A Perfect Weekend Itinerary for Lake Placid, NY
When you’re researching the best things to do in Lake Placid and its surrounding Adirondack Mountains, you might be surprised by just how much comes up. In fact, over three years of traveling, Lake Placid was the one place I wasn’t ready to leave… even after three weeks… because there are so many great things to do.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t create a perfect weekend itinerary in Lake Placid by hitting a little bit of everything you love during your stay. To help you narrow down your search and get the most out of your weekend in the Adirondacks, here’s our pick for the Perfect Weekend Itinerary in Lake Placid, NY!
Table of Contents Hide
While we stayed outside Lake Placid (in Au Sable Forks), I recommend staying as close to the town center as possible for your weekend in Lake Placid. (If you’re visiting for longer than a weekend, check out our additional rental recommendations here.)
By staying in or as close to Lake Placid Village as possible, you’ll maximize your time for activity since you’re at the center of the best things to do, plus you’ll have an easier time getting to or on Mirror Lake for a gorgeous sunrise or sunset.
And, of course, Lake Placid Village will have the most options for restaurants and shops during your getaway, so that’s a bonus!
Check into your rental once you arrive, then grab your below itinerary for a perfect weekend getaway in Lake Placid, New York!
Friday PM: Dinner + Stroll Main Street
One of the first things to do after you check into your rental is walk Main Street. A leisurely stroll will help you get a feel for the town, Mirror Lake, and even find the Lake Placid Olympic Center. Notice which restaurants you might want to check out (pay particular attention to those with a patio overlooking Mirror Lake) and stop in the shops along the way.
While walking Main Street…
— Stop in whichever shops catch your eye. If you’re a fan of wildlife photography, make sure to stop in The Curious Otter.
— Enjoy dinner and drinks on the water. We sat on the patio overlooking Mirror Lake at Player’s Sports Bar. It was great, but there are plenty of other restaurants to check out as well. If you’re looking for something dog-friendly, consider The Cottage at Mirror Lake Inn.
— Grab dessert at Ben & Jerry’s or Emma’s Creamery.
— Watch the sunset over Mirror Lake from Mid’s Park or Mirror Lake Boat Rentals.
View of Main Street
Post-dinner ice cream at Ben & Jerry’s
Shopping along Main Street
Sunset by Mirror Lake Boat Rentals
Saturday AM: Hike the Adirondacks
The abundance of outdoor activity surrounding Lake Placid is one of the main reasons there is SO much to do. You’ve got hikes with amazing views, hikes with great effort-to-view ratios, well-known hikes, and peaceful hikes through the woods that lead to gorgeous scenic overlooks.
After grabbing breakfast in Lake Placid (consider Bluesberry Bakery or Big Mountain Deli & Crêperie), you can pick your own adventure (PYOA) for hiking in the Adirondacks. We’ll point you in a few directions with some of our favorite hikes, but if you don’t see something you’re interested in, click here (post coming soon) or browse All Trails for additional recommendations.
Cobble Lookout: This trail is about 20 minutes from Downtown Lake Placid (and bonus: it’s right around the corner from Whiteface Veterans’ Memorial Highway, if you want to do these activities back-to-back). This hike makes the list because it probably has the best effort-to-view ratio in the area.
This is a 2.4-mile out-and-back trail with minimal elevation. There are a lot of exposed roots to be aware of, and it’s a slippery trail when wet, so you may want to skip this one if it’s raining or recently rained, but otherwise, the view is gorgeous for the effort. We were there in the summer (picture below), but fall looks absolutely breathtaking if you’re on the hunt for foliage!
This is a dog-friendly trail. Bonus: Consider driving the Whiteface Veterans’ Memorial Highway (more info below) after your hike and then stopping at Adirondack Chocolates on your way back to Lake Placid.
Balanced Rocks and Cascade Mountain: These trails are about 13 minutes from Lake Placid and you’ll pass Mt Van Hoevenberg (one of the Olympic Legacy Sites) on your way.
We only hiked the Balanced Rocks Trail, but I’m putting both together on this list because the trails are across the street from one another. So, if you want to maximize your hikes during your weekend getaway, you may want to plan for both these hikes, one after the other.
From what I’ve read, Balanced Rocks is the easier hike of the two (it’s shorter, with about half the elevation gain, and it’s supposedly quieter/less popular than its sister trail). We took Lincoln with us on this dog-friendly trail, and besides some rock scrambling that was tough with a dog (not for her, but because her pace and mine going down a mountain are different), this trail was a lot of fun!! And the overlook is beautiful.
Bonus: After you’ve taken in the sights at the Balanced Rocks (where you can also see a Lake Placid Legacy Site in the distance!), turn around and make your way over to the boulders on the right for solitude and another gorgeous view.
PYOA: Want to hike Balanced Rocks but not Cascade Mountain? Consider adding the Mt Van Hoevenberg East Trail to your day instead. It’s on your way back to Lake Placid, plus it’s at the Mt Van Hoevenberg Olympic Complex, where you can also try out a Bobsledding Experience or the Cliffside Coaster. Or at the very least, stand upon the podium and take home gold!
