Lake Placid Travel Guide

Lake Placid is an Adirondack village and major destination for winter sports in New York, with a walkable downtown surrounded by mountain landscapes and outdoor attractions.

The village hosted the Winter Olympics in 1932 and 1980, including the 1980 U.S. men's ice hockey victory over the Soviet Union known as the “Miracle on Ice.” Lake Placid also hosted the 2023 FISU World University Winter Games at several Olympic facilities.

Outdoor Adventures

Lake Placid offers year-round outdoor activities, including hiking, skiing, cycling, canoeing, kayaking, snowshoeing and other mountain adventures.

Nearby attractions include Whiteface Mountain Ski Center & Gondola, High Falls Gorge and the High Peaks Cyclery/Mountain Adventure Center. The village also provides access to the Adirondack Park, which covers approximately 6.1 million acres of trails, waterways and wildlife habitat.

Olympic History and Attractions

Lake Placid's Olympic heritage remains a major part of the destination. Visitors can explore the Olympic Center, which features equipment, uniforms and memorabilia from the Winter Olympic Games.

The Olympic Jumping Complex includes ski jumps used during the 1932 and 1980 Olympics, while the Olympic Skating Oval offers visitors the opportunity to skate at a historic Olympic venue.

Other attractions include the John Brown Farm State Historic Site and the Lake Placid North Elba Historical Society Museum.

Family Attractions

Families can enjoy activities including dog sled tours on Mirror Lake, skating at the Olympic Oval and rides at the Lake Placid Toboggan Chute.

Main Street also provides opportunities for shopping, dining and exploring the village's local character.

Arts and Culture

Lake Placid's cultural offerings include the Arts Center Lake Placid, the Adirondack Artists' Guild and Gallery 46, which features artwork created by local artists.

Hotels and Dining

Visitors can choose from accommodations ranging from budget and mid-range properties to luxury resorts. Options include lakeside hotels, resorts, lodges and boutique properties.

The local dining scene includes casual restaurants, delis, breweries, bistros and upscale establishments, including restaurants overlooking Mirror Lake.

Getting to Lake Placid

Lake Placid is accessible by train, plane, car and bus. Amtrak service is available to Westport, followed by approximately a 45-minute drive to Lake Placid.

Regional air service is available through Adirondack Regional Airport and Plattsburgh International Airport, while Albany International Airport is approximately two hours away.

By car, Lake Placid is approximately five hours from New York City, Boston and Rochester, and about two hours from Albany, Burlington and Montreal. Bus services are also available through Trailways, Greyhound and Megabus.

Getting Around Lake Placid

Essex County Public Transportation operates the Placid XPRSS route with free bus service in Lake Placid. The buses are accessible to people with disabilities and can also be flagged down along the route.