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This is a sponsored collaboration with Expedia. As always all opinions are my own.
There has never been a better time to be a tourist in your own country. With the current travel restrictions in place, road trips are becoming more and more popular. There are so many beautiful and exciting destinations to visit within the US. If you’re looking for a mini weekend escape from your hometown, Expedia can help you discover and book the perfect getaway.
Planning my Lake Placid Road Trip with Expedia
I’ve been using Expedia for several years, not only to book my trips, but also to discover the different cities I could potentially visit.
What I love about Expedia is the fact that I can plan my whole trip from A to Z and book everything I need on one travel platform. Expedia offers a wide range of accommodation options, car rentals, flights, and activities. You can choose to book all your travel needs on the platform to bundle up and save.
How to Discover Exciting Nearby Destinations with Expedia
Head over to Expedia and scroll down on the homepage to see “Weekend Getaways”. Expedia shows you several recommendations for the different cities you can visit nearby based on your location. This is a great way to explore your options and find interesting destinations that are close to your hometown.
Another option is to download the Expedia app, which shows you: staycation ideas, flexible hotel deals, vacation rentals, and easy escapes to find your next getaway. Another great thing about the app is that you earn double Expedia Reward points when you book. For my trip, I used the Expedia app to plan my visit to the stunning area of Lake Placid in upstate New York. The drive is around 4h 30min from NYC.
Booking Your Accommodation with Expedia
The most important step in planning a trip is finding accommodation options that fit both your needs and budget. Expedia not only offers a wide range of hotels, but also amazing vacation rentals with great amenities.
Given the current uncertain situation, you can find several properties that offer flexible cancellation and change policies. They have also recently added cleaning and safety practices for each hotel so, you can quickly see what policies a hotel has in place to keep visitors safe.
I chose to book a 2-night stay at the High Peaks Resort in Lake Placid through the Expedia app.
Car Rentals for the Perfect Road Trip
A road trip isn’t complete until you find a great car rental for your getaway. The great thing about Expedia is that it searches car rentals from several top companies. You can view and compare the different options and prices all in one place to choose the best deal for your trip.
Bundle Deals
There are 2 types of bundle deals on Expedia that can help you save money: Flight + Hotels or Car + Hotels.
Once you start the booking process, Expedia offers you special discounted deals if you bundle your transportation and accommodation. I bundled my car rental + hotel and saved more than 15% off my trip.
Visiting Lake Placid in Upstate New York
Lake Placid is a stunning area only a 4 to 5-hour drive from NYC. If you’re looking to escape the city life, Lake Placid is a great place to unwind and enjoy the beautiful scenery and outdoor activities.
Located in the Adirondack region of New York, this alpine village is home to several lakes, waterfalls, mountains, hiking trails, and endless views of dense forests.
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Fun Activities in Lake Placid
There are plenty of fun things to do in Lake Placid that will keep even the pickiest traveler entertained. From outdoor activities like hiking and skiing, to shopping and dining in the quaint local spots, Lake Placid is a great destination for a weekend getaway.
a) Outdoor Activities
For outdoor enthusiasts, Summer season is the perfect time to enjoy the Adirondacks. There’s an abundance of activity options available: hiking trails, paddling on the lakes, fishing, camping, and cycling.
Best hiking trails for beginners and families: Baxter Mountain, Cobble Hill, or Balanced Rocks Adventurous hiking trails: Mount Marcy (tallest mountain in New York state) or Mount Haystack
b) Visit the Waterfalls
One of my favorite parts of this trip was chasing some spectacular waterfalls. A lot of them require some trekking or hiking, but there are some that are easier to reach.
Best waterfall trails: Beaver Meadow Falls, St. Regis Falls, Monument Falls, The Flume Fall, Rocky Falls, Wanika Falls
Easy-access waterfall: High Falls Gorge (only a 30min brisk walk to reach the main falls)
c) Visit Whiteface Mountain
This famous mountain is not only a ski destination, but also an amazing spot to visit in the summer. The view from the top is unbelievable. You can see unobstructed landscapes of the stunning neighboring mountains and lakes.
There are two different ways to get to the top: driving or taking a gondola ride. Due to Covid-19 safety measures, the gondolas were temporarily shut down, but will be reopening soon.
The drive up the mountain takes about 20 minutes and you’ll pay an entrance fee depending on the number of people in your car. You won’t mind the winding roads on your way to the top, because each side of the mountain offers different views of the surrounding areas. You can stop at different points to take in all the beauty.
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d) Enjoy the Cozy Village
Lake Placid has that typical mountain feel with wooden cabins and cute little shops. Main Street is a great place to enjoy a stroll. You can buy some specialty items from the region like maple syrup, beef jerky, flavored olive oil, and souvenirs.
Grab a bite to eat in one of the many local restaurants. There are a few that have outdoor seating right on the lake and they’re the perfect place to enjoy sunset drinks.
Where to Stay in Lake Placid: High Peaks Resort
I love staying in the heart of the action and High Peaks Resort is perfect for that. It’s located on Mirror Lake, only steps away from Main Street.
High Peaks Resort has luxury amenities, comfortable rooms, a spa, great views of the lake, and friendly staff that will make sure you have a relaxing getaway.
Bring your furry friends along to this 4-star pet-friendly resort. You can also enjoy a swim year-round in one of the outdoor or indoor pools. Even if you’re there to relax, you’ll have a fully-equipped gym to stay on track with your workouts.
The Rooms at High Peaks Resort
The newly renovated rooms are cozy with modern furnishings. Each room has a balcony with outdoor seating overlooking the pool and some of the best views of the beautiful lake.
You’ll find all the convenience you need with a walk-in shower, coffee maker, HD TV, USB charging ports, and a mini refrigerator.
The bed and pillows are so comfortable and fluffy that you wouldn’t want to get up in the morning.
Dancing Bears Restaurant offers daily breakfast, lunch and dinner with a wide variety of choices. I recommend trying the waffles with some delicious maple syrup for breakfast and the fish and chips for dinner.
Another great dining option at the resort is The Deck. They serve the same menu as Dancing Bears, but with a beautiful outdoor seating area overlooking the lake.
The Spa & Salon
Pamper yourself with beauty treatments and massages at High Peaks Resort. The staff at the spa are so friendly and welcoming. You can enjoy massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, and hair services.
The Deep Tissue Massage was one of the best I’ve had in a while. My massage therapist was so attentive to my needs. She made sure to focus on all the areas where I held a lot of tension. I felt like a completely new person after my massage at the High Peaks Resort.
This is a sponsored collaboration with Expedia. As always all opinions are my own.