Travel and Cities

12 Interesting Things to Do at Lake Placid

The name Lake Placid (aka Winter Wonderland), which refers to a small community in the state of New York, has become almost synonymous with the season of winter. Whether it is due to the fact that it has played home to two Winter Olympics in its history, or perhaps it is due to the fact that the snowy High Peaks of the Adirondack Mountains surround it on all sides.

However the case may be, there is no disputing the fact that Lake Placid is a true winter paradise. Learning about the history of lake placid is just as important as exploring things to do at lake placid.

1. History of Lake Placid, New York

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In the early nineteenth century, the town of Lake Placid was established so that extraction of iron ore enterprise could be developed. By the year 1840, there were just six families living in the area known as “North Elba”, which was located four kilometers southeast of the present-day community close to where the route to the Adirondack Park crosses the AuSable River.

Located on Mount Van Hoevenberg, many motels, golf clubs, ski resorts, a sliding line, and the neighboring forest and mountain landscapes serve as the foundation for a year-round tourism industry at Lake Placid.

NOTE: Mount Marcy stands at 5,344 feet and is the state’s highest point.

2. Hiking, Restaurants & Things To Do

It takes approximately 5 hours to go to Lake Placid from New York City and approximately 6 hours to drive to Lake Placid from Toronto. As a result, it is an ideal place to stop during a driving trip between Toronto to New York or vice versa.

In spite of this, it is one of the top destinations in the United States to go to if you want to spend time enjoying the great outdoors at any time of the year.

Lake Placid, New York is stunning year-round, but there is never a poor time to go sightseeing there since each season brings its own unique brand of enchantment and excitement.

Are you prepared to learn more about this region of the state of New York’s upstate? Sneak a peak at our valued recommendations for the best activities in Lake Placid.

3. Lake Placid Sinfonietta

Sinfonietta is a term that has its origins in the Italian dictionary meaning “a small symphony”. A renowned summer chamber orchestra that plays live music in the Adirondack province of New York State is known as the Lake Placid Sinfonietta, aka, Orchestra of Adirondack. This Orchestra is one of the greatest orchestras enjoyed by tourists and citizens whose interest lies in classical music culture.

The specialty of this orchestra is that they deliver an excellent experience of classical music. They are also known to perform with very well-known orchestras, like Vermont Symphony, Alabama Symphony, Tuscon Symphony, etc. You can enjoy the orchestra by pre-booking the tickets for their performance.

4. High Falls Gorge

At Lake Placid, one thing you can always depend on is having plenty of opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors. High Falls Gorge is known to be one of the most picturesque places in the entire Adirondacks.

The gorge is a 22-acre nature park that is privately owned and operated, and it has paths that travel around four waterfalls located at the base of Whiteface Mountain. The park is beautiful throughout the year. Thus there is never a poor time to pay it a visit.

Photo by aisvri on Unsplash/ Copyright 2023

Visitors may take a half-mile stroll down the gorge that parallels the AuSable River and offers views of all four waterfalls: Rainbow Falls, Climax Falls, Little Falls, and Main Falls.

The best time duration to go is probably in the spring and summer months. As a matter of fact, due to the runoff that occurs throughout the winter, spring is the greatest season to see the falls.

The park’s glass-floor walkways, which provide visitors with an even better bird’s-eye perspective of the canyon, do not open until the summertime. You can enjoy the quiet in winter when not many people visit the wonderful place.

5. Lake Placid Region Fishing

There are four distinct species of trout that may be found in the Lake Placid area: rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, and Lake Trout. Fish species like Pike and Trophy walleye can also be found in this region.

Photo by Ross S. on Unsplash/Copyright 2023

Mirror Lake, Salmon River, and Lake Colby are among the greatest lakes in the region for fishing, and you may indulge in this pastime at any of these locations. You can enjoy fishing at Lake Placid.

6. Olympic Sites

Lake Placid is stunning throughout the year, but the winter season is when the majority of visitors come to enjoy it, and this trend has persisted for over a century. Lake Placid established itself as the premier destination in the United States for winter sports after organizing and hosting the Winter Olympic games in 1932 and again in 1980.

