A Perfect 2-Day Itinerary for Exploring Lake Placid, Adirondacks
Lake Placid is a quaint village located in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York. Known for its hosting of the 1980 Winter Olympic Games, the village offers a host of activities to make the perfect vacation or getaway! With 2 days in Lake Placid, you’ll be able to enjoy shopping along the village streets, hiking amongst the surrounding peaks, and even enjoy some of the best dining that the Adirondacks has to offer!
This 2-Day Lake Placid Itinerary is great for those looking to maximize their time in the town without having to do all of the research. I’ll be sure to point you to the best pizza, the best hikes, and the best views around Lake Placid to make sure your precious time in the Adirondacks isn’t wasted.
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Table of Contents
Too Long Didn’t Read Summary: 2 Days in Lake Placid
If you are short on time (or want to make sure this itinerary is right for you), check out a quick overview of how to spend 2 days in Lake Placid below! If you want all the details, then keep scrolling!
Day 1
- Sunrise at Mirror Lake w/ Mirror Lake Loop
- Breakfast at Breakfast Club
- Whiteface Memorial Highway, Gondola Ride, and Summit
- Shop along Main St.
- Dinner at Smoke Signals
Day 2
- Bagels at Soulshine Bagels
- Hike Mt. Jo
- (Optional: Olympic Museum)
- Beer and Pizza at Big Slide Brewery
Where to Stay in Lake Placid
Lake Placid may be a small town, but it has no shortage of cozy, scenic, and charming places to stay. Whether you’re looking for lakeside luxury or a rustic cabin in the woods, there’s something for every type of traveler.
For a Cozy, Central Stay
- High Peaks Resort – Located right on Main Street and overlooking Mirror Lake, this resort offers modern rooms with beautiful views, plus easy walking access to shops and restaurants.
- Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort – This eco-friendly hotel is right on the water with a private beach, fire pits, and some of the best lakefront views in town.
For a Romantic or Luxury Getaway
- Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa – A classic and elegant lakeside retreat with a full-service spa, fine dining, and gorgeous mountain views. It’s one of the most iconic stays in the Adirondacks.
- The Whiteface Lodge – A luxurious, all-suite resort just outside the village with rustic-chic décor, fireplaces in every room, and indoor/outdoor hot tubs.
Budget-Friendly Options
- Lake Placid Inn – Offers well-equipped studio suites and apartment-style lodging—great for families or longer stays.
- Town House Lodge – A no-frills, clean, and comfortable option just a short walk from downtown. There’s even a pool for summer visitors!
Cabins & Rentals
Want something a little more private? There are plenty of vacation rentals and cabins in the area that offer peaceful forest settings or mountain views—perfect for couples or families looking to spread out.
💡 Pro tip: If you’re visiting during a busy weekend (like fall foliage or winter holidays), book early. Hotels and rentals fill up quickly!
Best Time to Visit
Lake Placid is a true four-season destination, with something magical to offer year-round. The best time to visit really depends on the experience you’re after. Here’s a quick breakdown.
Summer (June to August)
Warm days and cool nights make summer ideal for kayaking, paddleboarding, and hiking. You can swim in Mirror Lake, take a scenic gondola ride up Whiteface Mountain, or explore downtown without worrying about snow or mud.
Fall (Late September to Mid-October)
If you’re chasing fall foliage, this is the time to go. The Adirondack Mountains come alive with fiery reds, oranges, and golds. Hiking trails are crisp and colorful, and it’s a photographer’s dream.
Winter (December to March)
Lake Placid is a former Winter Olympics host city, and it owns winter. With snowshoeing, skiing at Whiteface, ice skating on the Olympic Oval, and cozy après-ski spots, it’s one of the best winter towns in the Northeast.
Spring (April to May)
Spring is quieter and more affordable, but it’s also “mud season.” Trails can be soggy, and some activities are limited, but if you’re just looking for a peaceful escape and fewer crowds, it can still be a lovely time to visit.
My personal favorite? Fall. You get the best of both worlds: beautiful hikes during the day and cozy fireside dinners at night, plus those unbeatable mountain views lit up in gold.
The Perfect 2-day Itinerary for Exploring Lake Placid, Adirondacks
Okay! It’s time to dive into all the details. From sunrise to sunset, this jam-packed itinerary is the best way to spend a weekend in Lake Placid.
Day 1: Explore Peaks, History & the Village
Sunrise at Mirror Lake
If you decide to be an early bird for your first day in Lake Placid (which I highly recommend), start your day by heading to Mirror Lake for sunrise.
Mirror Lake sits just behind Main Street, in the center of town, and can best be accessed by heading north on Main St. until you reach a grassy area with benches and picnic tables. It is a great place to relax and take in the views of these pristine waters!
After sunrise, grab some breakfast at one of the highest-rated breakfast spots in all of Lake Placid. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.
The Breakfast Club sits right on Mirror Lake and serves some of the best pancakes and breakfast burritos. Opened in 2011, this restaurant has been featured in many magazines and offers everything from rostis to benedicts to breakfast sandwiches.
If visiting for the first time, go with the apple, cheddar, and brie Rosti, which is essentially a hash brown bowl loaded with these delicious toppings, along with two eggs. For something more classic, go with the buttermilk pancakes and maple syrup to satisfy your sweet tooth!
Whiteface Memorial Highway and Gondola Ride
Next stop on the 2-day Lake Placid Itinerary is the famous Whiteface Mountain. This Adirondack High Peak, and fifth largest peak in New York State, hosts a multitude of activities to enjoy the expansive views of the Adirondack forests.
