Location: Lake Placid
Top Things to do in Lake Placid
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10 Nature & Parks in Lake Placid That You Shouldn't Miss
Maybe you're not an Olympian, but if you're looking for a top-notch winter sports destination, Lake Placid is the place for you. Try bobsledding, downhill skiing, ice climbing, speed skating or even ski jumping, or just enjoy shopping in the town's boutiques and warming up in one of the many restaurants. But Lake Placid isn't just a winter wonderland. Beautiful Adirondack State Park, which is larger than Yosemite or Yellowstone National Parks, offers year-round outdoor activities.
Restaurants in Lake Placid
1. Mirror Lake
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,026 reviews
Reviewed By luvtotravel6768 - Simcoe, Canada
Mirror Lake has it all - wonderful views; calm lake water; a 2.7 mile interlocking brick pathway all the way around, including part of the downtown street; a small sandy beach; a toboggan run in winter right onto the frozen lake!; kayaks to rent; flowers and flowering shrubs in May/June; and I must have forgotten something! We walked the loop 3 times during our week's stay, and saw walkers, joggers, families, mom's with strollers! Mirror Lake is well worth the stay in Lake Placid!
2. Algonquin Mountain
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 15 reviews
Reviewed By Kirk0
Did the peak climb with our family, including our teenage children who have done ADK peaks before. This is a tough climb ... lots and lots of rocks and several steep sections. Make sure you wear good hiking shoes and bring lots of water. We arrived later in the morning so also had to park away from the LOJ which added about 1 hour total to the hike. The views at the peak are amazing and worthwhile, but just be ready for a long hike up and going down will be just a challenging and no quicker given all the rocks.
3. Copperas pond
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By EJW3
We hiked to Copperas Pond from the trailhead on Rt 86. It starts off a little steep and the snow made it slippery, but it is a fun and scenic hike. Copperas Pond was frozen and the wintery scene was beautiful. Although only a short distance from the road, it was very quiet and it felt like we were deep in the Adirondacks. Next, we followed the trail to Owens Pond which was equally picturesque, and then out to Rt 86 at the Owens Pond Trailhead. The walk along the highway back to our starting point was about 1 mile, and overall, the loop was less than 3 miles. This is a very scenic and relatively easy hike, and I imagine that it is very busy in the summer. If you start at the Owens Pond Trailhead and do the hike in reverse, the climb in elevation is more gradual, and then during the steepest part, you will be descending the mountain.
4. Brewster Peninsula Nature Trails
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 99 reviews
Reviewed By lsg08091964
Didn't get to wander the entire area, but what I did see here of the trails was lovely. There are some rocks and tree roots sticking out of the ground, so anyone who is elderly or does not have stable footing will have to watch their step, but I found the trails to be over-all, pretty easy and for any age level. This is one of the very few ways you can see Lake Placid itself via public access as the lake shore trail goes right up to it. Maps are available at the trail head, and be sure to sign the register so the folks who monitor this land area can help to keep it open to the public, and keep it out of the hands of land developers and private interests. Dogs are welcome, but PLEASE clean up after them. Poop is a pain to get out of the grooves on hiking boots. A beautiful place to bond with nature for any hiker level.Planning to come back and spend an entire day next time I visit.
5. Mount Jo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 331 reviews
Reviewed By Bouley123 - New York City, United States
Amazing views at the top! Great hike all in all. Took us 2:15 hrs Total with 2 breaks (one at the top). Our 9YO and 6YO kids climbed up the short path (helped the 6YO a little). A few mosquitos but not too bad. Make sure to save time for Heart Lake at the end of the trail, bring bathing suites if weather permits!
6. Cascade Cross Country Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 60 reviews
Nordic ski lodge with 25k of groomed cross country ski and snowshoe trails. Largest selection of nordic ski equipment available for purchase or to rent. Lodge has a full restaurant, bar, and fireplace for apres ski fun. Full moon parties and bunkhouse sleep 30+ guests.
Reviewed By brnardo - Saratoga Springs, United States
Cascade is a rather rustic x country ski center, which is its appeal. Some people have complained about the grooming. I appreciate the fact that not everything is always groomed. There is a nice variety of trails and the feeling is that you are just skiing through the woods not really at a ski area. Though if you attempt to just ski through the woods you'll quickly see the difference. The Jack Rabbit trail passes through Cascade which is a back country ski trail that goes from Keene to Saranac Lake. There is also a connection to the Mt Van Hoevenberg trail system (additional fee). I am a season ticket holder and have really enjoyed skiing here. While you could skate ski, it is better suited to classic x country. I am also a season ticket holder at Mt. Van Hoevenberg which is a large facility with mostly wide very well groomed trails compared to the narrower, trails at Cascade with a more country feel. Both areas a great, but different.
7. Lake Placid
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 232 reviews
Reviewed By emilyy466
Lake Placid is probably my favorite town. The people here are so kind and welcoming. It honestly feels like a second home from the minute you get there. It has something for everyone. Sports enthusiasts will enjoy the Olympics complex and the history, readers will enjoy the independent bookstore on the main street, foodies will love the choices for restaurants and nature lovers have the full 46 peaks and more to discover.
8. Heaven Hills Trails
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By Cruisequeen87 - Minoa, United States
With several interconnecting trails, you can make this walk as short or as long as you want. The trails are well maintained and flat, so it’s very easy to do with kids or a stroller and dogs. The views of the mountains were breathtaking. I recommend going through the fields on both the orange and blue trails to get the best views.
9. Big Slide Mountain
10. Cobble Hill
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By Annacanna_70 - Dover, United States
First, don’t follow GPS to the trailhead. On Mirror Lake Drive, between Mt. Whitney Rd and Northwood Rd (Route 36), there is an entrance road. Drive down that entrance road and there are a few parking spots to the left. That is the trailhead parking. We took the steep way up and easy way down with our large dog. We aren’t from a mountainous area, so weren’t sure how the dog would do, but he loved it. The steep way up was not particularly difficult until the rock scramble. If you are very steady and can walk up a roof, this will only be fun. If the steepness and height of a roof make you freeze, like me, it is doable but a bit difficult. Once you get past the area with a rope, there was fortunately an area with dirt and tree roots to the side of the rock face, and I took that section up as much as possible. Once you get past this short scramble area, it is back to pretty easy. I was a nervous about the rock scramble the first time, but could see that this would become easier and more fun a second or third time around.
