My ideal vacation is hopping on a plane and getting somewhere warm. Tropical, desert, beach, lake, whatever it may be, it’s gotta be hot. Especially if you’re planning on a winter getaway, heading some place where you don’t have to bundle up is certainly appealing. But I always like to get a little bit out of my comfort zone and this winter I did just that.
Back in December my sister and I took a road trip to upstate New York to check out Lake Placid. While I initially was planning on going in the Fall to partake in gorgeous scenic hikes and check out the fall foliage, I was not disappointed in this little winter wonderland. About a 4-5 hour drive from New York City, Lake Placid is a breathtaking, sleepy little town that’s most well known for hosting the 1980s Winter Olympics. Seemingly built around that fact, the town houses the Olympic Village, which is comprised of a few different Olympic sites — you’ll drive past the Olympic Jumping Complex on your drive into town, and should it interest you, you can visit the famous Miracle on Ice skating arena, try your hand at bobsledding, or head up to Whiteface Mountain for skiing and snowboarding. An Olympic Sites Passport will cost you $35 and grant you one-time access to all of the Olympic sites, as well as 20% off select activities.
We stayed right in the heart of town at High Peaks Resort, a cozy Adirondack-style hotel that welcomes guests with a flute of champagne upon arrival. The lobby was certainly one of our favorite hang-out spots, with a roaring fireplace, rustic decor and hot cider every evening. It made for the perfect spot to cuddle up with a book, play a game of chess, or retreat for the night with a cocktail in hand.
The rooms are spacious and comfortable and room service here is unparalleled. A quick ring and your meal comes quicker than you can pick what channel to watch on TV. But we recommend checking out the property’s restaurant, Dancing Bear’s Restaurant in person. It’s charming and surprisingly delicious (especially come from food capital like NYC). Plus, they are more than happy to supply you with a cheese platter and hot chocolate to bring with you back to the lobby to enjoy fireside, should you ask for it. We loved the French Onion Soup, which is perfect after a snowy day outside, and their homemade pizzas are easily customizable and certainly worth trying. For those with a sweet tooth, don’t miss out on the Mug O’ Brownie to put you in a chocolate coma for the night.
Despite the chilly temperatures, we loved our outside excursions. A gondola ride to the top of Whiteface Mountain is a must, whether you ski or not. The views are truly breathtaking and make for some professional-grade photo ops. Nearby, we visited High Falls Gorge, a nature park with gorgeous waterfalls and bridges you can walk along for optimal viewing. You can even make a pit stop along the trail to roast s’mores.
But if taking it easy is more your pace, the High Peaks Resort has an amazing spa you can relax at. Element Day Spa & Salon has all the usual amenities at a spa. We opted for a Deep Tissue Massage and have to say – it was one of the best massages I’ve ever had. It’s definitely a place worth checking out if you have the time.
Surrounded by nothing but nature and some small town shops, Lake Placid is truly a getaway for those who want to get away from it all. The winter may be cold and blustery, but you can certainly make the best of it here.
Twisted Talk: Have you ever been to Lake Placid before? What’s your favorite place to go in upstate New York? Discuss below!
