Fancy an alpine village for your next fall getaway?

There’s something about fall in Lake Placid that makes an elevated experience seamless. It could be the quieter trails, the crisp mornings on Mirror Lake, or the award-winning resorts waiting for you to call them home for the weekend (or week). Lake Placid has perfected the art of vacationing, welcoming the transitional season with the best in mountain-side resorts, dining, and après-trail living. After all, it's not just any mountain town that can host the most prominent families of the Gilded Age. 

When the High Peaks transform into a brilliant display of reds and golds, cover your bases with luxury amenities, spa days, AAA Four-Diamond dining services, and the best vantage points in the nation for leaf peeping. Discover how to take on fall in Lake Placid, with the best of the best. 

Upscale mountain lodging

Whiteface Lodge  

A sprawling resort heralding historic Adirondack Great Camps of old in its grand rustic timber design, Whiteface Lodge is a resort straight out of an Adirondack postcard. Centrally located just steps from the village of Lake Placid and a short drive from the magnificent Whiteface Mountain, luxury accommodations meet stunning mountain views during your stay. If you’re missing taking a dip in the pool on those chilly fall days, their heated inground pool is just the fix. The grounds also house a world-class salon and spa, but more on that later.

In your room, take advantage of the in-suite cast-iron fireplaces, lodge finishes, and your own private cedar and mahogany balcony to sit back and bask in the foliage. When you finally make it out of the comfort of your bed, two restaurants wait for you down below, Kanu and Peak 47. Pick where you’ll dine based on your preference! Kanu is the lodge’s premier dining venue, a quiet elegant affair, and Peak 47 is perfect for those just stepping off the trails in need of a cozy bite at the bar. 

Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa 

Honored with the AAA Four-Diamond, “Exceptional” Award for 40 years and a member of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, the Mirror Lake Inn Resort and Spa takes “lakeside elegance” to a whole new level. While the lake and mountain views may be one of their most notable features (especially for those looking to book during peak week), you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find everything else the resort has in store. 

Their rooms prioritize those stunning views, while also pampering you with Adirondack comforts and decor. The amenities list is extensive, but we found a few that stuck out, perfect for the fall season. On their grounds, you’ll find an inground heated pool, dry sauna, pickleball and tennis courts, and a private beach along with non-motorized watercraft. The list also includes their two restaurants, The View Restaurant and The Cottage Cafe, as well as their award-winning spa. 

The Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort

If staying in the center of the action is more your style, the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort is your go-to in Lake Placid. Steps from everything downtown, you’ll get the best of both worlds with direct access to Mirror Lake, Main Street, and Olympic Legacy Sites. 

The resort is perfect for families, with room sizes ranging from deluxe rooms to family suites, even rooms featuring kitchenettes for longer stays. For a bite to eat, head to Generations Tap and Grill, serving classic American & North Country Style cuisine with the occasional German twist. The private beach offers the perfect chance to snap pics of the lake and surrounding foliage, ending your days dipping your toes in the (slightly colder) waters.

The Lake Placid Lodge

Sitting on the shores of Lake Placid, (not Mirror Lake) the Lake Placid Lodge is home to generations of Adirondack memories, surrounded by timeless luxury and amenities. Stepping into your room, suite, or cabin, you’ll be greeted with towering hand-carved wooden beds, stone fireplaces, and decor giving the lodge living you’ve been craving. The mountain and lake views take center stage in rooms and suites with private stone terraces. To really bask in the colors of the season however, book their private lakeside cottage, just steps from the water. 

The amenities across the property ensure you’re pampered at every turn, including the Lodge’s two in-house restaurants, The Artisans at the Lake Placid Lodge and Maggie’s Pub. Looking to have a special night in? Dine in their beautiful low-lit wine cellar for the evening. Off-property, guests also have access to the golf course at the Whiteface Club, ensuring you get those sweeping fall views from the green.

The Interlaken Inn

This breathtaking century-old Victorian retreat has been hosting visitors of the Adirondacks for quite some time, racking up an extensive history in Lake Placid, as well as a stellar reputation. Opposite to resorts like the Whiteface Lodge, swap wood beams and hunting lodge interiors for delicate decor, sumptuous sheer curtains, and historically-authentic comforts at The Interlaken Inn. Four-poster beds are joined with decor reminiscent of Adirondack summers in the 1910s, with a few modern comforts (yes, a TV is present). You won’t want to miss a visit to their other-worldy restaurant, included in our recommended restaurants down below. 

Bring elegance to your evening out 

The View Restaurant at the Mirror Lake Inn

You won’t have to look very hard for the perfect dining experience to end fall days in Lake Placid. Just steps from Main Street, The View Restaurant at the Mirror Lake Inn is the quintessential Adirondack restaurant. Hugged by Mirror Lake with views of nearby High Peaks, you’ll be basking in the warm glow of autumn while you indulge in a AAA Four-Diamond “Exceptional” dinner. The menu features house-made pastas, custom cut and aged steaks, heritage breed meats, fish flown in from around the world; not to mention their amazing wine list, earning Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence for 20 consecutive years. 

