Lake George

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Lake George



For other places with the same name, see Lake George (disambiguation).

Nestled in the pristine Adirondacks, Lake George is a year-round tourist destination. It is 45 minutes (36 miles) outside of Saratoga Springs and 1 hour (60 miles) north of Albany, and is worth the effort it takes to get there. The area is pleasant for families, with many activities for all ages.

Note that some restaurants and activities are only open during certain times of the year.

Get in[edit]

By car[edit]

Downtown Lake George

The best way to enter into Lake George is by car.

  • From Interstate 90 in Albany, take Exit 24 to get onto I-87 North. Lake George is 50 miles (80 km) north; I-87 exit 21 or 22 take you directly to the village.
  • From Montréal, Autoroute 15 southbound becomes I-87, the Adirondack Northway.

Many people live in Saratoga Springs but work in Albany, creating a lot of traffic during peak hours.

By train[edit]

By plane[edit]

By bus[edit]

Get around[edit]

By trolley[edit]

Greater Glens Falls Transit operates public transport between Lake George and Glens Falls. For most of the year, that consists of a single bus route heading north from Glens Falls and stopping in the middle of Lake George. But during tourist season—late June through Labor Day—GGFT operates a set of trolley routes in and around Lake George.

In season, the trolleys run daily from 7AM to 10:30PM. Separate routes go north and south from Beach Road in Lake George (near the steamboat docks); the direction for each trolley is clearly marked with a sign in the front and back windows. The base fare for all routes is $1 with children under 5 free and half price for those above the age of 60 and those with disabilities. There is a zone change fee, but that only applies when traveling from a southbound trolley to a northbound trolley or vice versa. All trolleys are easily spotted due to their bright red color, but if you are unable to find one the docks are a good place to go because all routes begin there. The run times for trolleys vary throughout the day, but generally you shouldn't have to wait more than half an hour. The schedule is on the GGFT web site.

The North route serve Hearthstone Campground, Diamond Point, and Bolton Landing. The South route serves various RV parks and motels between Glens Falls and Lake George, along with Six Flags, the outlet mall, and Glens Falls itself.

By car[edit]

All of the main attractions of Lake George are contained on Route 9. However, parking and traffic can be a nightmare, especially during the tourist season. All parking in the village is paid parking ($1-2/hr prepaid metered) though you may be able to find some free parking on the back roads. There is a great deal of traffic during the daytime so be prepared to stop. Driving is probably the worst way to get around the village and you’ll burn more gas waiting in traffic than while driving.

By foot[edit]

Many of the motels in Lake George are within walking distance of the village so if you are tight on cash, walking is a viable option.

By boat[edit]

Some places have docks for visiting by boat. An incomplete list is:

  • Lake George Village ($2/hr prepaid meter)
  • Bolton Landing (free but limited space)
  • The Algonquin restaurant (docking assistance provided)
  • The Hacker-Craft showroom (very limited space)

See[edit]

Map
43°25′33″N 73°42′43″W
Map of Lake George
  • 1 Fort William Henry Museum, 48 Canada St (next to Fort William Henry Hotel), ☏ +1 518 668-5471. May-Oct: daily 9:30AM-5:30PM; closed Nov-Apr. A mid-20th-century replica of the original mid-18th-century fort, built by the British to counter the French presence in northern New York at the beginning of the French and Indian War. The fort was burned down in 1757, and the ruins remained for nearly 200 years before the replica was built using the original plans and footprint. Now you can take guided tours (or a special haunted tour), peruse the museum exhibits of artifacts and history, and witness reenactments of daily fort activities like firing of muskets and cannon. Oh, and visit the gift shop, of course! Adults $20, 62+ $16, 15-21 $17, 5-15 $9, under 5 free. Fort William Henry (Q519254) on Wikidata Fort William Henry on Wikipedia (updated Jun 2021)

Do[edit]

Summer activities[edit]

Of course in the summer there is always fun to be had when you are out by the water, but always expect to see lots of fellow tourists in Lake George.

