15 Outdoor Attractions in Lake Placid For Families

Searching for the best Adirondack village to visit? Lake Placid, known for hosting the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympic Games, offers family fun, outdoor adventure, hiking, water sports, and more! While many of the attractions take visitors into the history of the Olympics and even allows them to experience the games, there are plenty of other outdoor attractions in Lake Placid for families to enjoy!

From walking through sandstone gorges to walking along the Ausable River, hiking through the Adirondack high peaks, and enjoying some water sports, there is so much to experience in Lake Placid. We have created a list of some of our favorite attractions in Lake Placid we think you should consider!

Outdoor Attractions in Lake Placid For Families

Take a Hike Through High Falls Gorge

High Falls Gorge is one of the best outdoor attractions in Lake Placid for families. High Falls Gorge is located at the base of Whiteface Mountain and offers easy hiking trails with big rewards.

The one mile loop trail takes you past three main waterfalls along the Ausable River. The stairs, wooden boardwalks, and short length make the hike easily doable for hikers of all levels.

You will face some areas of incline, but nothing to crazy. Along the path you will find plaques explaining the history of the area and its nature. If you are looking for more of an adventure, there are additional nature trails located off the main trail for you to explore.

Ride the Gondolas at Whiteface Mountain

A gondola ride to the peak of Little Whiteface is a great way to see Whiteface Mountain and the surrounding area. The fifteen minute ride starts at the Main Base Lodge of Whiteface and takes you up 3,676 feet where you will be greeted with an observation deck and picnic area.

While enjoying the ride you will be greeted by views of Lake Placid village, Lake Champlain, the Ausable River, and New York’s high peaks to the South. The gondola is open from late June to mid October.

Take A Ride on a Bobsled

Visitors can experience the thrill of riding a bobsled at up to 50mph around the track at Mt Van Hoevenberg. The Bobsled Experience is a great way to experience what the participants in the winter Olympics experienced. Each ride includes a professional driver and can hold up to 3 passengers.

In order to ride, participants must be at least 52″ and if under 18 accompanied by an adult. Seating positions on the bob sled also have age requirements (the middle passenger has to be at least 9, and the rear passenger has to be at least 13). It is recommended that reservations be made in advance.

Attractions in Lake Placid: Go For a Stroll Around Mirror Lake

The Mirror Lake Loop is a 2.6 mile trail that takes you around Mirror Lake and through Lake Placid village, making it one of the best outdoor attractions in Lake Placid. The trail sees frequent traffic and is used for walking, running, biking, dog walking, and bird watching.

With only 55ft. of elevation gain, the trail is perfect for hikers of all abilities. The trail begins in downtown Lake Placid and is a sidewalk that loops around the lake. There is also a sandy beach on the Northern end of Lake Placid for you to cool off on a warm day.

Go For a Hike Along the Ausable Chasm

The Ausable Chasm is a sandstone gorge located about 50 minutes outside of Lake Placid, but well worth the drive. Visitors to the chasm can enjoy peaceful walks along the upper edges of the gorge and surrounding woods or opt to experience the Adventure Walk (via ferrata for ages 8+), which features cable bridges, a cargo net climb, and edge walks.

Other activities include Lantern Tours, raft float tours, rappelling, the Riverwalk, rock climbing, and tubing. There are several hiking options, including the 1 mile Inner Sanctum Trail, the 2 mil Rim Walk Trail, the 1.5 mile Dry Chasm Trail, and the Rainbow Falls & Elephant’s Head Vista. The wide range of activities makes this one of the best stops when visiting Lake Placid with kids.

Go For A Family Friendly Hike

Being located in the Adirondacks, Lake Placid is home to all sorts of hikes, from challenging 46’ers to easy family friendly hikes. When visiting the area with kids, consider some of the shorter, more gradual hikes that are perfect for hikers of all ability levels.

Cobble Hill is one of best family friendly hikes in Lake Placid. The trail is about 1.6 miles round trip with an elevation gain of about 470 feet. Mount Jo is another great option at 2.5 miles round trip and with an elevation gain of 700 ft.

The Adirondack Rail Trail is another excellent option. It goes for 34 miles, beginning in Lake Placid and ending in Tupper Lake, but you can choose how long you want to hike. The trail is mostly flat with only mild inclines.

