Trip to Lake Placid (Albany, Saranac Lake: renting, hotel, high school)

[flpyrner]

Just need some insight from locals for my trip coming up next week. I usually do a ton of research before I travel but this time I booked everything kind of on a whim. I was in an adventurous mood. I apologize in advance for content length and any dumb questions......I'm from TX Here are the details:

Booked a last minute trip to NYC, LP and Albany. I've been to NYC numerous times (best friend and family there) but I am taking the Amtrak train from NYC to LP. I've never been to Lake Placid but I've always wanted to go . I'll be staying at the Crowne Plaza, oh did i mention I'll be by myself? So safety is paramount. I heard the food is overpriced at the Crowne and not very good, so does anyone have suggestions to restaurants nearby that I can easily walk to? From what I can tell there are places nearby...but looking at a map at a place I've never been to is a bit hard. I'll be ok wandering around by myself right? I want to try downhill and XC skiing and snow shoeing for the first time while I'm there. I plan on going to ski school so I don't kill myself right away. Any suggestions? I checked out the White Face Mtn website and I think there is an adult ski school. Is the Olympic Center worth it?

I will be taking the shuttle/train back into Albany-arriving at 5:40 PM and I'll be there for a night before I catch my plane back to Dallas. Anything in Albany that I should check out? I haven't booked my hotel yet but thinking holiday inn express by airport for proximity since I have an early AM flight.

Any feedback/suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated. This is the first for me.....unplanned trip, little research, winter sports, long train ride, traveling by myself for a week .....meh, you only live once!

Thanks!

[plattsburgher]

Don't worry about whether you are safe in LP........a non-issue. Are you renting a car? If so, you can drive less than 10 miles to Saranac Lake and there are also restaurants there, but there is a place called the Downhill Grille that is nice and has great soups and sandwiches, the Cottage that has an outdoor deck and woodstove and views so you can get drinks and watch the lake and people on it doing their wintertime activities.......There is a deli on main street that has a great bar and meals.....the back part of restaurant faces the lake. Will try to get name.......Also the Northwoods bar/cafe area on Main Street usually has a ton of out of town folks. The Steinhoff's restaurant on the way from Whiteface to LP......on highway 86 is a great hangout for people just wanting a bite and brew from the mountain.....of course the lodge at Whiteface should be hopping this weekend because of all the new snow and people up from weekend.......Lots of local info at hotel.......check into all of that......just get out and walk down streets.....might check out the Olympic venues and ski jumps if you can get over to Mt. Van Hofenburg. Do you ice skate? Public ice skating in front of the LP high school.....actually where Eric Heyden won his 5 gold medals......lots of cool stuff to check out......There is a corner bar near there that plays dance music, but don't know how old you are......just try it all. Like you said you only live once.......Have fun!

[Zen-golf]

Visited Lake Placid last season and had a great time. Great skiing at whiteface mtn. Lots to do in area. xc skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, etc. Nice places to eat on main street. Snowmobiling available as well. You will have a blast!