  • 1 Six Flags Great Escape, 1172 Route 9, Queensbury (6 mi (9 km) from Lake George), ☏ +1 518 824-6000. open May-Oct. This amusement park is part of the Six Flags family. It has many different rides including the Boomerang, a roller coaster that goes forwards and then backwards on its track, the Desperado Plunge, a fun water ride, and the Comet, one of the oldest wooden roller coasters in the United States. The Great Escape also contains a water park open for most of the day. There is also a hotel with an indoor water park right across the street. Great Escape (Q2496825) on Wikidata Six Flags Great Escape and Hurricane Harbor on Wikipedia (updated Jan 2022)

Rafting and tubing From an easy stroll down stream to the more adventurous whitewater rafting, Lake George and surrounding areas has plenty to offer. To name a few:

Boating Lake George wouldn't be a lake without plenty of boat activities available. Some fun things to try include:

  • 5 Lake George Steamboat Company, 57 Beach Rd (Steel Pier), ☏ +1 518 668-5777, . Considered by some locals to be Lake George’s “claim to fame” is the authentic Steamboat Company, always a tourist attraction (so be ready for a crowd). Founded in 1817 as a commercial shipper, the company now has three passenger vessels for cruises up and down the lake. Each of the three boats is different, though all have some sort of food, drink, shop, and restrooms. Mohican is the oldest of the fleet (indeed, the oldest operating passenger vessel in the country), having plied Lake George's waters for over 110 years. She started life as a propeller-driven steamboat, but was later converted to diesel. Minne-Ha-Ha is one of the last steam paddlewheelers in the country, boasting a classic sternwheel; she hosts the very popular one-hour lake cruises that form the backbone of the schedule. Lac du Saint Sacrement is the newest and largest of the boats, a diesel-powered four-decker that hosts full brunch, lunch, and dinner buffets every day. Adults $17-57; ages 65+ $16-53 ; ages 4-11 $8-21; under 4 free. Lake George Steamboat Company (Q6475976) on Wikidata Lake George Steamboat Company on Wikipedia 
  • Boat owners:There are a few docks and ramps, but be sure to plan ahead for this. Not all ramps have free access and there is not always space for docking. There are beautiful islands out on the lake to visit, Diamond Island being the most popular. Many people enjoy snorkeling and searching for quartz crystals in the water surrounding the island.
  • Boat rentals:There are a few places to rent motor boats from down on the boardwalk. Rent a boat for a few hours, or take an all-day journey up the lake. Boat rental prices on the lake tend to be quite high.

Parasailing

  • There are some places to do this right on the boardwalk as you are walking by, it’s really convenient and definitely a fun must do for those who aren’t afraid of heights.

Kayaking

  • 6 Lake George Kayak Company, 5 Boathouse Ln, Bolton Landing, ☏ +1 518 644-9366. This is a great way to get out on your own and check out the lake. Just be sure that you can handle all the paddling, and watch out which way the wind is blowing because it can take a lot longer to get back to shore if the wind is against you. 

Golf

Hot Air Balloon Rides

  • There are a few companies to choose from if you are interested. The views from above are great!

Horses

  • In Lake George and surrounding areas there are a few options for those who are interested in horses. Horseback riding is always popular, either near the water or off the beaten path on a trail, for different skill levels. Also horse drawn carriage rides through town, for getting around or just a simple scenic tour. The average cost of these rides is $8 per person, depending on how far you are going, of course.

Hiking

  • There are some trails offered as well as guided hikes usually up or around Prospect Mountain.

Biking

  • 4 Warren County Bikeway. This is a bicycle trail that starts at Lake George Village and follows an old railroad right-of-way to Glens Falls. In Glens Falls in connects to an old canal and follows the canal. 

