Looking for the perfect place for a fall family vacation? Lake Placid needs to be on the top of your list. From hiking and nature experiences, visiting the Olympic venues, or just taking in the spectacular lakeside or mountaintop view, there are amazing things to do for all ages and interests. Bonus – if you plan your visit right your backdrop will be gorgeous fall foliage. The only question is, what to do first? Here’s a round-up of our favorite things to do in Lake Placid with Kids.
Lake Placid with Kids – High Falls Gorge
Carved over a billion years ago, this stunning, 22-acre nature park is an easy half-hour stroll that earns you a spectacular view of four incredible waterfalls. With sturdy bridges, glass bottom platforms, walkways and groomed walking trails, High Falls Gorge is safe and accessible to all ages, and open for all four seasons! During the winter, High Falls Gorge provides shoe treads so you can set out on the waterfall walk to experience the spectacular ice formations. Don’t miss the nature trail! More on the falls HERE
Lake Placid with Kids – Whiteface Veteran’s Memorial Highway
How many other roads do you know that lead you directly to the summit of a mountain, with gorgeous views spanning hundreds of miles of wildland? Drive up the historic Whiteface Veterans’ Memorial Highway to reach the top of New York’s fifth-highest peak. At the top, be sure to check out the food truck (famously known as the highest food truck in New York) and Gift Shop, and enjoy truly spectacular 360-degree panoramic views of the Adirondacks, New England, and Canada. More on the Highway HERE
Lake Placid with Kids – W!ld Center
Did you know that you could perch yourself inside a larger-than-life eagle’s nest, and stand high above the treetops of the Adirondacks? This incredible experience is possible at The W!ld Center, the Adirondacks’ nature epicenter in Tupper Lake, NY. Part tree-top adventure, part immersive art installation, The Natural History Museum of the Adirondacks is a popular and award-winning destination for learning about the wild and wonderful world that makes this spectacular region so beautiful. This is one of our favorite places we have EVER visited – a must-see. Our full review HERE.
Lake Placid with Kids – Ausable Chasm
Nicknamed the Grand Canyon of the East for a reason, Ausable Chasm is a must-see natural attraction in the Adirondacks! This awe-inducing, 150-foot deep chasm is a perfect visit for outdoor enthusiasts and offers a wide range of activities and experiences for all ages, such as river rafting, rock climbing adventure trails, and some of the area’s best hiking. During our visit, we joined in on the River Adventure Tour – where we crossed wobbly suspension bridges over the roaring river. Ausable Chasm is open year-round, with varying availability for activities and tours based on the season, check website for current offerings! More on the chasm HERE
Cliffside Coaster
Did you know that the longest mountain coaster in the US is in Lake Placid? The 1.4-mile mountain coaster travels alongside the 1980 Olympic bobsled track, and has become a popular year-round attraction. The coaster travels 2,250 feet uphill and 5,400 feet downhill, with an elevation change of 495 feet, and is equipped with a timing and audio system that allows visitors to experience the thrill of what it was like to be an Olympic bobsledder during the 1980 Olympic Winter Games. Read more on the experience HERE.
Lake Placid with Kids – Cloudsplitter Gondola
Glide through the clouds! The Cloudsplitter Gondola transports visitors through a fifteen-minute ride in the sky through the awe-inspiring natural beauty of the Adirondack Mountains. At the peak itself, look around and you will find yourself surrounded by epic views of Lake Placid, Lake Champlain, and some of the most massive peaks in all of New York State. Note: Not for those who don’t like heights! The ride is available during the Summer/early Fall only (in the winter these Gondolas are used for the ski hill!). More on the gondolas HERE
Lake Placid with Kids – Boots and Birdies Miniature Golf
A hole-in-one for fun! Play amongst river rock beds, a hidden cave, and a beautiful waterfall all while enjoying views of the majestic Adirondack Mountains. Not just mini golf, this family fun center also offers gemstone mining and a bouncy Eurobungy. We loved the mini golf course and swung by a couple of times during our stay in the area. Read more HERE.
Lake Placid with Kids – Ring in the Olympic Spirit
Site of the 1980 Winter Olympics – Lake Placid has preserved the legacy of the games and continued public enjoyment of the Olympic venues. A good place to start is the Olympic Museum. Sitting adjacent to the location of the “Miracle on Ice,” the museum offers Multi-media exhibits and memorabilia displays that transport visitors into Olympic history. Want to know what it is to feel like an Olympian for a few thrilling moments? Try some of lake Placid’s immersive experiences! Stand alongside the ramp that ski jumpers launch themselves from before flying over the length of a football field, fly down a world-famous bobsled track at 60 miles per hour, or try skating on the Olympic Speed Skating Loop.
The Olympic Sites Passport is perfect for folks planning a visit to the area, giving you access to every one of the Lake Placid Olympic Sites The passport is available for purchase online and in person at all of the Olympic venues. More on the passport HERE.
Where to Stay with the Family: Golden Arrow Resort
Their quote “The Only Thing We Overlook is the Lake” couldn’t be truer of Golden Arrow Resort, it is located so close to Mirror Lake – you literally couldn’t be closer to the lake without a boat. Aside from its jaw-dropping lakeside vistas, Golden Arrow Resort has an unrivaled location – it’s directly on Main Street and only steps away from fun shopping and dining, and the Olympic Village. Even better? Golden Arrow guests can enjoy a private white sand beach with complimentary kayaks, canoes, and paddle boards during the summer months. During the winter months, guests can enjoy skating, cross-country skiing, and dog sled rides on the frozen lake. It’s the perfect destination for your Adirondacks vacation. More on the resort HERE.