Mount Jo Loop or Indian Head and Rainbow Falls: These are two hikes that get a lot of mention for the best hikes near Lake Placid. We didn’t hike Mount Jo Loop, but we did take a day to hike Indian Head. It’s about 33 minutes from Lake Placid, is 10 miles long, and requires reservations in advance.
Unless this is one that’s been on your bucket list, I’d recommend skipping this trail and opting for a shorter route instead. Yes, this is beautiful, but (in our opinion) it’s not unequivocally the best view in the Adirondacks. Don’t get me wrong: This was a good hike, with a nice view, just personally wasn’t mine or Jon’s favorite. (Though that may have been because the afternoon is not the best time of day to go for photographs or to see the overlook in its full glory.)
Bonus: Decide you want to hike Indian Head and Rainbow Falls Loop? You can skip breakfast in Lake Placid to save time and grab coffee + breakfast on your way at the Old Mountain Coffee Company in Keene.
Cobble Lookout
Balanced Rocks (Main Overlook)
Balanced Rocks (Side Overlook)
Indian Head Trail (Main Overlook)
Indian Head Trail (Side Overlook)
Saturday Afternoon: Drive, Ride, or Cheers!
Option 1
Option 2
Option 3
We’ve got even more ‘Pick Your Own Adventure’ over here at Road Trip Locals to help you craft your perfect Lake Placid Weekend.
(Option 1) Want to continue exploring the Adirondacks after your hike? Make your way to Wilmington to hike, bike, or drive Whiteface Mountain along the Whiteface Veterans’ Memorial Highway. Consider stopping at Santa’s Workshop, the High Falls Gorge, or Adirondack Chocolates on your way there or back. If you decide to hike Cobble Lookout in the morning, the Whiteface Veterans’ Memorial Highway is right around the corner (just a minute or two drive).
For lunch, consider A&W or Whitebrook Dairy Bar (cash only).
(Option 2) Love sports and want more time to explore the Lake Placid Legacy Sites? Book a Bobsled Experience, Cliffside Coaster, Zipline, or Gondola Ride. You can learn more about the Lake Placid Legacy Sites and activities here. If you hike Balanced Rocks or the Mt Van Hoevenberg East Trail in the morning, then the Mt Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex (with the Bobsled Experience and Cliffside Coaster) and The Olympic Jumping Complex are on your way back to Lake Placid. (The Mt Van Hoevenberg East Trail actually starts at the Mt Van Hoevenberg Olympic Complex, so you can easily pair this hike with an Olympic activity.)
For lunch, consider The Mountain Pass Lodge Cafe (81 - 18 Cafe) at Mt Van Hoevenberg.
Ready to rest your legs and grab a drink? Have lunch and spend your afternoon with a flight from the Great Adirondack Brewing Company, Big Slide Brewery, or Lake Placid Pub & Brewery.
(Option 3) Want to mix and match? Consider heading back to Lake Placid Village for your afternoon, and plan to tour the Olympic Center (including the 1980 Herb Brooks and 1932 Jack Shea Hockey Arenas, and the James C. Sheffield Speed Skating Oval) before walking along Main Street to the Great Adirondack Brewing Company (about a 10-minute walk).
Whiteface Veterans' Memorial Highway
Alpine Nature Trail (at the top of Whiteface Veterans' Memorial Highway)
1980 Herb Brooks Hockey Arena
Great Adirondack Brewing Company
Saturday PM: Dinner + Sunset Kayak on Mirror Lake
After a full day of exploring Lake Placid and its surrounding Adirondack Mountains, it’s time to eat! Our recommendation? Grab dinner at a restaurant on the water before taking a sunset kayak ride on Mirror Lake.
The village of Lake Placid sits on Mirror Lake (not to be confused with Lake Placid Lake, which is to its side). No trip to Lake Placid is complete (in our opinion) without spending time on, gazing at, or swimming in Mirror Lake. While we’ll recommend an idea for seeing sunrise over Mirror Lake next, sunset is just as beautiful and one of the best times to get on the water.
So consider having dinner on the patio at Player’s Sports Bar or another patio overlooking Mirror Lake, then walk to Mirror Lake Boat Rentals. (The patio of Player’s Sports Bar is situated directly above Mirror Lake Boat Rentals, so you can watch people head out and come back from their trips and decide which rental you’d prefer: kayak, canoe, paddle board, electric boat, or something else!)
If you’re looking for something dog-friendly, try The Cottage at Mirror Lake Inn.
After dinner on the patio of your choice, rent your boat of choice at Mirror Lake Boat Rentals and enjoy a beautiful evening on the water. If you can, opt for being out on the water at least 45 minutes before sunset. Golden hour on Mirror Lake is gorgeous!
