Travel by Train
The Amtrak Adirondack train line is resuming service soon. Woohoo for the Choo Choo! The section of the Adirondack route between Montreal and Albany has been closed since the pandemic, but they’re finally reopening in April 2023. You’ll be able to travel by train (or make connections) from Montreal, NYC or Albany, and places in between. From Lake Placid, the closest station stops are Westport (35 miles) and Port Henry (44 miles).
Main Street Activities
There’s more to Lake Placid’s Main Street than just window shopping. Walk inside these shops and you’ll discover some fun activities, especially for entertainment on a rainy or snowy day.
ADK Sugar Shack Tour
Pure maple syrup is a favorite local treat in the ADK. In fact, New York State is the second-largest producer of maple syrup in the U.S. What I hadn’t fully appreciated before living in the Adirondacks is the different grades and types of maple syrup — from light to dark. Spring is the perfect time for a taste testing trip when sugar shacks are producing in full force. Here are my favorite stops for tasting and buying pure maple syrup.
A Winter Day on Mirror Lake
One thing about Lake Placid is there are some great ways to spend a winter day doing activities that you can’t find most other places. At least not quite like this. In the depth of winter — February into early March — when the ice is thick enough on Mirror Lake, you should definitely try out dog sledding and a toboggan ride.
Packing List for a Winter Weekend
I’m heading up to Lake Placid later this week, and looking forward to a long winter weekend! Temperatures are predicted to range between 15 - 32 degrees, with 4-8” snowfall expected during our stay. This will be a girls trip and we’re not planning to ski, which simplifies things a bit. We’ll certainly be walking around town and could possibly tackle some short winter hikes. Here’s what I’m planning to take.
2023 Winter World University Games (Update)
The 2023 University Games are coming to Lake Placid, January 12 - 22. The Winter World University Games, held every two years, is the largest multi-sport winter event in the world, after the Winter Olympics of course! The games combine high-level competitive sport with educational and cultural events. University students between the ages of 17 and 25 are eligible to compete, many Olympic hopefuls. If you’re planning a trip to Lake Placid in mid-January, here’s what you need to know about the Games.
Celebrate a Special Occasion
I see lots of people asking about where to go for a special occasion in Lake Placid. Well, it depends on the occasion and the type of atmosphere you want, budget, and if it’s a couple or a group. Here are some ideas for each type of celebration.
ADK Book Club
The Adirondacks have inspired lots of great books. Whether you want to listen to an audio book on your drive, flight or hike, or curl up with a book at the cottage. And if you’re in town, stop by the Bookstore Plus or Lake Placid Public Library to discover something great. Here are some of my favorite ADK books. All of these are non-fiction.
Where to go Winter Hiking and Snowshoeing
If you read my previous post on the basic intro to winter hiking and snowshoeing, now you’re excited and ready to try it! Right?! Here are some recommendations to get you out there and moving. Grab some snowshoes and enjoy.
Intro to Winter Hiking & Snowshoeing
If you’re new to winter hiking, this post is for you. I think there’s some anxiety around hiking or snowshoeing in the winter — the concern of getting cold. But if you prepare well, it can be such a rewarding and peaceful experience. So beautiful to walk softly through the snow covered forest, up to higher ground, looking down on a winter wonderland.
Dining on Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve
If you’re in Lake Placid over Christmas or New Years, and plan to dine out, you better make those reservations soon! Many restaurants are closed on Christmas Day, and the ones that are open book up fast.
Apres Ski
After a day on the mountain, everybody loves a good apres ski meet up. My personal criteria hits the following: 1) casual, come-as-you-are vibe; 2) menu with some hearty options and/or solid appetizers; 3) great beer. Fun atmosphere and music are bonus points. So based on that, here’s my list of favorite Lake Placid spots around the Whiteface (downhill) and Mt. Van Hoevenberg and Cascade (XC) areas.