7 Things Your Kids Will Love About Lake Placid
Any parent knows that traveling with kids is an exercise in logistical planning. Not when you’re on a family vacation to Lake Placid, where the kid activities naturally abound year-round… and the winter months are no exception!
While the Lake Placid Lodge may be better known as a couples’ retreat with a lack of TVs, romantic stone fireplaces around every corner, and intimate dining experiences, there’s something undeniably magical about this lodge that speaks to and sparks the imagination of the younger set. Perhaps it’s the way the architecture is framed in birch saplings as if trees were growing from the floor, and bronze animal statues are posed in such life-like stances, it’s almost like your guest room is a doorway deep in the woods.
But that’s just the beginning. Beyond the lodge, there’s a slew of other kid-friendly activities and offerings that make a family vacation effortless and something they’ll never forget. Who could forget experiencing the magic of a real Winter Wonderland?
1. Get on Your A Game
This cozy, wood-paneled restaurant has deep armchairs and a crackling fire – perfect for winding down after a day in the Adirondacks. Complete with a kid-friendly menu, Maggie’s (open from noon to 9:30 p.m.) serves casual pub-style fare the whole family can enjoy. Stick around for a game of pool to get a healthy dose of competition going before heading over to the Adirondack room for family game night with activities like ping pong, chess, and life-sized Connect Four.
2. Riding the Lake Placid Toboggan Chute
After pulling an old-fashioned sled up a 30-foot-high converted ski jump trestle, little ones can tuck their feet for a front-row seat to whiz more than 1,000 feet, skittering across the frozen surface of Mirror Lake in the heart of Lake Placid. The Lake Placid Toboggan Chute is in full swing by early February and entertains children and adults alike throughout the winter months. You can’t beat this great way to spend the afternoon or morning, with ticket prices (students $10, adults $15) including the toboggan rental and unlimited rides!
3. Visiting the Imagination Station
Mad Libs, kites, and koala puppets, oh my! This toy and game store on Main Street treats kids of all ages to hundreds of hand-picked selections for fostering creativity and family fun.
4. Snowshoe or Cross Country Ski Right on Property
With an array of snowshoes and cross-country skis available for guests to use and access to some incredible trails right outside our doorstep, penciling in an afternoon in the snow is a no-brainer. Find a few moments of peace and quiet while exploring in the snow-covered forest and frozen lake, or ask us for recommendations for other trails in the area. There are plenty!
5. Ice-Skating the Olympic Oval
Kids with visions of gold, silver, and bronze Olympic medals will be dazzled by taking a twirl on the Speed Skating Oval, one of the last outdoor rinks of its kind in the country that played host to the 1932 and 1980 Olympic Winter Games. The site, which was closed for major renovations the past year, will open back up this 2021-22 winter season with a handful of new and novel improvements that visitors are bound to love.
6. Wander the Wild Lights at Tupper Lake’s Wild Center
Didn’t get to experience your favorite display of holiday lights this year? We’ve got you covered with an impressive light show experience at The Wild Center on Tupper Lake that remains open through the end of February! Guests bask in the glow of thousands of lights as they experience the Wild Walk after dark. Enjoy a glimmering stroll through Forest Music where you’ll be surrounded with immersive music and lights – curated specifically for the looped trail. Wild Lights transforms the campus into a twinkling, family-friendly experience that is sure to be one of your all-time favorite winter experiences. Plus, there are dozens of other ways to spend your days at The Wild Center when visiting us; each of their experiences are well worth the 40-minute drive.
7. Tucking into Homemade Goodies
It’s not just for the kids; we know adults will want to end their night with a sweet treat, too. Make-your-own s’mores are available every night around the bonfire on the edge of the lake year-round (no matter how deep the snow may get).
Where to Stay Lake Placid Lodge
