Lake Placid Vs. White Mountains

I need a vacation! Our last real vacation was August 2020 to Disney. We were suppose to go again last year, but obviously that got cancelled. We are going with my DH's friends to their house in the Fingerlakes, but I never count a group vacation as a real vacation - LOL. Plus, I do not love the lakes there since they are rocky.

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It will be me, my DH, and our 7 year old DS.

I want access to an outdoor pool and things to do. My DH is not one to sit by the pool or beach all day, but he will humor me for a little bit - LOL. Plus we belong to a swim club so we spend every day at the pool as it is.

We are a pretty active family/outdoorsy so I am leaning towards Lake Placid due to the hiking and water activities.

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If you have been to both, which would you choose? Where would you stay? I read through other posts and saw people recommend the High Peaks Resort and River Walk Resort at Loon Lake.

Re: Lake Placid Vs. White Mountains

We had a really nice time in New Hampshire - we took my 3 kids (ages 2, 4 and 6) to Bartlett. Took about 7 hours in the car - but it was a great trip and had a nice mix of stuff for the kids and nature.

Storyland (big hit with the kids, but mine are younger, no super huge roller coasters)

Santa's Village (super cute)

Echo Lake (swam in the lake and had picnic dinners there)

Diana's Bath

Mount Washington Cog Railroad (VERY cold at the top of the mountain)

Clarke's Trading Post (a bit quirky)

The restaurants and main street were very cute. There was a play ground and picnic tables on the town green. Also, some cute ice cream places.

We rented a place, I forget if it was VBRO or Airbnb but it was really nice to have a kitchen with the young kids. The rental was in a development - had a pretty decent, but small pool. I think we were the only ones that ever used it.

We also stopped at Yankee Candle - which was about the half way point. Sort of reminded me of Hicks at Halloween - a store experience.

Message edited 6/1/2021 9:27:13 PM.

Lake Placid Vs. White Mountains

Thank you. We live in the Capital District so both locations are within 4 hours which makes it more appealing - lol.

Re: Lake Placid Vs. White Mountains

I have been to both, (and also the finger lakes) but in the fall & w/o kids.

In Lake Placid we stayed at the Mirror Lake Inn, which is expensive, but it is on MIrror lake. In the summer, they have canoe/rowboat rentals & swimming.

There really wasn't too much to do in the fall--we hiked when it wasn't raining, and went to the Olympic museum when it was. I did really like it there though. I feel like it would be better in the summer.

We did a lot in the White Mountains. ( that was out last pre-covid trip)

It isn't a cute downtown area, like Lake Placid, it is a larger region, but you can drive easily to a bunch of different areas. We went to this cool cave park, that your son might like.

https://www.polarcaves.com/

We also went to

https://www.nhstateparks.org/visit/state-parks/franconia-notch-state-park.aspx

and we took a van tour up to
Mt. Washington

We stayed at a crappy motel, so I wouldn't recommend that, but North Conway, NH was a good central location. ( edited b/c I had the town wrong)

Message edited 6/2/2021 12:29:01 PM.

Lake Placid Vs. White Mountains

We went to Lake Placid in December 2019. We stayed at the White Face Lodge. We had a really great time and there was so much to do on the resort and close by with skiing, snowboarding, etc. We just booked it again for this coming December as they are having a special. Stay 3 nights, get 1 free. You can see what the dates are for the special, I just know that my husband booked the winter again.

Re: Lake Placid Vs. White Mountains

Lake Placid is so beautiful. We stayed at The Whiteface Lodge, it was gorgeous. They have indoor/outdoor pools, free S"mores every night at the firepit, tons of outdoor activities and they have their own private beach (with shuttle service) on the lake. You have access to water activities and other fun stuff. The rooms also have complete kitchens so you can stock up on snacks and food. The resort is close to Main St. and all the restaurants and shopping. We love it there!

You can sometimes find deals on Groupon or Living Social.

Lake Placid Vs. White Mountains

Looking at the white mountains, everything seems so far away. Is there a good area to stay so we’re not driving 1-2 hours every day.

Re: Lake Placid Vs. White Mountains

Message edited 6/2/2021 3:44:11 AM.

Re: Lake Placid Vs. White Mountains

We have been to both!

We went to Lake Placid last Summer and stayed at High Peaks. Loved it! Going again this year since I won a 3 night stay there. We loved the paddleboards and kayak rentals on Mirror lake provided by the resort. The pool was great. The little main street is quaint. We drove to Ausable Chasm which was cool. A lot wasn't open still since we went right when things starting opening back up. High Falls Gorge is neat, Tupper Lake Wild Center is nearby. Drive up Whiteface Mountain. Lots of hiking in the area. Olympic complexes and ski jump look cool, but were closed while we were there. We were honestly content just lounging around and playing on the lake after being confined to our homes for so long!


White Mountains is great too, a lot of driving to get to places. We stayed in Plymouth and had to drive a lot to get anywhere. The Kangamagnus highway is gorgeous with hiking, places to swim, scenic overlooks. We loved Clarks (my daughter still sleeps with her Victoria bear to this day, and takes her on our vacations..Clark's actually posts photos of the bear in our scenic locations sometimes haha). Santa's Village is SUPER cute and we LOVED it there. The Christmas theme is right up our alley!

You could stay in North Conway, but still a lot of driving!

I don't think you can go wrong with either, but I would choose Lake Placid if you want more action right within reach. Especially dining options. White Mountains was hard to get something nearby and quick.

PS Riverwalk at Loon Mountain has really nice rooms and suites and an outdoor pool. That's a little more centrally located I *think* since it's near Clark's and more restaurants (maybe)

Message edited 6/2/2021 3:05:41 PM.

Re: Lake Placid Vs. White Mountains

I've been to lake placid once a few years ago for a work conference. I thought it was so beautiful, we were there in the fall. I was able to rent a 5 bedroom 5 bathroom house with a view of mirror lake.
It was a really great house because each room was en-suite with its own bathroom. We were with our coworkers so it worked out great but would be good for families traveling together or large families

lake placid house