Lake Placid is an amazing tourist destination that offers something for everyone. From world class events to endless opportunities to explore the mountains, it’s easy to fill every day with adventures. Check out our Lake Placid Guide to Summer so you don’t miss any of the amazing happenings!
Lake Placid Guide – Summertime Events
There are multiple popular world class events that happen in Lake Placid during the summer. Some of the most notable events in our Lake Placid Guide are: Horse Shows, Ironman, and Summit Lacrosse Tournament.
Horse Shows – June 27th – July 9th
The annual Lake Placid Horse Shows offer two weeks of exciting equestrian competition in the center of the majestic Adirondack mountains. The breathtaking views of the Adirondacks mountains showcase the meticulous landscaped North Elba Showgrounds. This competition hosts riders of all levels and age ranges. Superb shopping abounds in the boutique vendor area featuring local artists, products, clothing, apparel, and equine-related shops.
IRONMAN – July 23rd
One of the world’s greatest and most sought-after triathlons, the IRONMAN takes over Lake Placid the week of July 23rd. Athletes from around the world make the trip to Lake Placid to enjoy the beauty of the Adirondacks while they race. In 2022, it was voted the Best Race Venue and 3rd best on Overall Race, Bike Course, Finish Line and Post Race Experience. On race day first thing in the morning, athletes enter the course at the Mirror Lake Public beach and finish later in the day at the Olympic Oval.
Lake Placid Summit Lacrosse Tournament – July 31 – August 6
One of the largest lacrosse tournaments in the United States takes place just a week after Ironman. This tournament features divisions across age ranges from youth all the way to 65+. Playing fields are surrounded by beautiful mountain scenery with the prominent Olympic Ski Jumps as the focal point behind each game.
Lake Placid Marathon– June 11
This annual marathon is a premier early season race where athletes and spectators both can enjoy the beauty of the Adirondacks. The course is the perfect combination of flat, rolling and some larger hills featuring mountain views, open areas and beautiful Mirror Lake.
Songs At Mirror Lake – Tuesdays Throughout The Summer
This free concert is held Tuesday evenings at Mid’s Park Bandshell in downtown Lake Placid. It is put together by a volunteer-based organization whose mission is to provide a diverse range of musical offerings as well as a venue for regional artists to showcase themselves. View the full schedule.
Lake Placid Guide – Summer Activities
Outside of scheduled events, there are many other activities to delight travelers and locals all summer long. Our Lake Placid Guide includes outdoor adventures, golf art, theater, Olympic sites and more below!
Two Lakes Of Adventure
Lake Placid features two lakes, Mirror Lake and Lake Placid, perfect for hitting the water on a hot summer day. In the center of town you will find Mirror Lake. This lake does not allow motor boats allowing you to canoe, kayak or paddle around to enjoy nature without the drum of a motorboat. Lake Placid is just on the other side of Mirror Lake Drive and does allow motor boats. Here, opportunities for motorized fun abound giving opening up options to water ski or pontoon. There is also a public put-in to bring your kayak/canoe to take a quick paddle around.
Hiking
While there are not as many trailheads in Lake Placid as are found in the Keene/ Keene Valley region, there are still plenty of opportunities to hike the High Peaks as well as some smaller mountains. If you are looking for some challenging all-day hikes, head down the Adirondack Loj road to access trails to Mount Marcy (the highest point in the High Peaks), Algonquin Peak (2nd highest) & the Phelps Mountain trail. For a more moderate hike, the Mount Jo Loop Trail & Cobble Hill are great for a quicker adventure. If you are more interested in walking trails, the Peninsula Trails accessed via Peninsula Road, Jackrabbit Trails, Heaven Hills trails and soon to be Rails To Trails path all offer an opportunity to have a less vertical hike and enjoy nature.
Biking
Interested in biking? Lake Placid offers both mountain and road biking. If you are interested in mountain biking, the Lussi and Logger Trails or Craig Wood Trails offer the perfect opportunity for experienced riders to enjoy riding in Lake Placid. If you are a newer rider, Henry’s Woods, Heaven Hill and Mt. Van Hoevenberg trail systems are a great starting point to work on your skills.
Golfing
GolfingThere are multiple Lake Placid golf courses that are available to the public to play. Whiteface Club & Resort, The Lake Placid Club and Craigwood all offer challenging and unique courses where you can take in the beauty of the Adirondacks.
Olympic Sites
With Lake Placid’s history of hosting the Olympics twice in 1932 & 1980, there are many opportunities to explore the Olympic sites. Just off Main Street, you will find the Olympic Museum and the Olympic Center which are both open to the public. After visiting the Olympic Center, stop by the Olympic Speed Skating Oval right across the street. Continue your journey by hopping in your vehicle to trek out to the Ski Jumps and Mt. Van Hoevenberg. See the bobsled/luge track here and try driving the Cliffside Coaster, controlling your speed through sharp corners, cliffside banks and long winding track. Your final stop could be Whiteface Mountain to take a Gondola ride to the top of Little Whiteface and enjoy majestic views of Lake Placid and the surrounding communities.
Lake Placid Sinfonietta
The Lake Placid Sinfonietta is an Adirondack orchestra of world class musicians whose mission is to unleash the power of music to entertain, educate and inspire people of all ages. Multiple concerts are offered throughout the summer from July 6 to August 13 in three different formats: Symphony Series, Park Series and Adirondack Series.
The Symphony Series takes place at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts. Enjoy the music from the orchestra in an intimate setting, then mingle at a meet and greet reception following the performance. These performances are scheduled on Sunday nights with show 2023 show dates on July 9, 16, 22 (Saturday), 30 and August 6 and 13.
