Lake Placid

Getting there

By car Lake Placid is about 5 hours from New York City and 2 1/2 hours from Montreal. From Interstate 87 take Route 9N and follow the signs.

By bus Adirondack Trailways Service, 2634 Main Street (Olympic Authority building), toll-free: +1-800-776-7548. Highway coach between New York City, Albany, and Lake Placid with stops along the way.

By train Amtrak, toll-free: +1-800-888-8478. Closest station is Westport, 40 miles east of Lake Placid. Adirondack Scenic Railroad, 242 Station St, Lake Placid, toll-free: +1-800-819-2291. Scenic tourist railroad line from Utica's Union Station to Saranac Lake.

By plane The Lake Placid Airport serves only charter and scenic planes. The closest domestic airport is Adirondack Airport (SLK IATA) in Saranac Lake. Plattsburgh is international in name only (no scheduled international flights); the nearest international airports are Albany, Burlington, and Montreal.

Getting around

While it is easy to get around downtown on foot (arguably preferable, in fact, given the frequent traffic snarls on Main Street), and there is a free trolley service along the lake, you'll need a car to see any of the nearby area. To get out onto the lake, short-term (one hour) boat rental is available.

Mirror Lake Boat Rental, 1 Main Street (Across from the Hilton), ☏ +1 518 524-7890. $25-50/hour.

See

Lake Placid is in the Adirondack Park, the largest state park east of the Mississippi River. It is home to 46 High Peaks, all of which rise above 4000 feet, and many of which can be viewed simultaneously from the summit of many of the neighboring mountains. On a clear day it is possible to see Vermont, New York, and Canada from the summit of Whiteface Mountain, which is located adjacent to Lake Placid.

Lake Placid Center for the Arts, 17 Algonquin Dr., ☏ +1 518 523-2512. Gallery and live theater 1 John Brown Farm State Historic Site, 115 John Brown Road, ☏ +1 518 523-3900. May-Oct: 10AM-5PM daily. The home and grave of abolitionist John Brown, hanged by the state of Virginia for a 1859 raid on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry (now West Virginia), a key milestone on the path to a deadly Civil War which led ultimately to the liberation of enslaved African Americans. Historic house with picnic area, guided tours and re-enactments, hiking and cross-country ski area. Free. 2 Lake Placid Winter Olympic Museum, 2634 Main St, ☏ +1 518 302-5326. 10AM-5PM. (updated Feb 2020)

Do

Adirondack Sleigh Rides, 6319 State Route 30, Lake Clear NY (Homeyer's Lake Clear Lodge), ☏ +1 518-891-1489, toll-free: +1-888-818-2701. F-Sa or by appointment, mid-December to early March.. Adirondack horse drawn sleigh ride from Hohmeyers Lake Clear Lodge. Hay rides available spring-fall at Plattsburgh, NY Country Dreams Farm. Ausable Chasm, 2144 Route 9, Ausable Chasm NY, ☏ +1 518 834-7454. Classic and walking tours, rafting, tubing, mountain biking, rappelling, disc golf and gemstone mining. Motel, campground and souvenir shop on-site. High Falls Gorge, Rt. 86, Wilmington, ☏ +1 518 946-2278. Trails and picnic areas along Ausable River.

Winter Ice climbing Adirondack ice forms reliably from November to March. Keene Valley boasts some of the best ice climbing in the northeast. Rock and River Adirondack Guide Service, Keene, NY, ☏ +1 518 576-2041. In early December, creates a forty foot high ice wall complete with viewing benches and spotlights for those looking to extend their experiences beyond the daylight hours. Northeast Ice, Bartlett, NH, ☏ +1 978-808-6932. Photos, information, ice conditions. Speed Skating The famed Speed Skating Oval in Lake Placid, home to some of the greatest legends in Winter Olympic history, is open to the public for speed skating and public skating sessions during the winter. Speed Skating Oval, 2634 Main St. (Olympic Center), ☏ +1 518-523-1655, fax: +1 518-523-5366. Public skating Th-M 7-9PM, Sa Su 1-3PM. Speed Skating Th-M 4-6PM, Sa Su 10AM-noon. Gold Medal Café open M-Sa 8:30AM-3:30PM between the 1932 and 1980 Rinks. Cross Country Skiing Miles of groomed Nordic ski trails on the famous Jackrabbit trail system, extending from Saranac Lake to Lake Placid, include amazing views of the High Peaks... or try your skills on Olympic trails. Cascade Cross Country Ski, 4833 Cascade Rd., ☏ +1 518 523-9605. 9-5PM (winter). Maple Syrup Each year, the sugary scent of maple sap being boiled down to syrup fills the mountain air in

Buy

Adirondack Decorative Arts and Crafts, 2512 Main Street, ☏ +1 518 523-4545. Furniture, souvenirs and mountain accessories. Adirondack Yarns, 2241 Saranac Ave., ☏ +1 518 523-9230. Beside Cuppa Joe, sip coffee and shop for yarn. Workshops available. Bookstore Plus, 2491 Main St., ☏ +1 518 523-2950. Selection of books includes uniquely Adirondack titles. Darrah Cooper, 2416 Main St., ☏ +1 518 523-2774. Jeweler making charms, pins, pendants and bracelets depicting local themes such as an Adirondack chair, canoe, guide boat, packbasket, ice skates, snowflakes, pinecones, loon, heron, moose, bear, and racoon. G+G Maple Farms, 40 Fawn Ridge Rd, ☏ +1 518 523-2342. Maple syrup and sugar. Ruthie's Run, 2415 Main St, ☏ +1 518 523-3271. Skiwear and sportswear.

Eat

Most visitor-targeted restaurants can be found on Main St. along the lake front. More local options are on Highway 86 and 73 on either ends of town.

Budget Saranac Sourdough, 2126 Saranac Ave, ☏ +1 518 523-4897. Selection of deli sandwiches and homemade breads baked daily, country breakfasts. Soulshine Bagel, 2526 Main St, ☏ +1 518-523-9772. Breakfast, lunch. Bakery with fresh bagels, made-to-order fruit smoothies and many sandwich options. Cash only.

Mid-range Black Bear Restaurant, 2409 Main St, ☏ +1 518-837-5166. Bluesberry Bakery, 2436 Main St., ☏ +1 518 523-4539. Great for croissants and scones with coffee in the morning Lisa G's, 6125 Sentinel Road, ☏ +1 518-523-2093. Burgers, wings, bar, patio, relaxed atmosphere and lots of fun Tail O' the Pup, 1152 NY Route 86, Ray Brook, ☏ +1 518 891-0777. Outdoor BBQ and fish fries, live music, full bar. Cabin rentals. 1 Generations Tap & Grill (Generations), 2543 Main St, ☏ +1 518 837-5052, [email protected]. 7AM-9PM. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The goal is to keep it as local and fresh as possible, showcasing many wonderful farms and products that are grown, raised and cultivated in New York’s Adirondack region. You can enjoy a meal looking out over Mirror Lake. Outdoor seating is available as well. $7-$24. (updated May 2015)

Splurge Interlaken Inn, 39 Interlaken Ave., ☏ +1 518 523-3180, toll-free: +1-800-428-4369. Victorian B&B inn with restaurant, Tuscan wine cellar, awarded by national wine publications The Cottage. Upscale pub grub and excellent nachos Paradox Lodge and Restaurant, 2169 Saranac Ave, ☏ +1 518 523-9078, toll-free: +1-877-743-9078, fax: +1 518 523-0029. Th-Su 6-9PM (restaurant). This restaurant recommends advance reservations, adds an 18% gratuity to the bill and does not serv