For trails without the elevation gain, consider Henry’s Woods. Henry’s Woods is a preserve that features a variety of trails and overlooks with views of the high peaks. The trails in Henry’s Woods are used for hiking, biking, running, and in the winter cross-country skiers and snowshoers.

Climb An Adirondack High Peak

If your family’s goal is to become an ADK 46’er, Lake Placid is a great place to start! The area and surrounding nearby areas offer access to some of the Adirondack High Peaks, including Cascade Mountain, Porter Mountain, Big Slide Mountain, Giant Mountain, and Mount Marcy (New York’s highest peak).

Cascade Mountain is one of the easier 46’er’s, at about 4.8 miles round trip. The trail head is on Route 73 about 15 minutes from Lake Placid. Porter Mountain is another great option, and when combined with Cascade Mountain it only adds about another mile to the trip. Combining the two makes a trail of about 6.4 miles out and back.

Giant Mountain is another option, but it can be strenuous for beginner hikers because of its steepness. The hike is 6.6 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 3,375 ft. The hike to Big Slide Mountain is 6.8 to 9.6 miles round trip, depending on your route. The Adirondack 46’ers are best for more experienced hikers, but if you are up for the challenge it will be one of the best experiences in Lake Placid.

Walk Among the Trees at the Wild Center

While not technically located in Lake Placid, it would be a shame to miss The Wild Center when visiting the area. The Wild Center is located in the small Adirondack village of Tupper Lake just 40 minutes outside of Lake Placid.

The Wild Walk gives you the chance to walk along the tops of the trees, inside an actual tree, takes you inside a giant bird’s nest, and across a giant spider web. You can also find plenty of indoor exhibits, nature trails, and access to Raquette River for a canoe excursion.

The Pines Play Area will be a favorite for your young adventurer and will get them using their creativity and imagination!

Ride to the Top of the Olympic Ski Jump Complex

The Olympic Ski Jump Complex is the site of the 90 and 120 meter ski jump towers that were built for the 1980 Olympic Games that were held in Lake Placid. The Olympic Ski Jump Complex is still used for training year round.

The Olympic Ski Jump Complex can be explored on the Skyride, which takes you on a gondola to the K-120 meter jump observation deck. Once at the top, you can get out and walk around, looking down on what skier’s see before jumping.

Also located alongside the towers is a high-speed zipline, designed to create a similar experience to what the jumpers have as they shoot down the towers, with speeds up to 30mph. Children must be at least 10 years old to participate in this.

Get Out on the Water

One of the best outdoor attractions in Lake Placid is the many opportunities to get out on the water! Water sports in Lake Placid include kayaking, paddle boarding, tubing, water skiing, and canoeing. You can find many companies that offer a variety of tours and packages.

ADK Aquatics allows visitors to enjoy water skiing, tubing, wake surfing, wakeboarding, private boat tours, and sunset cruises on Lake Placid. ADK Watersports offers Jet Ski rentals. If you visit the Ausable Chasm, you can also enjoy a rafting or tubing excursion along the Ausable River.

You may also be able to find accommodations that offer water sports right on site, which was the case with our accommodations at the Gauthier’s Saranac Lake Inn.

Attractions in Lake Placid: Go Shopping

Strolling quaint downtown areas is one of our favorite things to do when traveling and Lake Placid did not disappoint. Along Main Street you can find plenty of shops with locally made products and souvenirs.

One of the most notable places is the Alpine Mall, a small walk through mall that is home to local shops and cafes. Critters is an animal themed shop accessible from the Alpine Mall that features a selection of animal themed gifts for both pets and their human counterparts.

Simpli Nature is the perfect shop to get some all natural candles, bath salts, and other products. The Lake Placid Ski and Board shop is the perfect shop for finding ski and snowboard gear and apparel. Imagination Station offers a variety of unique gifts and the Bookstore Plus is an old fashioned locally owned bookstore for those looking for a good read.

If you are looking for something sweet, visit Adirondack Chocolates or one of the many soft serve and homemade ice cream shops found along Main Street.

