At an elevation of 4,867 feet, Whiteface Mountain is the fifth-highest mountain in the 46 High Peaks, a Lake Placid Olympic Legacy Site, and one of the top attractions to visit in the Adirondacks. The best thing about Whiteface Mountain is, no matter your age or adventure level, you can scale the summit in any season! Ski the Whiteface summit slides in winter, hike the summer summit trails, ride the Cloudsplitter Gondola to the lower peaks of Little Whiteface, or simply take a spectacular scenic drive on Route 86 past High Falls Gorge to the historic Whiteface Veterans’ Memorial Highway for a Lake Placid day trip like no other! Open May through October.
The Whiteface Veterans’ Memorial Highway (NY-431) gains 2,300 feet in elevation from the toll booth in Wilmington to the summit with several areas to stop and soak up the Adirondack views. If you’re traveling with kids to Lake Placid, a stop by Santa’s Workshop, North Pole, NY is a must. From the Whiteface Castle, a 407-foot tunnel winds through the granite mountainside to a glass mountain elevator transporting you 27 stories to the summit of Whiteface Mountain! By far one of the most unique experiences in the Adirondack High Peaks and wheelchair accessible for all visitors to enjoy.
From Lake Placid, Scenic Route 73 (Cascade Road) winds through the Keene Valley with some of the Adirondack’s top attractions on route. Stop by the Cascade Welcome Center with 12 miles of dog-friendly trails open year-round, and winter gear rentals on-site for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. The Upper & Lower Cascade Lakes are perfect for summer paddling, trout fishing, waterfall hikes, or a picnic by the lake. The road continues through the tiny towns of Keene and Keene Valley with the Black Rooster Maple shack for the best local maple syrup in the Adirondacks, the Rivermede Farm Market for fresh farm-to-table produce and delicious pies, and the iconic Noon Mark Diner, a classic pit stop for visitors and hikers in the Adirondack High Peaks.