More than a Winter Wonderland: Lake Placid’s the Place to be this Summer

Written by Kate Tenenhouse, August 12, 2015

What kind of traveller are you? Some of us like to lounge by the beach all day while others are constantly seeking an adventure. No matter what kind of summer vacation you are looking for, you can find everything you want and more at Lake Placid.

This destination is famous for being ‘America’s first winter resort.’ It’s the site of not one, but two Winter Olympic Games, in 1932 and 1980, and you can still visit the athletic village today. This area has a rich winter season history, but don’t discount it for your summer getaway!

This area has become a hot spot for fun summer activities and a major draw for summer sporting events like the Ironman, horse shows, as well as rugby and lacrosse tournaments.

For those beach-lovers looking for a great spot to sightsee and soak up the sun this summer, check into the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort. Stroll down Main Street and get some shopping done before lounging on the beach bordering Mirror Lake. What a beautiful view! It’s the perfect beach vacation for the whole family. Build sand castles with the kids and then enjoy some time on the water. The resort offers complimentary kayaks, canoes and stand up paddleboards for the more active beach vacationer. And if mom and dad are looking for a romantic date night, Golden Arrow has just what they need! Relax and enjoy a private Mirror Lake gondola cruise—a truly magnificent and unique way to see the area. Or try the view from above with a scenic flight over Lake Placid! That’s right—board a vessel at the Lake Placid Airport, just a short drive from the resort and you’re off! It’s an amazing adventure for the whole family or maybe just a romantic trip for two.

For those looking to do some more exploring, Golden Arrow is a great starting off point on your way to the golf course, High Peak hiking tour or mountain bike trails. The Adirondack Mountains are an avid golfer’s paradise and the Golden Arrow’s golf packages can help you plan a golfer’s dream vacation. Take your pick from five fantastic courses, including the Whiteface Club & Resort Golf Club, The Lake Placid Club’s Mountain Course or Links Course, the Saranac Inn Golf and Country Club, and Craigwood Golf Course. Grab your clubs and get ready to tee up!

In the spring, summer and fall months, the historic Olympic Lake Placid sites are transformed into mountain biking trails for the adventurous traveller. Whiteface Lodge is the perfect place for those daredevil vacationers looking for nearby adventures. Whether you’re looking for an easy ride or a more challenging tour, the Olympic Cross Country Ski Centerhas more than 50km of diverse trails. For the more advanced or intermediate rider, the Downhill Mountain Bike Center, located at Whiteface Mountain, offers 2,400 vertical feet of fantastic fun!

And after a long day, you can relax and unwind at the Whiteface Lodge spa. Named one of the Top 100 Spas in North America by Condé Nast Traveler, this spa should definitely be on your list! Spending too much time in the summer sun on your trip? No problem. This spa has some wonderful treatments to rejuvenate your skin. You’ve been busy hiking, biking, and boating, so try the Great Outdoors Facial, meant specifically for those with environmentally damaged skin.

And spa treatments aren’t just for women! Whiteface Lodge has a series of treatments tailored to men. If your skin is suffering from spending all that time in the sun, try the Outdoorsman Facial, developed especially for men to repair and protect skin suffering from windburn, sun damage and over exposure to the elements. Perfect for rejuvenation on a summer getaway! For more information on the Whiteface Lodge spa treatments, click here.

But the fun doesn’t stop there. At Lake Placid, the possibilities are endless. From Rock climbing to horse back riding, fishing to fine dining, there is something for everyone.

Click here for more information about the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort and click here to learn more about Whiteface Lodge.

To learn more about Lake Placid’s history, click here.

For more about Lake Placid during winter, check out this article.