Location: Lake Placid
Top Things to do in Lake Placid
What to do and see in Lake Placid, United States: The Best Places and Tips
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 based on 764 reviews
Reviewed By kristat361 - Massena, New York
Highly recommend visiting Mirror Lake in BOTH winter and summer! It is awesome to walk, ski, skate, dogsled , and toboggan on the lake in the winter! It is just as awesome to swim and boat in the lake in summer. The views of the town from on the lake are amazing. I highly recommend the entire Lake Placid and Saranac Lake areas for any travel enthusiast! You will not be disappointed! We just experienced the best President’s weekend ... so much fun and the weather was perfect!
2. Lake Placid
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 133 reviews
Reviewed By Towgunner1 - South Jersey
Clean, seemed well maintained. Friendly shop owners and workers. Well patrolled and appeared safe for families. Metered parking with kiosks all over the place. Didn't appear to be night club atmosphere which is a good thing. Lots of choices for eating and small live entertainment in a few of the restaurants. I'd like to see it in the summer as well.
3. Mount Jo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 276 reviews
Reviewed By Jennifer E - Uniontown, Ohio
Several people recommended this hike to me for my first time in the Adirondacks. It did not disappoint. We took the long trail up and down, and we thought it was pretty tough - you really have to watch every step you take across boulders/tree stumps all the way up. We talked to several others that said the same exact thing - it was a tough mile up. But, the view - oh, the view, made it completely worth it! Highly, highly recommend this one! Tip: the fee for parking is for a good cause, but if you go after 1 (maybe it was 2, I don't recall), parking is only $5 vs. $10.
4. Herb Brooks Arena
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 116 reviews
Reviewed By AlHattab - Monmouth County NJ
I get the chills just thinking about this place. I've been there numerous times for hockey tournaments and on a few other occasions summer and winter. During the tournaments on various TVs they run the famous 1980 USA Hockey win over the USSR and on others the HBO documentary "Do You Believe in Miracles". And every time I stop to watch. If you recall that game/era (I was 10 and recall it vividly) or not, it is a fantastic experience. Many of the kids have seen the movie Miracle so the story resonates with them. But for the parents, being aware of all that was happening at that time in history (vividly portrayed in the documentary) you can't help but look around the arena and imagining what it must have been like being in that arena for that game.
Some shops available and the snack bar is ok (the pulled pork is pretty good). The Olympic museum is also in the building, and the 1932 and 1980 rinks are connected.
5. Olympic Ski Jump Complex
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 973 reviews
Visitors to this year-round training and competition site can watch daring ski-divers, or take an elevator to a platform to see how high Olympic skiers jump.
Reviewed By Jos H - Virginia Beach, Virginia
For us it was the first time we visited this type of location. The history the surroundinds, the view this all made it a worthwhile visit. On top of the jump we watched a documentary that told the story of the 1980 Olympics.
6. Saratoga Olive Oil
Overall Ratings
5 based on 77 reviews
Reviewed By SylvieFrancois444 - Ontario Canada
This was our first time in Lake Placid. While taking a beautiful walk on Main Street, we decided to go check out Saratoga Olive Oil. What a find! There are so many different oils and vinegars, you want to buy them all. You can taste...MoreThank you for your kind review!!! We are always happy when we get to add new fans. Yours in tasting. Peter Fazio District Manager Saratoga Olive Oil Co.
7. Bobsled and Luge Complex
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 750 reviews
Take an exhilarating ride on a bobsled at this former event site for the 1980 Winter Olympic Games.
Reviewed By eie3 - NY
Thrilling, exciting, spectacular! The bobsled run is worth the money. After all, where else can you ride the same course that Olympians rode? The whole 1980 Olympics was magical in this small mountain town of Lake Placid---be part of the enduring magic! Ride that sled!
8. John Brown Farm State Historic Site
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 193 reviews
This National Historic Landmark and New York State Historic Site contains the home and final resting place of the Underground Railroad conductor and insurrectionist, who moved here in an attempt to establish a community of freed slaves and abolitionists.
Reviewed By harste - New Port Richey, Florida
If you are interested in history, you may have hear of John Brown. He was an abolitionist that made a raid of an arsenal at Harper's Ferry. He was captured and hung. This is his farm. He, and his fellow raiders, are buried there. In addition, there is a great view of the ski jumps.
9. Lake Placid Olympic Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 630 reviews
Make the Lake Placid Olympic Museum your first stop on a tour of America's Olympic hometown and be inspired by the stories of the Winter Games. Located in the same building as the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" hockey game, the excitement of the Olympics lives on daily through displays and exhibits that visitors of all ages enjoy.
Reviewed By exploringUSA1000 - Northeast
If you go to Lake Placid this is a must see. It's a small Olympic museum that will also get you access to the Herb Brooks arena, the location of the 1980 "Miracle on Ice". There are lots of cool artifacts, and background about the history of Lake Placid. As far as I'm concerned it's one of the places that makes America great. It may not be a battlefield, but as far as I'm concerned it was the sight of a battle between what was good... and what was (and still is) evil.
10. Brewster Peninsula Nature Trails
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 79 reviews
Reviewed By Eataroundwoburn - Woburn, Massachusetts
With a little effort and an easy walk down a relatively flat path, you will be rewarded with a beautiful view of Lake Placid Lake. This is definitely worth the time, just make sure you do not over shoot the road -Peninsula Way - from the main road, it looks like a driveway!
