Things to Do in Lake Placid, NY
Al Michaels asked America if it believed in miracles on February 22, 1980. The scoreboard inside Lake Placid’s Olympic Center read USA 4, USSR 3, against a Soviet team that had not lost an Olympic hockey game in twenty years.
That single night put a town of about 2,500 people permanently on the sports map. It had already hosted the Winter Olympics once before, in 1932. The town still runs on that legacy today.
That miracle is only one stop. These things to do in Lake Placid also include a real bobsled track, a gondola up Whiteface and a 128 acre lake in the middle of town.
What Lake Placid Runs On
| Spot | Known For |
|---|---|
| Olympic Center | Site of the 1980 Miracle on Ice |
| Mt. Van Hoevenberg | A real bobsled track open to visitors |
| Whiteface Mountain | New York’s fifth-highest peak |
| Mirror Lake | A 128-acre lake ringed by downtown |
| High Falls Gorge | A 115-foot waterfall on the Ausable River |
Stand Where the Miracle on Ice Happened
The Soviet Union had gone undefeated in Olympic hockey for twenty years when it met the United States on February 22, 1980. Coach Herb Brooks and captain Mike Eruzione led a team of amateurs to a 4-3 win, still considered one of the greatest upsets in sports history.
The game was played inside what is now called the Herb Brooks Arena at the Olympic Center. The rink still operates today, open to visitors and public skating sessions. One source lists the Olympic Museum at $15 for adults.
Lake Placid Hosted the Olympics Twice, in 1932 First
Lake Placid became the first American host of the Winter Olympics in 1932, welcoming 252 athletes from 17 countries. The town had roughly 4,000 residents at the time, in the middle of the Great Depression.
Hosting the Games twice, in 1932 and again in 1980, left Lake Placid with a cluster of Olympic venues that remain open to the public, something few towns its size can claim.
Olympic talk is back in the news. New York is exploring a bid for the 2042 Winter Games, and Lake Placid could host the snow and sliding events. A summer stop is also busy because the IRONMAN Lake Placid triathlon takes over town in July, so book rooms early for event weekends.
Fun Fact
The Soviet hockey team had beaten the United States in twelve straight Olympic meetings between 1960 and 1980 before the Miracle on Ice ended the streak.
Ride a Real Bobsled Track at Mt. Van Hoevenberg
The Olympic bobsled track at Mt. Van Hoevenberg drops 365 feet through 17 curves, with public rides reaching speeds up to 50 miles per hour. A professional driver and brakeman ride along with every group. Riders must be at least 52 inches tall and 9 years old, according to one source.
Looking for a similar mix of mountains and water farther east? Try the Maine guide.
Winter runs use an actual bobsled on ice. When the track is not frozen, the same course runs on a wheeled sled instead, so the ride stays open through the summer.
Ride the Gondola Up Whiteface Mountain
Whiteface Mountain rises 4,867 feet, New York’s fifth-highest peak. The Veterans Memorial Highway, built in 1935, carries cars most of the way up, with a short tunnel and elevator covering the final stretch.
The Cloudsplitter Gondola offers a slower route to the summit of Little Whiteface, a 15-minute ride with views that reach into Vermont and Canada on a clear day.
The Skyride to the ski jumping towers adds a glass elevator that climbs 26 stories. One source says a Lake Placid Legacy Sites Passport bundles several Olympic attractions at a discount from May through October.
Fall is huge here. A 2026 ranking based on hotel searches named the Adirondacks the best U.S. fall foliage destination, and the new Lake Placid trailhead of the Adirondack Rail Trail has reopened for walkers and cyclists.
Swim or Stroll Around Mirror Lake
Mirror Lake sits right in the middle of town, ringed by a 2.7-mile paved path for walking, jogging and biking. Hotels, restaurants and galleries line much of the shore.
The public beach on the lake’s south end has a sandy swimming area, diving platforms and a launch point for canoes and kayaks.
Chase Waterfalls at High Falls Gorge
The Ausable River drops through High Falls Gorge in a series of waterfalls, the tallest reaching about 115 feet. A wooden walkway follows the gorge for a self-guided walk.
An observation deck along the trail looks straight out at the main falls, close enough to feel the spray on a warm day.
Listing prices help with a budget. The Olympic Ski Jumping Complex is about $20, High Falls Gorge about $20 and the Wild Center in nearby Tupper Lake about $28.50. Locals also suggest staying in Saranac Lake for lower rates and driving over.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lake Placid Still Chases Its Own Legend
Most towns get one shot at an Olympic moment, if any. Lake Placid got two Games and one of the most replayed nights in sports history. The venues are still open to walk through.
Head to North America and Things to Do for the next idea.