Swimming and waterside

  • 10 Million Dollar Beach, 139 Beach Rd, ☏ +1 518 668-3352. is ironically a free beach. Good for sunbathing or swimming and other lake activities. During the summer, there are lifeguards, showers, a bath house, and restrooms. There is also a sand bar that reaches out into the lake that you can walk along. 

Winter activities[edit]

Lake George is not just a summer vacation spot; there is plenty to do here in the winter as well. For those who like the outdoors there is skiing, hiking, snowmobiling and the scenic Hudson River Railroad runs in the winter as well. If you would rather stay indoors, you may like to try wine tasting at the Adirondack Winery and Tasting Room, indoor golf, visiting local museums and historical sights or stopping into some of the local shops in the heart of the village.

Skiing and boarding

  • 5 Gore Mountain Ski Resort, 793 Peaceful Valley Rd, North Creek (27 miles (43 km) from Lake George), ☏ +1 518 251-2411. 
  • 6 Whiteface Mountain Ski Resort, 5021 State Route 86, Wilmington (27 mi (43 km) from Lake George), ☏ +1 518 946-2223. 
  • Lake Placid - This amazing ski getaway is located only an hour and a half away and was home to the 1980 Winter Olympics.
  • 7 Tubby Tubes, 1289 Lake Ave, Lake Luzerne, ☏ +1 518 696-7222. This is a great snowtubing hill. Not too professional, but nevertheless a lot of fun, especially for kids. It is located about 20 minutes away from the lake. There are 4 or 5 different tracks, a family tube that can fit up to 6 comfortably and up to 11 very tightly. Tubby Tubes also has river tubing in the summer. 

Winter Carnival

  • Every February, Lake George holds races and other events out on the ice when the lake freezes.

Year-round activities[edit]

  • 8 Prospect Mountain, Prospect Mountain Hwy. Drive up Prospect Mountain for several viewpoints with excellent views of the lake, the town, and the surrounding area. $10 (including shuttle to summit). 

Buy[edit]

  • A multitude of shops are all along the “main drag”, they are smaller and tourist oriented; these are great for souvenirs and within walking distance of hotels on the water. Also there is a shopping complex, if you are looking for department and outlet stores. It is located south of the village on Rt 9.

Eat[edit]

Lake George offers a variety of restaurants. Here are some of the local favorites. Note that some may be closed during the winter.

  • 1 Mario's Restaurant, 429 Canada Street, ☏ +1 518 668-2665. This restaurant has been serving Italian cuisine since 1954. They also have a full-service bar. The restaurant is popular, so reservations are advised. Dinner is offered M-Th from 4:30PM, and Su from 3PM. 
  • 2 Sushi Yoshi, 1818 State Route 9 (1 mile south of Lake George Village), ☏ +1 518 668-4135. This is a hibachi steakhouse that serves Chinese and Japanese food. Though this restaurant is slightly pricey, the authentic low tables, which are situated over hollow pits, allow guests to dine in Japanese izakaya style. Lunch and dinner seven days a week. 
  • 3 Pizza Jerks, 59 Iroquois Street, ☏ +1 518 668-4411. Delicious New York-style pizzeria that serves, among other dishes, chicken wings and garlic knots. They also deliver. 
  • 4 Christie's on the Lake, 6 Christie Lane, ☏ +1 518 668-2515. Steak, seafood, hamburgers, and wings. Open April-October, free WiFi. 
  • 5 Nina's Sweet Shop, 179 Canada Street, ☏ +1 518 668-3226. Nina’s offers a variety of sweets such as fudge and taffy ice cream, and some are sugar free. This shop is a local favorite. 
  • 6 The Rooftop Cabana Bar, 400 Canada Street, ☏ +1 518 668-2442, toll-free: +1-800-342-9795, . Noon-8PM. Outdoor dining on the shore of Lake George. Located on Surfside on the Lake's rooftop terrace with panoramic views. Offers a menu of appetizers, salads, sandwiches, paninis, burgers, and steak. (updated Dec 2015)

Drink[edit]

There are a handful of bars and pubs in Lake George, but here are a couple of locations that are especially good! So if you’re 21 or older, be sure to check out these hot spots!

