Part of the New England Hub • See also: Burlington VT • 2 hours via ferry • 5 hours from NYC
Lake Placid, New York sits in the Adirondack High Peaks. Famous for 1932 & 1980 Winter Olympics, Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway, Olympic ski jumps, and High Peaks Wilderness. This guide covers Olympic sites, hiking 46ers, Mirror Lake, parking, hotels, ferry from Burlington VT, and day trips to Saranac Lake.
1980 Olympic Sites: Miracle on Ice & Ski Jumps
The Lake Placid Olympic Center is located at 2634 Main St., featuring the Lake Placid Olympic Museum ($20 general admission) and the Herb Brooks Arena, home to the 1980 "Miracle on Ice."Here is actionable information to help you plan your experience:Olympic Center (Miracle on Ice & Museum)
Location: 2634 Main Street, Lake Placid, NYHours: Open daily from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Museum Cost: General admission is $20 for adults, with discounts available for children and seniors. You can buy a Lake Placid Legacy Sites Passport to bundle entry to the museum, the Olympic Jumping Complex skyride, and the Whiteface Mountain gondola.
Herb Brooks Arena: The fabled ice rink where the U.S. Men's Hockey Team famously defeated the Soviet Union. Self-guided "Miracle on Ice" tours and public skating are frequently available.
Lake Placid Olympic Museum: Features artifacts from the 1980 games (including Jim Craig's goalie pads), interactive bobsled/ski jump virtual simulators, and a screening room showcasing the 12-minute "Miracle on Ice" highlight film.
The Rink: You can visit the actual Herb Brooks Arena inside the Lake Placid Olympic Center where the US Men's Hockey team defeated the Soviet Union in 1980.
The Museum: The building also houses the Lake Placid Olympic
Olympic Ski Jumping Complex
Location: 5486 Cascade Road (Route 73), Lake Placid, NYExperience: The $20–$25 Skyride Experience takes you up a state-of-the-art gondola, followed by a glass-enclosed elevator ride to the top of the 120-meter ski jump tower for panoramic views of the Adirondacks.
Viewing: You can stand right alongside the coaches' deck and watch ski jumpers train (often into a splash pool in the summer).
Visiting Details: Tickets and hours can be verified on the Olympic Jumping Complex site.
Detailed Activity Schedules:
- Intervales Lodge: Open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- Skyride Experience: Open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Last ticket sold at 4:15 PM).
- Sky Flyer Zipline: Open daily from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Last ticket sold at 4:15 PM).
- Legacy Tour: Runs daily (with guided hours at 11:30 AM and 12:30 PM). Verify on the Olympic Jumping Complex site.
Mt. Van Hoevenberg Bobsled Experience
The public bobsled program has updated its rules and seasonal availability.Height & Age Restrictions: Passengers are no longer just restricted by a 48" height limit. To ride as a middle passenger, you must be at least 9 years old and 52” tall. Rear passengers must be at least 13 years old and 52" tall. The Maximum Weight Per Each Passenger Is 300 Lbs.
Current Status: The traditional public Bobsled Experience driven by a professional pilot is closed for the winter season and transitions exclusively to summer availability.
Alternative Thrills: If the bobsled track is unavailable, visitors ride the Cliffside Coaster ($55)—the longest mountain coaster in North America—which winds right alongside the historic 1932 and 1980 bobsled tracks.
Mt. Van Hoevenberg Trail Passes & Sports
The cross-country skiing, luge, and biathlon facility features updated trail pricing.Trail Passes: A standard adult day pass for the 55km cross-country ski trail network is $32 per day (up from $25). Senior/Teen passes are $28, and Junior passes are $24.
Biathlon: You can book a "Discover Biathlon" experience package that includes a Nordic ski lesson, trail pass, gear rental, and safety rifle instruction at the Olympic shooting range.
Luge: While the track is an active World Cup training hub for elite luge, skeleton, and bobsled athletes, public recreational access typically shifts toward the bobsled or skeleton experiences.
