One of only three places in the world to host the Winter Olympics twice (1932 and 1980). At the 1980 Games, the U.S. men’s hockey team (a roster of college kids coached by Herb Brooks) beat the heavily favored Soviet team 4-3 in what became known as the Miracle on Ice. Al Michaels’ call (“Do you believe in miracles? Yes!”) is one of the most famous moments in American sports history. The same Olympics, American speed skater Eric Heiden won five individual gold medals, a record that still stands. The Olympic Center on Main Street still has the original Herb Brooks Arena. You can stand at center ice.
The town today is the most polished destination in the Park great coffee, a respectable bookstore, a beautiful lakefront library, and a Main Street that’s easy to spend a whole day on. It’s also the longest drive (1 hr 50 min), so plan accordingly.
Coffee
Origin Coffee Co.
Price: $ | Food score: 5/5 logs
Specialty coffee with serious craft behind it. The rosemary latte sounds weird but tastes incredible. The breakfast burritos are made to order, the avocado toast hits just right, and the iced coffees use real cold brew. Right by the Olympic Center, so you can grab a cup before a self-guided tour. Open daily 7am-2pm.
Capisce Coffee & Espresso Bar
Price: $ | Food score: 5/5 logs
The best coffee shop within 100 miles. Italian café aesthetics, espresso pulled to perfect, and latte flights served on wooden palettes (yes, latte flights!). Order an espresso macchiato and a pastry and sit at the bar. Open at 6am every day, which makes it the breakfast stop before a sunrise hike out of Keene.
Bluesberry Bakery
Price: $ | Food score: 4/5 logs
A tiny grab-and-go with elite croissants. The almond croissant is the amazing. Get there before 11am or they’ll be sold out of the good ones. Closed Mon-Tue.
The Coffee Bar
Price: $ | Food score: 4/5 logs
A coffee shop with a back veranda that looks out at Mirror Lake. The lake view is the reason to come. Coffee is solid, breakfast sandwiches are good, and the patio is the best place in town for a quiet morning. Often packed by mid-day. Closed Tuesdays.
Food
Big Mountain Deli & Crêperie
Price: $ | Food score: 5/5 logs
Forty-six sandwiches, each named after one of the 46 High Peaks. The portions are huge, the ingredients are good, and the names are a fun gimmick that holds up because the food is actually great. Order the #44 (chicken) or the roast beef. The Avalanche latte is the best latte in Placid. They also do crepes if you want something different. Closed Tue-Wed.
Noon Mark Burger & Pie Joint
Price: $ | Food score: 5/5 logs
The Lake Placid offshoot of the Noon Mark Diner. Greasy-in-the-best-way burgers with hand-cut fries. The Maple Bacon Burger with caramelized onions is what you order. The pies are the same legendary ones from the original — get a slice for dessert. Walk-up window with picnic tables. Closed Mon-Wed.
Smoke Signals
Price: $$ | Food score: 5/5 logs
A Lake Placid institution that’s become the brisket destination of the central Adirondacks. The brisket burnt ends are caramelized, smoky, fall-apart tender. The brisket nachos are huge and the smoked Reuben is a sandwich that makes the drive worth it. Open every day from 4pm.
Lisa G’s
Price: $$ | Food score: 5/5 logs
The best fries in the Adirondacks. The wings are crispy and well-sauced, the lettuce wraps are a good lighter option, and the fish fry is solid. Bigger menu than you’d expect. Slightly off Main Street, so the wait is sometimes shorter than the downtown spots. Look for street parking. Service is excellent. Closed Tue-Wed.
Generations Tap & Grill
Price: $$ | Food score: 4/5 logs
Reliable American food with big portions. Burgers, sandwiches, pasta, salads. Nothing surprising, but everything done well. The fish and chips are a good order. Open every day till 9pm.
The Cottage at Mirror Lake Inn
Price: $$ | Food score: 4/5 logs
A small lakeside spot at the far end of the strip with the best Mirror Lake views of any restaurant in town. The buffalo chicken dip is the go-to appetizer, the BBQ pulled pork is solid, and the soup of the day is always worth ordering. Patio seating right on the water. Closed Mondays.
Dack Shack
Price: $$ | Food score: 4/5 logs
A walk-up window joint just off Main Street that doesn’t look like much. The fries are hand-cut and the fish is hand-battered. The food punches above the building. Hours change without warning so call before you drive, or check their Facebook.
Emma’s Lake Placid Creamery
Price: $ | Food score: 4/5 logs
Endless ice cream and milkshake options. The Ultimate Shake is a milkshake with the entire dessert menu blended in. Order it once for the experience, then go back to something normal. Would get 5 logs if Stewart’s wasn’t a thing. Open Thu-Sun.
Shops
The Bookstore Plus
The best independent bookstore for hours in any direction. New books, journals, puzzles, board games, art supplies. The local-author section is well-curated. The staff knows the inventory and gives great recommendations.
Lake Placid Comics and Games
A comic book and game store packed into a small space. New comics, back issues, retro video games, vintage vinyl, Magic and Pokemon cards, Star Wars merch. The owner is a fan first. Bring cash — the credit card minimum is real. Closed Tue-Wed.
Eastern Mountain Sports
The chain outdoor store on Main Street. Solid selection of boots, packs, layers, and accessories. The service varies greatly: some are good, some are just there for the summer. Use them for gear you know you need, not for advice. The clearance racks in the back can have real deals.
Ruthie’s Run
A local Lake Placid clothing store named after the famous ski trail at Aspen. The Dale of Norway wool sweaters are the centerpiece, but they also carry Pendleton, athletic running shoes (the running-shoe fitter is genuinely knowledgeable), and proper hiking boots. Higher-end gear for everyday wear, not just for the trail. Open every day.
Things to Do
Lake Placid Public Library
One of the most beautiful small libraries in the Northeast. The reading room overlooks Mirror Lake with floor-to-ceiling windows, comfortable chairs, complete silence. The librarians are friendly and helpful. Free Wi-Fi for those who need it. The single best quiet spot in the entire region. Closed Sundays. Open until 6pm Mon-Fri, 4pm Sat.
Olympic Center / Herb Brooks Arena
“Do you believe in miracles?” The actual rink where the Miracle on Ice happened. The self-guided tour walks you through both the 1932 and 1980 Olympics. You can stand at center ice on the same rink where the U.S. team beat the Soviets. The Lake Placid Olympic Museum is included with the ticket. Gold medals, photos, footage, Eric Heiden’s skates.
Mt. Van Hoevenberg
The Olympic bobsled track from the 1980 games. They run summer bobsled rides on wheels down the actual track at speeds up to 55 mph. Not cheap (around $100 per person) but a real bucket-list moment. Also has the Olympic biathlon trails for hiking and biking. Bobsled rides need to be booked in advance.
Whiteface Mountain
The fifth-highest mountain in New York, and you can drive most of the way to the top on the Veterans Memorial Highway. The summit views cover Lake Placid, the High Peaks, and on clear days, Vermont. The toll road is about $20 per adult in the car. From the parking area, an elevator carved into the rock or a short stone staircase takes you to the true summit. No hiking required for one of the best views in the Park.
Mirror Lake
The lake in the middle of town. A 2.7-mile paved path loops the whole thing. It’s flat, easy, scenic, walkable in an hour. Rent a SUP or kayak from one of the boathouses and paddle the lake itself. Swimming is allowed at the public beach. The whole loop is one of the most pleasant walks in the Adirondacks.
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