With the London Olympics just ending, a visit to one of our favorite destinations, Lake Placid seems in order. Hard to believe the “Miracle on Ice” was 32 years ago or that this tiny hamlet of 3,000 has hosted two Winter Olympics, 1980 and 1932. Lake Placid today, is a wonderful year-round resort community and is home to the U.S. Winter Olympic team training.
Crystal clear lakes amid the tall pines of the Adirondack Mountains provide great recreational opportunities for all seasons and Whiteface Mountain offers some of the best skiing in the East. The town, despite its notoriety as an Olympic host, has been able to maintain its small town charm.
Our stay at The Point (www.thepointresort.com) a short distance away in nearby Upper Saranac Lake was the most amazing 24 hours we have spent anywhere. This should be on everyone’s “bucket list”. Not far behind is the wonderful Lake Placid Lodge (www.lakeplacidlodge.com), a gorgeous lodge and cabins right on Lake Placid. Kids love the Mirror Lake Inn (www.mirrorlakeinn.com) for its indoor and outdoor pools and the homemade chocolate chip cookies and milk in the lobby every day. The Whiteface Lodge, (www.thewhitefacelodge.com) a modern day replica of an old Adirondack Lodge, offers a movie theatre, bowling lanes, an ice skating rink, indoor and outdoor pools, an amazing spa and a cigar and cognac lounge.
Chair 6 (www.chair6.com) is the local’s favorite for breakfast, but there’s also a Howard Johnson’s that’s been there for 50 years and still offers breakfast for under $5. Looking for something lighter? Try the scones at Bluesberry Bakery, they are positively sinful. The Cottage is a favorite for lunch. Great pub food, a fireplace in the winter and a deck beside the water in summer. The Brown Dog, also with lake views, makes wonderful sandwiches on homemade bread and has an excellent wine list.
For cocktails, the best views of the lake and mountains are from the bar at the Crown Plaza. In season (warm weather) the deck at the Boathouse, provides a view of the town from the opposite side of Mirror Lake and the Kanu Lounge at the Whiteface Lodge has a stone fireplace and plush couches and chairs.
The Lake Placid Lodge tops the fine dining charts, followed by the View at Mirror Lake Inn and Kanu at the Whiteface Lodge. All offer outstanding food in luxury surroundings. Taste Bistro at Mirror Lake has a more casual menu and for a bit of fun with your food head to the Paradox Lodge. Owner/chef Moses, “Red” LaFountaine cooks from an open kitchen (he’s appeared on Rachael Ray) and to call him a character would be an understatement.
Don’t Miss: The Olympic Museum and High Falls Gorge.
Travel time from the Jersey Shore: About 5 1/2 hours.
For more information on weekend travel visit: www.bestweekends.com.
In his capacity as CEO of BestWeekends.com and Jersey Shore Restaurant Week Chairman, Jim Flynn travels the country looking for great places to stay and eat.
Crystal clear lakes amid the tall pines of the Adirondack Mountains provide great recreational opportunities for all seasons and Whiteface Mountain offers some of the best skiing in the East. The town, despite its notoriety as an Olympic host, has been able to maintain its small town charm.
Our stay at The Point (www.thepointresort.com) a short distance away in nearby Upper Saranac Lake was the most amazing 24 hours we have spent anywhere. This should be on everyone’s “bucket list”. Not far behind is the wonderful Lake Placid Lodge (www.lakeplacidlodge.com), a gorgeous lodge and cabins right on Lake Placid. Kids love the Mirror Lake Inn (www.mirrorlakeinn.com) for its indoor and outdoor pools and the homemade chocolate chip cookies and milk in the lobby every day. The Whiteface Lodge, (www.thewhitefacelodge.com) a modern day replica of an old Adirondack Lodge, offers a movie theatre, bowling lanes, an ice skating rink, indoor and outdoor pools, an amazing spa and a cigar and cognac lounge.
Chair 6 (www.chair6.com) is the local’s favorite for breakfast, but there’s also a Howard Johnson’s that’s been there for 50 years and still offers breakfast for under $5. Looking for something lighter? Try the scones at Bluesberry Bakery, they are positively sinful. The Cottage is a favorite for lunch. Great pub food, a fireplace in the winter and a deck beside the water in summer. The Brown Dog, also with lake views, makes wonderful sandwiches on homemade bread and has an excellent wine list.
For cocktails, the best views of the lake and mountains are from the bar at the Crown Plaza. In season (warm weather) the deck at the Boathouse, provides a view of the town from the opposite side of Mirror Lake and the Kanu Lounge at the Whiteface Lodge has a stone fireplace and plush couches and chairs.
The Lake Placid Lodge tops the fine dining charts, followed by the View at Mirror Lake Inn and Kanu at the Whiteface Lodge. All offer outstanding food in luxury surroundings. Taste Bistro at Mirror Lake has a more casual menu and for a bit of fun with your food head to the Paradox Lodge. Owner/chef Moses, “Red” LaFountaine cooks from an open kitchen (he’s appeared on Rachael Ray) and to call him a character would be an understatement.
Don’t Miss: The Olympic Museum and High Falls Gorge.
Travel time from the Jersey Shore: About 5 1/2 hours.
For more information on weekend travel visit: www.bestweekends.com.
In his capacity as CEO of BestWeekends.com and Jersey Shore Restaurant Week Chairman, Jim Flynn travels the country looking for great places to stay and eat.
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