The next Bare Necessities staffer who hit the road is Kathy Hein, our director of customer service. (Last month, we traveled vicariously to Puerto Rico with Tera Gallagher.) Let’s check out what there is to do up in the Adirondack Mountains, shall we?
Why Lake Placid
We always do a beach vacation, but my husband isn’t exactly what you would call a beach person. So this year, we decided to do a mountain vacation.
Where to stay in Lake Placid
We stayed in a junior suite at the Whiteface Lodge. The Lodge is amazing. It has a bowling alley, movie theater, spa, indoor/outdoor pools, game room and a couple of restaurants.
Things to do in Lake Placid
There’s something for everyone in the Adirondacks: shopping, eating, paddle boarding, kayaking or relaxing outdoors. You can go to the Olympic Village and check out the ski jump site, where we were able to watch athletes training for the ski jump by landing in a pool, skis and all. The Mirror Lake Inn, overlooking Mirror Lake, has some incredible scenery. Evening entertainment in this neck of the woods amounts to s’mores at the fire pit followed by the nightly movie at the Lodge’s theater.
What to eat in Lake Placid
We went to Maggie’s Pub right on Lake Placid, with an outdoor fireplace and a gorgeous view of Whiteface Mountain. I had a raspberry drink that was so good I can’t recall the name of it.
What to pack
My go-to bathing suit was the Miraclesuit Between Pleat plus size tankini top and high-waist bikini bottom. For bras, I brought my two favorites: Elomi Matilda and Nina. And don’t forget a good book, camera and bug repellent.
Where to stop along the way
Driving up to Lake Placid, you have to stop at Gracie’s Luncheonette in Leeds, NY. It’s a 5-hour drive from Central NJ to Lake Placid, and Gracie’s is just about at the halfway mark. Don’t let the exterior deceive you! The food is all homemade, right down to the sodas. The have a donut burger, which is just exactly what it sounds like: a donut cut in half with a hamburger on it. People looked like they were really enjoying it.
