Tucked in the middle of the Adirondacks near no major cities lies the small town of Lake Placid. Perhaps the location to the most memorable Olympic moment ever, this town continues to thrive and live off its name and history. However, when looking at the towns of the ADK park surrounding Lake Placid, none can attract tourists on a year-long basis as Placid can. Lake Placid is different as it has become a thriving year-round tourist destination in all four seasons. This is primarily thanks to its unique combination of year-round activities as well as seasonal activities.

When looking at a successful tourist destination, the most crucial factor is whether it can persuade visitors to come throughout an entire year and not just during one season called tourist season. Lake Placid fits these requirements. In the summer, there are countless hikes, water sports, restaurants, tours, and so much more to do in the village. This season sees over half a million tourists each year and helps contribute a significant fraction of the $240 million generated by tourists in the town. However, when looking at winter activities, the foundation of its tourist base comes through its access to ski resorts (pictured below) and the use of old Olympic venues such as the bobsled course, the outdoor skating rink, and the Herb Brooks hockey arena. These two seasons collectively help contribute to the million visitors the town sees each year, which helps keep this beautiful, historical village a functioning and desirable tourist destination.

I have been able to visit Lake Placid many times in my life and can say with no doubt that it is my favorite town in the ADKs. It has the feel, nostalgia, and history of a small town yet has modernized with the years and can easily support visitors. Strolling down Main street and walking past countless restaurants, Olympic stores, family businesses, and Olympic venus, all while overlooking Lake Placid, creates one of the more pleasant environments in the ADKs when not in the wilderness. During my last winter visit to Lake Placid this past year, I was shocked to find so many tourists there in the middle of March. The line to the outdoor skating rink was 200 people long, while the wait for a table at the popular BBQ restaurant, Smoke Signals, was over an hour long. This surprised me, as I had always presumed that the tourist season dropped off after the summer, where most activities could occur. However, the duality of the town allowed for a second wave of tourists to visit and experience the town in a completely different setting. This is a unique feature of town, and is the main reason why it is the most popular and successful tourist town in the ADKs.

References:

WAMC Northeast Public Radio | By Pat Bradley. “Updated Adirondack Tourism Study Released.” WAMC, 24 July 2018, https://www.wamc.org/north-country-news/2018-07-24/updated-adirondack-tourism-study-released.