Home to world-class skiing, ice skating, and bobsledding, and the site of two previous Olympic Games, it’s easy to see why Lake Placid is known as the winter sports capital of the world. There’s so much more than sports! Lake Placid has a plethora of hiking and snowshoeing adventures, spectacular nature explorations, thrilling gondola rides and toboggan slides, and a bustling downtown with fun retail shops and restaurants, which makes it the ultimate winter destination and perfect vacation spot for families. The only question is, what to do first? Here’s a round-up of our favorite family-friendly experiences available for an awesome winter in Lake Placid with Kids.
Lake Placid with Kids – High Falls Gorge
Carved over a billion years ago, this stunning, 22-acre nature park offers 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, the falls freeze into an icy abyss, and the result is pure magic. Don’t worry, you won’t slip – High Falls Gorge provides shoe treads so you can set out safely on the waterfall walk to experience the spectacular ice formations (and they even have kids sizes!). Don’t miss the nature trail! More on the falls HERE
Lake Placid with Kids – Wild Center
Did you know that you could perch yourself inside a larger-than-life eagle’s nest, and stand high above the snowy treetops of the Adirondacks? This incredible experience is possible at The Wild Center, the Adirondacks’ nature epicenter in Tupper Lake, NY. Part treetop 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. In the winter, visitors can grab snowshoe or kicksled rentals (included with admission) to access their stunning nature trails, explore the Wintery Wild Walk with snowball games and targets, or warm-up inside as you discover the Living River Trail and exhibits. Our full review HERE.
Lake Placid with Kids – Dogsledding on the Lake
Ready to mush into winter? Glide across Mirror Lake in the cold, crisp air on a sleigh pulled by adorable dog mushers. There is not one but two places to go dog sledding on the ice of Lake Placid, and both offer similar experiences and are only a short walk from each other. Mike Arnold Dog Sled Rides offers rides in front of the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort, Thunder Mountain Dog Sled Tours operates across from the High Peaks Resort. Both offer a once-in-a-lifetime experience on Mirror Lake with safe and family-friendly rides from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m, Fridays through Mondays all winter. At approximately 10 minutes – rides are short but sweet, but a great length for kids. All rides are on a first-come, first-served basis. Cash only. Expect a line. (No website).
Lake Placid with Kids – Toboggan Run
Slide into a winter adventure at the Lake Placid Toboggan Chute! After pulling an old-fashioned sled up a 30-foot-high converted ski jump trestle, little ones can tuck their feet for a front-row seat to whiz down an ice shoot before gliding more than 1,000 feet, skittering across the frozen surface of Mirror Lake. It is a thrill! Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for kids, and including the toboggan rental and unlimited rides during the session. First come, first serve (no reservations!). Be surety wear durable pants (due to the friction – thin pants could rip!). Heads up: Due to warm temps, the Toboggan run has a delayed opening for the 2023 season. The official opening Sunday February 5th. More HERE.
Lake Placid with Kids – Cloudsplitter Gondola Rides
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. In the winter you can take in the mountain’s snowy covers – soaring over the ski trails and frozen streams and trails below. Note: Not for those who don’t like heights! More on the gondolas HERE
Lake Placid with Kids – Ring in the Olympic Spirit
Site of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics – Lake Placid has preserved the legacy of the games and continued public enjoyment of the Olympic venues. Travelers to Lake Placid can still visit these iconic sites to learn more about the sport and to relive their favorite Olympic moments.
Olympic Center: Visit Herb Brooks Arena, site of the 1980s “Miracle on Ice,” to enjoy public skating at the famous Speed Skating Oval. More HERE.
Jumping Complex: Take the new state-of-the-art gondola to the top of the Jump Tower where you can watch athletes catch air off the 90 meters or 120-meter jumps. More HERE.
Olympic Sports Complex: Visit here to watch athletes practice on the bobsled, luge, & skeleton track. (Watching on the platform is open to the public and completely free). Don’t miss the podium photo op! More HERE.
Olympic Museum: Typically we would have included the Lake Placid Olympic Museum here, however it is currently closed for renovations and scheduled to reopen in December 2022. In the meantime, guests are encouraged to visit the “Totally 80 – 80 Objects from the Lake Placid Olympic Museum” Exhibit Gallery. The free exhibit is located on the 2nd floor of the conference center while the museum works on its new, permanent location. More HERE.
Ever wonder what it feels like to be an Olympian for a few thrilling moments? Try some of lake Placid’s immersive experiences! Yes, you can actually climb inside a bobsled and fly down a world-famous half-mile track at 55 miles per hour, it’s a perfect experience for adrenaline seekers! Good to know: The bobsled can accommodate 3 people. First and second passengers must be at least 9 years old and 52 inches tall, while third passengers must be at least 13 years old and 52 inches tall. This is a thrilling ride unlike any other. More on the bobsled experience HERE.
Lake Placid with Kids – Eat in a Gondola
When Whiteface mountain replaced their gondolas on the ski lifts, they decided to sell the older models and opened the sales to the public. Cottage Restaurant and Café in Lake Placid purchased two of them and turned the gondolas into private heated dining areas. The gondola dining huts are perfect for families and can accommodate groups of up to eight guests. Good to know: gondolas cannot be reserved in advance; however, they can be reserved on a same-day basis. Come to the restaurant at opening/or early evening ahead of dinner, and put your name on a list. This unique experience is well worth the wait. More on the restaurant 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, awe-inducing lake-side 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? During the winter months, guests can enjoy endless (free) ice skating, cross-country skiing, and dog sled rides right in front of the resort on the frozen lake. It’s the perfect destination for your Adirondacks vacation. More on the Resort, HERE.
