Lake placid is a charming European-esque town nestled in the heart of the Adirondack mountains in upstate New York, just under a 5 hour drive from New York City, and 2 hours from Montreal, making it a perfect weekend getaway destination!
With its natural beauty, endless activities, and rich history, its no wonder why this town has become a popular destination for tourists and adventurers alike. Lake Placid is best known for hosting the Winter Olympics in 1932 and 1980, however, it is also a destination for hiking, fishing, mountain bike riding, and of course, its lake! While there are several lakes in the region, Mirror Lake is most popular, lined by the quaint Lake Placid village full of shops and restaurants to enjoy.
Whether you’re traveling in the summer or winter, or anytime in between, Lake Placid is full of fun and adventure for all ages. Below you will find my Lake Placid travel guide, including the best places to stay in Lake Placid, best places to eat, and the best activities in Lake Placid!
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Lake Placid travel guide
Where to Stay in Lake Placid
When booking your trip to Lake Placid, be sure to check out one of the best hotels in Lake Placid, Eastwind Hotel. This lovely boutique hotel located just minutes from Main Street where you can access shops, restaurants, and attractions. Aside from the spectacular location, Eastwind Hotel is a designer’s dream! The spacious rooms all have a vintage yet modern vibe, with beautiful earth toned colors and textiles, stunning mid century modern furniture, and bathroom tiles that are a work of art.
Eastwind Hotel consists of several different buildings on a large piece of property, including traditional hotel rooms and suites of various sizes as well lushna suites, which are luxurious glamping modern cabins available all seasons with floor to ceiling windows for fantastic views! These cabins are Scandinavian inspired and are the essence of mountain luxury, with modern bathrooms, comfy beds, and tea and coffee available to enjoy on your private deck.
When staying at Eastwind, you’ll find a cozy bar and lounge area with a beautiful, modern fireplace and fantastic co*cktails. In the winter, the bar offers complimentary mulled wine, as well as s’mores kits to roast by the outdoor fire pit!
In addition to the drinks, breakfast baskets are available for guests to purchase in advance for a perfect start to the day. Eastwind also offers plenty of things to do, including barrel saunas for guests to enjoy, complimentary snow shoes to explore the property and the banks of Chubb River, and bikes during warmer seasons to explore the town. Whether you’re looking to enjoy all the property has to offer, or you want for a cozy place to rest your head after a day of adventure, Eastwind is one of the best hotels to enjoy Lake Placid!
Best Things to do in Lake Placid
One of the biggest draws of Lake Placid is its stunning natural surroundings. In between all of the options for activities and adventure, it is a true mountain oasis. The surrounding mountains and forests offer endless opportunities for hiking, camping, and exploring. While there are endless trails to explore, some of the most popular hiking areas include Mount Van Hovenberg, Whiteface Mountain, and High Falls Gorge.
When visiting during the warmer seasons, Mirror Lake is the perfect place to spend a day on the water swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, or boating, with many options for rentals in the region!
Lake Placid is one of the best places to ski on the East Coast! Whiteface Mountain, a world-class ski resort, has runs to suit all levels. Skiing Whiteface Mountain is an absolute delight, as you’ll experience great depths of snow, altitude, incredible mountain views, and options to eat and drink while on the mountain, including the delicious Waffle Cabin!
If you’re not a skier, one of the best winter activities in Lake Placid is dog sledding! Dog sledding rides are offered right on Mirror Lake which can be booked on the spot.
Another top winter activity in Lake Placid is an exhilarating guided snowmobile tour through the Adirondack mountains trails!
In addition to winter activities, Lake Placid is home to the Lake Placid Olympic Museum, where you can get a get a glimpse into the history of olympic sports and the Adirondack region.
No Lake Placid travel guide is complete without mentioning the fun activities at Mount Van Hovenberg! If you’re looking for a more hands olympic on experience, be sure to check out the bobsled ride at Mount Van Hovenberg, where olympic sports and exhilaration come alive. If you’re looking for a thrill in the summer time, the Cliffside Coaster is one of the best things to do in Lake Placid for all ages.
Where to Eat in Lake Placid
Start your day off at Origin Coffee located right on Main Street (also located in Saranac Lake!), which has delicious pastries, lattes, and breakfast sandwiches. It is a small, yet popular place for very good reasons, so if you’re planning on dining in, be sure to get there early for a seat!
For lunch, you can enjoy a bite to eat at Lisa G’s on the outdoor patio for beautiful scenery and great food. In terms of dinner, Salt of the Earth Bistro, just a few minutes walking distance from Eastwind Hotel, is a delicious, classic option and won’t disappoint.
Another local favorite is Fiddlehead Bistro in Saranac Lake, about 15 minutes from Lake Placid. This is one of the best restaurants in the Lake Placid region, as the menu changes weekly with unique options!
