Take in some of America’s oldest attractions and stunning Adirondack views
Take the family for a weekend escape to Lake Placid’s scenic Adirondack backdrop, and the outdoor adventures that the endless waterways, beautiful scenic trails and mountain terrain provide.
From family-friendly trails such as Scarface Mountain, to challenging High Peaks hikes, there is a way for everyone to explore and enjoy the Adirondacks.
Family Fun in the Adirondacks
Whether you have a few free hours or several free days on your Lake Placid trip, discover the great time your family can have at a variety of authentic Adirondack Park attractions.
Nature Fun
Some of America’s oldest natural attractions – including Ausable Chasm and High Falls Gorge – offer stunning views of river gorges, and fantastic nature trails. Explore the wild nature of the Adirondacks at The Wild Center, where you can meet animals or take in a live show.
Adirondack History
Visit the nearby Adirondack Museum to discover how people settled in wilderness expanses throughout the Adirondacks.
A visit to Fort Ticonderoga (America’s Fort) and Crown Point provides a historic trip back in time to the Seven Years’ War. You could see a reenactment!
Take the family on a ride on the Adirondack Scenic Railroad and see the beautiful Adirondacks by train.
Top Family Attractions
With the 2014 Winter Olympic Games in Russia next February, tour Lake Placid’s Olympic sites, where you can experience the ski jumps, take a bobsled ride, go skating and see Olympic athletes train.
Santa’s Workshop, a beloved family attraction since 1949, is a Christmas theme park specializing in entertaining kids and the young at heart, with attractions geared toward children 48 inches (4 ft/1.2m) and smaller.
Fall foliage
Fall foliage is breathtaking in the Adirondacks. And Lake Placid is an ideal family spot to take in those gorgeous autumn colours, amid the clear blue skies and crisp fall air.
The Adirondacks are at their best during the fall season. Being in the woods
is great this time of year – cooler, drier air makes hiking and exploring much more comfortable.
Or pack up the family and head out for a leisurely drive to see the foliage. Whiteface Mountain is awe-inspiring in the fall, as are the rest of the 45 Adirondack High Peaks.
The peak fall foliage season in the Lake Placid area varies every year, but in general, the last week of September through the third week of October is usually when the colours are most vivid.
Photo: Billie MacDonald