Lake Placid is a charming village nestled in New York’s Adirondack Mountains. You may have heard of Lake Placid due to its Olympic history. The Winter Olympic Games were held here twice, in 1932 and 1980. Lake Placid is also the scene of the “Miracle on Ice,” the ice hockey game between the US and the Soviet Union during the 1980 Olympics.

As an alpine town, Lake Placid is a great destination for active people and adventure lovers. Winter sport enthusiasts can live their gold medal dreams on the slopes or ice. It’s also a great vacation spot year-round. Each season offers different activities and sights.

This travel guide to Lake Placid covers the best hotels, restaurants and things to do in each season.

When to visit Lake Placid

Lake Placid is a great year-round destination. Your interests will determine the best time of year to visit. Winter sport lovers will relish in the abundance of cold weather activities. From skiing, to ice skating, to snowshoeing to even dog sledding, you’re likely to find any winter activity you can think of in Lake Placid. Just keep in mind that this mountain town can turn bitter cold in the winter months. Summer is the season for lake activities. Boating, fishing and swimming are all available in the area’s many lakes. Autumn brings the best hiking and beautiful fall foliage. Spring is the most affordable time to visit and whether you go early in the season or late you may find snow or warm temperatures.

Getting to Lake Placid

The village of Lake Placid is situated in New York’s Adirondack Mountain range. It’s located in the north of the state (often called “The North Country”) and is close to both the Canadian border and Vermont. It’s a great place for a road trip, and is situated about 5 hours from both New York City and Boston. You could fly into one of the surrounding airports (Plattsburgh, Albany, Burlington) but will need to drive to reach Lake Placid. Having your own car is recommended. Uber is available in the area, but with weak cell phone signals and long mountain roads, having your own car is best.

Where to stay in Lake Placid

My favorite hotel in Lake Placid is The Mirror Lake Inn, which is situated in the main “downtown” area. The Mirror Lake Inn is set on picturesque Mirror Lake, with docks and lake activities offered to guests. This is a AAA Four Diamond hotel with award-winning restaurants and a renowned spa. It’s ideal for a couples getaway or a pampering vacation. I love The Mirror Lake Inn for its location right on a beautiful lake and also walking distance to the downtown shopping district. I also love its luxury lodge vibe. The Inn lobby has large fireplaces and beautiful mountain decor.

Another great hotel in Lake Placid is The Whiteface Lodge. This is a larger resort that’s perfect for families. The Whiteface Lodge has a lot of activities for children- an ice cream parlor, a game room and a theater. The resort also has a large indoor/outdoor pool with hot tubs.


Where to eat in Lake Placid

Lake Placid is a world class destination, and the village is full of delicious dining options! From casual BBQ to high end restaurants, you’ll find a bit of everything here. Here are my favorite restaurants in Lake Placid.

The Cottage– This lakeside restaurant at The Mirror Lake Inn is a casual spot for all-day dining. The views are gorgeous and really compliment the delicious food. The Cottage offers one of the most unique ways to dine- in a stationary ski gondola! There are two gondolas located on the restaurant’s patio.

Peak 47– This is a casual restaurant in The Whiteface Lodge serves hearty, delicious food. There are two large fireplaces in the restaurant, and I love grabbing a couch in front of the fire to eat my meal. If you visit in the winter, the seasonal cocktails at Peak 47 truly blew me away; a s’mores martini topped with a roasted marshmallow was my favorite!

Lake Placid Brewery– This is a local brewery that also has a restaurant with casual pub fare. It’s a lively, fun place to grab a pint and a bite after a day of outdoor activity.

Bluesberry Bakery– The main bakery in town, located right on the town’s main street. The blueberry scones are amazing!

The View– If you’re planning a special occasion dinner or looking for an elegant dinner spot, this is your place. Located in The Mirror Lake Inn, The View is Lake Placid’s only AAA Four Diamond Restaurant.

What to do in Lake Placid

Lake Placid is a great destination in every season, but the month you visit will determine the activities available. Some activities are open year-round, such as the area’s many hiking trails and the Olympic sights. History junkies can visit the Olympic center and museum that showcases equipment from some of the world’s best athletes, open to visitors all year.

Winter

Lake Placid is the perfect winter destination, the Winter Olympics were held here twice, after all! Winter activity enthusiasts can experience their favorite sport on the same courses, rinks and tracks that the Olympic athletes competed on. Skiers can hit the slopes at Whiteface Mountain, the area’s premier ski destination. Those who are more interested in observing, can check out the Olympic Jumping Complex.

Ice skaters can lace up and take a spin around the same exact rink that the “Miracle on Ice” happened, in the Herb Brooks Arena. Those who want to ice skate outside can do so right on Mirror Lake. Located in the Adirondack Mountains, Lake Placid and its surrounding areas are full of hiking trails. In the winter these trails are great for snowshoeing or cross country skiing. If you are in need of gear, you can rent right in downtown at Lake Placid Ski and Board. Adrenaline junkies can zoom down the Lake Placid Toboggan Chute or ride with a professional bobsled team down America’s only Olympic bobsled track.

Spring

The spring season sees the best hotel prices and the lowest crowds in Lake Placid. If you visit in early spring and there’s still snow, take advantage of the last few days of winter activities. If the snow has thawed, hit the trails and hike to some of the best Adirondack viewpoints. Mount Jo Loop Trail is a relatively easy hike that offers great viewpoints. Relax after your hike with a beer at Lake Placid Brewery or a wine tasting at Goose Watch Winery, one of the most unique wineries in New York. Foodies should plan their trip around ADK Restaurant Week in early May, when Lake Placid restaurants offer special prix fixed menus.

Summer

Summer is a great time to take in the fresh mountain air and do activities centered around the lake. Mirror Lake doesn’t allow motorized boats, but you can take a kayak, canoe or stand up paddle board out for a spin. Placid Boat Rentals services both Lake Placid and Mirror Lake. Take a dip in the hot summer months and go swimming in the area’s many swimming holes. You’ll find a public sandy beach along Lake Placid’s shore, and swimming is also allowed in Mirror Lake. Thrill seekers can go white water rafting down the Ausable Chasm, a sandstone gorge.

Autumn

In my opinion, autumn is the prettiest season to visit Lake Placid. This is the time to hike and admire the mountain’s rich fall foliage. There are so many hikes to do in the area, but one of the best for fall foliage is Indian Head which brings you to a classic high peak view of sheer cliffs along a narrow lake. If you get tired of hiking, take the gondola up Whiteface Mountain to take in a birds-eye view of Lake Placid, Lake Champlain and the changing colors. Fans of craft beer should plan around Lake Placid’s annual Brewfest (late September) and Whiteface Mountain’sOktoberfest (late September-early October). Enjoy a scenic dive to view the colorful leaves- some of the area’s best are Route 3 from Saranac to Saranac Lake and Adirondack Loj Road.

If you’re looking to explore more of New York state check out my Travel Guide to The Finger Lakes.