Lake Placid with Kids
Toddlers, Teens &
Everyone Between
Lake Placid With Kids: Toddlers, Teens & Everyone Between
Every family vacation looks a little different. Some days revolve around nap schedules and playgrounds, while others are filled with mountain adventures, ice cream stops, and trying to keep up with teenagers. That’s what makes Lake Placid with kids such a special experience—it’s one of those rare destinations that grows with your family.
Whether you’re visiting with toddlers, elementary-aged kids, tweens, or teenagers, you’ll find activities everyone can enjoy together. From relaxing beach days and scenic hikes to Olympic attractions and unforgettable day trips, Lake Placid offers endless opportunities to create memories at every stage.
Ready to start planning? Here are some of our favorite family-friendly activities for every age.
Spend a Day at the Beach
There’s a reason beach days become vacation traditions.
Mirror Lake offers something for every member of the family, whether you’re traveling with a toddler who’s happiest building sandcastles or a teenager eager to spend the afternoon on the water.
Younger children can splash in the shallow water, dig in the sand, collect rocks, or play with beach toys while parents relax nearby. Older kids may prefer swimming, paddling across the lake, or exploring the shoreline.
Guests staying at Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort can borrow complimentary kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards during the summer, along with children’s life jackets in a variety of sizes and beach toys. It’s everything you need for a carefree day on the lake—without packing the car full of gear.
Sometimes the simplest vacation days become the ones your family remembers most.
Â
Discover Lake Placid's Olympic Legacy
Few places in the United States can say they’ve hosted not one, but two Winter Olympic Games. Throughout Lake Placid, families can experience that history in ways that go far beyond simply reading about it.
Start at the Lake Placid Olympic Museum, where interactive exhibits, historic memorabilia, and complimentary family-friendly crafts and activities help bring Olympic history to life for visitors of all ages.
Then continue the adventure at the Olympic Jumping Complex, where the scenic gondola offers incredible mountain views, or head to Mt. Van Hoevenberg to race down the Cliffside Coaster, test your skills on the climbing wall, or enjoy one of the many other year-round activities available.
It’s an experience you simply can’t recreate anywhere else
Going to multiple venues? Check out the Legacy Sites Passport for savings!
Go for a Family Hike
Some of the best family memories are made on the trail.
Fortunately, hiking in the Adirondacks doesn’t have to mean climbing a High Peak. Lake Placid is surrounded by trails perfect for families, where crossing bridges, spotting wildlife, listening to birds, and discovering streams become adventures all on their own.
Looking for inspiration? Check out our guides to the best family-friendly nature walks and our favorite [short] Adirondack hiking trails to find an option that matches your family’s abilities.
For an even easier outing, the Adirondack Rail Trail offers miles of relatively flat terrain that’s ideal for walking, biking, or pushing a stroller. Since you can choose how far to go, it’s a flexible option for families with children of different ages.
Before heading out, don’t forget the essentials: water, snacks, layers, sunscreen, and sturdy footwear. If you’re new to hiking in the Adirondacks, our Love Your ADK guide is full of helpful tips for staying safe while protecting the places we all love to explore.
After all, the journey is often just as memorable as the destination.
Explore Main Street
You don’t need a reservation or a ticket to have fun in downtown Lake Placid.
One of the best ways to spend an afternoon is simply wandering Main Street together.
Kids love stepping inside shops like Lucky Duckz and browsing the children’s section at The Bookstore Plus, while a stop at Emma’s Lake Placid Creamery is almost always a highlight.
Meanwhile, older kids and teens can check out the outdoor outfitters, clothing boutiques, candy stores, and locally owned gift shops while enjoying views of Mirror Lake along the way.
Don’t rush it—Main Street is one attraction you’ll want to explore at your own pace.
Let Them Burn Off Some Energy
Sometimes, kids just need a place to run, climb, and play.
Lake Placid has several playgrounds that are perfect for families with younger children. You’ll find a playground and tennis courts on Parkside Drive near the public beach, another on Mc Kinley Street, and Teddy Bear Park off Hillcrest Avenue.
Whether it’s a quick stop before dinner or an hour of climbing, sliding, and making new friends, these playgrounds are a great way to balance a day filled with sightseeing, shopping, and outdoor adventures.
Visitors can explore the property from dawn to dusk, while house tours are typically available Wednesday through Monday from 10 AM–4 PM during the summer and fall season. It’s an easy way to add a little history and outdoor time to your trip without spending much.
Enjoy a Little Friendly Competition
Not every family adventure has to happen outdoors.
Lake Placid offers plenty of opportunities to challenge each other to a little friendly competition, making these attractions perfect for rainy days, evenings, or whenever everyone needs a break from hiking.
Spend an afternoon at Faizy’s Fun House or The Penalty Box Arcade, see who can sink the winning putt at Boots & Birdies, or head to Big Z’s Lake Placid Lanes for bowling, arcade games, and a sports simulator.
You may forget who won, but you’ll remember laughing together.
Take a Day Trip to The Wild Center
If you have time for a short drive, The Wild Center in nearby Tupper Lake is well worth adding to your family vacation.
It’s one of those rare places that truly captivates every age.
Families can spend hours exploring interactive indoor exhibits, watching live animal presentations, climbing through the Wild Walk, and wandering outdoor trails designed to inspire curiosity about the Adirondacks.
Now through October 31, 2026, don’t miss TROLLS: Save the Humans, an outdoor exhibition featuring six giant troll sculptures created from reclaimed materials by internationally renowned artist Thomas Dambo. Finding each troll turns the visit into an unforgettable scavenger hunt while encouraging families to think about sustainability and our connection to nature.
It’s the kind of place that inspires kids to explore—and reminds adults to do the same.
A Destination That Grows With Your Family
The best family vacations aren’t about checking every attraction off a list—they’re about discovering new favorites together.
One year, it might be building sandcastles on Mirror Lake. A few years later, it’s racing down the Cliffside Coaster, hiking a new trail, or searching for giant trolls in the woods. As your family grows, Lake Placid grows with you, offering new adventures to experience together on every visit.
Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning for another family getaway, you’ll find there’s always something new to discover—and another reason to start planning your next trip before you’ve even unpacked.
The only thing we overlook is the lake
Surrender yourself to the natural and untouched beauty of the Adirondack Mountains at the first resort in the U.S. to receive the Audubon International’s Platinum Eco Rating for Hotels. There are now only six hotels in the United States to obtain this honor! It’s a place to renew yourself on the serene shores of Mirror Lake, and take in the history of the town, just steps away from the famed Olympic Village and the heart of Lake Placid, New York. No other place on earth provides this unique blend of comfort, rejuvenation, or one-of-a-kind experiences. Start planning your stay at the Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort now!