Lake Placid Visitors Bureau — Attraction in Town of North Elba

This was my second time visiting Lake Placid within ten months. I made the mistake of visiting for Easter last year and everything was closed. It seems that they had closed up about a week before for their annual break coming down from their busy season. So, I made a mental note and did my research and realized that coming in mid winter, after the lake is officially frozen and the toboggan chute is open would be the best time to revisit.

So, my family and I visited the week before Presidents’ Day, arriving on a Sunday and stayed until Wednesday as the prices for the hotel were a third of what they are for the week schools are closed. There was plenty to do on the lake that we barely had to leave our hotel for entertainment. However, finding posted times of many of the activities was not searchable on the web, which is very frustrating. If I am going to drive for over five hours I want to be able to plan our days and make the most of our trip. I had talked so much about our great plans for Lake placid that our friends also booked for the same time we were going.

A real highlight was the dog sledding. The only problem was we would have to leave home at 5am to arrive with time to spare to make the dog sledding on a Sunday because they were not running during the week. Well, the dog sledding that I found posted was not the only dog sled company. On the opposite side of the lake there was another dog sledding company, not advertised anywhere. This was great because our friends did not get out on the lake in time for the dog sledding advertised by our hotel. Not only was the other sled company operating later into the day, but they were back the next day. Not advertised anywhere that was searchable.

The toboggan chute was also the main draw for our party. Our friends who joined us, make toboggans. The hours were updated on the website just prior to us arriving. We wouldn’t shoot for it on Sunday because it would have been too much on the first day. The next day, Monday, they were closed for maintenance. So, Tuesday evening would be our best opportunity. We got there at opening time and we were not disappointed. In one hour, we were able to get three rides in. After that we didn’t want to wait in line so we went off to dinner. On a Tuesday evening it was quite difficult to find a place to eat at 8PM. Either we couldn’t get in, or it was closed even though their Google says they should had been open, or the kitchen was about to close.

It is bizarre to me that a place that appears to put forth a lot of effort to appeal as a tourist destination can’t get it together to cater to the tourists they are trying to draw in. When exactly is the height of the tourist season? How long does it last? Wouldn’t it be logical to ensure that businesses are open to tourists during the time of year when they are most likely to come? Is it really only presidents’ week? Is everything open? Even a donut shop that is closed on a Tuesday and a Wednesday should stay open EVERY DAY during the height of the season! I know, such a crazy concept to be open for business when you are running a business.

I left my hotel on Wednesday at checkout time to pick up some cool items. More than half the stores on Main Street were not open. I spent my money in the shops that were. It just seems illogical to me that when it should be one of the busiest times of the year that shops are closed two days a week or at least not open before 11AM.

So my takeaways are: -Your unified internet that seems like the town’s overreach is actually not full of useful information. The general Lake Placid website has information that isn’t up to date or all inclusive. IMO, your website is terrible. -I am not likely to stay in Lake Placid for a third time when most of the shops seem like I have once again come at the wrong time of year. -Your tourist center is a joke. Does anybody...

I have been comingI have been coming to Lake Placid for many years. I went up as usual the day after Thanksgiving staying at the High Peaks . On our way out to dinner I slipped on ice on the newly done sidewalks in front of Dancing Bears landing on my wrist and tailbone twisting my knee...who thought granite sidewalks were a good idea in a town known for their winters ? Even if they had been maintained they still are dangerous..I saw other people falling as well..unfortunately I am self employed as a hairstylist and this is my cutting hand ..I will be out of work indefinitely with no income leaving me with medical bills with no income . What a way to celebrate the holidays ! I have no idea what my next step will be but this changes my feelings for Lake...

I had a disappointing customer service experience on Saturday, February 22, 2025, at approximately 11:00 AM. Upon entering the building, we were immediately met with a stern tone from a staff member who stated, “We are not the Olympic Museum; you need to exit this building—it’s the next one over.” This was said before we had the chance to say a single word or even greet her.

While Lake Placid is a truly wonderful town, the representative from the Visitor Bureau that day did not reflect the warm and welcoming atmosphere we’ve come to expect from the area. The interaction left a negative impression and did not align with the otherwise exceptional experiences we've had in...