The Artisans at the Lake Placid Lodge

The Artisans at the Lake Placid Lodge has rightfully earned its name, crafting unique and stunning plates that burst with both color and taste. Sip wine on their three-season terrace overlooking Lake Placid. And on chilly fall nights, you’ll be pampered with wool blankets, heaters, and a stone fireplace to keep warm and cozy. 

The Stagecoach Inn Restaurant 

The Stagecoach Inn Restaurant wraps you in old-world charm, where candlelight dances on hand-hewn beams and each dish tells a story rooted in Adirondack heritage, elevated with modern flair. Pull up a chair in their cozy Great Room and make yourself at home, whether you're sharing small plates and cocktails, savoring a seasonal four-course dinner, or ending the night with dessert and a nightcap at the bar. Their chef is always crafting a new seasonal menu inspired by the Adirondacks and sourced from nearby farms.

The Interlaken Inn and Restaurant 

For low-lit dinners set in a sophisticated and timeless setting, the Interlaken Inn and Restaurant is your escape for the evening. This mainstay of the region keeps it classically Adirondack with flair from around the world, with plates of wagyu, duck confit, or their basil pesto shrimp fettucini. Sit back in their dining room and soak up the decor, transporting you to evenings of Adirondack days past.

Take it fireside with lounges and cocktail bars

After dinner, wind down the evening with any of the cozy cocktail bars and lounges awaiting in town, featuring some the area's finest micro brews and more distant classics.

At Eastwind, take a seat at the bar or by the warm hearth for handcrafted cocktails and selected beverages. Eastwind’s sommelier is constantly innovating the menu, selecting exquisite seasonally-appropriate wines and bubbles. While you sip, snack on charcuterie boards and small plates. 

Sentinel & Station is a new face in town, bringing unique hand crafted drinks, an equally fantastic atmosphere. Intimate lighting, plush seating, and drinks that arrive like little works of art characterize this lounge, making the newbie your new favorite. 

High above Main Street, the Cloudsplitter Rooftop Bar at the Grand Adirondack Hotel pairs inventive cocktails with sweeping mountain views, where the sunset paints the peaks in shades of rose and gold. Here, the night is unhurried, with plenty of seating and opportunities to warm up. 

Après-hike experiences

Visit the spa

After a day spent wandering the fiery fall trails of the Adirondacks, there’s nothing better than slipping into Lake Placid’s cozy après-hike rhythm. Stretch out tired muscles with a restorative class at Healing Elements or High Peaks Yoga Shala, where warm, welcoming studios offer the perfect mix of relaxation and renewal. Or treat yourself to a dedicated spa day at the Whiteface Lodge Spa and Salon. Ranked among the Top 100 Spas in North America by Condé Nast Traveler, their intimate spa blends the rustic beauty of its setting with a relaxing and serene ambiance, and delivers luxurious treatments to melt away the last traces of trail fatigue. 

The Whiteface Lodge isn't the only place you'll be pampered. Back in town, the Spa at the Mirror Lake Inn indulges you in an array of treatments and massages, ranging from their Salt Room to their Red Carpet Facials. After your visit, you'll be prepped and ready for your next adventure. 

Explore Main Street 

Afterwards, stroll down Main Street Lake Placid, where boutique shops brim with unique finds, from Adirondack-inspired gifts to chic outdoor gear, or simply savor a casual walk around Mirror Lake as the crisp autumn air drifts across the water. It’s a dreamy way to end your day—grounded, relaxed, and completely immersed in Lake Placid’s fall magic.

Leaf peeping? Here’s where to get the best vantage points in the region

For the ultimate fall leaf-peeping in Lake Placid, a little adventure goes a long way. Take a gondola ride up Whiteface Mountain, where you’ll float above an ocean of fiery reds, golden yellows, and rustic oranges, the Adirondack peaks stretching endlessly into the horizon. For a different perspective, hop on the Skyride Experience Gondola at the Olympic ski jumps—soaring to the top offers not only sweeping autumn views but also the thrill of standing where Olympians once launched into the sky. And if you prefer a leisurely pace, the Whiteface Veterans' Memorial Highway offers one of the most scenic drives in the region, winding past overlooks that seem designed for fall photo stops. Each route is a different way to chase autumn’s most breathtaking colors in Lake Placid! 

Your fall getaway is waiting!

If you're ready for an autumn escape filled with luxury amenities, cozy cocktail bars, and scenic vistas at every corner, book your visit to Lake Placid. Fall colors are on the horizon, and their dazzling display can't be missed amongst the cozy atmosphere of this mountain town. We'll see you when the leaves change!