The Park Series offer free lakeside concerts at Mid’s Park in downtown Lake Placid. Bring your own seating, snacks and picnics to this outdoor performance, and move around the spacious venue while enjoying the music. 2023 show days are July 6, 12, 19, 26 and August 2 & 9. These concerts are rain or shine, with alternate rain site location announced by 5 PM on concert days.
The Adirondack Series are performances in the surrounding communities or specialized audiences. Dates and other details will be announced soon.
Palace Theater
No one wants a rainy day during the summer, but what a better way to spend it than watching a movie. The Palace Theater is a classic movie theater and focal point of downtown Lake Placid. New movies are released on Thursdays giving you the opportunity to catch the newest movies that come out!
The Peaks Paint Bar
Another fun event for rainy days or nights when you are looking for something fun to do with friends and family, The Peaks Paint Bar on Main Street offers almost daily paint and sips. The Owner/ Master Artist Instructor Ismael Rodriguez has been a lifelong artist who has had several exhibitions over the years in New York City. He also has over 30 years in the human services field giving him the skills to make every artist feel comfortable while at the paint and sips. The Peaks Paint Bar also offers a good variety of images to paint verses your normal paint and sips.
Experience Outdoors
Experience Outdoors is located on Scotts Cobble Mountain, the site of the oldest ski hill in Lake Placid. This mountain’s beautiful terrain is the perfect location for Zip-lining, rock climbing, mountain biking and team building services.
Lake Placid Guide – Where to Eat
When your big adventure for the day is about to start or just finishing up, there are many options fuel up with good eats in town. Here in our Lake Placid Guide, we’ve shared some of our favorite restaurants. Grab a bite and enjoy some of the best culinary delights Lake Placid has to offer!
Breakfast
Breakfast Club
2431 Main St | Everyday 8 AM – 1 PM
The Breakfast Club is open during the breakfast/brunch hours offering a good mixture of breakfast items and sandwiches. Their location overlooks beautiful Mirror Lake making it a great place to enjoy the waterfront over breakfast.
Bluesberry Bakery
2436 Main St | Everyday 12 PM – 9:30 PM
Right across the street from Breakfast Club, you will find Bluesberry Bakery. This bakery is the perfect stop to pick up your morning coffee, muffins or pastries. Everything made fresh daily!
Soulshine Bagel
2526 Main St | Everyday 7 AM – 1 PM
Soulshine Bagel on Main Street features fresh homemade bagels and offers a variety of sandwiches. Perfect for a grab and go while you are downtown.
Lunch
Players Sports Bar
2405 Main St | Everyday 12 PM – 9:30 PM
What’s better than a sports bar overlooking the lake? Players is open for lunch and dinner featuring two decks that overlook Mirror Lake and an array of TVs for the rainy days.
Generations Tap & Grille
2543 Main St | Everyday 7 AM – 9 PM
Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner this family friendly restaurant also overlooks Mirror Lake. Generations menu features many foods that are grown and raised locally to keep it fresh as possible. It is a classic American & North Country Style cuisine with a pop of German influence.
The Cottage
77 Mirror Lake Dr | Tuesday – Thursday & Sunday 11 AM – 9 PM Friday & Saturday 11 AM – 9:30 PM
The Cottage is situated directly on the shores of Mirror Lake with a spectacular view of the Great Range! This is the perfect place to hang out, enjoy some cocktails and have a nice lunch that is sourced from across the Lake Placid region.
Simply Gourmet/Big Mountain Deli
2099 Saranac Ave / 2475 Main Street | Everyday 8 AM – 3 PM
Two locations with some of the best options of sandwiches and soups in the area. Simply Gourmet (Saranac Ave) & Big Mountain Deli (Main St.) feature 46 sandwiches based off the 46 high peaks in the Adirondacks that you can have on freshly made rolls.
Dinner
Caffe Rustica
1936 Saranac Ave | Everyday 5 PM – 9 PM
Mediterranean dishes in the Adirondacks. Caffe Rustica is most known for their delectable entrees and wood fired pizzas prepared fresh by chefs who trained at the Culinary Institute of America.
Interlaken Inn & Restaurant
39 Interlaken Ave | Wednesday – Monday 5 PM – 9 PM
Newly re-opened the Interlaken Inn! Our office is excited that this restaurant is back open. The new chef Justin (JD) Daw is a classically trained chef who moved here from New Orleans. He decided to keep some of the local favorites while adding his New Orleans flair to new dishes. We highly recommend stopping in to try his wonderful cooking!
Top Of The Park
2407 Main Street | Everyday 3 PM – 12 AM
Top Of The Park offers small plates, craft spirits and beer and spectacular views! Enjoy Field, Land and Sea small plates and drinks while over viewing Mirror Lake from the deck.
Smoke Signals
2489 Main Street | Everyday 4 PM – 9 PM
A local and tourist favorite! Barbecue in Lake Placid. Smoke Signals recently changed up their menu, but still features some of the classic favorites of locals and tourists. They also feature a large back deck that overlooks Mirror Lake. Perfect to enjoy the summer weather in the Adirondacks.
Jimmys 21
2425 Main Street | Everyday 11 AM – 10 PM
Italian and steaks overlooking Mirror Lake! Jimmys 21 is the perfect family friendly restaurant to fuel up before the next day of adventures in the Adirondacks.
Summer is just around the corner and we hope our Lake Placid Guide is helps you take full advantage of our wonderful area to pack your calendar full of exciting activities. Whether you are looking to rent or buy a home or investment property in the Lake Placid region, there is so much to enjoy and draw folks here. Call one of our agents today to learn more about the local area and real estate opportunities available.