Lake Placid
My boyfriend and I made a quick trip to Lake Placid in late November and I fell in love with the former 1930 and 1980 Winter Olympics home. We, meaning he, drove 5 hours from Jersey to upstate New York so that we could spend the day snowboarding on Whiteface Mountain. I wanted to revisit in the spring to take full advantage of the endless outdoor activities the area has to offer. We spent four days upstate before getting into our busy summer schedules.
How to get there: We drove from Union City, NJ which took about 4 ½ to 5 hours depending on how many stops you make. It’s a beautiful and peaceful drive through upstate New York.
Where to stay: We knew we would be spending our days hiking and exploring so we didn’t worry about booking a fancy 5-star hotel. We wanted something centrally located so we stayed at Hotel North Wood, a 3-star hotel, in the heart of Lake Placid’s downtown. We snagged a suite with a view of Mirror lake and it was walking distance to everything in town. We would stay there again.
Where to eat: We were on a hunt for the best food in town so each day we asked the locals where their favorites spot were in town.
Breakfast: The Breakfast Club, located towards the end of Main St. not only had a great view of the lake but is also home to the best biscuit eggs benedict I’ve ever had.
Lunch: We stopped at Liquids & Solids on the way into town and their seasonal menu ensures the area’s best and freshest bites. They also have a pretty badass beer selection so definitely try a few.
After a full day of hiking at Beaver Meadow Falls we stopped at Cedar Run Bakery & Market for a snack before dinner. Everything is made in house and it’s not your average side of the road sandwich stop. The menu is very diverse and everything is sourced locally.
Dinner: Smoke Signals hands down has the best BBQ in town. We grabbed a table on the deck with a view of Mirror Lake at sunset and it was divine. I could eat their beef brisket marbled cut any day of the week.
Local Brewery: If you can appreciate a well-crafted beer, then Lake Placid Pub & Brewery is your spot. Tuesday night is 2-for-1 and Wednesday is open mic night so if you happen to visit during the week.
What to see & do:
High Falls Gorge: A privately owned 22 arc nature park that gives you access to four waterfalls and a trail on what would otherwise be inaccessible land. I saw a few pictures online and wanted to check it out but I could have spent my $11 elsewhere. There are plenty of hikes in the Adirondacks that don’t cost a dime.
Mirror Lake: It’s a small shallow lake in the heart of Lake Placid. We canoed out to the middle and took a glorious nap while recovering from the night we’d had at Lake Placid Pub & Brew. If you and your partner think you communicate well, try and get through a couple hours canoeing without an argument. It’s nicknamed the divorce boat for a reason.
Beaver Meadow Falls & Rainbow Falls: If you are an outdoorsy person then the Adirondacks are the place for you. We spent the day at Beaver Meadow Falls, an immaculately maintained trail with tons of wildlife roaring around. It’s a moderate to strenuous hike and the reward is worth the work.
As much as I love the city, I am a nature lover at heart. My boyfriend and I spent any free time we get on hikes in New Jersey and Lake Placid is the perfect getaway for someone who needs a break from the subway, the constant sound of hooking horns and the madness that is New York City.
