One of the most ‘Christmassy’ towns in America jingles all the way from Upstate New York (2024)

Bringing that ho-ho-hometown glory this holiday season is one Upstate New York village that was recently named one of the most “Christmassy” towns in America.

Lake Placid in the Adirondacks earned the number 3 spot on Mixbook, a photo book brand’s, top 75 favorite “Christmassy” towns in the United States.

While the area is beautiful any time of year, Lake Placid truly shines in winter, and is especially festive during the holidays. Nestled in the Adirondack High Peaks region, the snowy mountain views make for a picturesque backdrop. Mixbook notes its charming main street dressed in twinkling lights and seasonal decorations setting a storybook-worthy scene.

Lake Placid is so full of holiday spirit that a Hallmark-style Christmas movie was recently filmed at locations throughout the village.

Known for its Olympic history as a former host city, visitors get to use some of the same facilities as Olympic athletes with outdoor winter sports activities such as bobsledding, snowboarding, skiing and skating.

Originally the venue for speed skating competitions during the 1980 Olympics, the James C. Sheffield Speed Skating Oval in Lake Placid now allows visitors and locals alike to lace up their skates. This popular outdoor rink, adorned with Christmas lights, also earned the distinction as being one of the best ice skating rinks in America as voted by USA Today readers.

Just a short walk away from the Oval and Olympic Center, is Mirror Lake, where you’ll also find ice skating, along with pickup hockey games, dog sledding, and a toboggan chute when the water freezes over. The winter scenes this creates look straight out of a Christmas carol.

For those looking to get close to the Olympic action, take the Skyride at the Olympic Jumping Complex. You’ll embark on a gondola with a bird’s eye view of the landing hill as it transports you up to the base of the ski jumping towers. Continue in a glass elevator to the Sky Deck at the top of the 128 meter ski jump and find panoramic views of Lake Placid and the surrounding Adirondack Mountains.

Other holiday festivities in Lake Placid include the Holiday Village Stroll featuring carolers, horse-drawn carriage rides, and festive markets. You might even spot Santa if you are out and about in the village on Christmas day or skiing on nearby Whiteface Mountain.

Two other Upstate New York towns also made Mixbook’s list, including Rhinebeck (#23) in the Hudson Valley and Skaneateles (#73) in Central New York. Rhinebeck’s annual Sinterklaas Festival Day which culminates in a grand Starlight Parade and Skaneateles’ immersive Dicken’s Christmas event each weekend between Thanksgiving and Christmas earned them mentions on the list.

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