For the past four years, my family has been vacationing in the beautiful town of Lake Placid, New York. It’s become one of our favorite places to vacation. We love the gorgeous scenery, the plethora of outdoor activities to enjoy, and the quaint downtown for shopping and eating.
This yearly vacation started with our friends, Jillian & Eric, inviting us along on their trip. They have been going to Lake Placid for about 13 years now. Over those 13 years, they’ve made friends with people they’ve met at the resort and invited other neighborhood families to continue in their tradition. The trip has become an annual vacation for up to eight families!
I’m sure you’re wondering what’s so great about Lake Placid that eight families have been vacationing there anywhere from 4-13 years in a row. In this post, I’m going to go in-depth to explain all the wonderful things about Lake Placid that make it a must-do destination for your next family trip.
Hotel and Amenities
We always stay at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort located on Mirror Lake. The location of the hotel is perfect for us. It’s situated directly on the lake with a private sandy beach on one side and Main Street on the other. In my opinion, it is the best hotel for a stay in Lake Placid due to those two factors. No other hotel has the white sandy beach like the Golden Arrow–even the more expensive ones.
The rooms at The Golden Arrow can be a little dated, but my rooms have always been clean. There are a variety of room types to choose from depending on your needs. Recently, my family stayed in a suite so that my husband and I could have some privacy from our night owl teens. Others in our group prefer the first-floor rooms so they can walk right out to the lake. In the summer, rooms can be booked up to a year in advance, so it’s best to book as early as possible.
A Year-Round Destination
If you love the outdoors, crisp mountain air, and gorgeous scenery, you will LOVE Lake Placid at any time of the year. It is generally colder up in the mountains, so be sure to check the weather before you go.
Summer
Our Lake Placid getaway is always in the summer. August, to be specific. The crisp mountain air provides a welcome reprieve from the hot and humid New Jersey weather. It is generally warm during the day (mid-70s – 80s) with no humidity and then chilly at night. Perfect weather for days on the lake and relaxing by the fire pit in the evenings. There is no shortage of things to do in the summer, especially on the lake. Fishing, swimming, paddle boarding, kayaking—you name it! Tuesday evenings in the summer, there are free concerts at Mid Park located in the center of Main Street. Grab an ice cream cone from Emma’s and settle in for an evening of music on the lake!
Fall
Fall would be a nice time to visit, I can only imagine how beautiful the foliage would be. Lake Placid hosts many events in the fall such as the Flaming Leaves Festival and Oktoberfest. You can visit the official Lake Placid tourism site to find out when these events are being held and for the foliage report.
Winter
In the winter, it is very cold in the mountains. That’s good for skiing, ice skating and other winter activities. When Mirror Lake freezes, The Golden Arrow offers ice fishing, ice skating, and dog sled rides. If you’re looking to get warm and cozy after a day in the elements, book a room with a fireplace and jetted tub. In addition, there’s always the indoor pool & hot tub.
Spring
Spring in Lake Placid offers skiing opportunities at Whiteface Mountain in March and April. The snow at this time of year is slushy and great for beginners. Spring is also a peak time for golfing, white-water rafting, birding, and waterfall hikes.
As you can see, you can’t go wrong when visiting Lake Placid in any season!
Things to do in Lake Placid
Below is a list of some of the activities we’ve done over the years in Lake Placid. There are so many options to fill your days and also the option of relaxing by the lake and NOT filling your days with anything!
Tubing on Lake Placid
This past year was the first time we made it to the town’s namesake, Lake Placid, to go tubing. Mirror Lake does not allow motorized boats, so you need to go to Lake Placid for that. I predict that this will become a yearly tradition because our kids loved it.
We used ADK Aquatics and the two men who took us out were the friendliest people. The boat was very nice & clean and the equipment they used was top-notch and looked brand new. They even talked me and my friend, Karen, into getting on the tubes for a ride. We booked a two-hour trip, and I felt like it was the perfect amount of time for the eight of us.
This activity is weather permitting, so be mindful of that when planning. Storms come and go quickly in Lake Placid and can be hard to predict.
Mini-Golf
Mini golf is one of my favorite activities, so I was happy to see that there is a cute mini golf course called Boots and Birdies Miniature Golf on Saranac Avenue. It’s a western-themed course with 18 holes. Other activities on-site include batting cages, gemstone mining, and cornhole boards. As a bonus, there is a Stewart’s about a half mile down the road where you can stop for ice cream afterward.
