Top 10 Summer Activities Near Lake Placid
One of my favorite ADK podcasts is the “46 of 46” by local Lake Placid resident and hiker James Appleton. Check out his podcast here or wherever you download your podcasts. In a recent episode (dated June 29, 2023) he reviewed his top 10 things to do in the Adirondacks this summer. I like his list a lot, but it inspired me to put together my own top 10 summer activities. For my version, I thought I’d stick a little closer to Lake Placid. All these recommendations are within 30 miles or 45 minutes from our cottage.
Enjoy a soft serve ice cream cone. I have to agree with James on this one. You can’t have a summer ADK activity list without starting with ice cream at the top. And, as he emphasizes, Donnelly’s is the best! You can read my full review of local ice cream stands here. The one point I’ll add, which James neglected to mention, is Donnelly’s is cash only. You’ll be really disappointed if you show up with just a credit or debit card. And in case you need a fix closer to Lake Placid, stop by Mountain Mist which is only 2 blocks from our cottage.
Take a hike. Whether or not you typically enjoy hiking, there are plenty of great trails for everyone, including ones that are accessible for all. If you’re ready for a little elevation gain, two of my favorites for visitors are Mount Jo and Hurricane Mountain. Mount Jo offers great views with only 700 feet of elevation gain, and Hurricane Mountain is a classic ADK fire tower hike. Or, if you want to combine your hike with a jump in the lake, check out these trails that all lead to ponds.
Go paddling. So far my list is pretty similar to James’ list. Ice cream, hiking and paddling. All classic ADK summer activities. For paddling you might want to rent a SUP on Mirror Lake or rent a canoe and paddle in the St. Regis Canoe Area. As I mentioned in my recent post, I recommend checking out a group paddle through the VIC or Wild Center if you’re new to paddling.
Catch an outdoor music concert. Here’s where I start to diverge from James’ list. I think sitting on the lawn at Mid’s Park on a summer evening and listening to music with a view of the lake is pretty quintessential ADK summer. Lake Placid hosts a weekly Tuesday night Songs at Mirror Lake concert and weekly Wednesday night Sinfonietta concert in Mid’s Park. Both are free and very family friendly. Saranac Lake also hosts free outdoor concerts, Music on the Green, on Wednesday nights, and Wilmington has their Summer Concert Series on Thursday nights.
Check out the Olympic Ski Jump. Another iconic Lake Placid activity is watching athletes on the newly refurbished ski jump. There’s nothing quite like it. I recommend booking an athlete-guided tour, which usually includes a demonstration, and in the summer you might get treated to a practice session of freestyle skiers jumping into the swimming pool.
Drive to the top of Whiteface. Even if you have a great hike planned in the High Peaks, it’s still fun to take the impressive Veterans Memorial Highway and drive to the top of Whiteface Mountain. The paved road rises over 2,300 feet in five miles from the entry toll booth. You’ll get stellar views from the top parking lot. From there you can either hike to the tippy top or take an elevator up. Don’t forget the check the weather conditions before you go, and aim for a clear day to fully appreciate the 360 degree views.
See the Milky Way. Astronomers use the Bortle scale to rate the darkness or brightness of night skies, with class 1 being the very darkest and class 9 having the most extreme light pollution. The Adirondacks are class 2, which are some of the darkest skies in the country. What better way to appreciate this than by heading down to the Adirondack Sky Center & Observatory near Tupper Lake. Their summer stargazing sessions are Friday nights, weather permitting. And it’s free.
Enjoy farm fresh goodies. If you know me, you know I love local food. Whether you hit one of the local farmers’ markets (Saranac Lake and Keene are my favorites), or do your own driving farm tour. I love getting outside and picking up some small batch cheese and sausage from local dairies and butchers, and making a little picnic out of it. And don’t forget to stop by a local microbrewery while you’re out there!
Be a sports spectator (or race participant). Lots of great sporting events come to the Lake Placid area in the summer time. Everything from the Lake Placid Horse Shows, to the Ironman, to figure skating championships and speed skating competitions at the Olympic Center. You can watch or participate in local races like the Lake Placid Marathon, various mountain bike races in Wilmington, or my personal favorite, the 90-miler Adirondack Canoe Classic race that ends in Saranac Lake.
See Lake Placid. James ended his summer list with a suggestions for swimming in a local lake. I figure that between the hiking and paddling, you should have jumped in a lake already by now. Instead, I’ll end my list with a motor boat outing on Lake Placid. I think you should make time in the schedule to see Lake Placid in all its glory. Marvel at Whiteface Mountain, which looms over the lake. Gawk at the old-style ADK summer camps around the shore. And appreciate the size, scale and natural beauty of the lake. Whether you rent a boat from ADK Aquatics for a lake tour or afternoon waterskiing, rent a pontoon boat from Captain Marney’s boat rental, or take the Lake Placid Marina Boat tour, you should see the lake that started it all.
