If you’re looking to have a gold medal-worthy summer trip in the Adirondacks, Lake Placid is your next destination. There are plenty of hikes with amazing views of the High Peaks, great restaurants with friendly faces, and a beautiful lake for paddling and swimming. This mountain town quickly became a favorite of mine over the past few years, and I have plenty of recommendations to share for your next trip to Lake Placid. Read on for some of my favorite trails, restaurants, bars, and shops for a fun summer weekend in Lake Placid, New York.

About Lake Placid, NY

First things first, let’s do a quick dive into the history of the Village of Lake Placid in the Adirondacks.

Lake Placid was founded in the 1880s. The area was originally settled for iron ore mining, but by the late 1800s, rich city folk were flocking Upstate to escape the city (and not much has changed).

The village became a hotspot for outdoor activity during both the summer and winter months. In 1895, Melvil Dewey, (yes, creator of the Dewey Decimal System), founded the Lake Placid Club with his wife, Annie. The couple transformed a summer retreat into a big resort. It was originally only open during the summer, but Dewey pushed to open during colder months. He did so by promoting lots of cold-weather activities many of us have learned to love, like ice skating, skiing, ski jumping, and more. This was what put Lake Placid on the map for winter sports.

Thanks to the success of the resort and the efforts of Dewey’s son, the Olympic Committee chose Lake Placid to host the 1932 Winter Olympics. It became the second city in North America to host the Winter Games.

Yet, the iconic 1980 Winter Olympics are what make Lake Placid a household name for winter sport fanatics. Whether you’re a huge hockey fan or a huge sports movie fan, you know the “Miracle on Ice.” For those unfamiliar, it was a legendary men’s ice hockey game held at Lake Placid where Team USA took down the heavily favored, four-time defending gold medalist Soviet Union team 4–3 and took home the gold. “Do you believe in miracles!”

If you’re interested in more history about Lake Placid, check out these articles.

Hiking

Being in the High Peaks region, there are dozens of trails to hike around Lake Placid. Here are some good ones for beginners and more advanced hikers.

Cobble Hill: (1.5 miles and 462 feet elevation gain) A quick hike that has views of Lake Placid from the summit. It starts relatively flat but gets pretty steep the closer you get to the top.

Indian Head: (6.2-10 miles and 1,696-1,978 feet elevation gain) There are a couple ways to get to this Instagram-famous summit. One loop, but before you get to the trailhead, you must make a reservation with the Adirondack Mountain Reserve (AMR). It’s free and required between May 1 and October 31. It’s because the trail crosses AMR private property. Walk-ins or drop-offs are not allowed without that reservation! The trail is a steady incline that gets a little steep at the end. It’s all worth it when you get to the top and have beautiful views of Lower Ausable Lake. If you squint, you might see Upper Ausable Lake, too. Visit the AMR website to make your resy.

Cascade and Porter Peaks: (5.7 miles and 2,293 feet elevation gain) A bit south of Lake Placid but worth the drive. A bit more intense but an easy way to conquer two of the 46 High Peaks. I did this hike a couple years ago; Check out my post if you want a deeper breakdown of this hike.

Exploring

Maybe you’re more outsidey than outdoorsy. If hiking isn’t for you, there are plenty of other places to explore in the Lake Placid area to fit your vibe.

Olympic Sites: See for yourself where history was made and visit the Olympic Center with the Herb Brooks Arena, Olympic Jumping Complex, and Mt. Van Hoevenberg. Learn about what went into the Olympic Games and experience the thrill of Olympic sports all year round.
Mirror Lake: Swim! Paddle! The public beach is the perfect place to spend time outside with your family and cool off in the lake. It’s right in the middle of downtown Lake Placid and has restrooms, tennis courts, and a playground.
Whiteface Mountain: This is the best option for people who want the views of the High Peaks from a High Peak without the hiking. Visit the ski resort during the summer and buy a ticket to ride the Cloudsplitter Gondola up the mountain. Once you get out, you’ll be greeted with incredible views from Little Whiteface. You can also drive up the mountain via the Whiteface Veterans’ Memorial Highway. While you’re up there, grab a snack at the cafe or a postcard from the gift shop, all without breaking a sweat.
High Falls Gorge: If hiking isn’t your thing but you still want to take a walk through nature, this is the perfect spot for you. It’s a 22-acre privately owned park that’s been operating for over 130 years. Follow steel bridges, walkways, and groomed trails through the park and take in views of the rushing water. Tickets for these gorgeous gorges are available online.

Bites and Brews

Food is fuel for all your outdoor adventures. Lake Placid has plenty of great food spots and even better bars for a post-hike beer.

Lake Placid Pub & Brewery: Looking right at Mirror Lake, this restaurant has good pub food and great local beers. There are 3 floors and plenty of outdoor seating, so you can take in the beautiful Adirondacks while sipping on an award-winning Adirondack-brewed beer.

Zig Zags: A fun sports bar with plenty of Olympic fare (and a signed Bruce Springsteen photo in the back). It’s the perfect spot if you like your beer with a side of darts or pool.

The Pickled Pig: I think you smell the barbecue smoker at Pickled Pig before you see the restaurant. The restaurant has great barbecue eats and good drinks to enjoy on the patio. Bonus: bands play live music outside throughout the summer, so be on the lookout for local artists.
Marcy Bar: For something a little more elevated, Marcy Bar gives a cozy, modern Adirondack vibe. Located in the Grand Adirondack Hotel on Main Street, the menu is made up of local ingredients and is perfect for a date night or girls’ night out.

Erin’s Personal Favorites

I’ve visited Lake Placid multiple times within the past few years (thanks to my lovely friend and generous host, Layne), which has allowed me to curate my favorite places and can’t-miss activities when I make the trek up during the summer.

Next time you visit Lake Placid, don’t miss:

Cloudsplitter Rooftop Bar: I almost don’t want to share this one, but it’s too good (and popular) not to share. I love going here with my friends during the summer to grab a drink on the rooftop with the mountains in the background. I dream of sitting at one of the picnic tables, soaking up the sun, and watching the mountains and the lake in the distance.
The Cottage: From the roof to ~~sea~~ lake level, this lakeside bar is perfect for happy hour or a sunset beverage moment. The menu includes food and drinks locally sourced. There’s a big patio and seats close to the water so you can sip on a beer while taking in the view of the High Peaks from the lake.
Alpine Mall: I need my postcards when I go on trips, and you better believe I’m strolling Main Street shopping my heart out in Lake Placid every time I visit. Alpine Mall has a bunch of cute stores selling art, photography, coffee, gifts, and other fun knickknacks. It’s the perfect spot to pick something up for a special someone, or treat yourself to something new. Check out more shopping spots here.
Stewart’s: I don’t know how you can miss Stewart’s when you’re in the Adirondacks, but this is your reminder that it really has everything you need when you’re on the go. (Or maybe you need a coffee/iced tea after a late night at the bars).

That brings us to the end of my summertime Lake Placid recommendations! Let me know if there are any spots I should add to the list or if you’ve been to any of these places. I can’t wait for my next trip, and I can’t wait for you to subscribe so you don’t miss out on my next Adirondack adventure.