  • 1 O'Toole's Restaurant Pub, 118 Quaker Road, Queensbury, ☏ +1 518-793-3389. They have more than 30 television with private speakers for each one. O'Toole's offers a great variety of food (everything from fajitas to sirloin) and live entertainment. The walls are decorated with sports memorabilia and café signs from the 1950s. They have fireside seating and an expansive bar. 
  • 2 King Neptune’s Pub and Night Club, 1 Kurosaka Lane, ☏ +1 518-668-2017. This is a great place to eat and hang out. They have three bars on three different levels with live music from local bands. If you don't feel like sitting inside, there's a beautiful roof-top deck to enjoy. 
  • 3 Tankard Taverne, 48 Canada Street (Fort William Henry Hotel), ☏ +1 518-964-6661. It is a great place to get a quiet drink while enjoying the view of Lake George. They offer 2 happy hours with drink specials, 4PM to 6PM and again from 9PM to 11PM. Appetizers and pub fare available. 
  • 4 Adirondack Winery Lake George Tasting Room, 285 Canada St, ☏ +1 518 668-9463. (updated Dec 2022)

Sleep[edit]

Hotels and motels[edit]

There are a great many places to stay in and around Lake George, all within walking distance of the main drag.

Budget[edit]

  • Adirondack Sunrise, 2736 Route 9, ☏ +1 518 668-2153. Open May to September. You can rent by night or by week, but one night’s deposit is required for nights spent under four nights. It costs $63-110 per night depending on room Monday through Thursday. There is an average of $5 increase in price per night depending on room on Friday through Sunday. Offers both motel rooms as well as cute little cabins. They are all roughly the same price; the cabins are not more expensive than the motel rooms or vice versa. The beds in all rooms are changed every two days and you can request new towels whenever they are needed. Suitable for families with children as the grounds feature a large, picturesque lawn, a playground, as well as a swimming pool. The pool is open from 10AM to 10PM. The lawn is behind the cabins and there are fire pits located around this area, as well as plenty of lawn furniture and outdoor games. Comfortable and homey. No pets allowed. 
  • Country Hearth Inn Lake George, 2477 State Route 9 North, ☏ +1 518 668-4141. Closed until April, this hotel is part of a chain of hotels spread all throughout the United States. If you join their frequent traveler program, you will get special benefits, including special rates, room upgrades, etc. The hotel has a continental breakfast as well as free local calls and free high-speed wireless Internet access; however no pets are allowed. Costs $80-99 depending on room. All rooms are non-smoking. The rooms either feature two queen sized beds or one king sized bed. Some rooms have a microwave and a refrigerator. Some rooms with a king-sized bed have a Jacuzzi in the room. Maids clean the rooms daily and rollaway beds and cribs are available upon request. There is also a large swimming pool on site. Between the rooms and all the other amenities that this hotel has to offer, the price per night is quite the deal, but bear in mind, like with most huge chains, you get what you pay for. 

Mid-range[edit]

