There are many other activities that are also available, for Wednesday afternoon as well as for other times. Please make your own arrangements for these. Car rides will need to be arranged for distant sites. (Remember that, on Wednesday, you will need to be back at the Hotel lobby by 4:30 PM (5:00 PM latest) in order to take the shuttle to the Banquet.)
Other Hiking Venues
Cascade Mountain --- This challenging hike ascends one of the High Peaks, at 4100 ft (1250 m) elevation. It is 4.8 miles (7.7 km) round trip in the High Peaks Wilderness Area, and gives outstanding views in all directions of the Heart Lake/Adirondack Loj area from the open rocky summit. The ascent is 1940 ft (590 m), and will take over 3.5 hours. There is a limit of 10 people per mile for this hike. Distance: approximately 15 minute car trip from the Hotel to the trailhead. Cost: a parking fee is charged.
Mount Baker --- A short, but sometimes steep hike that reaches a wooded summit and open rocky areas with sweeping views looking toward the High Peaks and Saranac Lakes chain. This is an easy to moderately difficult trail, of 1.8 miles (3 km) up and back, with a 900 ft (275 m) ascent. Distance: 20-25 minute car trip from Hotel to trailhead (near Saranac Lake). Cost: a parking fee is charged. Directions can be found here.
High Falls Gorge --- This is a short walk along the AuSable River and over bridges with beautiful views of its gorge and waterfalls. It is an easy trail of about 1 mile (1.6 km) loop. Distance: about 8 miles (13 km) from Hotel by car. Cost: $10 per person. Additional information can be found here.
Water Sports
Boating --- Hourly canoe and kayak rentals are available for Mirror Lake. Also available are sail boats and paddle boats. Cost: $22/hour and up, depending on type. More information can be found here and here.
Rafting --- Both flatwater and whitewater rafting are available in the area.
Other Sports Activities
Many other sports activities are available in the area, including biking, rock climbing, and fishing.
Family Activities
Many family-oriented activities are available, including horseback riding, a public beach, electric cruiser cars for rent, a miniature golf course, and carriage rides.
Scenic Tours
Adirondack Scenic Railroad --- Scenic 20-mile (32 km) round-trip excursions run between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake. The trip is 2.5 hours long, with 1/2-hour layover in the town of Saranac Lake. Distance: five minutes by car from Hotel to station. Schedule: Wednesdays through Sundays, departs 12:45 and returns 3:15. Cost: $16 per adult. More information here.
Lake Placid Boat Tour --- A narrated scenic boat tour on Lake Placid is available. This cruise lasts about 1 hr, covering the mansions along the shore, Adirondack wildlife and views of Whiteface Mountain. Schedule: three tours daily, at 10:30 AM, 1:30 PM, and 3:00 PM. Cost: $8/adult, $6/child, free under 3 years. More information from Lake Placid Marina, 518-523-9704.
Whiteface Mountain Drive --- Drive to the top of the only Adirondack
high peak accessible by car. Catch stunning views of the surrounding
region on a five-mile ascent, along the Veterans' Memorial Highway. At the 5000-ft (1500 m) summit,
you'll find a castle built
from native stone, a tunnel and elevator built deep inside the
mountain, a short hiking trail, and a spectacular 360-degree panorama
from above the timber line. A gondola ride is also available.
Distance: about 15 minutes from the Hotel. Hours: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. More information at Whiteface Mountain, 518-946-7175.
Shopping
There are a variety of shops along Mirror Lake, quite close to the Hotel.
Hotel Activities
The Hotel has a golf course. It also has several tennis courts, one close to the main entrance and several near the entrance to the Golf Course. There is swimming pool, hot tub, sauna and fitness room. The fitness room has mainly treadmills and dumbbells. All of these facilities are free to guests.
To find out more about local attractions at Lake Placid and the Adirondacks High Peaks, go here and here. A long but informative booklet can be downloaded here (note, this server is quite slow).
A map of the Lake Placid area may be found here.
Late September can have warm days but also very cool to cold days and evenings. Therefore you should bring some warm clothes. The current weather forecast for Lake Placid may be found here.