What if it rains?
The weather is unpredictable in the Adirondacks, yes, sometimes it rains, even in Lake Placid. Don't let the weather impact your perfect day. There is so much to do to keep you and your family enjoying the village and all that it has to offer. Here is my list of the top things to do in Lake Placid on a rainy day.
Make jewelry at Just Bead It
The weather does not need to be perfect to make beautiful jewelry. Just Bead It on Main Street is a gem in itself. We went in with friends on a rainy day and our spirits were instantly lifted. There are tons of really great beads to choose from, all displayed in amazing wooden crates. Grab a tray, pick your beads, and start your own designing. The staff is very attentive and will help if you need it, but this is your creation and it should come from the heart. The beads are all priced and marked at five cents, ten cents, and above, so you can budget from the start. We took a seat by a huge window facing Mirror Lake and got to work on our creations. Sitting, chatting, and being creative with the beautiful view, even on a rainy day, was lovely. Let it rain as far as I am concerned, I will just sit and bead all day long. Great gifts, creative arts, decorations, and more can be found at Just Bead It, a great stop for a solo or family experience.
Take in a movie at the historic Palace Theater
My family loves to go to a movie; luckily for us we live in Lake Placid, so this activity doesn't break the bank the way it can in big cities. At Palace Theater, the whole family can enjoy a movie, have drinks, popcorn, candy, and not spend the typical price that city theaters charge. When the weather is nice in Lake Placid you feel as if you should be outside, swimming or hiking. Some days, we just want to go to a movie, so we welcome the gray days to do just that.
The Palace Theater is a staple on Main Street and you can't miss its presence and charm when walking in town. Built in 1926, this family-owned theater has an Old Hollywood romance to it. The theater features four screens and they always have current movies showing, with the occasional special event. We love this spot on any day, but the second it rains, you will find us at the Palace.
Coffee is always perfect
There really isn't anything better than a warm drink on a gloomy day. Lake Placid is the perfect place for a cup o' joe and good book by a window. There are independent coffee shops throughout town. For a completely unique experience, head into Around the Lake Coffee. The café's hot tea, coffee, and pastry options will give you several reasons to enjoy a rainy afternoon. The antiques around the cafe are beautiful and make for a warm, cozy setting. Complete your experience with a great book from The Bookstore Plus, a locally-owned, independent bookstore, and enjoy. You are sure to satisfy your caffeine cravings with any of Lake Placid's coffee shops.
Take a brewery or winery tour
Chardonnay or IPA, anyone? With several breweries, a brewery tasting room, and a wine tasting room located in the village, Lake Placid has become a destination for craft beer and New York wine. Swedish Hill Winery is one of the most award-winning wineries in New York. The winery's tasting room is a great spot to sample, shop, and educate yourself about the varieties available from this Finger Lakes winery.
Speaking of award-winning, how about tasting a gold medal winner from the Great American Beer Festival at Great Adirondack Brewing Company, or Big Slide Brewery's IPA, named the best American double IPA in the state? Perhaps the international award winner IPA at Lake Placid Pub & Brewery is more your style. You can take a tour of the breweries, order a sampler, and have a great afternoon chatting with the local crowd. Valcour Brewing Company recently opened a tasting room across from the Olympic Oval, site of the 1932 and 1980 Olympics. Enjoy a beer from their Plattsburgh brewery and raise a toast to rainy days while sitting in the spacious front room.
Eat, a lot
Time to grab a bite to eat. Where can we go that will have something for everyone? Well, if you cannot find a perfect sandwich at Big Mountain Deli & Creperie, where there are 46 choices, then I don't think I can help you. Select a High Peaks-themed sandwich made with homemade bread, pair it with a smoothie, or warm drink and seat yourself at a table in the window. Main Street is a great spot for people watching. This cozy spot has simple, gourmet offerings that are always fresh and made just for you. Eat, sip, and plan your next adventure. You will be warm, full, and happy you came.
Enjoy Lake Placid history at the Olympic Museum
In Lake Placid, the Olympic spirit is alive and well. It is nearly impossible to visit and not see some of the Olympic venues. Admission to the 1980 rink is free for self-guided tours and makes a rainy day more fun. The Olympic Museum is just steps away and is rich in Olympic history. Imagine seeing original gear from Olympic athletes, equipment from the gold medal winning 1980 hockey team, and figure skates worn by the best figure skaters in the world. There are always exhibits and displays that change often, so call ahead to find out what is happening. One of the current exhibits is the history of ski jumping, while another explores the famous "miracle on ice" hockey game. Imagine re-living one of the greatest sports moments of the twentieth century with original footage from the "miracle." A trip here is not complete without the history detailed at Lake Placid's Olympic Museum.
Shop 'til you drop
My favorite pasttime in any weather is shopping. From window shopping to full on shopping sprees, Lake Placid has it all. Main Street has really great Adirondack-style stores for unique purchases and beautiful decor. There are also art galleries, and fashionable boutiques such as Cinderella's and Ruthie's Run. Make sure to swing into Pure Placid to experience scents, candles, lotions, and more all made with pure Adirondack water. These items are also sold at Macy's now, but you must see where it all began in a beautiful and inviting Main Street storefront.
Across the street, Mary Ballou Designs is my go-to for gifts for any occasion. Mary's original designs are featured on notecards, beautifully framed wall hangings, calendars, and stationery. I love browsing this unique spot and giving a gift that is authentic, all while supporting a small business. Lake Placid has shopping you can feel good about.
Enjoy a spa day
There really isn't much better relaxation than a day at the spa, except a rainy day at the spa. If the weather is dreary, relaxation seems so much easier. No need to think that you are inside on a beautiful day, and there is a reason that relaxing sound machines always have a "rain" option. It is soothing. Enhance this experience at one of Lake Placid's spas. There are many to choose from, form full-service to quick and easy stops. Enjoy the whole day or a few hours; it is completely up to you. The full-service spas offer steam rooms, hot tubs, and fireplaces to sit and read by before and after your services. Finish your experience off with a manicure, pedicure, and a fresh blow dry and you'll be ready for a night out, or in.
Whether it is snowing, the rain drops are falling, or the sunshine is warming your soul, there are many options in Lake Placid. Any season, any weather, Lake Placid is your perfect destination.
