History & Culture · Adirondacks & North Country
The rink where the Miracle on Ice happened is still here
Lake Placid hosted the Winter Olympics in 1932 and 1980, and you can still visit the arena where the Miracle on Ice happened.
Published June 21, 2026 · Last verified June 21, 2026
Lake Placid hosted the Winter Olympics twice, in 1932 and again in 1980. The heart of the village’s Olympic story is the Olympic Center right on Main Street, and the building still stands today.
The big story is from February 22, 1980. In what’s now called the Miracle on Ice, a U.S. hockey team of amateurs and college players beat the Soviet Union, then the best team in the world. That game was played in what’s now the 1980 Herb Brooks Arena, named for the coach. Right next door is the older 1932 rink (the Jack Shea Arena), and outside is the speed skating oval where Eric Heiden won five golds in 1980.
You can visit. The Olympic Center is at 2634 Main Street in the village, and the Lake Placid Olympic Museum next door holds a large collection of Winter Olympic artifacts. Guided tours of the arenas are offered, and you can sometimes even skate on the Olympic ice yourself.
Lake Placid is not just a place that hosted the Olympics long ago. The arenas, museum, oval, and Main Street setting keep that winter-sports story visible right in the village.
Where to see it
The Olympic Center and Lake Placid Olympic Museum are at 2634 Main Street in Lake Placid village. Guided arena tours and public skating sessions are offered; check current hours, tour times, and ticket prices on the official Olympic Center website.