Lake Placid is a village located in Essex County, New York, within the Adirondack Mountains. The village is near the center of the town of North Elba, approximately 50 miles southwest of Plattsburgh. As of the 2020 census, the population was 2,205.
Lake Placid is internationally known for having hosted the 1932 and 1980 Winter Olympics. In addition to the Olympics, Lake Placid has hosted the 1972 and 2023 Winter World University Games, and the 2000 Winter Goodwill Games. Popular attractions include the Olympic Center, where visitors can explore Olympic history, the Olympic Jumping Complex, and the state-of-the-art US Olympic Training Center. Other attractions include the John Brown Farm State Historic Site, the final home and gravesite of the abolitionist, and the Lake Placid North Elba Historical Society Museum. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy skiing and snowboarding at Whiteface Mountain, dog sled tours on Mirror Lake, and exploring the hiking trails.
Recent developments in Lake Placid include the "Perfecting Placid" initiative, which brought new granite sidewalks and a new park to Main Street. The Grand Adirondack Hotel, formerly the Hotel North Woods, has been remodeled. The village is also working on a master plan for the North Elba Horse Show Grounds that includes new buildings, renovations, and improvements, and is seeking funding for a renovation and expansion of the Long Building. Lake Placid is also applying for Downtown Revitalization Initiative grant funding to support projects focused on the Main Street corridor, including streetscape enhancements and redevelopment projects.
