The Lake Placid trip has officially made it out of the group chat

Ladies, grab your comfies, your trusted group of adventurers, and a growling need for fun, Lake Placid is calling for your next girls’ trip! Here, you can look forward to sunrise hikes with unbeatable Adirondack views, spa days with resort-level pampering, and an arts scene that stuns against an equally incredible background. This town is built for reconnection, where you’ll quickly collect memories that will fit perfectly in your scrap book. Think cozy inns, lakefront cafés, and weekly markets where you can swap travel tips as easily as outfits. The beauty of Lake Placid? You get to pick the adventure! Whether your group is outdoorsy, sporty, artsy, or simply reconnecting after years apart, a girls’ trip here folds adventure, pampering, and pure fun into one perfect long weekend.

Outdoorsy

For the group that would rather trade brunch reservations for mountain summits, this town is the ultimate basecamp for the adventurous types. Start your morning with a hearty grab-and-go breakfast or lunch from one of our local cafés and coffee shops. If you’re in need of some serious fuel, stop in to The Breakfast Club, Etc for their hot skillet breakfasts. Before heading out to conquer one of the many peaks that make up our skyline, don’t be afraid to brush up on all the tips and tricks to make your next hike fun and safe. 

If you’re missing the summer camp vibes of your youth, look no further than Adirondack Loj for your stay. Steps from the best hiking, this wilderness lodge includes private and bunk rooms, a stunning main lodge to unwind in, and breathtaking views all around. During your stay, take advantage of the skills workshops, guided trips, and conservation programs. 

Forgot essential gear? Browse Lake Placid's outdoor gear shops to stock up on trail essentials, pick up a souvenir, or chat with local experts about the best routes.

Outsidey

The little sister to the outdoorsy trip, the outsidey option is for that getaway that gets your group outside, but keeps it cool with low-stress scenic fun for everyone (no High Peaks required). Spend the morning exploring a scenic stretch of the Adirondack Rail Trail, a 34-mile multi-use finished trail that connects the downtowns of Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, and Tupper Lake, mixing days spent trailside with some shopping and dining. For a short hike with incredible rewards, visit nearby High Falls Gorge. Touted as the Adirondacks’ most breathtaking, year-round, 30-minute walk, witness the four majestic waterfalls cascading over rocks into a deep crevice carved a billion years ago, and enjoy accessible trails with stunning views to boot. 

Back on Mirror Lake, reward yourselves with a relaxing paddle or SUP (stand up paddle board) ride. Motorized boats are not allowed on Mirror Lake, making for the most peaceful paddle of your summer! When it's time to refuel, there are plenty of outdoor patios to choose from with pristine scenery around. Generations Tap and Grill on Main Street offers a perfect view of downtown, in a comfortable and plush outdoor dining area.

Party animals

If your ideal girls' trip includes craft brews, lively nights out, and never having to call a rideshare, Lake Placid has you covered. Book walkable lodging right in the heart of downtown so your group can easily hop from local breweries and taprooms to cocktail bars and live music venues without ever moving the car. Spend the afternoon sampling Adirondack craft beers before freshening up for an evening of rooftop drinks at the Cloudsplitter Rooftop Bar, bowling and brews at Big Z’s, or cozy brewery hopping along Main Street. With everything just steps away, you can soak up the nightlife, laugh your way back to your hotel, and wake up ready to do it all over again.

Sporty

Lake Placid’s former Olympic venues still offer unforgettable experiences today. At the Olympic Center, visitors can enjoy year-round public skating, hockey tournaments, the Olympic Museum, and guided tours that include the rink where the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” took place. Just steps from the Museum, don’t forget to load up on Team USA merch at the gift shop. The Olympic Jumping Complex draws attention with its dramatic 100- and 128-meter ski jumps, an elevator ride to sweeping Adirondack views, and a zipline ride back to the base. Nearby, Mt Van Hoevenberg invites visitors to experience bobsled, luge, and skeleton, along with cross-country skiing, biathlon, hiking, and an indoor climbing gym. At Whiteface Mountain, ski the same terrain used for alpine events in winter or take a summer gondola ride to the summit for expansive mountain views. 

Back in town, unwind at sports bars designed with fans in mind. Roamers Café and Bar at the Olympic Center keeps you just steps from the action, while Players Waterfront Eatery comes primed with plenty of TVs and lakefront views. While you lounge, you might even bump shoulders with some local Olympic athletes that call Lake Placid home!

Girly

Did someone say spa days, shopping sprees, and resort living? We did! Lake Placid knows how to pamper, its evident in the scores of resorts and spas that call this mountain town home. On Main Street, shop till you drop at our boutiques and stores. It’s here you’ll find authentic Adirondack wares from boots to blouses, jewelry to outdoor gear. When your arms grow weary from all those bags, tuck into Main Street restaurants that keep the views coming. (Dancing Bears Restaurant offers floor-to-ceiling views of Main Street and Mirror Lake).

For wellness on your own schedule, book luxurious lodging with pampering built in. The Mirror Lake Inn and Spa is just a short walk from Main Street and directly across the road from Mirror Lake. With decades of pampering under their belt, this is the place to immerse your group in classic Adirondack vacationing, with modern comforts in mind. A little further from town, The Whiteface Lodge brings exceptional lodge living to your stay. Ranked among the Top 100 Spas in North America by Condé Nast Traveler, you won’t be disappointed when you step into the 5,700-square-foot spa for your next appointment.

Reunion

Whether it's been a few years or only a few weeks, Lake Placid is the perfect place for your girls to reunite. Call a vacation rental home for the week, where you’ll find your pick of Airbnbs ranging from townhouses to secluded cabins. If you find it early enough in the season, you can snag a lakefront property on Lake Placid. Since this is a reunion, you’ll need the perfect surroundings to celebrate and enjoy each other's company! Our coffee shops are the perfect start. Cozy and convivial, you’ll find plenty of spots to tuck into fresh-made croissants and coffee and some good conversation. To get outside, you don’t need to take on a major hike. The sidewalk loop around Mirror Lake is scenic and tranquil, with views of the lake and nearby Main Street following you all the way. Away from town, Heaven Hill Trails is an incredible network of walking trails, carved between rolling valleys and mountainsides, ideal for chatting as you walk.

Artsy

The arts are alive and well in the mountains, and Lake Placid has become a hotspot for artists and art lovers alike to come and appreciate the atmosphere. Start your hunt for the arts on Main Street, where a trip to the bookstore introduces you to the many authors and makers local to the Adirondacks. Art galleries can also be found in town, where you can take home a piece of Adirondack scenery and support crafters that adore this region as much as you.

For a night out with the gals, Arts Center Lake Placid puts on shows year-round, from ballet performances to special movie showings, comedy nights to guest speaking events. Frame your days with farm to table dining, a perk of staying in a town dedicated to its local makers. Many restaurants flaunt their locally-sourced ingredients, and if you don’t see it listed, simply ask your server.

Take time to unplug, unwind, and reconnect with your girls!

Getting your group together for a trip can be a feat, but once you’re here you can relax and enjoy all the fun and beauty of Lake Placid. For every type of friend group, from hockey fiends to shopaholics, you’ll find the perfect start to your next girls’ trip here.