Accessible Hotels & Things to Do in Lake Placid & the Adirondacks

Lake Placid sits in the heart of the Adirondacks, surrounded by mountains, lakes, and small towns deeply tied to the outdoors. It hosted the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics, and that legacy still shapes the town today. Olympic venues sit alongside Main Street, while the surrounding Adirondacks stretch out in every direction, connected by scenic roads that lead to forests, peaks, and quiet communities.

This guide focuses on verified accessible hotels and standout things to do in Lake Placid and the wider Adirondack region. These are places that have been assessed and measured, so you can see the accessibility details that matter before you go.

Top Accessible Things to Do in Lake Placid and the Adirondacks

Lake Placid and the surrounding Adirondacks are filled with natural beauty and things to do. Here are some top activities to add to your list.

Adirondack Rail Trail

The Adirondack Rail Trail is a multi-use trail built along a former railroad corridor that stretches for about 34 miles, connecting communities including Lake Placid, Saranac Lake, and Tupper Lake. Because it follows the original rail bed, the trail is wide and relatively level compared to many Adirondack hiking routes.

Along the way, the trail passes through forested areas, wetlands, and open stretches with mountain views. Multiple trailheads allow visitors to access short segments rather than committing to long distances, making it easy to tailor the experience based on time, energy level, or mobility needs.

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Lake Placid Olympic Museum

The Lake Placid Olympic Museum sits in the heart of the village and tells the story of the region’s role in the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics. Inside, exhibits walk through the events, athletes, and moments that made Lake Placid a permanent part of Olympic history, including the 1980 “Miracle on Ice.” The museum includes interactive displays, artifacts, and video footage that give context to the venues visitors still see around town today.

Accessibility here is great. The museum is fully indoors with step-free entry, open floor plans, and elevators connecting levels. Exhibits are viewable from a seated position, and visual and audio elements are presented in multiple formats. It’s an easy first stop for understanding why Lake Placid looks and feels the way it does today.

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Paul Smith’s Visitor Interpretive Center (VIC)

Paul Smith’s Visitor Interpretive Center is located near Saranac Lake on the campus of Paul Smith’s College and sits within a large protected area of forests, wetlands, and open water. The VIC focuses on connecting visitors with the Adirondack environment through indoor exhibits and an extensive outdoor trail system.

One of the most notable paths is the Barnum Brook Trail, a 0.7-mile loop designed to be wheelchair accessible. The trail has a smooth surface and is mostly flat, with only a few short sections that are slightly steeper. It follows wetlands and marsh areas and includes platform-style viewing areas where visitors can stop and take in views of the surrounding landscape and nearby mountains without leaving the trail.

In addition to the trails, the VIC also includes a butterfly house, which is fully wheelchair accessible and open seasonally. Inside, visitors can move through the space while learning about native species and conservation efforts. The main visitor center has step-free entry, accessible restrooms, and open indoor exhibit layouts, making it easy to combine time inside with time on the trails.

Whiteface Mountain

Whiteface Mountain is one of the Adirondacks’ most recognizable landmarks and has long been tied to Lake Placid’s Olympic story. It hosted alpine skiing events during both the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics, and it remains one of the few mountains in the Northeast with a vertical drop of over 3,400 feet—the largest east of the Rockies.

In warmer months, visitors can travel up the Veterans’ Memorial Highway, a paved mountain road that climbs nearly to the summit and opens up wide views of the Adirondack High Peaks region. From the top, on clear days, you can see across New York, Vermont, and even into Canada. Near the upper parking area, visitors can use an elevator carved directly into the mountain to reach the summit without climbing stairs. The highway and elevator are typically open from mid-May through mid-October, depending on weather conditions. It’s a rare opportunity in the Adirondacks to reach near-summit views by car, and it allows visitors with mobility needs to experience Whiteface without hiking.

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High Falls Gorge

High Falls Gorge is a privately owned natural attraction just outside Lake Placid that follows the AuSable River as it drops through a narrow granite gorge. The site features four major waterfalls, shaped over thousands of years, and a series of walkways that bring you right alongside the rushing water rather than keeping it at a distance.

One of the things that makes High Falls Gorge stand out is how dramatic it feels without requiring a long hike. The river moves fast here, especially in spring and after heavy rain, and you can hear it before you see it. In winter, the gorge becomes a completely different experience, with ice formations clinging to the rock walls and waterfalls partially frozen in place. The walkways bring you close enough to feel the spray from the falls, making this one of the more immersive nature stops in the Lake Placid area without needing a long or technical hike.

