Lake Placid, NY has a surprising range of activities and things to do due to its location in the heart of the Adirondack Mountains, one of the most picturesque and beautiful regions in the country. With dense old forests, crystal clear lakes, towering mountain peaks, waterfalls, and gorges, nature has been very generous to this beautiful destination. The great escapade- Lake Placid is one of the best tourist spots when it comes to exploring New York State. It has a plethora of beautiful activities and spots. So, put on your adventure shoes, and get started on this journey with us. These are the Best things to do in Lake Placid on your vacation.
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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.
Enjoy Whiteface Mountain
Whiteface mountain happens to be one of the main aspects of Lake Placid village other than Mirror Lake and Lake Placid itself. There are a lot of options to try out in this mountain. During the winters, most of the crowd that occurs there is just for skiing as it is one of the best spots to try your hands at skiing if you haven’t before.
If you are an amateur, you can book from an option of courses. You will be provided with an expert who will teach you all the basics. Also, there are cute cafes and restaurants at the foot of this mountain where you can grab something to eat after a long day of skiing. If you want to spend the night, you can always book a room at the ski resort.
Go sleighing
As you can tell by now that the people of Lake Placid take their fun and adventure quite seriously. There is no way that you embark on this trip to Lake Placid and come back with no special memories.
How do you feel if we told you that you can go on a sleigh ride amid the snowy mountains? Yes, if this is one of your dreams, then Lake Placid will make sure to turn it into a reality as during the winter the Olympic Village is entirely decorated with snow. Ans, you can explore all the tourist spots near it in a sleigh!
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.
Cascade Cross Country Center
Located in the beautiful mountain lodge, the Cascade Cross Country Ski Center serves as Lake Placid’s full-service Nordic Center. It also has the very popular Knickers’ Bar and Restaurant and a bunkhouse that can fit 30 people. The cozy great room is the place where skiers gather in front of the fireplace or on the spacious terrace after a day on the slopes.
The center maintains about 20 kilometers of perfectly groomed trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. The trails connect with the Jack Rabbit trails and, at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, with Olympic trails. The center’s lodge is known as a place for many local social gatherings and celebrations, including a full moon celebration with brightly lit ski trails, hot dogs, hot chocolate, and beer served all along the trail.
