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Upstate New York is home to plenty of cultural gems, like art galleries and historic sites. Nature-wise, though, Lake Placid is one of the region's finest scenery-rich areas; it has beautiful views and surroundings, no matter what season of the year it is. In the summer, travelers can enjoy the warm sun, gorgeous views of the blue lake, and fresh greenery everywhere. In the fall, the foliage around this lake is unbeatable; reds, oranges, and yellows swirl around visitors in a gentle breeze. In the winter, as long as visitors are cautious of icy roads, the area around Lake Placid can be enjoyed in a quiet and snowy scene. And in spring, the fresh blossoms and blooms of a new season can be enjoyed from anywhere on the road.
Although there are multiple scenic roads to drive along for the best views of Lake Placid, there are three roads that are the absolute best. Here's what they are and everything travelers need to know about each one for the ultimate day out enjoying a scenic Lake Placid road trip.
The Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway Gives The Best Views Of Lake Placid
If travelers are looking for a way to get up high and view Lake Placid from that elevation, then driving up the Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway is for them. This drive to the summit is full of beautiful scenery of the area.
When driving up this paved road, visitors may drive by bikers or runners along the side of the road, so drive with caution!
Driving up this road is one of the many things to appreciate about Lake Placid. This drive is about five miles from the bottom to the top, making for ten miles roundtrip. Along the road, there are nine points to either pull off and take photos or turn around - taking photos is the most common use of these turnaround points!
This stunning road takes visitors up the side of Whiteface Mountain, giving them a view of Lake Placid that can't be found anywhere else. The entire lake can be seen from the top, and in the fall, the gorgeous and colorful foliage frames the lake in a picturesque and magical way.
There is a cost to drive up the road, but the views make every penny worth it:
- Driver price: $20
- Additional people in the car: $20 each
Mt Philo State Park's Scenic Drive Offers Beautiful Scenery Of The Adirondacks
Lake Placid is one of the most beautiful lake towns in the US, and this scenic drive is one of the best ways to take in all the views. This paved road is safe and well-maintained, but drivers should always make sure their brakes are working before embarking on this adventure.
This drive goes through Mt Philo State Park and is guaranteed to give travelers the full satisfaction of a gorgeous view that can't be found anywhere else. At the top of the road, there is even a campsite and a few hiking trails if drivers want to get outside and m around.
There is a small fee to drive up this road:
- One vehicle: $4
With such a small fee, this drive is definitely worth making. There are multiple points that are picture-perfect, and visitors will be able to take photos with stunning scenery surrounding them.
Cascade Road In Lake Placid Provides The Best Downtown Views With Beautiful Background Scenery
As one of the prettiest parts of the Adirondacks, Lake Placid has so much to offer - including a cute downtown area with mountains on its horizon. Driving along Cascade Road, visitors will not only get a feel for the downtown area of Lake Placid, but they will also get to experience the small, lake town feel.
Cascade Road runs right through the quaint area, and once travelers have driven through the town, the road brings them to a more remote area. This road winds through thick trees with mountains and the lake in the background, with a slower speed limit, so the views can truly be appreciated.
Unlike the other roads, Cascade Road has no free. This is a fully functioning road that helps locals get around, and all the views are part of everyday life, making them even more special. With a wide enough shoulder to pull over on, this road is safe enough for travelers to pull over and take a photo - and this can be done almost anywhere on the road. That's how beautiful it is.
These scenic Lake Placid drives are only part of what makes the Adirondack Mountains so special. Visitors are always guaranteed to have a beautiful mountain landscape along the horizon when they are visiting Lake Placid, and no matter what the season is, the scenery is always going to be beautiful. Whether it's a quiet and snowy day in February, a hot and sunny day in July, or a cool, breezy day in September, Lake Placid has some of the most beautiful seasons in the US. These roads can be driven on year-round and will always have breathtaking views to offer.