7) Whiteface Mountain
This New York location, 13 minutes away from Lake Placid, has been one of the best kept secrets of the rich and famous since the late 19th century. It is the 5th highest mountain in the continental United States, and when visibility is good, its summit affords you a spectacular view of the surrounding Adirondack Mountains, Vermont and even Montreal. Whiteface was the site of the Winter Olympics in 1932 and again in 1980, so if you’re interested in skiing for the day, you can’t get better than its east slope, although it does has a range of slopes for skiers of different skills. During the summer there are gondola rides that allow you to dangle over the 3,166ft (965m) drop; and exhilarating mountain bike routes. If you’re a bit less adventurous, you can park at Whiteface Castle, constructed entirely from granite; and take footpaths or tunnels to the top.
