Lake Placid was the site of the 1932 and 1980 winter Olympics. You can tour the facility's fascinating winter sports museum and even go on a thrilling bobsled ride with trained pros! Lake Placid still has plenty to offer you in the way of relaxation, fun indoor and outdoor summer and winter activities. The center of town is lined with charming shops and restaurants, and just steps beyond Main Street await the magnificent mountains and lakes of the Adirondacks.
The Olympic Center houses the Lake Placid Olympic Museum, figure skating arenas and the hockey arena. In the Winter Olympic Museum you can learn about the history of the Olympic Games at Lake Placid and watch footage from landmark races and competitions, such as the 1980 USA/USSR hockey match. At the Olympic Center you can skate on the rinks where legends like Sonja Henie and Eric Heiden made history or watch future pros train. You can take a guided tour of the Olympic Center or tour the building on your own. The Verizon Sports Complex was the site of 1980 Olympics bobsled, luge, cross country, and biathlon events. This complex offers some of the finest Nordic skiing in the area and is terrific for bobsled, luge, and skeleton racing.
Lake Placid is nestled amidst the grandeur of the Adirondacks. In winter try cross-country and telemark skiing, snowshoeing and ice climbing. The 4,867-foot Whiteface Mountain, in nearby Wilmington, offers downhill and cross-country skiing from November to April. Whiteface Mountain also offers hiking, gondola rides, tubing and mountain biking. It is the only summit of the High Peaks that can be reached by road. At MacKenzie-Intervale Ski Jumping Complex you will see some of the top North American ski jumpers perfect their art on the K90 and K120 hills. Ride the chairlift alongside the jumping hills and then hop aboard the 26-story elevator to the top of the K120 tower. Cascade Cross Country Center offers 20 kilometers of groomed, wind-protected trails connecting with Mt. Van Hoevenberg and Jackrabbit Trail systems. Lake Placid Club Nordic Center is the largest Cross Country Ski & Snowshoe Center in the heart of Lake Placid, offering 25km of groomed trails and breathtaking views of High Peaks. Kids will love Lake Placid, whether tobogganing down a converted ski jump, mushing on a dog sled tour or driving around the village on a horse-drawn sleigh ride wrapped in warm blankets.
In the summer, Alpine ski trails give way to rugged mountain bike paths. Frozen lakes and rivers dissolve into miles of exciting canoe and kayak waterways. Backcountry ski trails turn into beautiful day hikes! More than 2,000 miles of marked hiking trails afford everyone access to the dramatic mountain summits, unspoiled timberlands and wilderness waters of the region. There is plenty of opportunity for short hikes as well as week-long jaunts into the backcountry.
From the Lake Placid Marina, enjoy an hour-long narrated cruise in an enclosed tour boat.
At the 12-day Lake Placid Horseshow in late June, watch some of the world's greatest show jump riders compete.
If you're in Lake Placid during the fall foliage season, take part in the Flaming Leaves Festival which includes a 90 meter ski jumping competition, live music, craft vendors, a freestyle aerial exhibition, and delicious food specials.
Lake Placid is also rich in U.S. history. At the John Brown State Historic Site, tour the last home and burial site of John Brown, the famous Civil War abolitionist, whose grave and simple farmhouse in which he lived are preserved as a memorial. The Lake Placid Public Library, houses an excellent collection of rare books related to the history of Lake Placid and the Adirondack region. The library also offers beautiful views of the lake and mountains.
Lake Placid's Avalanche Adventure is a family entertainment center that offers 18 holes of indoor and outdoor miniature golf, a large climbing wall, an exploration cave, and an arcade with lots of games for children to enjoy. Putt your way through caves, over footbridges, and under cascading waterfalls, all amidst a fun-filled atmosphere of natural wonders, remarkable landscaping, and fascinating wood carved bears, rabbits and mountain lions.
The Lake Placid Center for the arts is a large arts center that contains a fine arts gallery showcasing regional and national artists, as well as a 355-seat performing arts theater which offers performances in dance, music, film and theater. Workshops and classes are also available. Lake Placid's alpine village streets are lined with a variety of shopping opportunities, from hand-made Adirondack crafts and antique treasures, to high-tech outdoor gear and designer clothing. A visit to Lake Placid Farmer's Market is a must! Open from mid-June to mid-October, the market offers a wide assortment of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables and organic cheeses, breads, herbs and plants. There are ready-to-eat healthy lunch foods, and a nicely landscaped pond to sit and eat by. Special guests at the market include featured entertainers, artists, local chefs, clowns, and musicians.
Lake Placid offers a fun and varied nightlife. Local favorites are the Lake Placid Pub and Brewery, ZigZag Pub on Main Street and a Mexican bar/restaurant on the edge of the lake that serves excellent spicy wings. Being in Lake Placid, don't forget to look for the restaurants with views of Mirror Lake! If you want a more fast-paced night hit the Mud Puddle nightclub or the Hilton hotel, which offers live music on weekends.
Accommodations in Lake Placid range from tiny lakeside motels of varying quality, to condos, lakeside inns, boat houses on the lake, mountain lodges, or national chains that offer good value for families. Many are located on or around Main Street, and some little getaways and secluded campsites can be found around the lake. Dorm-style lodging can be reserved at the Cascade Cross Country Center. Since the village of Lake Placid holds many events throughout the year, accommodation rates fluctuate all the time. If you're looking for a campground, Whispering Pines Campground on the outskirts of Lake Placid is open from mid-May to Labor Day.
Lake Placid is located in the Adirondack Mountains in Essex County, New York. The village is near the center of the Town of North Elba, southwest of Plattsburgh. The nearest airport is Adirondack Regional Airport in Saranac Lake, about 16 miles away. The area is also served by an Amtrak connection through Westport and by Adirondack Trailways of the Trailways Transportation System. By car, Lake Placid can be reached from Interstate 87 to the east via New York State Route 73, New York State Route 86, and New York State Route 9N. It is also accessible via county roads 21, 31 and 35.