Waiting in the heart of New York’s Adirondack Mountains is a lakeside village that’s both a relaxing refuge for those interested in its small-town charm and beautiful scenery, as well as an exciting outdoor getaway for visitors hoping to enjoy activities on the water and mountainside. Lake Placid is best known for having hosted the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympic Games—the only city in the U.S. to have hosted multiple winter games so far—and if your favorite movie is Miracle on Ice, you’ll definitely want to keep reading! With something to discover in every season, Lake Placid makes for an ideal escape for those looking for a little adventure and a whole lot of fresh mountain air.
Before we get too far in this guide, let’s clarify some things: there’s the lake, and then there’s the village—both are named Lake Placid. For the sake of this Destination Highlight, we’ll be talking mainly about the village. And to clear up even more confusion, the lake that Main Street runs along is not Lake Placid, it’s actually Mirror Lake. Phew! Now that we’re all on the same page, let’s talk vacation itineraries, shall we?
It’s hard to visit a place like Lake Placid and not want to get out on the water. With Mirror Lake sitting alongside the village’s downtown, it’s easy for visitors to enjoy a peaceful paddle, be it by kayak, canoe, or even stand-up paddle board. On the southern end, visitors can launch their own watercraft or even jump in and go for a swim—we highly suggest taking a dip in the summertime! The public beach offers restrooms, a playground, and even tennis courts. This lake is on the smaller side, and many people love walking completely around it, which is just under 3 miles and is pretty easy and very enjoyable to do.
Lake Placid itself offers even more room for boating, fishing, kayaking, and other water activities during the warmer months. Rent a pontoon for a leisurely cruise, spend the day swimming, or try waterskiing, wakeboarding, or tubing if you’re looking for a little bit more excitement. Lake Placid is home to rainbow and brown trout, as well as smallmouth bass for those interested in fishing. With Whiteface Mountain in the distance and stretches of undeveloped shoreline to discover, getting out on Lake Placid gives visitors a different perspective of the Adirondacks.
Whiteface Mountain also holds a piece of Lake Placid’s Olympic heritage. The mountain hosted all of the alpine skiing events during the 1980 Winter Olympics, including the men’s and women’s downhill, slalom, and giant slalom competitions. But Whiteface is just one part of the story, and because the village hosted the games twice, many of the original venues remain part of the destination today. Visit the Olympic Center to learn about the games and the legendary “Miracle on Ice,” ride up to the ski jumps at the Olympic Jumping Complex, or experience the former sliding venues at Mt. Van Hoevenberg.
Speaking of, Mt. Van Hoevenberg has evolved into a year-round recreation destination. Those visiting in summer and fall can hike up to the summit either on the East Trail from the Olympic Sports Complex, or on the West Trail from South Meadow. Visitors can also try cross-country biking on an array of trails ranging in difficulty. And of course, winter brings cross-country skiing and other snow sports.
After a day outdoors, head into the village and stroll along Main Street. Shops, boutiques, cafés, restaurants and breweries give Lake Placid a lively small-town atmosphere, while views of Mirror Lake keep the Adirondack scenery close by. The village is easy to explore at a relaxed pace, making it just as appealing for an afternoon of shopping and dining as it is for a day spent hiking or paddling.
June through October offers some of the best opportunities to experience Lake Placid’s lakes, trails, and mountain scenery. Summer brings warm weather for outdoor activities, and Main Street comes alive with outdoor dining, events, and activities. By September and October, temperatures and fall foliage transform the Adirondacks into a scenic backdrop for scenic drives and exploring the area in the fresh, mountain air. While peak foliage varies yearly, late September is typically a good time to catch the most vibrant hues.
Winter transforms Lake Placid into a classic Adirondack getaway, with skiing and snowboarding at Whiteface Mountain, ice skating, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and other cold-weather activities for all ages. Plus, there’s just something so special about seeing the village’s Olympic sites with snow on the ground.
April and May offer a more peaceful stay, with fewer visitors and a slower pace before summer ramps up. Spring weather can be unpredictable, but travelers who don’t mind the changing seasons can enjoy a quieter mountain escape while getting a different perspective on the region.
- Fourth of July Celebration, Summer
- Lake Placid Horse Show, Summer
- White Mountain Oktoberfest, Fall
- Lake Placid Film Festival, Fall
- Holiday Village Stroll, Winter
Lake Placid is a convenient home base for further exploring the Adirondacks, and has accommodations ranging from full-service resorts to quaint, historic inns and cabins to cottages and other vacation rentals. Staying near Main Street and Mirror Lake will put you near shops, restaurants, and of course, the waterfront, while properties farther away will give you a quiet setting and potentially lower prices. If you are maintaining a stricter budget, staying away from the downtown isn’t the worst thing, as it’s recommended that visitors have a car to explore the region anyway.
As a Palmera Vacation Club member, you have access to two powerful tools within Palmera’s Six Ways to Travel that not only allow you to book accommodations using points or otherwise, you’ll also be able to book your entire vacation in one place! With the RCI Exchange, your membership points can find you a 3-,4-, or week-long stay at thousands of resorts throughout the world. Using your Quest Travel Club membership, find amazing discounts on traveler-rated resorts, hotels, and homes while having the ability to book flights, rental cars, and even plan your trip’s itinerary with activities.
See below for some random examples of accommodations we found:
