Passport. Otherwise, there is a $12 vehicle/driver fee, and it’s $8 for each additional passenger. Kids 6 and under are free.

We were totally stunned by what we saw when we got to the top of the Whiteface Mountain Parkway. There’s a castle! Who would have thought there would be a castle in Lake Placid! The Whiteface castle is a popular spot for wedding photos. We found out there were, at least, three photo sessions happening on the mountain when we got there.

After grabbing a bite at the Castle Cafe on the top floor of the castle, we started the 20-minute hike to the peak of Whiteface Mountain. At the top, there was a small atmospheric museum and science facility that C, our little science fanatic, got a kick out of.

But what really blew our minds were the views. We ended up spending hours exploring the rocks and taking in Lake Placid’s scenic image from Whiteface Mountain.

High Falls Gorge

High Falls Gorge is located between the village of Lake Placid and the Whiteface Mountain Ski Resort. This series of connected and elevated pathways is a relaxing and fun way to experience the gorge and rivers of the Adirondacks.

The Wild Center

For those who don’t mind a short Adirondack road trip, the Wild Center is a perfect destination for families. This Adirondack nature museum and activity center in Tupper Lake NY is the ideal place to learn about what makes the Adirondacks such a special place. You can read all about our experience at the Wild Center here.

Canoe or Kayak on Mirror Lake

Mirror Lake is a pristine, calm lake at the center of Lake Placid village. This beautiful lake doesn’t allow motorized vehicles, so it’s the perfect place for a quiet paddle, especially for those visiting Lake Placid with kids.

There is also a relaxing 2.7 mile (4 km) hiking trail around Mirror Lake that is perfect for getting scenic views of the town, lake, and surrounding forests. We didn’t have a chance to get onto Mirror Lake ourselves. But we did find a lovely secluded bay for some Lake Placid kayaking.

Brewster Peninsula Nature Trails

Along the shores of Lake Placid are the Brewster Peninsula Nature Trails. The trailhead is often marked by the cars of locals who have already hit these scenic trails. Most of the Brewster Peninsula trails are relatively short, between .5 and 1 mile (.75 km to 1.5 km)

The Best Restaurants In Lake Placid NY

With the popularity of Lake Placid, the town has seen a growth in its culinary fare. So finding the best restaurants in Lake Placid isn’t hard. There is a lot to choose from. And because of Lake Placid’s popularity as a family adventure destination, many of the restaurants in Lake Placid are very kid-friendly.

• Generations Restaurant at Golden Arrow Resort is a popular local destination. The Generations restaurant has great views of Mirror Lake and features many locally sourced ingredients. Generations is very popular for its breakfast menu.
• The ‘Dack Shack, or “The Shack,” as the locals call it is a famous pub-style atmosphere. It’s unpretentious, fun, and has excellent burgers and a popular Sunday brunch.
• We came for the chimichangas and didn’t leave disappointed. Desperado’s MexiQuinn Restaurant was walking distance from our Lake Placid accommodations at Wildwood on the Lake. The staff was super friendly, and they were uber-generous with the salsa and sour cream at no extra charge!

The Best Lake Placid Resorts And Hotels

There is no lack of great hotels in Lake Placid. But it’s a popular Adirondack destination, so things book up quickly. Especially the most popular Lake Placid resorts.

We stayed at Wildwood on-the-lake. This great destination features a motel-style set up out front, but it also boasts a cottage-like-feel. We loved the lake-fed pool at the front of the resort and the free access to kayaks, SUPs, and canoes for exploring Lake Placid. It was such a perfect place for kayaking that C taught himself to kayak by himself there!

Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort is also one of the best Lake Placid resorts for families and couples. They are lakeside with incredible views. And the on-site restaurant Generations is one of the most popular places to eat in Lake Placid. Check their availability here.

But there is no lack of great places to stay in Lake Placid New York. You can check out some more great places to stay in Lake Placid here.

Should You Get The Lake Placid Olympic Sites Passport?

• The Lake Placid Olympic Sites Passport is a regional pass that gives users access to various places within the Lake Placid Olympic sites. If you are visiting on a Lake Placid family vacation or just a couples outing, it’s definitely worth considering getting the Olympic Passport. The Olympic Sites Passport in Lake Placid is maintained by the Olympic Regional Development Agency. You can pick up the passport at their office on Main St. or at any of the Olympic sites ticket offices. Kids 6 years old and under get free access to all of the Olympic passport attractions. The passport includes the following:
  • Whiteface Mountain Resort Cloudsplitter Gondola Ride (year-round)
  • Access to the Whiteface Veteran’s Memorial Highway (summer/fall)
  • A round of Disc Golf at Whiteface resort (summer)
  • Access to the Lake Placid Olympic Museum (year-round)
  • Skating on the Olympic Speed Skating Oval (winter)
  • Olympic Sports Complex Tour (year-round)
  • Olympic Jumping Complex Tour (year-round)
  • Event and festival admission (see the full list of events here)

Do We Recommend That Families Visit Lake Placid With Kids?

With all of the Lake Placid attractions, it seems like the region was built for families. The activities are all very family-friendly, and the small-town cottage vibe surrounding the village seems to run a perfect pace for children. Whether you are looking for a place to relax, get active, or experience some real Adirondack adventures, a Lake Placid vacation should definitely be on your list.

Disclosure: This post was made possible with the support of Lake Placid Tourism and ROOST ADK. Wandering Wagars is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, amazon.co.uk, amazon.ca. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates.

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