Lake Placid or can you suggest an alternative?
 

We are supposed to be in Lake Placid during the IRONMAN weekend.

Just found out its that weekend, and not why we're going - so should we reschedule for a different weekend? Will it be a mob-scene beyond the fun quotient? Will we be able to observe any festivities if we wanted to? Will it prohibit enjoyment of the village and other activities?

Can you suggest an alternative location if we must go that weekend? Lake George seems nice but might be a bit too far.

Advice please, dear fodorites, and TIA.

Topping and hoping someone might know?

Far from what? Where are you coming from?

Haven't been but everything I read about Lake George seems to include the phrase "a lot more touristy than..." although I'm not convinced that is always bad considering I'm a tourist!

Yes, it is going to be extremely busy. After all, Lake Placid is the village not a city but it could be also fun to see all activities. That's if you are able to find a hotel room and park your car. Where are you staying? Be prepared for no parking place anywhere. You can volunteer that day and get an easier access to at least some activities. If you want to do other things go well before July 20th or after. If you MUST go that weekend consider Keene, Keene Valley. At all cost I would avoid Lake George and Saratoga Springs at that time. I really like Saratoga Springs but the horse race starts July 23 and things are simply insane before races even start unless you are interested in this type of activities. Be prepared for very high prices of hotels in Lake Placid and Saratoga Springs. If you don't have resrvation for that weekend don't count on getting anything anywhere in the area unless there are cancellations.

You said, Lake George seems too far. From where? Knowing where you are coming from, how far you are willing to drive, what accommodations you had in mind would help with specific recommendations.

Burlington, VT would be a nice alternative. Boat cruises, shops, restaurants, live music, etc. It's a great small city for a weekend.

By accident, we were on the Big Island just before and during an Ironman. A lot of participants were staying in our hotel.
They took over everything: the hotel dining rooms, the pools, but worst of all, all of the roads in the area. We could barely get to the airport to catch our flight.
A really long time ago I worked at a camp at Tupper Lake one summer. It's not too far from Lake Placid but might get you out of the race zone. Maybe someone on this board can tell you if that area would be good for a vacation.

Tupper Lake is as quiet as it gets. It really depends what OP wants to focus on. It wouldn't be a good place for shopping, restaurants, bars or even if you want to hike the are has limited options as compare to other areas in the Adirondacks. If you want just relax, not see many people, do some quiet boating, visit Wildlife Center, then Tupper Lake is a nice quiet, I mean, very quiet area. If you want more activiteis available and not so peacful then Burlington is a great suggestion.

Thanks for all the replies everyone.

We will be coming from burlington, vt - and ITA with you bm, the burlington area is fabulous. While lake george really isn't too far for a weekend (our road trips west are 6-8K miles LOL) i've read it doesn't have the same charm or appeal as lake placid. We don't mind touristy, as long as its not overboard lol

That said, we really dont want to fight additional ironman crowds. And while certainly interesting, and we're all runners, we're not eager to take it all in that particular weekend.

So, how crazy busy will Lake George be before the race on the 23rd? Are there any other areas similar to lakes placid or george that might be a better choice? Tupper Lake sounds a little too quiet, at least for this trip.

Thanks again everyone - please keep the ideas coming.

PS to Dukey - i LOVE being a tourist! Its what i do best! ;)

Within the Adirondacks, I think Lake Placid is almost the only town that has a nice "Adirondack" feel but also offers shopping, restaurants, etc. Old Forge does (sort of) too.

Lake George does not feel particularly "Adirondacky" to me. It is loaded with mini-golf, strip malls, fast food, cars, cars and more cars. If you like water parks, and outlet shopping you might like Lake George, but I suspect there are plenty of better places to do that stuff. (The lake itself is truly gorgeous, if you can get out on it - but lots and lots of boats...not too great for canoe or kayak, the wake is scary.)

I think that to enjoy the Adirondacks you really have to love the outdoors and have a longing for true, authentic small town America. You have to love hiking, kayaking, swimming, fishing, or whatever. You have to love that you can go int he town laundry mat and buy donuts. It is mostly not a resort or a shopping or dining mecca.

Have you considered Skaneateles? That can be pretty fun for a weekend.

Thanks wliwl. Yes as you said, we do "have a longing for true, authentic small town America" and also hoped to kayak on lake placid.

Not familiar with Skaneateles but will check it out. Any place in particular that you - or anyone - can recommend?

Are you a baseball fan? How about Cooperstown?

Does it have to be upstate NY??
If you're coming from Burlington area, Burlington itself is amazing!!!
Or you could go to some of the mountain areas in Vermont...absolutely beautiful. Smuggler's Notch, Stowe, Killington...so much more!
I wouldn't miss Lake Placid sooner or later though...great place to visit!

For how long are you coming? Consider this option, stay in Keene, Keene Valley or Saranac Lake. They are between 10 and 30 minutes from Lake Placid. Go to Lake Placid and if it is too crazy that day for your taste do other things in the area. Plenty to do anywhere you look and there is more to the Adirondacks than Lake Placid. Besides, visitors don't go to Lake Placid mainly shop, eat gourmet food, bar scenes. The place is all about outdoor activities and you may find plenty of it regardless whether you stay at the village of Lake Placid or somewhere outside. There is another problem, you may find some roads and streets closed.

Maybe try Friend's Lake Inn too. That's in a nice location - it's Adirondacky but not really in the boon docks. LOL
http://www.friendslake.com/

I've heard of another place too, called Fern Lodge. It looks nice, but I don't know much about it...
http://www.thefernlodge.com/

I forgot to say, Skaneateles is a Finger Lakes destination. It's nice. I've stayed at the Mirbeau, but it's got a big spa thing going that I don't care much about - but it's a nice place. There are several other great looking places there too.