Reddit mentions of Lake Placid, High Peaks: Adirondack Park (National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map (742))

I would highly suggest getting a map so you can see if there are trails there or not instead of just hoping. It's hard to give advice when you're not even sure what you're trying to plan.

The National Geographic maps are the standard for the area. #746 Saranac/Paul Smiths covers the area between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake. You can see on the map there is 1 trail that covers part of the distance between Lake Placid and Saranac Lake, the Jackrabbit Ski Trail. However, since it is a ski trail, I can't vouch for it's hikability (maybe someone else here can). There would also still be road walking/running you would have to do between the two towns.

The town of Lake Placid and south of there, including the High Peaks Region is covered in map #742 Lake Placid/High Peaks

I will say there are plenty of options for other trails if you were to do more of a "basecamp" thing, especially if you're not planning to actually camp but would prefer to stay at a hotel or something in town. You could just stay town, drive to a trailhead in the morning, do your hike, and then drive back to your lodging place in town. I have done this type of trip numerous times and always enjoy it

The High Peaks are spread over a fairly broad area. Trails are usually marked, but I'd say going up without a map and a compass (and the knowledge of how to use them) is asking for trouble in a pretty serious way.
If you don't want to spring for a proper trail map, you maybe can make do with the resources on Alltrails.com, though I'm not a user myself and can't vouch personally. I'll link the one I use in the High Peaks.
https://www.amazon.com/Lake-Placid-High-Peaks-Illustrated/dp/156695357X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1495934139&sr=8-1&keywords=high+peaks+map

Stay safe, have fun, good luck!

National Geographic has an illustrated map that you could cut out.

$6 on Amazon. Lake Placid, High Peaks: Adirondack Park (National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map) https://www.amazon.com/dp/156695357X/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_9UYqDb133XPDA

You may want two copies as some of them are on the backside.you might even need a second map.

This map links up with a guide for the high peaks by the Adirondak Mountain Club(?) or something like that.

There's also other maps by the AMC(?) but they are likely more technical.

Edit: it's the ADK not AMC.

The Pharaoh Lake Wilderness has two great mountains to climb- Pharaoh Mountain and Treadway Mountain. Both have great views- the views from Pharaoh are a little bit better, but it also attracts a lot more hikers, so the summit can get a little crowded if you're up there on the weekend and it's a nice day.

I'd also recommend checking out the Lake George Wild Forest- some great peaks there with awesome views. The Tongue Mountain Range on the west side of Lake George, and Black Mountain, Sleeping Beauty, and Buck Mountain on the east side especially are all worthwhile hiking destinations. There is also some really pretty small ponds and lakes to explore in the vicinity of Black Mountain and Sleeping Beauty- Lapland Pond, Millman Pond, Fishbrook Pond, and Bumps Pond are all worthwhile destinations. In fact, the network of trails on the east side of Lake George is quite extensive, and it would take probably a solid week to explore all that the area has to offer.

There are also some easier hikes in the High Peaks. Cascade and Porter are 4,000 footers, but they can easily be done in a day by anyone who is in reasonable shape. Some shorter mountains in the High Peaks, but still with spectacular views, include Noonmark, Round, Baxter, and Roostercomb.

What I would do is invest in a couple of hiking maps, and maybe some guidebooks. National Geographic makes a map set that covers the entire park in 5 different maps- one of the five covers the Lake George region, while another covers the High Peaks region. The Adirondack Mountain Club also publishes some great guidebooks- there's one for the Eastern region (including Lake George and Pharaoh Lake), and one for the High Peaks.

Hope that helps!

yeah with a little bit of curiosity (and many repeated visits) you learn some spots to get alternate views and/or a bit of privacy.

as for maps, i don't think nynj trail conference has done anything for the adirondacks. for the high peaks area the two main maps i know of are the nat geo and the one put out by ADK.

personally, i find the nat geo map a little easier to read. i prefer the older version of the adk map to the current, though the new one is made of a better material. the ADK map has a few things the nat geo one doesn't, namely some of the bigger herd paths and camping/lean-to sites.

TrailsIllustrated maps are copyrighted and I hope folks respect that by not posting copies here. In my opinion they're well worth the price.

AllTrails.com offers a subscription service where you can view these maps online, print portions at home, etc. I've never used it so I can't vouch for it other than to say it's there.

Amazon also has low-res previews of the map here that may or may not be helpful.