Lake Placid Attractions
Attractions - Lake Placid, New York Lake Placid has been a major tourist destination since the late 19th century and home to important national and international competitions including the Ironman USA, the Goodwill Games and the Winter Olympics. A city surrounded by pristine lakes and majestic mountains draw over 1.8 million visitors every year Because of the fantastic combinations of sports settings, interesting history and natural beauty, this picturesque village has many attractions to explore by day or night. The legacy of the Adirondack Mountains region is as close as its many rivers and lakes nearby. The New York Times named Lake Placid as "the best of its kind in the world." Serving as a host for 2 Winter Olympic Games, there are many Olympic related attractions to explore during your visit to Lake Placid, these are a few of them: The Olympic Center Considered the largest ice complex of its kind around the world, this facility is located in the center of Lake Placid, featuring hockey on four indoor rinks, figure skating, and speed skating. Lake Placid Horse Show Grounds Feel the emotion at the site, which was the scenery of the 1980 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies, housing the Olympic Torch that was used during these Olympic Games. United States Olympic Training Center (OTC) This is one of only 3 Olympic facilities in the United States. Serving athletes from across the nation, the OTC offers both winter and summer sports training, and its open year-round to enroll in any training program or just for visiting this Olympic setting. MacKenzie-Intervale Olympic Jumping Complex This watching attraction offers summer ski jumping on plastic mats, in an elevator ride to the top of 20-story jump tower and chairlift ride, and includes the Kodak Sport Park freestyle aerial facility featuring a 100-foot pool with 750,000 gallons of water. Olympic Sports Complex at Mt. Van Hoevenberg A display and video presentation during the one-half mile passenger ride on a wheeled bobsled. This attraction is only available during the summer season. There are also several Olympic Site Tours, 30-minute guided or self-guided to Olympic sites, including Whiteface Mountain Highway and chairlift ride, Olympic jumping complex, and 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympic museum. The Mansion Greystone is a magnificent home from the early 19th century offering an impressive panorama view overlooking Lake Champlain. This house was built in 1853 by the merchant Belden Noble using 18 inches thick cut stonewalls quarried in nearby Willsboro, but a must-see during your visit to Lake Placid. This same stonework was later used as a base of the Brooklyn Bridge. The construction of this house took nearly 4 years due to the Greek revival style that can be appreciated with its fluted column entrance portico and the spectacular plasterwork of the interior. Mansion Greystone houses a pair of gilded pier mirrors, and a mahogany Gothic style library that remains intact along with original furnishings and furniture displayed in the dining room, parlor, library, music room, and center hall. Fort Ticonderoga National Historic Landmark is an interesting attraction displaying the origins surrounding the Lake Placid Village. With over 90,000 people from throughout the world visiting the fort each year, this is a common place to find major cultural local events. The restored military fortress has a museum facility but also costumed interpreters, daily musket demonstrations, guided and self-guide tours, among other varied offerings, such as the recreation of the Grand Encampment of the French and Indian War. Whiteface Mountain Gondola This Gondola ride takes visitors over wooded areas, ski trails and scenic overlooks with astonishing views of Lake Placid and surrounding mountains including the Ausable Chasm. This ride is open only during summer and winter. Whiteface Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway Visitors, who enjoy the breathtaking mountain views, can drive the 8-mile Whiteface highway and enjoy watching majestic views of Lake Placid, Lake Champlain, Montreal, and the Green Mountains of Vermont from the 4,876-foot summit. This attraction is only open from May through mid-October. White Pine Camp, This is the historic Adirondack "Great Camp" built in 1907, which hosted many rich and famous owners and guests. A remarkable fact is that White Pine Camp served as the 1926 summer White House for President Calvin Coolidge. Considered as a unique attraction among the rustic estates of the Adirondacks, it is renowned by its incredible architecture and interesting background comprised of 20 on-site buildings. Lake Placid Marina For water sports lovers, the Lake Placid Marina features a one-hour narrated cruise aboard an all-weather scenic boat. Visitors will enjoy listening to the history of the stately manors that were built along the shore. This cruise takes the visitor from Lake Placid through the Adirondack wildlife and the magnificent Whiteface Mountain settings where the alpine events of the 1980 Winter Olympic Games were held. Adirondack Scenic Railroad An unforgettable railroad adventure riding in vintage coaches or in the open-air cars to travel through remote forests in between Lake Placid and the Adirondack Park, passing sparkling rivers, streams and ponds, which add to the impressive beauty. In addition, the Adirondack Park is also the Visitor's Interpretive Center, where orientation is provided on naturalist and environmental programs, wildlife and ecology exhibits, educational trails, theatre presentations, and live bird. John Brown Farm State Historic Site. This is the home and grave of 19th century abolitionist John Brown. There is an American song which lyrics says, "John Brown's body lies a-mouldering in the grave" but ironically a very few people know that it is associated to this farm in Lake Placid. Other attractions include: * Stevenson Society Of America Inc * Lake Placid Sinfonietta * Adirondack Community Church * Lake Placid Horse Show * Lake Placid Film Festival * Flaming Leaves Festival * Jack Rabbit Trail * Mount Van Hoevenberg * High Peaks Information Center, A summary of Lake Placid attractions can be found in a quote from George Marshall: "The road from Lake Placid Station to South Meadows wound over old glacial beaches and lake bottoms covered with second growth trees and pastures" (Approach to the Mountains) |