Drive the Whiteface Veterans’ Memorial Highway

The Whiteface Veterans’ Memorial Highway is one of the best outdoor attractions in Lake Placid. The highway takes you to the 4,867′ summit of Whiteface Mountain. The highway rises 2,300′ in about 5 miles. As you drive there are plenty of pull out areas so you can stop and take in the views, or find a spot with a picnic table to relax and enjoy your lunch.

Once you reach the top you will be treated to stunning views of the nearby Adirondack High Peaks and mountains extending into Vermont and Canada on a clear day. You will also find the Whiteface Castle, which holds a gift shop and restaurant.

You also won’t want to miss the iconic staircase at the summit. To reach the staircase, you can either climb the steps from the Whiteface Castle, or take an elevator in the mountain up to the true summit. Either way, you won’t want to miss this hike!

Visit the John Brown Farm State Historic Site

The John Brown Farm State Historic Site is one of the most unique and peaceful attractions in Lake Placid. Once home to abolitionist John Brown, the site preserves the farmhouse, grounds, and final resting place of Brown and several of his followers. You can tour the historic home to learn about Brown’s role in the fight against slavery and his connection to the Adirondacks.

Beyond its historical significance, the site is also a wonderful place for outdoor recreation and quiet reflection. There are easy walking trails, open fields, and scenic mountain views throughout the property. In the winter, the trails are popular for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, while summer and fall bring opportunities for peaceful nature walks and picnics.

Ride the Cliffside Coaster

Riding the Cliffside Coaster is one of the most exciting outdoor attractions in Lake Placid. It is also the longest coaster in North America at 7,600 feet. The ride up to the top will teach you about the history of the track and how it was used in the Olympics as a bobsled track.

Once you reach the top you begin the downhill descent along the track. You will be able to control the speed as you go through the track. The top speed for the coaster is 25mph, making it a great option for families and younger children. Drivers must be at least 9 years, but passengers can be as young as 3.

Go For a Drive Along Loj Road

The Loj Road drive near Lake Placid is one of the most scenic and peaceful routes in the Adirondacks. Stretching from Route 73 to the Adirondak Loj and Heart Lake area, the drive winds through dense forests with beautiful views of the surrounding High Peaks. It is a great alternative for mountain views if you are not up for a hike.

At the end of the road, you can access the Adirondak Loj, Heart Lake, Mount Jo trails, and several other routes leading into the Adirondack High Peaks Wilderness. Even if you are not planning on a major hike, the area offers picnic spots, short nature walks, canoe rentals, and incredible scenery.

Visiting during the fall months will enhance your experience with stunning fall foliage. If visiting during this time, be prepared for crowds-it is a very popular time. The drive along Loj Road is about 20 minutes with few pull out areas, but still plenty of opportunities to enjoy the views!

Rainy Day Attractions in Lake Placid For Families

Tour the Lake Placid Olympic Center

Explore the sites of the Lake Placid Olympic Center through a one-hour guided tour that visits the locations where the 1932 and 1980 games were held. You will also learn about the history of the games, the participants, the gold medal winners, and the ice rink where the US won the “Miracle on Ice” game. You can also enjoy an ice skating session at the Olympic Center. This tour may be better suited for older kids.

Visit the Lake Placid Olympic Museum

The Lake Placid Olympic Museum is a small, somewhat interactive museum highlighting the history of the Winter Olympics that took place in Lake Placid in 1932 and 1980. While fascinating for older children and adults, this may not be the best experience for younger kids. My daughter did enjoy the photo op spots and the mascot costume on display, and the short length of the museum made the visit tolerable for her.

Throughout the museum you will find gear and other equipment used during the Olympics, a screen displaying some scenes from the Olympics, and picture and information boards about the history of the Olympics in Lake Placid.

Bonus: Take a Day Trip To Lake George

When visiting Lake Placid with kids, consider taking a day trip (or even adding it on as a second step for a couple days). Lake George is another small Adirondack town that has a plethora of outdoor activities for families to enjoy.

Highlights of Lake George include taking a scenic cruise on the lake, going for a hike in the Adirondacks, taking the gondola to the top of Gore Mountain, stargazing, spending the day on the beach, visiting Six Flags, and going on a rail bike ride. Both towns give you access to the many outdoor activities in the Adirondacks.

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