Spring in Lake Placid: 12 Things to Do When the Snow Melts

Spring in Lake Placid is one of the Adirondacks' best-kept secrets.

The crowds of ski season thin out, the snow gives way to wildflowers, and Main Street takes on a quieter energy that makes it easier to explore, linger, and discover something new. The air smells like pine and wet earth, and on warm afternoons you can walk the length of Mirror Lake without passing more than a handful of people.

Whether you're here for a long weekend or a day trip, here are 12 of our favorite things to do in Lake Placid this spring.

1. Make Your Own Candle at Pure Placid

One of the most popular hands-on experiences on Main Street. At Pure Placid's Candle Bar (2470 Main Street), you can blend your own Adirondack-inspired scents and pour a custom soy candle to take home.

Choose from a DIY self-guided session ($35, about 30 minutes) or an instructor-led class ($45) — both include choosing your own fragrance blend from plant-based essential oils and botanical extracts. They also offer a kids' class for ages 5–12.

Walk-ins are welcome, but booking a day ahead is recommended.

Book a candle making class: pureplacid.com

2. Design Custom Jewelry at Just Bead It

Just Bead It has been a Lake Placid staple since 2004. Run by a mother-daughter duo, the shop carries an incredible selection of gemstones, crystals, glass beads, and findings — and the staff will walk you through making your own necklace, bracelet, or keychain right in the store.

It's a great activity for all ages. Kids, teens, and adults can create something together, and you leave with a one-of-a-kind piece you made yourself.

Open daily, 10 AM – 6 PM on Main Street.

Learn more: justbeadit.xyz

3. Hike Mount Jo for the Best View of the High Peaks

If you only do one hike during your visit, make it Mount Jo. It's short enough for families (about 2 miles round trip) but rewards you with one of the best panoramic views of the Adirondack High Peaks.

There are two trails to the summit — the Short Trail is steeper and more direct, the Long Trail is a gentler climb. Both meet at open summit ledges where you can eat lunch with a view of Heart Lake and the surrounding mountains.

Spring tip: Trails can be muddy in March and April. Waterproof boots are a good idea, and check trail conditions before heading out.

4. Walk Through High Falls Gorge

High Falls Gorge is one of the easiest and most dramatic nature walks in the area. The self-guided trail is about a mile long, following the Ausable River through ancient granite cliffs, past four waterfalls, and across bridges and glass-floor walkways.

It's fully accessible for casual walkers and families — no scrambling required — and the spring snowmelt makes the falls especially impressive.

Located about 10 minutes from downtown Lake Placid on Route 86.

Visit: highfallsgorge.com

5. Tour the Olympic Legacy Sites

Lake Placid hosted the Winter Olympics in both 1932 and 1980, and the legacy sites are open year-round. Spring is a great time to visit because the venues are less crowded.

Don't miss:

• The Olympic Center — tour the rink where the 1980 "Miracle on Ice" happened, visit the Olympic Museum, and try public skating
• The Olympic Jumping Complex — take an elevator to the top of the 128-meter ski jump for sweeping Adirondack views (there's even a zipline ride back down)
• Mt. Van Hoevenberg — explore the bobsled and luge tracks with a guided Legacy Tour

Pro tip: The Legacy Sites Passport gets you into all four venues at a discounted price, plus 10% off shopping and dining.

Plan your visit: lakeplacidlegacysites.com

6. Stroll Main Street and Shop Local

Lake Placid's Main Street is about a mile of locally owned shops, galleries, and eateries. In spring, it's relaxed enough to wander without a plan.

A few of our neighbors worth stopping into:

• Saratoga Olive Oil Company — taste your way through an incredible selection of oils and vinegars
• The Alpine Mall — a covered alleyway of 8 small shops and eateries tucked right off Main Street
• Enuf Pastry and Cheese — a local favorite for baked goods
• USA Hockey Store — especially fun if you're a hockey fan, with Team USA jerseys and memorabilia from the Olympic legacy

And of course, stop by The Maple Shop (2509 Main Street) to taste the difference between Golden, Amber, Dark, and Very Dark Adirondack maple syrup. We'll help you pick the perfect bottle or build a gift box.

7. Have Breakfast at a Lake Placid Classic

Start your morning at Origin Coffee for a quick espresso and cinnamon roll, or head to The Breakfast Club for a full sit-down breakfast. On Sundays, Bigslide Brewery does a brunch that's become a local favorite.

For an afternoon treat, Emma's Lake Placid Creamery and Get Twisted are both on Main Street for ice cream.

If you're making pancakes back at your rental, grab a bottle of Amber maple syrup from us — it's the classic pancake grade.

8. Walk the Mirror Lake Loop

The 2.7-mile path around Mirror Lake is flat, paved, and beautiful in every season — but spring mornings, when the mist rises off the water and the mountains are reflected perfectly on the surface, are something special.

It's right in the center of town, no driving required, and dogs are welcome.

9. Catch a Spring Event

Spring brings some great annual events to the area:

• Maple Weekend (late March) — sugarhouses across the Adirondacks open their doors for tastings, tours, and demos
• Spring Girls Getaway Weekend at Mirror Lake Inn (May)
• Culinary Weekend Getaway with farm-to-table dining (May)
• Lake Placid Marathon — watch or run as the weather warms up

Check the full events calendar at lakeplacid.com/events

10. Visit a Waterfall

Spring snowmelt means the waterfalls around Lake Placid are at their most powerful. Beyond High Falls Gorge, you can find falls along the Ausable River and at several trailheads within a short drive of town.

The Lake Placid tourism site has a great guide to waterfall hikes in the area: lakeplacid.com waterfall hikes

11. Grab Dinner with a View

For a sit-down dinner, some local favorites include:

• Salt of the Earth Bistro — farm-to-table with a creative menu
• Top of the Park — upscale dining with views
• Lake Placid Pub & Brewery — relaxed atmosphere, house-brewed beers
• Lisa G's — a cozy local spot
• Smoke Signals — great barbecue

12. Bring a Little Lake Placid Home

Before you leave, stop by our shop to pick up something to remember the trip — or to send to someone who couldn't make it.

Our maple gift boxes are our most popular take-home item. Each one is filled with Adirondack maple syrup and treats, and we ship nationwide.

Shop maple gifts: mapleshoplp.com

The Maple Shop is located at 2509 Main Street in Lake Placid, NY. We're open daily and happy to help you find the perfect maple syrup, gift box, or Adirondack treat. Stop in and say hi to Marcy and Lily.