Road Trip Lake Placid - Hiking, Waterfalls, Adventure

Itinerary created by

Jacqueline Krawiecki

What you’ll do

This Lake Placid itinerary is checks all the boxes! It combines hiking, waterfalls, and adventure into one epic visit. Use this 4 day itinerary as a quick, long weekend getaway or combine it with a trip to the Catskills or Finger Lakes Region.

**Who is this itinerary for: ** Hikers, couples, and families who enjoy a busy schedule and want to spend most of their time outside

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

This itinerary does NOT account for your arrival day. You will have to tack on an extra day for arrival unless you arrive super early in the day on Day 1
Nearest airport: John F. Kennedy (JFK) airport in NYC or Albany International Airport (ALB) in Albany
Best time to go: In general, this trip is best done between mid June - mid October for the best weather. Note that some things on this itinerary are seasonal and weather dependent, so double check updated information before you go.

May - July are the best time to visit for waterfalls.
Mid-June - early Sept is best for swimming, camping, and hiking
October is the best time to visit for fall foliage. Here's my guide on when/where to see the best fall colors in Upstate New York.
May - July is black fly season in the mountains. Black fly season typically lasts from mid-May to mid-July.

Read more on how to avoid/protect yourself from black flies here:

How to Survive Black Fly Season

BEST PLACES TO STAY IN LAKE PLACID

Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort ($) Grand Adirondack Hotel ($) Mirror Lake Inn ($$) Whiteface Lodge ($$$)

*Note: the hotels in this itinerary are hand picked just for you, but feel free to browse for a different one that best suits your price point and available dates. *

Welcome to Lake Placid! Day 1 mixes adventure with relaxation to kick off your trip

Stop 1: Olympic Training Center - In the afternoon, head over to the Olympic Training Center. Here, you'll be able to explore the rich history of the Olympics and maybe even catch some athletes in action.

Lake Placid hosted not one - but TWO - Olympic Winter Games, in 1932 and 1980, so the Olympic Sites are a pretty big deal here!

There are actually 4 separate Olympic sites in Lake Placid, including Whiteface Mountain, which you'll visit later in this itinerary.

Click on the activity below for detailed information on the different sites and available activities.

For the sake of time, I recommend visiting The Olympic Museum inside the main Olympic Center that features interactive exhibits on Olympic history.

Then, head over the Olympic site at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, which has the Sky Flyer Zipline and a mountain coaster, called the Cliffside Coaster, which follows the 1980 Olympic bobsled track.

You can take a guided tour of the Lake Placid Olympic & Paralympic Training Center for free. But if you want to actually partake in activities, consider purchasing the Lake Placid Legacy Sites Passport. The passport is $40 and gives you access to all of the Olympic venues. You can purchase it in person or online here.

Stop 2: Stop for lunch at Lisa G's and grab a seat on the riverside patio
Stop 3: Mount Van Hoevenberg via the West Trail (South Meadow Trailhead) - Hike up Mount Van Hoevenberg and time it so you can watch the sunset from the top. It's a fantastic experience, but remember to bring a flashlight for the hike back down.

There are two ways to hike up Mt. Van Hoevenberg.

By default, Google Maps will direct you to the East Trail, which is located at the Bob Run Rd at the Olympic Sports Complex. Don't go there. That trail is only open until 4PM.

To hike for sunset, you need to take the WEST TRAIL via the South Meadow Trailhead. To get there, follow Adirondack Loj Road for approximately 4 miles and then turn left at the sign for South Meadow. Continue on South Meadow for about 0.3 miles until you see the sign to Mt. Van Hoevenberg on the left. Park off to the side of the road.

Here's a detailed hike description on my blog

*South Meadows Road is closed in the winter

*The East Trail from the Olympic Sports Complex is the best trail for families, children, or anyone with sensitive knees, but you'll have to hike between 9AM - 4PM.

Stop 4: Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort - Finally, finish off your day by checking into the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort. This charming resort offers a blend of comfort and natural beauty that perfectly complements your Lake Placid adventure. Have a good night's sleep - you'll need it for the exciting day that follows!

The hotels in this itinerary are hand picked just for you, but feel free to browse for a different one that best suits your price point and available dates