Lake activities at the Golden Arrow
My husband and I love kayaking on the lake. Our youngest son loves to fish. My oldest prefers the pool (the lake is chilly). We also enjoy relaxing in the sun on the beach. No matter your preference, you’re sure to find something to do on the lake. We bring our own floats and fishing gear. Bait can be purchased at Stewart’s at the end of Main Street.
The Spa at Mirror Lake Inn
The Spa at Mirror Lake Inn is nothing short of amazing. The Inn is located on a hilltop overlooking Mirror Lake with gorgeous flowers and greenery and, of course, a breathtaking view of the lake.
The spa is located on the lower level of the hotel. After checking in you have the option of using the complimentary steam room and hot tub before or after your services. There are lockers, showers, robes, and slippers for guests. The waiting area has comfy seating, tea, and spa water. Before you leave, head to the hotel lobby for some yummy chocolate chip cookies the hotel puts out for guests.
We have gone here as a group every year for massages, I highly recommend it. Be aware that the spa books up early so make appointments as far ahead of your vacation as possible.
Lunch at The Cottage
The Cottage is located directly across from the Mirror Lake Inn. The ladies on our trip will take a morning at The Spa at the Mirror Lake Inn and then go to The Cottage afterward for lunch. There is indoor and outdoor seating and, of course, a beautiful lake view. The food here is very good and their cocktails/mocktails are creative and delicious.
Dinner at Tail O’ the Pup
A Lake Placid tradition we all enjoy is a group dinner at Tail O’ the Pup. Tail O’ the Pup is a barbecue restaurant ten minutes away by car from the Golden Arrow. It is a large outdoor campground with a playground, picnic table seating, and live music in the summer. Because our group is upwards of 30 people, it’s probably the only restaurant in the area that can accommodate us.
Orders are taken by family, so no need to split checks and the food comes out as it’s ready. The live music has been great in years past, the musician plays mostly guitar-heavy classic rock. We have a young man in our group who likes to perform, and the musician lets him get up and sing a song or two. The food is decent and a little less pricey than what you’d get on Main Street. It’s more about the atmosphere here than the dining.
Zip-lining
For thrill-seekers, there is a great place to go zip-lining approximately 10 minutes by car from the Golden Arrow. Our group loved the guides and course at Experience Outdoors. Members of our group have gone there multiple times in past years. In addition, they offer an obstacle course that they call ‘Adventure Park’.
Visit to Ausable Chasm
Ausable Chasm is about a 50-minute drive from Lake Placid. Established in 1870, it is one of the oldest attractions in the U.S. Its nickname is ‘The Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks.’ There are trails to hike along the chasm for activities such as rafting and tubing. For the extra adventurous, they offer rappelling and rock climbing. A gift shop and a cafeteria are on-site. It is worth it to make a day trip to Ausable Chasm while on vacation in Lake Placid.
Hiking Whiteface Mountain
Whiteface Mountain is the state’s 5th highest peak at an elevation of 4,867 feet. There are three different ways for hikers to get to the summit. The easiest way to experience the peak without the 7.2-mile round-trip hike is to drive to the castle just below the summit and then walk a short but steep path to the top of the mountain.
Pickleball
Toward the end of Main Street, five tennis/pickleball courts overlook the public beach on Mirror Lake. From the Golden Arrow, take a left out of the lobby entrance and walk approximately five minutes and you’ll see them on your left-hand side.
A few years back, our group started organizing morning pickleball games. Around 9/9:30 AM, anyone who wants to play meets up at the courts and we play for a few hours. Adults and kids alike partake in this activity. If you prefer tennis, you could do that instead. There is a playground right outside the tennis courts for little ones.
Just to mention, we bring our pickleball and tennis gear from home.
Hanging out at Big Z’s on a rainy day
Something new we did this year was go to Big Z’s Hangout at Lake Placid Lanes. The building used to be Bowlwinkles, an older bowling alley. It was recently remodeled as Big Z’s–another great destination that is walkable from The Golden Arrow.
Big Z’s has a total of 8 bowling lanes, two bars, a large hangout area with picnic tables, darts, billiards, shuffleboard, foosball, arcade games, and wooden bar games (like Connect Four and Shut the Box) scattered on the tables.
Food is ordered from a kiosk, and you don’t have to have a reservation or be seated, you simply walk in and sit wherever you want. The food is above-average bar fare. Kids are welcome and there is a bar for adults. In good weather, they put out cornhole boards just outside the garage doors.
It was the perfect place to go to get out of the rainy weather and good for our large group. Each family could order and pay for their food at the kiosk without worrying about splitting up the check and people could come and go as they pleased.