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The Wild Center

The Wild Center is an outdoor-focused natural history museum located in Tupper Lake, about an hour from Lake Placid. It’s known for its mix of indoor exhibits and outdoor experiences that focus on the Adirondacks’ wildlife, ecosystems, and environmental history. Instead of traditional display cases, many exhibits are hands-on and designed to explain how the region works—from animals and forests to climate and water systems.

One of the most distinctive parts of The Wild Center is the Wild Walk, an elevated trail that rises above the forest floor and offers views of the surrounding landscape from different heights. Along the way, you’ll find interpretive stations that explain what’s happening below and around you. The center works well as a half-day stop and is especially popular with families, but it doesn’t feel like a kids-only attraction. It’s thoughtful, well-designed, and gives helpful context to the landscapes you’ve been seeing throughout the Adirondacks.

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Crown Point State Historic Site

Crown Point State Historic Site sits along the western shore of Lake Champlain, near the Vermont border, and preserves the remains of two major fortifications built on the same strategic point. The site includes the ruins of a French fort from the 1730s and a later British fort constructed after the French and Indian War, both tied to early conflicts that shaped the region long before Lake Placid’s Olympic era.

Visitors can walk through the stone ruins, follow paths along the lakeshore, and take in wide views across Lake Champlain and the surrounding mountains. Informational panels throughout the site explain the fort’s role in military history and why this location mattered so much for controlling travel and trade through the region. It’s a quieter stop than some of the Olympic sites, but it adds historical depth and shows how the Adirondacks fit into a much longer story.

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Where to Stay

There are six verified hotels across the region, all assessed and measured so you can review the accessibility details before booking and see if it will work for your needs. Plus, some of these hotels are in some of the top areas in the region such as Lake Placid and Saranac Lake.

Accessible hotels in Lake Placid

Staying in Lake Placid places you close to many of the area’s best-known sites, including the Olympic venues, Mirror Lake, and the village center. From here, most attractions highlighted in this guide are within a short drive, making it a practical base if Lake Placid itself is the focus of your trip.

Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa
Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa is located directly on Mirror Lake, with guest rooms and common areas facing the water. The property sits just outside the busiest part of the village, which means you’re close to town without being in the middle of foot traffic. Accessible rooms here include roll-in showers, grab bars, and space under the bed, which is ideal if you use a Hoyer lift for transfers. View the full accessibility details and photos.

The property includes multiple on-site dining options that cover every occasion – breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a relaxing evening for a drink. A full-service spa is also located on site, along with indoor and outdoor common areas overlooking the lake. Their pool also has a lift.

Hampton Inn & Suites Lake Placid
Another really good option that is a bit more affordable is Hampton Inn & Suites Lake Placid. Located across the lake from Mirror Lake Inn, the hotel sits within the village and close to shops, restaurants, and several Olympic facilities. Its location keeps you near the center of Lake Placid while offering a different price point than some of the lakefront resorts. Accessible rooms include roll-in showers, grab bars, and 60+ inches of turning space in not only the bedroom and bathroom, but also the balcony. The beds have plenty of space underneath for a Hoyer lift. View the full accessibility details and photos.

The hotel offers complimentary breakfast each morning, an indoor pool with a lift, and on-site parking.

Accessible hotels in Saranac Lake

Saranac Lake sits just outside Lake Placid and offers a different pace while still keeping you close to many Adirondack highlights. The town has a more residential feel, with a walkable downtown, historic buildings, and direct access to surrounding lakes and trails.

Hotel Saranac
Hotel Saranac is located in the center of downtown Saranac Lake inside a restored historic building that dates back to the 1920s. The hotel was originally built as a centerpiece for the town and has since been renovated to preserve many of its original architectural details, including high ceilings, large windows, and a grand lobby space. Staying here places you within walking distance of local shops, cafés, and the Saranac Lake waterfront – at an affordable price point. Accessible rooms include roll-in showers and grab bars, along with a lower bed height for easier transfers (around 24 inches high). View the full accessibility details and photos.

The hotel includes an on-site restaurant, a bar and lounge, a terrace with mountain views, and a fire-pit to cozy up during the colder months.

Voco Saranac Lake
Voco Saranac Lake is located directly on Lake Flower, just outside the downtown core. The property sits along the water with views across the lake and easy road access for exploring the surrounding region. Accessible rooms include roll-in showers, grab bars, and shower seats. Bed heights sit a little higher up, but they do have space underneath to Hoyer lift transfers. View the full accessibility details and photos.

The property includes a full-service restaurant, bar, and lakeside common areas designed for spending time outdoors when weather allows. Parking is available on site, and the location makes it easy to reach nearby towns, scenic drives, and outdoor attractions while staying directly on the water.

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