Kid-friendly summer activities around the Lake Placid area?
Sean emails:
I was wondering if any of your readers have any advice for fun things to do with kids in the Lake Placid region. My family and I are heading up there in a couple of weeks and would love some extra input.
There are a bunch of things to see or do around that area, and we're guessing a fair number of them will work with kids.
So, got a suggestion for Sean and his family? Please share!
Earlier on AOA: The Wild Center (2011)
photo: Bennett V Campbell
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The ADK Wild Center in Tupper Lake is only a 40 minute drive. Kids love it. The ADK Museum in Blue Mountain Lake is about an hour drive as well.
In Lake Placid proper, I'd recommend the Olympic Museum. The Adirondack Scenic Railroad is great for kids. Also there's lots of hiking around. The Jack Rabbit Trail is easy enough.
... said ADKer on Jun 8, 2016 at 11:16 AM | link
Lake Placid is fun all year. This winter I went several times and didn't even have to ski to get fresh air and have fun.
In summer, there is plenty of kid friendly walks and hikes along with swimming, SUP, etc.
We plan on checking out Rail Explorers this year: http://www.railexplorers.net/
Here are some hikes: http://www.lakeplacid.com/do/outdoors/summerfall/hiking/1-2-Hour-Hikes
Enjoy!
... said Jamie on Jun 8, 2016 at 11:18 AM | link
The Olympic Sports Complex and you can take the luge, the bobsled, the ski jump...
You can swim or canoe or kayak just about anywhere.
... said Amelia on Jun 8, 2016 at 3:39 PM | link
Western themed family fun center- mini golf, mining for gemstones and fossils, bungy jump, ropes course and food/ice cream.
... said Boots and Birdies on Jun 8, 2016 at 8:35 PM | link
I've grown up camping in that area, in addition to what has already been mentioned I'll suggest...
The Paul Smith VIC (Visitor Interpretive Center)
http://www.adirondackvic.org
It's a great place for kids! They have a great nature center, Butterfly House, trails, etc. It use to be run by the state but luckily for all the college took it over when the state was shutting it down. It's outside of Lake Placid near Paul Smith's (maybe 30-40 mins) but still worth visiting!
Also, on your way there or on your way back, do not miss Donnelly's Ice Cream. It's the best - we drive 30 mins each way to get it nearly daily when we're up there! They are an old dairy farm that makes their own ice cream, one flavor a day (changes daily), twisted with vanilla. (This is part of it's charm and in no way a negative.) It's the best!! Check their FB Page for early summer hours if you're heading there soon. It's just outside Saranac Lake at 1556 NY-86, Saranac Lake, NY 12983
... said Diana on Jun 9, 2016 at 11:54 AM | link
As we are a biking family, here are a few options from that perspective -
Whiteface bike park shuttle run at Whiteface Mtn in near by Wilmington. There are some family fun downhill trails, bike rentals, etc. You can also do the full gondola run to the top and take in the views - I believe it goes to the top of little Whiteface.
Bike jump park located in the Wilmington Youth Park - good for a good few hours of fun:
http://www.whitefaceregion.com/recreation/biking/dirt-jump-skills-park
Last, check out Santa's Workshop also in Wilmington for the pure kitsch!
... said James at 46 or so on Jun 9, 2016 at 2:49 PM | link
Santas workshop
Blueberry Mountain for a hike
Wild Center
Carousel in Saranac Lake
Paul Smith VIC for the trails/butterfly house
rent a boat and paddle any of the lakes
Town beach in Wilmington is great (and chilly!) and they have weekly free concerts too
The kids only fishing lake at the gate to Whiteface (on Veterans Memorial Highway) - no permit needed for the kids
ADK lodge - Heart Lake and Mt Jo - easy hike (~1 mile) and the lake is there for a swim - some harder hikes from there for the bigger kids
... said Jin on Jun 9, 2016 at 8:11 PM | link
Thanks everyone for the suggestions! We ended up stopping at the Wild Center for some great indoor/outdoor family fun (rain + shine), and then headed on over to Donnelly's for some fantastic ice cream. Not to mention the great lake-views the driving afforded.
Planning to make another trip later this summer and looking forward to trying out some of the other great suggestions (hiking, fishing, etc).
... said Sean on Jun 13, 2016 at 9:19 AM | link