Lake Placid

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

  address: 2634 Main Street
  Highway coach between New York City, Albany, and Lake Placid with stops along the way.

By train

• AmtrakClosest station is Westport, 40 miles east of Lake Placid. Amtrak runs a shuttle bus service to the village.

• Adirondack Scenic Railroad

  address: 242 Station St, Lake Placid
  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) in Saranac Lake. Plattsburgh is international in name only (no scheduled international flights); the nearest international airports are Albany, Burlington, and Montreal.

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

  phone: +1 518 524-7890
  address: 1 Main Street

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

  address: 17 Algonquin Dr.
  Gallery and live theater

• John Brown Farm State Historic Site

  phone: +1 518 523-3900
  address: 115 John Brown Road
  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.

• Adirondack Equine Center

  address: 88 Morningside Drive Lake Placid, NY
  Trailrides, horseback riding and sleigh rides, horse drawn carriages on request, on site special events, weddings. Some of the most gentle horses you will ever find, always treated with love, trust, and respect. Personalized attention given and a free lesson prior to ride. Children Welcome. , www.nysleighrides.com

• Adirondack Sleigh Rides

  address: 6319 State Route 30, Lake Clear NY
  Adirondack horse drawn sleigh ride from Hohmeyers Lake Clear Lodge. Hay rides available spring-fall at Plattsburgh, NY Country Dreams Farm.

• Ausable Chasm

  phone: +1 518 834-7454
  address: 2144 Route 9, Ausable Chasm NY
  Classic and walking tours, rafting, tubing, mountain biking, rappelling, disc golf and gemstone mining. Motel, campground and souvenir shop on-site.

• High Falls Gorge

  phone: +1 518 946-2278
  address: Rt. 86, Wilmington
  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

  phone: +1 518 576-2041
  address: Keene, NY
  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

  phone: +1 978-808-6932
  address: Bartlett, NH
  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

  phone: +1 518-523-1655
  address: 2634 Main St.
  Public skating 7-9pm daily (except Tu,We) plus 1-3pm weekends. Speed Skating 4-6pm daily (except Tu,We) plus 10am-12pm weekends. Gold Medal Café open 8:30am-3:30pm Mon-Sat 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

  phone: +1 518 523-9605
  address: 4833 Cascade Rd.

;Maple Syrup: Each year, the sugary scent of maple sap being boiled down to syrup fills the mountain air in time for the spring thaw.

• South Meadow Farm Maple Sugarworks

  phone: +1 518 523-9369
  address: Cascade Road, Route 73
  Full line of maple products, sugar house open year-round during day light hours.

• Uihlein Sugar Maple Field Station

  phone: +1 518 523-9337
  address: Bear Cub Road
  Research facility with exhibits of maple syrup production, open to the general public.

;World Cup Events: From snowboarding, bobsled, luge, skeleton to freestyle skiing, see some of the greatest talent each sport has to offer and enjoy the feats and skills of athletes who train year-round for the chance to compete against the best.

Summer

;Mountain and road biking

High Peaks Cyclery

phone: +1 518 523-3764

address: 2733 Main Street

Placid Planet

phone: +1 518 523-4128

address: 2242 Saranac Ave

Bike rental, sales, service, ski and snowboards.

;Whiteface Mountain:The 8-passenger Cloudsplitter Gondola takes visitors from the base of Whiteface to the summit of Little Whiteface in about fifteen minutes with views of the trails, the Ausable River, and the Intervale Ski Jumping Complex. The Veterans Memorial Highway from Wilmington rises to the summit of Whiteface Mountain with a parking area at the top.
;Biathlon: With the help of a range attendant, test your marksmanship with .22 caliber biathlete rifles at the Olympic shooting complex at Mt. Van Hovenburg. The shooting distance is 50 meters.
;Hiking: All 46 High Peaks of the Adirondacks can be reached from the vicinity of Lake Placid by car. Some are more strenuous than others, and while many have well-beaten paths leading to their summits, many require significant bushwhacking to ascend. Local guides are available. Be sure to set out with a group of people with plenty of water, food, rain gear and safety equipment.

• Adirondack Decorative Arts and Crafts

  phone: +1 518 523-4545
  address: 2512 Main Street
  Furniture, souvenirs and mountain accessories.

• Adirondack Yarns

  phone: +1 518 523-9230
  address: 2241 Saranac Ave.
  Beside Cuppa Joe, sip coffee and shop for yarn. Workshops available.

• Bookstore Plus

  phone: +1 518 523-2950
  address: 2491 Main St.
  Selection of books includes uniquely Adirondack titles.

• Darrah Cooper

  phone: +1 518 523-2774
  address: 2416 Main St.
  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

  phone: +1 518 523-2342
  address: 40 Fawn Ridge Rd
  Maple syrup and sugar.

• Ruthie's Run

  phone: +1 518 523-3271
  address: 2415 Main St
  Skiwear and sportswear.

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

  phone: +1 518 523-4897
  address: 2126 Saranac Ave
  Selection of deli sandwiches and homemade breads baked daily, country breakfasts.

• Soulshine Bagel

  phone: +1 518-523-9772
  address: 2526 Main St
  Breakfast, lunch. Bakery with fresh bagels, made-to-order fruit smoothies and many sandwich options. Cash only.