If you plan on bowling, I highly suggest reserving the lanes ahead of time online to be sure you won’t have a long wait for a lane. Be aware that it is tight quarters back in the bowling alley. Our family of four had enough space in our lane but bigger parties had a tight squeeze.
Ice Cream at Emma’s Creamery or Stewart’s
What’s a vacation without evening walks for ice cream? Lake Placid favorite, Emma’s Creamery, is centrally located on Main Street. Any treat you could think of you will most likely find here. There is usually a long line of customers snaking out the door and onto the sidewalk. Don’t let the line dissuade you from stopping in, it moves quickly, and you’ll have your ice cream in no time! Head down the street to Mid Park and enjoy the scenery while you eat your dessert.
Another option is to head to one of the Stewart’s shops for ice cream. There is one on Main Street and one on Saranac Avenue. Some folks in our vacation crew prefer Stewart’s over Emma’s. It is less expensive and less crowded. Stewart’s has a variety of ice cream flavors that they make and ship fresh to their stores. They offer a Scoop Club card where you can buy any 10 items from their ice cream counter and get your 11th one free. Plus, you can stock up on bait and snacks or get gas while you are there.
Fire Show at Golden Arrow
Friday nights in the summer, The Golden Arrow hosts a free fire show for hotel guests on the beach. Two dancers perform various stunts with fire. No reservations needed. Guests with lakefront rooms can see the show from their balconies!
Visiting the Olympic Complex
The Olympic Museum and Ice Rinks are located on Main Street. Last year was the first time we visited them due to an extra rainy week of weather. The two ice rinks at the complex were home to Olympic events, including the ‘Miracle on Ice‘ ice hockey game in 1980 where the U.S. beat the Soviet Union.
A little farther away is the Olympic Jumping Complex where you can take an elevator to the top of the 90- and 100-meter ski jumps. If you are feeling courageous, there is a zipline that you can take from there to the bottom. Nearby at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, you can take a ride on the Cliffside Coaster–the longest mountain coaster in the United States. Mt. Van Hoevenberg also offers hiking, bobsled, and luge experiences, a climbing gym, and more.
Eating at Generations Tap & Grill
Generations is the restaurant attached to The Golden Arrow. We frequently eat here due to its proximity. However, the food is good and there are a lot of options for my gluten intolerance. Golden Arrow guests receive happy hour pricing on drinks all day by showing their room key at the bar. In addition, food can be ordered directly to the Golden Arrow beachfront by placing your order at the beach snack stand.
High Falls Gorge
High Falls Gorge is a 22-acre privately owned nature park. There are nature trails, a waterfall walk, and a picnic area on site. See natural potholes, the foaming water of the Ausable River, and a protected forest area with hemlock trees that are hundreds of years old. High Falls Gorge boasts one of the oldest rocks in the world, the Anorthosite boulder, which is over 1.5 billion years old. High Falls Gorge is a ten-minute drive from the Golden Arrow.
Take a Stroll on Main Street
During our vacation, we wind up on Main Street multiple times a day. It is so convenient from our hotel to walk right through the lobby and into the action. There are a variety of shops, restaurants, Mid Park, a movie theatre, hotels and more. Coming next year is an arcade that we are looking forward to checking out.
My children are both teenagers and they love having the freedom to walk up to Main Street with their friends to get ice cream, do some souvenir shopping, or get something to eat. Lake Placid in general is a safe area and I feel comfortable letting them go on their own.
If you get tired of walking Main Street, there is a shuttle bus that runs the circuit through the business areas in the town of Lake Placid. Simply find a sign and flag it down.
Visit a Brewery
There are four different breweries in the town of Lake Placid–Big Slide, Great Adirondack Brewing Company, Lake Placid Pub & Brewery and The Boat Craft Tasting Room.
Helpful Links
As you can see, Lake Placid has something to offer no matter what you like to do on vacation. The links below will help you further explore the region and plan your trip.
Lake Placid Official Tourism Site for all things Lake Placid!
Tripadvisor Lake Placid Hotels information and reviews of Lake Placid lodging options.
Tripadvisor Lake Placid Restaurants reviews and information about popular eateries.
If you need help packing for your trip, read my post How to Pack Like a Pro.
If you’re looking for a more exotic vacation, read my post about our trip to Costa Rica.
I hope the information above was helpful. As always, please comment, email, or get in touch via social media. I love hearing from readers and enjoy talking about Lake Placid. Happy travels!
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