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Lake Placid, tucked away in New York state's beautiful Adirondack mountains, is the perfect get away destination any time of year. Summer is warm, full of hikes and sporting events. Fall is perfect for a stroll and viewing of the autumn color change. Winter is for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and cozy fire-side meals. Spring is the quiet time when everything renews.

Summer in Lake Placid is warm and energetic. This is the time of year for window shopping and lunching outdoors overlooking the lake. For hiking enthusiasts, this is the time to head into the backcountry. The Adirondack Mountain Club's station at Heart Lake offers accommodation at the main entry point into the Adirondack's High Peak region. Parking, camping, lodging, and last-minute equipment is available on site. For the less adventurous, Heart Lake also offers a short nature walk around the lake, naturalist-guided nature walks, and a mini-mountain- Mt. Jo- with an excellent view of the High Peaks.

For the extreme sports lovers, summer offers white water rafting, rock climbing, and sports competitions. The annual Ironman competition held in Lake Placid (July 20, 2008) features a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike ride, and 26.2 mile run. Lake Placid also occasionally plays host to ESPN's Great Outdoor Games, including a distance jump off the dock for doggie competitors.

Autumn in the Adirondacks brings crisp mornings, fantastic foliage, and afternoons spent catching sun in lakeside chairs. Autumn is a preparation time, a time when life slows enough to enjoy the breathtaking view but also focuses on the imminent, long winter. Autumn is a great time to visit the local museums and historic sites. Abolitionist John Brown's farm, the Adirondack Museum, and the Olympic Jumping Complex are all great places to visit when the season changes.

In winter, mountain enjoyment shifts to snowshoeing, ice-climbing and cross-country skiing. Lake Placid becomes a hot-spot for winter sport enthusiasts. Bundled bodies laugh and cling to each other as they walk the chilly streets from hotel to tavern. Wood smoke wafts through the air, and the town bustles with passion for the season. After enjoying the snow and brisk air, visit With Pipe and Book, order a giant steak at Great Adirondack Steak and Seafood Company, or relax at the Adirondack Day Spa.

When spring returns, it brings melty mud and fragile wildflowers. Unfortunately, landslides, avalanches, floods, and just generally muddy conditions make getting out into the mountains tricky and a bit dangerous. Luckily, however, there is still a lot to see and do. In town, visit Swedish Hill for wine tasting, Lake Placid Pub and Brewery for locally brewed beers, and Caribbean Cowboy for some tantalizing treats.

Whatever you're looking for: a refreshing get away, an outdoor adventure, or a brush with history, Lake Placid has something to offer. Any season, it's the perfect destination.

Learn more about this author, Gretchen Gingerich.
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