THINGS TO DO IN THE VILLAGE OF LAKE PLACID

The Lake Placid Retreat is a five minute walk to charming Lake Placid Village. If you feel like taking a day off from the mountains, you can enjoy a really pleasant bit of small town America just by wandering down Main Street.  Below is a list of activities and a selection of some of the town's better restaurants, cafes and pubs:

Massage/spa treatment at the Mirror Lake Inn. The Mirror Lake Inn is located just down the hill in the direction of the Village.  You can get any number of spa treatments there that includes use of their whirlpool, steam room and sauna. 

Skating. Lake Placid Village has several excellent indoor ice skating venues that offer open skating sessions for all ages.

Shop the outlet stores. The Gap, Bass, and Geoffrey Beane are all good values. 

Sporting events and exhibitions.  In any given week there's always something going on at one of Lake Placid's Olympic venues including figure-skating competitions, ski-jumping heats, hunter-jumper horse riding competitions,  etc.  Major events that are held in town include: The Iron Man Triathalon (July), The Lake Placid Horse Shows (late June/early July), The Goodwill Games, the Can/Am Hockey Tournament, World Cup winter sports competitions--the list goes on and on. . .

Boating on Mirror Lake.  At the corner of Mirror Lake Drive and Saranac Avenue (Route 86) a variety of water craft can be rented by the hour, half day or full day. Sunfish sailboats, electric power boats, canoes and paddle boats are all part of the fleet, and since gasoline powered speed boats are not allowed on Mirror Lake you can be guaranteed a quiet, stress-free outing.

Pirates Cove and Avalanche Adventures.  Just up route 86 from the Lake Placid Retreat are two miniature golf courses. One, Pirate's Cove, has waterfalls and a swashbuckling theme. The other, Avalanche Adventures, has two courses, one indoor, one outdoor. Avalanche also has bungy jumping, caving, a climbing wall and a number of other tamed adventures.

Lake Placid Boat Cruises.  A cruise boat leaves from the public marina on Lake Placid several times a day, rain or shine, in the summer time.  The Marina is located just past The Cottage Restaurant off of Mirror Lake Drive. Summer only.

Drive up or ski lift up Whiteface Mountain.  A road goes most of the way to the top and an elevator takes you the rest of the way.  To get there drive out route 86 toward Wilmington and follow signs for the Whiteface Mountain Memorial Highway.  You can also take a ski lift to the top which has lovely views and still usually operates even in the rain.

The Lake Placid Sinfonietta.  A small orchestra that plays classical favorites.  Particularly nice are the concerts performed at the bandshell on the shore of Mirror Lake.

The Movies.  On Main Street.  3 screens, usually with a children's movie playing. 

Burlington and Montreal.  Both are about 2-2.5 hours away.  Both are fun and make a nice day trip.  Bring your passport if you're planning on visiting Canada

RESTAURANTS 

The Cottage.  This restaurant has a genuine aprés ski feel and a warm hearth on chilly nights.  It has decent sandwiches, excellent Guinness on tap and hot drinks like hot buttered rum.  A lovely view of Mirror Lake, a nice outdoor terrace (summer only) and a fireplace make this one of the most aesthetically appealing places in town.

The Great Adirondack Steak and Seafood Company.  Good solid meat and lobsters right on Main Street.  Not too pricey and not pretentious.  They have a good selection of local beers.

The Brown Dog Deli.  On Main Street just across from the Hilton.  Good sandwiches.  Not a bad wine bar and tapas to boot. 

The View at The Mirror Lake Inn.  Pricey but very pleasant with a great view of Mirror Lake.  The best value here is the buffet breakfast.  On weekends make sure to make a reservation before coming down.

The Veranda. Nice view atop Hillcrest Avenue across from the Holiday Inn overlooking the town.  This is where Bill and Hillary Clinton dined when they came through a few years back.

Lake Placid Pub and Brewery A few steps from the toboggan chute. Its signature Ubu Ale, a dark, smooth brew, is popular with locals and out of towners alike. There is a wide selection of ales and lagers both in the nonsmoking lounge upstairs and in the English-style pub downstairs.

Mr. Mikes.  A good elbows-on-the-table, pizza-and-beer joint.  Excellent for kids.  Next to the bowling ally near the route 73/route 86 intersection. Best of all, they deliver.

Nicola's on Main.  The latest in restaurateur Mike Nicola's Lake Placid eatery empire, this somewhat overdone restaurant sits next to the post office in an oversized brick building. The Greek and Italian specialties served here are quite fresh and good and the prices are reasonable.

Casa del Sol.  An excellent Mexican restaurant in the Town of Saranac Lake.  About a 15 minute drive.  They don't take reservations and they are always mobbed.    If you decide to go, get there early, or be prepared to wait a while in their pleasant outdoor bar area and enjoy their excellent margaritas.

Reservations: TEL 646 239 2114 / EMAIL reservations@lakeplacidretreat.com
To see if a particular date is available please visit our reservation calendar


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