Whiteface Mountain: Drive or Hike to 4,867 Ft Summit
The Whiteface Veterans Memorial Highway offers a scenic drive directly up New York’s fifth-highest peak. The 5-mile toll road climbs at an 8% grade to the Castle (4,610 ft), where you can hike the 0.2-mile Stairway Ridge Trail or ride an elevator through the mountain to the 4,867-foot summit.Road & Summit Details
Location: 5021 Route 86, Wilmington, NY (approximately 15 miles from Lake Placid)
Toll Rates (Per Vehicle): $20 for car and driver; $15 for the second passenger; $10 for each additional passenger (children 6 and under are free). Alternatively, access is included with the Lake Placid Legacy Sites Passport.
Elevator: Available from the tunnel deep inside the mountain to the summit. (Elevator access is generally included with the toll). Elevator to summit $3.
Facilities at the Castle: Includes the 4610' Grill, restrooms, and the Castle Gift Shop.
Operating Schedule: Open daily from mid-May through mid-October, weather permitting, from 8:45 AM to 5:30 PM.
🥾 Hiking Trails:Wilmington vs. Marble Mountain
While the Wilmington Trail and Marble Mountain offer distinctly different routes, they often overlap to get hikers to the 4,867-foot summit:Marble Mountain Trail: A notoriously steep, rocky climb that follows an old ski slope. It breaks out of the trees for a few scenic viewpoints before intersecting with the Wilmington Trail. This is a short, steep hike measuring 2.4 miles round trip (or 1.2 miles one way) from the Atmospheric Sciences Research Center (ASRC) parking lot to the 2,753-foot former summit station of Marble Mountain.
Wilmington Trail: This path is heavily wooded, steady, and demanding. It continues where the Marble Mountain trail leaves off and tackles the final push up to the rocky summit ridge. Many hikers opt to connect them by starting at the Atmospheric Sciences Research Center and taking Marble Mountain to the Wilmington Trail. The complete Wilmington Trail starting from the reservoir trailhead stretches 10.4 miles round trip (5.2 miles one way) to reach the 4,867-foot peak of Whiteface Mountain.
🏰 Summit & Ski Resort
The Castle: Located just below the actual summit, the stone castle features a weather station, gift shop, and seasonal dining at the 4610' Cafe. It is accessed either by foot or via the 8-mile Veterans' Memorial Highway. (Open mid-May to mid-Oct)Ski Resort: The ski resort operates independently from the scenic toll highway. Winter alpine lift tickets start around $109 depending on the day.
Cloudsplitter Gondola (Summer): In the warmer months, the resort runs the Cloudsplitter Gondola. For roughly $30 for adults/teens, it glides for 15 minutes up to Little Whiteface, offering breathtaking views of the High Peaks, Lake Placid, and on clear days, Vermont and Canada.
Adirondack High Peaks: Trailheads, Parking & Permits
The Adirondack 46ers are 46 peaks over 4,000 ft. Parking fills by 6am weekends June-October. Route 73 has zero roadside parking — $250 ticket + tow. Book parking or permits before you drive.
| Peak | Trailhead | Round-Trip Miles | Elevation | Parking Details | Permit / Reservations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mt Marcy | Adirondack Loj | 14.8 | 5,344 ft | $18/day paid at the High Peaks Info Center | None |
| Algonquin Peak | Adirondack Loj | 8.6 | 5,114 ft | $18/day paid at the High Peaks Info Center | None |
| Cascade Mountain | Route 73 | 4.8 | 4,098 ft | No roadside parking; must park in DEC lots | None |
| Giant, Indian Head, Noonmark | AMR | Varies | Varies | Requires parking reservation | Free advance reservation required (May-Oct) |
Bottom line: Book Adirondack Loj on ReserveAmerica or AMR on hikeamr.org before you leave. Arrive by 6am weekends or you won’t get a spot. No parking on Route 73 — state police tow daily.