When tourists come to Lake Placid today, they have the opportunity to relive Olympic history by going for a walk down Memory Lane. Since 1981, the location has been making efforts to continue the heritage of being a world-class winter sports city by preserving the Olympic venues and ensuring that they are accessible to visitors.

There are five activities that visitors may check out when visiting the lake, ranging from the bobsled run to the skiing and snowboarding opportunities on the slopes of Whiteface Mountain.

You may indulge yourself in checking out the new high-speed gondola at the Olympic Jumping Complex. To test your snow legs, you need to visit the cross-country skiing courses at Mt. Van Hoevenberg.

Lastly, don’t forget to make a trip to the Lake Placid Olympic Museum, which is conveniently located only a few short feet away from the Herb Brooks Arena, the site of the legendary hockey game known as “Miracle on Ice.”

The museum tells the narrative of the two Olympic Games that were hosted in Lake Placid via the use of images, movies, and other artifacts that are on display.

7. Brewster Peninsula Nature Trails

The Brewster Peninsula Trails are a network of access roads and recently compacted trails that are open all year round for a variety of outdoor activities, including cross-country skiing, hiking, fishing, snowshoeing, and jogging. These trails run along the shores of the lake.

The Ridge Trail, the Boundary Trail, the Corridor Trail, and the Lake Shore Trail are among the most traveled paths in the area. These are not so long, simple, and normal trails that are less than a mile in length, but every trail has its own peculiar markers that set it apart from the others.

Lake Placid
Photo by Aditya Siva on Unsplash Copyright 2023

8. Ice Skating Rinks

Lake Placid is a popular destination for both group and individual figure skating competitions, as well as yearly skating events such as the Stars on Ice tour. A great number of skaters devote their summer season to this rink, during which time they train and participate in the Saturday Evening Ice Shows.

Saranac lake Civic Center, Olympic Speed Skating Oval, Herb Books Arena, and Whiteface Lodge are some of the famous locations to have the joy of Ice skating.

9. Whiteface Mountains

Whiteface Mountain is one of the most well-known ski areas in New York State and is located in close proximity to Lake Placid. It is one of the state’s highest mountains. When they’re looking for a good challenge, outdoor enthusiasts flock to Whiteface Mountain, which is why it’s always one of the most active major centers of activity.

The mountain has more than 22 miles of skiable terrain and 90 different paths to explore. The Wilmington Trail, with more than two miles, is the course with the greatest distance. The mountain transforms into a popular destination for downhill mountain biking and hiking during the summer months.

A ride on the Cloudsplitter Gondola offers a breathtaking perspective of the mountain’s summit, which is recommended to be appreciated with your family and friends.

10. Mirror Lake

Due to the fact that Lake Placid Village is situated on Mirror Lake, this body of water serves as the primary focal point for the whole community. The lake, which spreads over 124 acres, can be attributed as the focal point of the whole neighborhood.

As you stroll through the town, keep your eyes peeled for the light that reflects off the lake and observe the paddlers as they move across it.

There is never a dull moment at Mirror Lake since there is always something happening there. Walking and biking are both enjoyable activities that may be done along this trail.

On the water, visitors and residents alike will be seen swimming, canoeing, kayaking, and using stand-up paddle boards, among other water sports.

Mirror Lake transforms into a premier location for various winter activities when its ice routinely measures one foot thick. During the winter months, Mirror Lake is one of the busiest locations in Lake Placid. The reason for this fact is that it is home to a two-mile-long ice track, a toboggan chute, and pond hockey.

11. John Brown Farm

The house of John Brown (a well-known abolitionist) is preserved as a museum and tribute to the brave individual who put a stop to grave wrongs.

Hiking, a picnic area, paths for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and historical reenactments are all available at the historic site in addition to the museum, which aids in both creating the atmosphere and narrating the history of the era.

12. Main Street

The historically significant Main Street in Lake Placid is home to a wide variety of locally owned businesses, including many restaurants and boutiques. Shop till you can’t stand it.

Comfortable beverages and delicious food are all accessible to warm the soul. The culinary scene in Lake Placid is diversified and forward-thinking, with many restaurants serving cuisine that is produced locally and comes from family-owned and operated small farms.

Conclusion

Have your own perfect day at the various sitings and interesting activities available at Lake Placid. This renowned Winter Wonderland is worth the visit.

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