Remote, forested, largely unpopulated — the Lake Placid, New York, area could not possibly be more different from, say, New York City, some 300 miles south. This charming village sits in the heart of New York’s Adirondack Park, which, at 6 million acres, is the largest publicly protected land mass in the contiguous United States.
Adirondack Park was one of the first U.S. regions to achieve “forever wild” status, meaning it will be protected from development in perpetuity. It’s also one of the reasons the region’s quaint towns will always be truly special: They’re few and far between, and there’s no chance of new development encroaching on them in the future.
The villages are surrounded by pristine lakes, towering mountains and dense forests. And Lake Placid is the most storied of them all — a tiny cluster of shops, museums and restaurants with a big history behind it.
As always, check for travel restrictions and closures before planning your trip.
Friday: Go for the Gold
Start your adventure on Main Street at the Breakfast Club, which serves up dishes like French toast fondue and a decadent eggs Benedict, plus a dizzying (sometimes literally) menu of mimosas and well-garnished Bloody Marys.
While breakfasting, enjoy the views of Mirror Lake — that’s where you’re headed next. In the summer, rent a stand-up paddleboard or kayak from SUP Lake Placid, or check out the boats on offer at Placid Boat Rentals (the pontoons are especially popular, so reserve ahead).
In the winter, workers plow a 2-mile-long track around the lake for skating; you can rent gear at Lake Placid Ice Skates. And be sure to try the Lake Placid Toboggan Chute, a 30-foot high converted ski jump that sends tobogganers down an ice-covered chute onto Mirror Lake.
You’re headed to the Lake Placid Olympic Museum & Hall of Fame for the afternoon, but stop first at the Pickled Pig, a fun barbecue and beer spot that’s lauded for its made-from-scratch approach — right down to the proprietary “MOAB” (mother of all barbecue sauces) atop the baby back ribs.
Lake Placid was the site of both the 1932 and 1980 winter games, and an immersive complex commemorates those events. From there, hit the Olympic Jumping Complex — take the elevator straight to the top of the 90- and 120-meter ski jumps for vertiginous views, then ride the zip line for a particularly exhilarating descent.
Next, it’s time to explore Mount Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex, where you can climb aboard the Cliffside Coaster and hang on tight as you race around the bobsled track used in the 1980 winter games.
Finish your night at Top of the Park, one of Lake Placid’s most upscale restaurants. Enjoy dishes like pan-seared trout before taking your after-dinner drinks on the deck for unmatched views.
Saturday: Visit Historic Saranac
Start your day by driving 10 miles northwest to the village of Saranac Lake for breakfast at Origin Coffee Co., a stylish spot on Main Street with a sophisticated coffee menu, elevated “Cin Sugar Toast” and fluffy biscuits with bacon, egg and cheese.
After breakfast, your choices are similar to the seasonally driven activities offered in Lake Placid. For hiking, there’s the Bloomingdale Bog Trail, which runs through a forest (it’s gorgeous in the fall) and around a bog. There are also three main cycling loops, and you can rent a bike at several outfitters, including Gear-to-Go Tandems for bikes built for two.
Take out a vessel from Saranac Lake Marina for a lakeside view of grand turn-of-the-century lodges. Or opt for a kayak from Adirondack Lakes & Trails Outfitters or a guided canoe trip around Saranac’s network of lakes and rivers.
Back in town, try the 1892 Bar & Grille, so named because that’s the year the Adirondack Park was designated as protected land. Truffle fries, potato skins and “The Works” burger? Yes, please!
After lunch, learn about the region’s Indigenous peoples and their culture in general at Six Nations Iroquois Cultural Center.
Home to more than 3,000 Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) and other Indigenous artifacts, the center also features an exhibition of acclaimed contemporary paintings reflecting Native culture and displays of myriad cultural items, from arrowheads and birch-bark canoes to intricate beaded moccasins and a replica of a longhouse, the traditional dwelling of the Haudenosaunee.
To experience more contemporary Indigenous culture, drive an hour to visit the Mohawk territory of Akwesasne, where you can meet young artisans, basket makers and lacrosse-stick makers revitalizing their traditional art forms.
Afterward, let the little ones take a spin on the Adirondack Carousel, whose painted “ponies” actually depict a variety of regional animals — and one ladybug.
Fans of “Treasure Island” and “The Strange History of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” will also enjoy the Robert Louis Stevenson Cottage, named for the renowned author, who was sent here in 1887 “to take the cure” and receive tuberculosis care in the fresh mountain air.
For dinner, thoughtfully sourced (and prepared) food awaits at the Fiddlehead Bistro. Start with a platter of local cheeses, then choose among the entrées, which change frequently but could include hake, pork tacos and mushroom-crusted sirloin.
Sunday: Hike Whiteface Mountain
Coffee and Soulshine Bagels are a delicious way to start your day. These bagels are the real deal — hot, dense and chewy, served with your choice of schmear (and their cream cheese is so good).
Thus fortified, you’re off to Whiteface Mountain, the site of the 1932 and 1980 alpine skiing events and the fifth-tallest mountain in the state. Whitehead offers 288 skiable acres, 35 acres of off-piste wilderness terrain, 90 hiking trails and 11 chairlifts, including a high-speed gondola.
Choose your own adventure, and once on top, pause to take in the views: Vermont, and even Montreal, can be seen on an especially clear day.
For lunch, and in the summer, take advantage of “the highest food truck in New York,” 4610′ Grille, for chili, burgers and other ski-lodge fare.
If you’re hiking with a family, try High Falls Gorge, a 22-acre private park that provides safe trail access for all ages on one of the Adirondacks’ most breathtaking walks. Located in the shadow of Whiteface Mountain, the well-groomed trail features see-through viewing platforms, steel bridges and gorgeous views of four waterfalls.
Budding geologists won’t want to miss the chance to touch one of the oldest rocks in the world: an anorthosite boulder that’s more than 1.5 billion years old. Need a pick-me-up? Enjoy snacks or pub fare at the park’s café, which overlooks the Ausable River.
On your last Lake Placid evening, book a table at Liquids & Solids at the Handlebar.
Known for its innovative small plates, the menu features porcini arancini with a sautéed kale caesar salad, for instance, along with house-made sausages and charcuterie. The cocktails are legendary — try the refreshing gin-and-grapefruit “Tyson Punch”; in the colder months, the “Maple & Spice” bourbon cocktail goes down easily.
Continue your night at after-hours spots like Zig Zags Pub or Roomers Nightclub — locally known as the Boom Boom Room.
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