Lake Placid Village: Mirror Lake & Main Street
Explore Lake Placid Village via the pristine, non-motorized Mirror Lake and vibrant Main Street. Enjoy paddleboarding and the 2.7-mile scenic loop, then stroll downtown to visit the Lake Placid Olympic Center and grab a bite. Convenient parking is available for $2/hour.Mirror Lake & Main Street Activities
Mirror Lake: Perfectly clear and strictly non-motorized, allowing for peaceful swimming and paddleboarding without gas-powered boats. Walk or run the flat, scenic 2.7-mile loop.Main Street & Olympic Center: Walkable shopping and dining strip featuring the iconic Lake Placid Olympic Center. Parking meters are actively enforced at $2/hr.
Accommodation Options
- Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa $400 - $700/night, offering classic Adirondack luxury right on the water.
- Lake Placid Lodge, 5-star hotel, $600 - $1200/night, providing upscale, rustic elegance on the shores of nearby Lake Placid.
- Hampton Inn & Suites Lake Placid, 3-star hotel, $200 - $350/night, a comfortable, modern stay just minutes from Main Street.
Top Dining Spots
- The Cottage, $20–30, American, 77 Mirror Lake Dr, A cozy, casual pub situated right on the edge of Mirror Lake.
- Lake Placid Pub & Brewery, $20–30, Brewpub, 813 Mirror Lake Dr, A local staple offering house-brewed craft beers and classic pub fare.
- Smoke Signals, $20–30, American, 2489 Main St, Popular Main Street barbecue joint with excellent waterfront views.
- Big Slide Brewery & Public House, $20–30, Brewpub, 5686 Cascade Rd, Highly-rated farm-to-table brewery located a quick drive (about 3 miles) outside the village center.
Lake Placid vs Saranac Lake: Where to Stay
| Feature | Lake Placid | Saranac Lake |
|---|---|---|
| Vibe & Crowds | Olympic tourist hub. Main Street packed summer/fall. Festivals, events. Loud, busy. | Quiet arts village. Locals, free parking, no tour buses. 10 min from Lake Placid. |
| Hotels | Mirror Lake Inn $400-700, Lake Placid Lodge $600-1200, Hampton Inn $200-350. No free parking. | Hotel Saranac $200-350, Airbnb $150-250, Ampersand Bay Resort $300-500. Free parking. |
| Restaurants | 30+ spots. The Cottage, Lake Placid Pub, Smoke Signals. 45-min waits summer. | 15 spots. Left Bank Cafe, Blue Moon Cafe, Bitters & Bones. No wait. |
| Parking | $2/hr meters, 2-hr limit. Municipal lot $1/hr. Full by 10am weekends. | Free street parking everywhere. Never full. |
| Walkability | Walk to Olympic Center, Mirror Lake, Main St. Need car for Whiteface, High Peaks. | Walk to downtown, Lake Flower. 10-min drive to Lake Placid. Need car for everything. |
| Best For | First-time visitors, Olympic sites, no car, Mirror Lake views, nightlife | Budget travelers, quiet, High Peaks hiking base, better value, repeat visitors |
Getting to Lake Placid: Ferry from Burlington VT
To travel from Burlington, VT, to Lake Placid, NY, using the Lake Champlain Transportation Company ferries, you have two primary seasonal routes. Choose between the Burlington to Port Kent crossing for a shorter drive, or the 24/7 Grand Isle to Plattsburgh route for flexibility.
Route 1: Burlington to Port Kent Ferry (Direct & Scenic)Ferry Crossing:- Boards at King Street in downtown Burlington and crosses directly to Port Kent, NY (1-hour sailing).
- Driving to Lake Placid: From the Port Kent terminal, take NY-373 West to US-9 South, then merge onto NY-9N North.
- Take NY-86 West directly into Lake Placid.
Total Time: Approximately 1.5 - 2 hours (including sailing time).
Cost: Driver & Standard Vehicle: ~$18.00 – $30.00 base rate (varies by peak season) Additional Adult Passenger: ~$4.95 – $8.00 Child Passenger (Ages 6–12): ~$2.20 – $3.25
Route 2: Grand Isle to Plattsburgh Ferry (Most Flexible)Drive to Ferry:
- From Burlington, drive ~25 minutes north on I-89 N to Exit 17.