The best way to access the peak of Whiteface Mountain is by driving to the top via the Memorial Highway. The cost to drive the highway is $25 for the driver and $20 for each individual, although prices may vary.
While driving along the highway, make sure to stop at the various pull-off points to enjoy the views leading to the top of the peak.
Once you reach the parking lot at the top, there is a visitor center where you can learn more about the construction of the Veterans Memorial Highway and its significance to the area.
If you are able, take the hike up the staircase, located just next to the visitor center, to the very top, where you will see views of the surrounding lakes like the one above.
On clear days, you can see all the way to Canada in the distance!
For those wanting to be closer to the trees and forests, and a bit closer to nature, opt for the gondola ride.
At the Whiteface Cloudsplitter Gondola, you’ll be able to enjoy a relaxing 15-minute ride to the scenery of the beautifully lush Adirondack forests. The gondola carries you to the top of Little Whiteface where you’ll be able to catch panoramic views of the surrounding high peaks.
The Cloudsplitter Gondola opens in June and runs from 8:30am to 5:30pm
Shop along Main St.
After enjoying the scenery of the mountains, head back into the city for some much needed souvenirs and gifts. Main Street hosts every type of store from chic fashion boutiques to eclectic knick-knack shops.
For great Adirondack souvenirs to take home, try the Imagination Station. I love their reusable bags that feature views from the top of the high peaks!
Dinner at Smoke Signals
When it’s time to enjoy dinner in Lake Placid, look no further than my favorite restaurant in the area, Smoke Signals. They serve fantastic barbeque food in an upscale, rustic setting. In the warmer months, they have great outdoor seating. Keep in mind that this restaurant is on the pricey side!
For recommendations, start with the brussel sprouts, then go with the beef brisket or pulled pork sandwich. Pair this meal with a Hogsworth Old Fashioned!
If you are looking for a great place to stay near Lake Placid, try The Devlin Olympic Inn. Located directly on Main Street in The Village of Lake Placid, with breathtaking views of the Adirondack Mountains and Olympic Ski Jumps, The Devlin offers an inviting and convenient getaway for all travelers!
P.S: The Devlin is also dog-friendly for anyone exploring the Adirondacks with a pet!
Day 2: Bagels, Mt. Jo, Olympic Museum, and Pizza
Bagels at Soulshine Bagels
Start the second day of your 2-Day Lake Placid Itinerary by heading to Soulshine Bagels. This is my “go-to” spot anytime I’m looking for a quick bite before a hike or adventure.
Soulshine Bagels offers hearty breakfast sandwiches with a wide variety of bagels and cream cheeses. I always go with a bacon, egg, and cheese on an everything bagel with a little added hot sauce. They also serve Green Mountain coffee, as well as specialty lattes!
Hike Mt. Jo
Mt. Jo is located next to Heart Lake and the Adirondack Loj, just on the cusp of the High Peaks Wilderness. The mountain stands 700 ft over Heart Lake.
The Mountain gets its name from Henry VanHovenberg, who named it after his ex-fiance Josephine Schofield.
This was the same man who came to the Adirondacks for the first time in 1877 and became engaged to Josephine on the summit of Mt. Marcy. He spotted a small lake, which was Heart Lake, and decided to build a cabin to live in. This is the current Adirondack Loj.
The trail is extremely popular, serving over 15,000 hikers per year. It is a great hike for beginners and younger children to experience the awesomeness of hiking toward a view of the High Peaks!
During peak seasons, summer and fall, it is very important to plan your hike to Mt. Jo in advance to ensure you can find parking and climb the summit with the equipment you need.
For a detailed guide on everything you need to know for hiking Mt. Jo, check out my Mt. Jo Full Hiking Guide here! Or, for longer hikes in the Adirondacks, check out my Indian Head Trail Hiking Guide for more amazing views!
Optional: Olympic Museum
After hiking Mt. Jo, if time allows, take some time and stop into the Lake Placid Olympic Museum. Inside, you’ll find a multi-exhibit monument to the exhilarating Olympic history of Lake Placid.
The museum features torches, pins, uniforms, and equipment like bobsleds with a focus on the Winter Olympic Games held in 1932 and 1980. To purchase tickets, head to their website.
Beer and Pizza at Big Slide Brewery
After a big day of getting to see some of the best that Lake Placid has to offer, finish your 2 days in Lake Placid by heading to Big Slide Brewery for some of my favorite pizza of all-time!
Their “send-a-roni” pizza has hot honey and pepperoni for a sweet and savory bite and goes great with a flight of some of their delicious beers on tap.
Still feeling hungry? Head to Emma’s Creamery, located back on Main Street, for a scoop of their Maple Cream ice cream!
Lake Placid Weekend Getaway Recap!
With 2 days in Lake Placid, you’ll get the opportunity to see some of the best that this small town has to offer. Nestled within the high peaks of the Adirondacks, Lake Placid features mouth-watering restaurants, exciting hiking adventures, relaxing walking paths, and much more.
This itinerary is a compilation of some of the best, top-rated activities within the area, combined with some of my personal favorites. If you decide to follow this 2 Days in Lake Placid itinerary, you’ll be sure to get a mix of some of the best tourist attractions and local hidden gems. Ready to explore the magic of the Adirondacks?
Start planning your Lake Placid adventure now—and don’t forget to visit Curione Travel (the author of this post) for more weekend getaway guides and insider tips!
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