Lake Placid, NY

Whiteface Mountain is Ski Magazine’s #1 ski resort in the east with a 3430 ft. vertical drop, the largest in the east.

Mount van Hoevenberg Cross Country Center is the start of 31 miles of terrain that have hosted the Olympics and World Cup events. It is linked to the Jackrabbit Trail system as well.

Country Dream Farms offers ½ hour sleigh rides on Mirror Lake from January-mid March

Lake Placid Snowmobiling (the oldest) and Snow Tours are the choices for one hour or longer adventures into the forest.

Take a half mile ride with a professional driver down the 1980 Olympic bobsled track. $40 at the Verizon Sports Complex

You can skate on Mirror Lake, but you’ll also want to skate on the same oval as Eric Heiden did in winning 5 gold medals in the 1980 Olympics. Sheffield Speed Skating Oval, Main Street. Rentals available.

December thru April on Mirror Lake by Thunder Mountain Dog Sled Tours.

Walk around Mirror Lake or The Peninsula Nature Trails. Biking is good on the Peninsula as well. High Peaks Cyclery, 331 Main Street is the place to rent bikes. The Peninsula Nature Trails starts on Saranac Ave (Rt.86) between the Comfort Inn and the Howard Johnson’s. Maps are available in town and there are a number of routes of varying lengths.

Pools are available at two of our Featured Properties, The Mirror Lake Inn and The Whiteface Lodge and swimming can also be enjoyed in Mirror Lake and Lake Placid

Scenic trail rides through the woods, meadows and back country roads.

There are a number of courses in the area, but the most enjoyable is the scenic links course at Saranac Inn Golf & Country Club. Rated one of Top 13 public courses in NY by Golf Digest 4 ½ stars. $60

There are public tennis courts, just off Main Street, next to the toboggan launch

High Peaks, 331 Main has it all. In winter they can take you ice climbing, ski touring, back country skiing and snowshoeing. In summer it’s biking, rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking and hiking.

Out of the Lake Placid Marina, a turn of the century, enclosed boat travels the waters of the Lake regaling visitors of the area’s history, wildlife, Olympics and the Great Camps in an hour long, 16 mile trip.

The Adirondack Rafting Company in Lake Placid offers exciting whitewater rafting through the Hudson River Gorge. Ausable Chasm has been called the “Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks” Rafting, river wals and more.April/May is when the rapids are at their strongest.

Bass, trout, landlocked salmon, pike and panfish are abundant in countless lakes, ponds, rivers and streams. The 34 mile Ausable River is the perfect spot for trout and Lake Champlain is one of the best bass fisheries in the east. Click here.

The Lake Placid Winter Olympic Museum recounts the history of the two Olympics held here. At the Olympic Ski Jump you’ll get to see jumpers up close. Can’t really appreciate this sport on TV.

High Falls Gorge is a 22 acre, privately owned nature park, providing trail access for all ages to an otherwise inaccessible area, with four splendid Adirondack waterfalls cascading over rocks into a deep crevice carved a billion years ago.

Lots of little antique shops in the region. I like Summer Antiques, 2517 Main Street, partly because you can go on-line and see what they have available. Some others in town; The Antique Center, 2513 Main Street, Suite 2, Twigs, 5730 Cascade Road, and Log Cabin Antiques, 86 Main Street

The Adirondack Artists’ Guild located on Main Street in Saranac Lake features a host of local artists and their work in watercolors, photography, oils, tapestries and more. For wonderful Adirondack furnishings, we love the Adirondack Store.  

No shortage of cultural events in the area. The Arts Council for the Northern Adirondacks puts out an Arts Directory which has everything from concerts to farm markets to crafts shows. You can pick up a copy in town. Another source is the Lake Placid Center for the Arts.

Breakfast

All of our lodging recommendations serve breakfast (see The View at Mirror Lake), but these are some other options: We love The Breakfast Club on Main Street. Lake views, fantastic breakfast and they serve cocktails! Tough to get in so call the morning of for a reservation. Head to the Bluesberry Bakery for fantastic pastries, muffins croissants etc.

Lunch

Our favorite lunch spot is the Cottage Café. Mirror Lake Inn. On the Lake with great views. Outdoor patio with fireplace, open year round. Homemade chili and soups are delicious. Peak 47 at Whiteface Lodge has a delicious lunch menu and a comfortable room with a big stone fireplace. Maggie’s Pub at the Lake Placid Lodge has amazing mountain and lake views, delicious food and pub games. Delta Blue bring a little Southern charm to Lake Placid. Good beer selection. Live music.

Burger

Another tough one, but the Black Angus burger on a brioche bun at the Interlaken Pub gets our vote. Get a side order of the Cayenne onion rings. Burger at the Cottage is pretty good too.

Picnic Fixins

Saranac Sourdough, on Saranac Ave. makes great sandwiches on their own in- house made sourdough breads. Delicious. Try the rosemary olive oil bread.

Cocktails

Best views of the lake and mountains are from the Grandview at the top of the hill overlooking the town. Also with great views; Top of the Park.  Outside deck in nice weather. Taste Bistro, Mirror Lake Inn. Cozy lounge overlooking Mirror Lake. Great cheese selection for a snack. Had my first Tito’s vodka here. Cottage Café, Mirror Lake Inn. On the Lake. Outdoor seating year round. Fireplaces inside and out. Peak 47 Whiteface Lodge. Beautiful surroundings. Stone fireplace. Very comfortable. Liquids and Solids offers craft cocktails, whiskey, great beer selection and fantastic apps. Friday nights they do a 4 course dinner with beer pairings.

Early Morning Coffee & Paper

Soulshine Bagels on Main Street opens at 6:30am and serves my favorite Green Mountain coffee. Right across the street Newman’s Newspapers opens at 7am. Most papers are in by 7:45am. Bluesberry Bakery, also on Main at 2624 makes incredible croissants, scones and pastries and opens at 8am.

While Away a Rainy Day

The Cottage. Lake and mountain views. Fireplaces inside and on outside deck.

After Dinner Fun

Lake Placid isn’t exactly known for its nightlife, but if you are so inclined, here’s where to go; dancing and DJ or live music; Roomers, Main Street, Dancing Bear Lounge, at the Hilton, Wiseguys, School Street, Pool table, darts; Zig Zag’s,  Quiet drink; Cottage, Mirror Lake Inn, Kanu Lounge, Whiteface Lodge. There’s also the Palace movie theater for first run movies and bowling at Bowl Winkles (love that name)

Wine Shop

Terry Robards, 243 Main Street.  Former NY Times Wine columnist. Good chance he knows what he’s doing!

Sweet Tooth

Adirondack Chocolates. Home Made Adirondack Chocolates. 61 Main Street. Lots of one of a kind stuff. All natural, always fresh. Delicious.