Published on: June 12, 2025

Lake Placid activities for kids

Written by Jane Turner, edited by Sandy Caligiore

Lake Placid – A trip to Lake Placid in the Adirondack Mountains is a must-have experience for adventurous families who love the outdoors.

There’s plenty here to keep both the kids and adults entertained – from thrilling daytime activities to enjoyable, family-friendly bars and restaurants, and the perfect hotel accommodations at the Mirror Lake Inn for a cozy stay. Before venturing to Lake Placid, however, you’ll want to create a loose itinerary for your trip. Here are three activities you won’t want to miss.

Swimming in Mirror Lake

Kids jumping into the lake from a floating dock
Families enjoy swimming in Mirror Lake from the hotel’s private beach

One of the most beautiful and accessible spots for families looking to have fun in the water is Lake Placid’s centerpiece, Mirror Lake. Here, kids can splash around and swim, paddleboard, or even canoe depending on their age and ability. In winter, Mirror Lake is a popular spot for ice skating once the lake has frozen safely.

No matter how you choose to enjoy Mirror Lake as a family, be sure to adhere to water safety advice. In summer, it’s also important to bring a high factor sunscreen with you on your trip, and to pack plenty of water.

Hiking Mount Jo

Lake surrounded by Adirondack Mountains
Mount Jo in Lake Placid is a hike of approximately 2.5 miles round trip

For a child-friendly hike, consider Mount Jo. The route up is short and less steep than other hikes in the area, making it a perfect starter trail for families with kids. Of course, there are plenty of stunning views to be enjoyed of the surrounding mountains and greenery.

A hike makes for the perfect adventurous day out. Not only will you all reap the health benefits of hiking Mount Jo, but there are also plenty of opportunities for your kids to practice orienteering and even spot wildlife along the route.

It’s equally important to adhere to safety advice on land as it is on the lake – so bring your sunscreen, water, plenty of snacks, and any bug spray or first aid items you may need.

Exploring the Olympic Museum

At the Lake Placid Olympic Museum, sporty families with kids can learn about the two Winter Olympic Games that have been held here, explore artifacts and discover Olympic art. It’s a great attraction to enjoy in winter, or a cooler summer’s day.

The Olympic Museum is popular with school groups because of how educational it is – there’s various exhibits and activities that’ll keep your kids intrigued and engaged. Pick up the “10 Fun Things To Do” activity guide on arrival. That’ll encourage kids to explore each exhibit. With 10 challenges that include finding (Olympic mascot) Roni Racoon pins and striking a pose on top of the Olympic platform, there’s lots to keep kids entertained.

Why visit Lake Placid

Lake Placid is situated in a beautiful part of Upstate New York that both kids and adults will love to explore year round. No matter how you choose to fill your days – whether outdoors and active or learning from the many educational attractions – you’re bound to leave Lake Placid with new experiences and knowledge under your belt. In this community, you can make lots of happy memories as a family that you’ll never forget.

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Author bio: Jane Turner

Jane lives in Lake Placid and is a mom of two. She loves where she lives, and enjoys sharing her top tips for families looking to get the most out of their holiday to Lake Placid.