- Turn right onto US-2 W, then left on VT-314 to the Grand Isle Dock.
- Ferry Crossing: Boards at Grand Isle, VT, and crosses to Plattsburgh, NY (12-minute sailing, operates 24/7).
- Driving to Lake Placid: From the Plattsburgh terminal, follow NY-3 West directly through Saranac Lake to Lake Placid.
Total Time: Approximately 1.5 - 2 hours.
Cost: Driver & Standard Vehicle: $12.25 Additional Adult Passenger: $5.50 Senior Passenger (65+): $5.00 Child Passenger (Ages 6–12): $3.25 Child Passenger (Under 6): Free, Motorcycle & Driver: $8.00 Bicyclist: $6.75
Note: The Burlington-Port Kent ferry runs seasonally, while the Grand Isle-Plattsburgh ferry operates year-round. Schedules and vessel capacities frequently change, so you should check the official VT-NY Ferry Routes for exact daily timetables before your trip.
Driving Times & Routes
Driving directly is the most reliable way to access the Adirondacks. Route 73 West remains the primary 28-mile mountain artery into town from the Northway.From New York City: 5 hours via I-87 North to Exit 30, then Route 73 West.
From Montreal: 2 hours via Route 15 South across the border, connecting to I-87 South. Take Exit 34 West to Route 9N, then follow Route 86 straight into town.
From Boston: 5 to 5.5 hours. Avoid heading to downtown Burlington for a ferry. Instead, take the Massachusetts Turnpike (I-90 West) to Albany, hook onto I-87 North, take Route 7 West, and follow I-87 North to Exit 30.
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1-Day Lake Placid Itinerary: Olympics & Views
Morning: Winter Olympic Glory09:00 AM – Lake Placid Olympic Museum: Explore the legacy of the 1932 and 1980 Winter Games.
10:30 AM – Herb Brooks Arena: Walk into the historic rink where the "Miracle on Ice" happened.
Midday: High Peaks Panorama
11:45 AM – Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway: Drive the scenic 5-mile highway.
12:30 PM – Whiteface Summit: Take the elevator or hike the short ridge trail to the 4,867-foot peak. Enjoy 360-degree views.
01:30 PM – Lunch: Grab a quick bite at the Castle Café near the summit or head back to the village.
Afternoon: Choose Your Adventure
Option A: Mirror Lake Paddle (Relaxing): Rent a paddleboard on Main Street. Enjoy the calm, motor-free water.
Option B: Cascade Mountain Hike (Active): Drive to the Route 73 trailhead. Complete the 4.8-mile round-trip hike to an open, rocky summit.
Evening: Brews & Sunset
05:30 PM – Lake Placid Pub & Brewery: Head to the village for dinner. Sample a craft beer on the deck.
07:30 PM – Peninsula Trails: Walk the easy paths down to the shore of Lake Placid. Catch the sunset over the water.
Day Trips from Lake Placid: Saranac Lake & High Peaks
Saranac Lake (Art & Culture)
Drive Time: 10 minutes from Lake Placid.Parking: Free public parking available downtown.
Main Hub: Base your visit around the historic Hotel Saranac.
Activity: Explore the local vibrant art galleries and shops on Main Street.
Tupper Lake (Nature & Wildlife)
Drive Time: 45 minutes from Lake Placid.Destination: The Wild Center museum.
Highlights: Explore the massive 31-acre campus featuring the elevated Wild Walk.
Ausable Chasm (Adventure & Views)
Drive Time: 45 minutes from Lake Placid.Nickame: Known as the "Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks."
Cost: $35 admission fee per adult for basic trail access.
Mount Jo (Hiking & Scenery)
Trailhead: Located at the Adirondack Loj parking area (parking fee applies).Distance: 2.6 miles round-trip hike.
Reward: Offers the best High Peaks view for the amount of effort required.