This Small Adirondack Mountains Town Has The Best Downtown
The Adirondack Mountains are a mountain range located in the northeast corner of New York State. They extend from the Saint Lawrence River valley and Lake Champlain to the Mohawk River valley. The region spans over six million acres and remains in a natural state, protected by state law, making it the largest natural area in the Contiguous United States. The Adirondacks are divided into 10 different regions comprising over 100 communities. However, one community stands out the most. Let us take a stroll through Lake Placid’s downtown.
Historical Olympic Relevance
It is hard to believe that a small town with a population of less than 3,000 full-time residents could host an international sporting event like the Winter Olympics, but Lake Placid did it twice: once in 1932, and then again in 1980. The 1932 games required the construction of an Olympic Stadium and a bobsled run, but as the games grew in both size and events, so did the necessary additions that were needed. The 1980 games saw the construction a 90-foot ski jump, field house for hockey and figure skating, luge run, refrigerated speed-skating track, and an Olympic Village in order for the games to commence in Lake Placid.
Today, Lake Placid offers something for each season, making it appealing year-round. In the spring and summer months, hiking and swimming are popular, whereas skiing and winter sports are popular in the winter. Main Street in downtown Lake Placid offers something for everyone to choose from, whether that be shopping, dining, local history, or outdoor adventures.
Mirror Lake
Main Street straddles the shores of Mirror Lake, which is hidden behind the buildings of downtown. Mirror Lake is enjoyable year-round with swimming, fishing, and the use of watercraft such as kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards in the summer. Additionally, a 2.7-mile walking route encircles the lake, and in the summer, it is frequented by walkers, runners, and cyclists.
In the winter, Mirror Lake is alive with snow lovers. Dog-pulled sleds trail from up and down the lake, cross-country skiers wind trails across the snow-covered ice, and skaters enjoy the free, plowed track that circles the entire lake. Additionally, an old 30-foot ski jump has been converted into a toboggan chute, which sends toboggans across the frozen lake surface for more than 1,000 feet.
Downtown Shops and Businesses
The Adirondack Trading Company, located downtown, allows visitors to bring home a memento of their time in Lake Placid. It sells a wide range of products, including outdoor clothing, gear, and apparel, as well as souvenirs and gifts. Although there is another location in Saranac Lake, the Lake Placid location stands out for its popular homemade fudge they have for sale.
Smoke Signals serves its own original takes on classic barbecue foods and pairs them with 12 different craft and local beers available on tap. All of their dishes are handmade from scratch, with all their meats cooked low and slow, and smoked in-house. The Curious Otter is an animal art gallery, focusing on animal photography from Lake Placid, Trenton Falls, and Yellowstone National Park. Visitors can browse the gallery and even purchase photographic prints, thinwrap prints, and metal prints.
Olympic Museum
No visit to downtown Lake Placid is complete without immersing yourself in Olympic history at the Lake Placid Olympic Museum. The museum holds the second-largest Winter Olympic artifact collection in North America, including Olympic torches, pins, uniforms, equipment, and memorabilia, showcased across various multimedia and interactive exhibits. Regardless of age or knowledge, the Lake Placid Olympic Museum is a great place to learn about Lake Placid’s Olympic legacy
Downtown Accommodation
Several hotels are located in downtown Lake Placid on Main Street. Golden Arrow Lakeside Resort is situated in an ideal location for accessing all that downtown has to offer. Accommodation options range from standard rooms to deluxe suites, but regardless of what you choose, the amenities remain constant. All guests have access to the fitness center, racquetball court, pool, and sauna. It also boasts the status of first resort in the United States to receive Audubon International’s Platinum Eco Rating due to its eco-friendly practices.
Winter Events
Lake Placid is the site of annual events that take place year after year, which are enjoyed by members of the community and visitors alike. The Holiday Village Stroll is a festive-themed three-day weekend, featuring events such as a skating party, meeting with Santa Claus, a free movie screening, and a scavenger hunt. The scavenger hunt takes place on Main Street, and those who take part are tasked with seeking out hidden Christmas symbols in the windows of downtown businesses in order to win a prize.
The Best Downtown in the Adirondacks
Lake Placid’s downtown is more than just a time capsule for the town’s Olympic history; it is also a hub for unique hotels, local restaurants, and businesses, as well as year-round outdoor recreational activities. For a small, secluded mountain town of less than 3,000 people, its downtown area packs a punch and leaves visitors in awe of its character and historical roots in winter sports.