• Cuppa Joe

  phone: +1 518 523-3479
  address: 2241 Saranac Ave
  Sweet, friendly service and excellent paninis, sandwiches, all-day breakfast and lunch.

Mid-range

• Black Bear Restaurant

  phone: +1 518-837-5166
  address: 2409 Main St

• Bluesberry's Bakery

  phone: +1 518 523-4539
  address: 2436 Main St.
  Great for croissants and scones with coffee in the morning

• Great Adirondack Steak and Seafood Company

  phone: +1 518 523-1629
  address: 2442 Main Street
  Upscale pub grub including meat, fish, and (a few) veggie options in a dark wood and leather decorated room across the street from the lake. Brunch served on weekends. Children's menu.

• Lisa G's

  phone: +1 518-523-2093
  address: 6125 Sentinel Road
  Burgers, wings, bar, patio, relaxed atmosphere and lots of fun

• Mykonos

  phone: +1 518 523-1164
  address: 2279 Saranac Ave
  A taste of Greece in the Adirondacks. Outdoor seating.

• Nicola's on Main

  phone: +1 518 523-5853
  address: 211 Main St.
  Italian. Mid-range to upscale Mediterranean dining.

• Sugar Shack Dessert Company

  address: 2567 Main St
  Bakery, specialty desserts.

• Tail O' the Pup

  phone: +1 518 891-0777
  address: 1152 NY Route 86, Ray Brook
  Outdoor BBQ and fish fries, live music, full bar. Cabin rentals.

• Villa Vespa

  phone: +1 518 523-9789
  address: 2250 Saranac Ave
  Homemade sauce, pasta, and pizza

• Generations Tap & Grill

  phone: +1 518 837-5052
  address: 2543 Main Street Lake Placid, NY 12946
  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.

Splurge

• The Boathouse

  phone: +1 518 523-4822
  address: 654 Mirror Lake Drive
  On Mirror Lake, seafood, steaks, pasta, grill, cocktails and desserts. Fireside seating area and bar. Organic and sustainable farming wines.

• Brown Dog Café and Wine Bar

  phone: +1 518 523-3036
  address: 2431 Main St
  Wine selection, lunch, multi-course tasting menus as well as à la carte dishes.

• Milano North

  phone: +1 518 523-3003
  address: 2490 Main St, 2nd floor
  Italian bistro, homemade pasta, wood-fired oven pizza.

• Interlaken Inn

  phone: +1 518 523-3180
  address: 39 Interlaken Ave.
  Victorian B&B inn with restaurant, Tuscan wine cellar, awarded by national wine publications

• The CottageUpscale Pub Grub and excellent nachos

• VerandaBill Clinton celebrated his 54th birthday here, great views of the mountains

• Paradox Lodge and Restaurant

  phone: +1 518 523-9078
  address: 2169 Saranac Ave
  This restaurant recommends advance reservations, adds an 18% gratuity to the bill and does not serve kids under 13.

• Whiteface Lodge

  phone: +1 518 523-2551
  address: 373 Whiteface Inn Lane
  At Whiteface Club & Resort.

There are several bars right along the main strip of the town.

• Lake Placid Pub & Brewery

  phone: +1 518-523-3813
  address: 813 Mirror Lake Drive
  Restaurant with pub fare and desserts. Microbrewery has several in-house mixtures, an Espresso Beer which tastes mostly like coffee, an Oatmeal Beer and their award-wining Ubu Ale. Brewery tours 4:30pm Sat or by appointment.

• Zigzags

  phone: +1 518 523-8221
  address: 134 Main, Saranac Lake
  Billiards and live music, bobsled out front.

There are numerous resort hotels located in town as well as bed and breakfasts in the surrounding area. If a longer stay is desired, various condominiums and timeshare plans are available as well.

• Wildwood on the Lake

  phone: +1 518 523-2624
  address: 2135 Saranac Ave.
  Lakeside alpine motel, indoor pool, sauna, hot tub. During the summer season the motel has a river-fed pool, play structure, rowboats, paddleboats & canoes. Non-smoking. Refrigerator, microwave, TV, radio in-room.

• Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa

  phone: +1 518 523-2544
  address: 77 Mirror Lake Drive
  AAA 4-diamond, some rooms have fireplace and jacuzzi. Cottages and kitchenettes available.

• Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort

  address: 2559 Main Street
  Eco-friendly resort with a fitness center, indoor pool and private beach with complimentary boating.

• Lake Placid Lodge

  phone: +1 518 523-2700
  address: 144 Lodge Way
  Only hotel on Lake Placid itself, with thirty rooms and two cottages. Member of Relais & Chateaux. No kids under 12 except on a few specified family-friendly weekends.

• The Haus on Mirror Lake

  address: 2439 Main Street
  Stainless steel kitchens, Jacuzzi tubs, 38in. flat screen TV’s, view of the High Peaks. No pets, restrictive cancellation policy.

• Keene Valley is less than twenty miles away and offers great hiking, camping, and climbing.
• Wilmington is less that twelve miles away and offers great hiking, downhill skiing, ice climbing, mountain biking, and fly fishing. It is the home of Whiteface Mountain which hosted the downhill skiing events for the 1980 Winter Olympics. It is also home to the West Branch of the Ausable River which is considered one of the best trout streams in the East. Near Wilmington is North Pole (New York), an early Christmas theme park.
• Montreal, Quebec is a 2 1/2 hour drive.