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6 Things to Do in Lake Placid, New York in the Fall

Published: October 29, 2024

Written byJennifer Broome

Autumn in the Adirondacks is a season bursting with colors. As the air turns crisp and fall foliage pops, a sea of autumnal hues ranging from brilliant reds to vibrant yellows covers the mountains in Upstate New York. Since the late 1800s, the Adirondacks have been a popular tourist destination. Home to the 1932 and 1980 Olympic Winter Games, Lake Placid not only has a wealth of sports history, but it also has a plethora of outdoor adventure. Here’s how to immerse yourself in fall fun as the colors take center stage in the mountains in Upstate New York.

1. Stay and Play on Mirror Lake

Outdoor image of Mirror Lake, and the village of Lake Placid.

Photo by Jennifer Broome

The village of Lake Placid doesn’t sit on Lake Placid. It’s on the shore of Mirror Lake, a picturesque lake that does not allow motorized boats. Swimming, paddling and fishing are allowed spring through fall and skating, tobogganing, dogsledding and pond hockey are allowed in winter. For lovely views, take a leisurely stroll along the lakeside 2.7-mile walking loop.

Take advantage of the AAA rate at High Peaks Resort and book a spacious room at the luxury resort in the heart of the village to be your base camp for your visit. You can easily enjoy a hearty breakfast, nice brunch, or relaxed dinner at the Dancing Bear, or DBL as the locals call it, in the resort. If you’re craving Italian comfort food or want to eat at an iconic restaurant, grab a table at Jimmy’s 21. If you’re lucky, you can snag one of the tables overlooking Mirror Lake. Jimmy’s 21 is the oldest running restaurant in the Village of Lake Placid. It’s been around since 1920 and called Jimmy’s since 1975.

For a scrumptious morning bun or croissant, stop in Bluesberry Bakery or grab a bagel sandwich and latte at The Breakfast Club. Just off Main Street, in an old pink and purple Victorian house, is A New Leaf. The eclectic coffeehouse is next to High Peak. The Coffee Bar is a coffee shop with a nice balcony overlooking Mirror Lake. For a quick lunch or takeaway sandwich for your outdoor adventure, stop in Big Mountain Deli & Creperie. They have 46 sandwiches, so you’ll find something to your liking.

2. Hike in High Falls Gorge

Image of Jennifer Broome at High Falls Gorge

Photo by Jennifer Broome

A tourist attraction since 1890, High Falls Gorge is a must during a fall trip to Lake Placid. The Ausable River, one of New York State’s most famous trout streams, cuts through the gorge. It takes about 30 minutes to walk the breathtakingly beautiful quarter-mile path. Along it you get wonderful views of four waterfalls and the river including from glass floor walkways and bridges.

Since the crevice was carved thousands of years ago, you’re also treated to fascinating geology as you gaze at the gorge’s three rock types of blue grey anorthosite, pink granite and grey basalt. There is tan foam at the base of the falls that’s a natural byproduct of decaying vegetation. It’s organic residue of leaves, branches and trees deposited in the river and reacting with the water. The extreme agitation over the rocks forms the foam pools.

3. Drive Up Whitehead Mountain

Photo by Jennifer Broome

Constructed during the Great Depression, Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway is an 8-mile road to the top of the only Adirondack High Peaks accessible by car. From the Toll House, the steep road rises over 2,300 feet within five miles. There are numerous pull-outs if you want to stop to soak in the view. The road is only open in summer and fall.

Once you park at the top lot, you have two options. You can either hike up or ride an elevator for the last 276 feet to the summit. I hiked the Stairway Ridge Trail. It’s short but very steep as you scramble to the summit of 4,867 feet. At the top there’s a stone castle, an atmospheric science research center, restaurant, gift shop and phenomenal panoramic view. On clear days you can see the Village of Lake Placid, Vermont’s Green Mountains and even all the way to Montreal and the Saint Lawrence Seaway. The view is extra spectacular in fall with a patchwork of colors covering the landscape. In winter, hit the slopes of Whiteface Mountain Ski Resort. It’s home to the greatest vertical drop on the East Coast.

4. Experience Miracle on Ice

Interior image of the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center in the Lake Placid Olympic Center.

Photo by Jennifer Broome

Even if you’re not a hockey fan, you should make a quick visit inside the Herb Brooks National Hockey Center in the Lake Placid Olympic Center to see the rink where the “Miracle on Ice” happened when the United States hockey team defied the odds and defeated the Soviet Union team during the 1980 Winter Olympics. You might catch future Olympians practicing on the ice during your visit. The Lake Placid Olympic Center is a renovated 1980 and 1932 Olympic venue. You can go on a guided tour and wander through the museum for in-depth experience into the venue’s Olympic history. If you want to skate on the 1980 rink, book an indoor skate well in advance as the sessions frequently sell out.

5. Take a Tour Mt. Van Hoevenberg

Outdoor image of the Cliffside Coaster at Mt. Van Hoevenberg.

Photo by Jennifer Broome

Continue exploring Lake Placid’s Olympic legacy with a stop at Mt. Van Hoevenberg, or Mt. Van Ho as the locals call it. You can hike or bike on several trails or go on a guided tour of the venue. Take a ride on the Cliffside Coaster. It’s the longest coaster in North America. If you’re an adrenaline junkie, you can do the bobsled experience and feel what it’s like to zoom down the track at speeds over 50 miles per hour. Much tamer, but filled with fascinating history, you can learn about three Olympic sliding sports of bobsledding, luge and skeleton by going on a Legacy Tour. The tour is included if you purchase the Lake Placid Legacy Sites Passport. The passport is a great way to experience activities at four venues for a discounted price.

6. Take the SkyRide

Outdoor image from the SkyRide at the Lake Placid Olympic Ski Jumping Complex.

Photo by Jennifer Broome

At the Lake Placid Olympic Ski Jumping Complex for a high-flying adventure. You might catch some Olympic hopefuls practicing their jumping skills. Take the SkyRide, an 8-person gondola, to the observation deck of the HS-128 meter jump. It’s a chance to the feel the adrenaline of a ski jumper at the top of the ramp and to take in the beautiful panoramic view of the Adirondack High Peaks.

Whether you visit in the fall, or anytime time of year, you can’t help but to feel the Olympic spirit exuding from Lake Placid. It’s also stunning when a blanket of thick snow covers the landscape, where you can mush your own dogsled across the lake or zoom down the 30-foot-high toboggan chute onto frozen Mirror Lake. For a slower pace, go snowshoeing, Nordic skiing and simply get cozy by fire in New York’s winter sports capital.

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Written byJennifer Broome

Jennifer Broome has stood on the equator, crossed the Arctic Circle, skydived with the U.S. Army Golden Knights, flown with the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, and trekked to Everest Base Camp. She is a freelance multimedia travel and environmental journalist for broadcast, digital, and print outlets. She’s also a freelance television meteorologist, content creator, and speaker. Her specialties are adventure travel, solo travel, U.S. National Parks, road trips, and sustainable tourism. She's been to all 50 U.S. states, over 60 countries, and 6 continents. She is on a quest to visit all of the National Park Service sites, and so far has visited over 265 including 49 of the 63 national parks.

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6 Things to Do in Lake Placid, New York in the Fall

Table of Contents

1. Stay and Play on Mirror Lake

2. Hike in High Falls Gorge

3. Drive Up Whitehead Mountain

4. Experience Miracle on Ice

5. Take a Tour Mt. Van Hoevenberg

6. Take the SkyRide

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