At the time of our visit (August 2022), you could rent a paddleboat, HydroBike, canoe, rowboat, tandem kayak, or stand-up paddleboard for $30/hour. You could rent a sailboat, electric boat, or premium stand-up paddleboard for $55/hour. (For boats, expect an additional $10 for a third person.)
Mirror Lake Boat Rentals was open from 10 am to dark daily, depending on the weather. We had no problem renting a tandem kayak at around 6:30 pm on a Saturday in August.
Fun aside: Mirror Lake Boat Rentals is dog-friendly if you want to bring your pup on the water with you!
Note: If you’re visiting Lake Placid in the winter, and so you can’t swim or paddle, check out the Lake Placid toboggan chute instead. Looks awesome!
Sunday AM: Sunrise over Mirror Lake
You’ve enjoyed Mirror Lake at sunset, now it’s time to take in the view during sunrise! For the final morning of your Lake Placid getaway, we recommend waking up for the sunrise over Mirror Lake.
You may want to:
— Grab coffee and pastries at Bluesberry Bakery
— Sit and enjoy the view at Mid’s Park
— Take a swim or a few pictures at Mirror Lake Public Beach
— Walk the Mirror Lake Path
… or plan a morning with all of the above!
During our visit, we watched the sunrise over Mirror Lake at Mirror Lake Public Beach, then walked the full Mirror Lake Loop (a 2.6-mile flat path). Once we got back into town, we grabbed coffee and pastries and enjoyed our breakfast overlooking Mirror Lake at Mid’s Park. (All activities, except ordering inside Bluesberry Bakery, are dog-friendly.)
Bonus: While following the Mirror Lake Loop, you’ll walk around the entirety of Mirror Lake and through Lake Placid downtown. You’ll also stroll by gorgeous homes, many of which sit on Mirror Lake, and pass by a Lake Placid Lake access site. You can easily walk across the street to the access site to view Lake Placid Lake or look into boat rentals and tours at Placid Boat Rentals or Lake Placid Marina & Boat tours if you’d like to get on Lake Placid Lake.
Prefer a sit-down breakfast for your final morning in Lake Placid? We’ve read great things about The Breakfast Club. If you check it out, please let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
Sunrise from Mirror Lake Beach
Grabbing breakfast at Bluesberry Bakery
Taking in the view (and fueling up) at Mid’s Park
Walking Mirror Lake Path
Sunday Afternoon: Visit the Olympic Legacy Sites
Before you leave, you may wish to enjoy one more hike or, as we personally recommend, check out the Olympic Legacy Sites if you haven’t done so yet!
Lake Placid hosted two Olympic Games, one in 1932 and one in 1980. That makes visiting the site of former Olympic events one of the best things to do during your weekend in Lake Placid.
You can explore the Olympic Center, Olympic Jumping Complex, Mount Van Hoevenberg, and Whiteface Mountain.
The hockey arenas are at the Olympic Center (which is right in town). The two ski jumps (about 5 minutes from town) can be seen at the Olympic Jumping Complex, which is where you can also ride a gondola & elevator up to 360-degree views of Lake Placid.
At Mount Van Hoevenberg, you can ride North America’s longest coaster (the Cliffside Coaster) and/or experience the sport of luge or bobsled. In the summer, you can hike, bike, or drive Whiteface Mountain. In the winter, ski!
Mt Van Hoevenberg Olympic Complex
Speed Skating Oval
Bobsled Experience
1932 Jack Shea Arena
As you make your way back home after your amazing weekend in Lake Placid, drive or fly safe and start planning your next visit! :)
Have time for more? Keep Planning Your Perfect Trip to Lake Placid, NY
Here are a few more resources to shorten your planning time and help you find the perfect Lake Placid adventures and activities for you!
Here are our picks for the 6 best things to do in Lake Placid. (We cover #1-5 in this Lake Placid Weekend Itinerary but had to skip #6 for time. If you have another day in or around Lake Placid, check out this fun activity, too!)
Here’s a fun roadtrip through the Adirondacks (and how to best see Lake Placid, Whiteface Mountain, and the Ausable Chasm).
Here are our favorite hikes in the Adirondacks.
And here you’ll find big views for less effort.
Have even more time during your Lake Placid Trip and interested in taking a road trip? Here’s a one-day itinerary for a road trip to Burlington, Vermont (about two hours away). And here’s a great foodie road trip with 8 fun things to do near Stowe, Vermont (about 2.5 hours away).
Your turn! What’s your favorite road trip or the next on your list?
We’re always looking for inspiration, and would love to hear about your adventures too! What’s an upcoming trip you can’t wait to schedule (or the best you’ve ever taken and why), or which of these Lake Placid activities would you most love to do? Please share with us in the comments below!
Save this itinerary for a future road trip
Hover over either image below and click on the red “Save” button that pops up in the upper lefthand corner of the image to save this road trip itinerary on Pinterest for later. (If you’re on mobile, you might have to tap the image first to see the red ‘Save’ button.)
