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  • A view of Lake Placid from across a lake A view of Lake Placid from across a lake

    Village of Lake Placid

City Guide: Lake Placid

A charming Adirondack village and the capital of winter sports in the East

Lake Placid is one of the most established and enjoyable winter playgrounds in the United States, with a walkable downtown where you’re never far from nature. Home to two Winter Olympics games in 1932 and 1980—which included the dramatic U.S. hockey victory over the Soviet Union, known as “The Miracle on Ice”—this alpine village remains a magnet for world-class athletes today. Lake Placid also hosted the 2023 FISU World University Winter Games, the largest global winter multi-sports event for student-athletes, at Olympic facilities including Whiteface Mountain, the Olympic Oval, and the Olympic Jumping Complex. 

An enchanting place any time of year, Lake Placid also shines in spring, summer, and autumn, with scenic hiking, Main Street shopping and dining, brilliant fall foliage, and easy access to the breathtaking, unspoiled beauty of Adirondack Park—6.1 million acres of trails, rivers, streams, wildlife habitat, and more.

Fun Facts | Views from Lake Placid | Explore Lake Placid | Hotels & Stays | Where to Eat | Getting There | Getting Around

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Fun Facts

Great Camp Sagamore

  • The "Miracle on Ice" happened at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics when the underdog US men's ice hockey team won the gold medal in a thrilling win against the Soviet Union. Learn all about the victory at the Olympic Center and Museum.

  • The Adirondack Park's 6-million-acre area is larger than the areas of Yellowstone, the Everglades, Glacier, and Grand Canyon National Parks combined.

  • Adirondack Great Camps (pictured) were designed to blend into their natural surroundings, offering rustic yet luxurious retreats for the Gilded Age elite. Today, they dot the northern landscape, offering windows into the wealth and charm of Adirondack Rustic. Many of these structures are still privately owned, but a few are open to the public through professional guided tours.

Views From Lake Placid

Explore Lake Placid

Nature & Outdoor Adventure

History

Family Fun

Arts & Culture

Venture Beyond Lake Placid

Where to Stay

  • Budget
  • Mid-Range
  • Luxury
Wildwood on the Lake

Wildwood on the Lake

Roomy lakeside, lakeview, poolside, or hillside accommodations. more

 Town & Country Motor Inn

Town & Country Motor Inn

Rooms, suites, and a cottage with an outdoor pool. more

 Woodlake Inn

Woodlake Inn

23 units with kitchens and living rooms available. more

 Adirondak Loj & Wilderness Campground

Adirondak Loj & Wilderness Campground

Private rooms, family rooms, cabins, or campground sites for summer. more
Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort

Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort

A family-run resort on Mirror Lake with suites and balconies. more

 High Peaks Resort

High Peaks Resort

Beautifully appointed guestrooms on picturesque Mirror Lake. more

 Crowne Plaza Resort & Golf Club

Crowne Plaza Resort & Golf Club

Four restaurants at the largest resort in the Adirondacks. more

 Lake Placid Inn

Lake Placid Inn

Apartment-styled lodging with a rustic modern feel. more
Whiteface Lodge

Whiteface Lodge

Rustic luxury in the woodlands outside of Lake Placid. more

 Mirror Lake Inn

Mirror Lake Inn

An AAA Four-diamond resort on the shores of Mirror Lake. more

 Lake Placid Lodge

Lake Placid Lodge

Stone fireplaces, deep soaking tubs, and an acclaimed restaurant. more

Where to Eat

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  • $$$
Soulshine Bagel

Soulshine Bagel

Local favorite serving all-day breakfast and lunch. more

 Big Mountain Deli

Big Mountain Deli

Classic counter for breakfast and sandwiches. more

 Farmhouse Cafe

Farmhouse Cafe

American cafe with vegetarian and gluten-free options. more

 Emma's Lake Placid Creamery

Emma's Lake Placid Creamery

Classic ice cream parlor with sundaes and thick milkshakes. more
Lake Placid Pub & Brewery

Lake Placid Pub & Brewery

A destination for craft beer lovers across the country. more

 Lisa G's

Lisa G's

Classic comfort foods with a modern twist. more

 Liquids & Solids

Liquids & Solids

Fresh, creative, and adventurous meats, combinations, and artisan pub food. more

 The Cottage at Mirror Lake Inn

The Cottage at Mirror Lake Inn

Scenic views, American comfort fare, nightly deals, and après-ski. more

 Caffe Rustica

Caffe Rustica

Fresh Mediterranean and Italian meals in Lake Placid. more
The View at Mirror Lake Inn

The View at Mirror Lake Inn

Lake Placid's only AAA Four Diamond-rated restaurant. more

 Kanu Dining Room

Kanu Dining Room

Upscale dining at Whiteface Lodge with creative American cuisine. more

 Salt of the Earth Bistro

Salt of the Earth Bistro

Quaint bistro serving creative dishes with traditional roots. more

getting there

By Train

Railway access via Amtrak is available from New York City, Albany, and Montreal, with tickets that include a bus ride via Adirondack Trailways from the Saratoga station directly to Lake Placid.

By Plane

There are two regional airports that service the Adirondack Mountains, Adirondack Regional Airport at Lake Clear and Plattsburgh International Airport. Lake Placid is an approximately two-hour drive from Albany International Airport, For more information on flying into airports near Lake Placid, visit LakePlacid.com's transportation page.

By Car

Interstate 87 and 81 make traveling by car easy, quick, and affordable. For more details on reaching Lake Placid from these Interstates, visit LakePlacid.com's directions page. By car, Lake Placid is 2.5 hours from Albany and Montreal, 5 hours from Boston and New York City, and 6 hours from Toronto and Philadelphia.

By Bus

Adirondack Trailways offers service from New York City, Port Authority Terminal, and other New York State locations, with drop-off in the center of Lake Placid and Saranac Lake.

Getting Around

By Bus

Essex County Public Transportation offers service in Lake Placid as part of its Cascade Express Route, which also stops in Elizabethtown, Keene, North Elba, and Saranac Lake. The buses are accessible to persons with disabilities and can be flagged down along the route with a wave of the hand. More information and schedules are available on the Essex County Public Transportation website.