  • Tahoe Resort on Lake George, 2998 Lake Shore Drive, toll-free: +1-800-833-8484. Located right on Lake George, this resort is only open May to September. Costs $69-199 per night depending on room and the time of your trip. The three different types of rooms are called Courtyard, Lake View and Beachside. Children under 12 can stay free, but there are no pets allowed. There is a deposit requirement of one night for confirmed reservations, but are refundable if notified one week prior to arrival. During the busy season (July and August, as well as on holidays and during special events), reservations must include at least one Sunday night (or alternatively, a specific number of nights stayed). This resort has a private beach, an outdoor heated pool, jet skiing, white water rafting, amongst many other activities. 
  • Roaring Brook Ranch Resort and Conference Center, Route 9 South, toll-free: +1-800-822-7665. This resort is open May through October and is quite close to the main drag of Lake George. Rooms rates are based on two people and are $89-159 per night depending on room, with each additional person over eight costing $59 per person (children under eight cost $29 per). Also, you may be able to get a special deal, so check their website before making reservations. The Main Lodge is where all the indoor activities are hosted; however, the rooms are not located in this building. The rooms are located in three different units, the Island View, the Abigail Cheyenne Calgary, and the new Monterey Suites (which features a living and a sleeping room for each suite). Each unit has about ten rooms in it. Each room has two double beds (though some of the rooms in the Calgary and the Monterey Suites have additional beds), color television, and all the other amenities expected in a good resort. At first glance, the rooms may be small, but they are comfortable and cozy. The resort itself highlights many activities such as tennis courts, wilderness riding and has nightly entertainment. Horseback riding is another feature of this resort, costing $28 per ride. Also, their indoor pool is heated. Featuring grand banquet rooms, this resort is also suitable for weddings, conventions, and other large group social events. 

Splurge[edit]

  • Fort William Henry Hotel and Conference Center, 48 Canada Street, Route 9, toll-free: +1-800-234-0267. This hotel opened in 2003 and is open year-round. Costs $149-329 per night depending on room. Various packages are offered, so check these out before you make a reservation. There are three hotels on this large property. One, the Grand Hotel includes five floors and wireless Internet access. These rooms come either with a king size bed or a double size bed. The rooms with king size beds come with a double sleeper sofa, while the double size beds come with a twin sleeper sofa. The rooms in the Premium East Hotel come with two double beds or one king size bed. The Standard West Motel has two floors with outside entrances, which makes moving in and out a breeze! Each room here has either two double beds or one double bed and a full size sleeper sofa. All rooms come with a safe, which is important if you’ve brought a lot of spending money. There are many different restaurants on site, including the White Lion Room (breakfast), the Village Blacksmith Steakhouse (dinner), the Lookout Cafe (lunch/dinner), Adirondack Sandwich Works (sandwiches/salads), the Sticky Bun Coffee Shop and a Hershey’s Ice Cream Store. The Veranda Bar is also on premises, and in the summer months, it is open to the public as well as hotel guests. You can enjoy a cold drink there while sitting in a wicker chair and taking in the view of the town. There are many things you can see without even leaving the resort's 18-acre grounds, like the Fort William Henry Museum, a restored fort that played a key role in the French and Indian War. 
  • Surfside on the Lake, 400 Canada Street, ☏ +1 518 668-2442, toll-free: +1-800-342-9795, . Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Family resort with 154 rooms/suites. Rates range from $49 to $390 depending on room type and dates. 233' private sandy beach on Lake George. Lakefront rooftop terrace with cabana bar. On-site restaurant with seating for 175 for weddings. Free internet. Paddle boat and kayak rentals. 4 decks overlooking the lake. On the village trolley route. Children's playground and bbq grills on the beach. 13 types of rooms ranging from standard rooms with 2 beds and no views,to 2 bedroom lakefront suites with 3 Queen Beds and private balconies. All rooms have refrigerators and are non-smoking; Pets are not allowed. 2 or 3 night all-inclusive packages are offered which include meals & attractions. 

Campgrounds[edit]

Camping is beyond huge in the Adirondacks.

  • Ledgeview Village RV Park, 321 State Route 149, ☏ +1 518 798-6621. Open May 1 to Columbus Day. $39-45 depending on site with a $5 charge per each additional person, but children under 3 are free. Useful for those with an RV or other camping unit, but no tents are allowed. There are activities for older (such as Boccie or shuffleboard) and younger (such as a playground) children, but no pets are allowed. You might be “roughing it”, but you don’t have to sacrifice basic hygiene and privacy to do it. Tiled restrooms, hot showers, private dressing rooms and a laundromat are located in this RV park. There is also a pool. 
  • Hearthstone Point Campground, 3298 Lake Shore Drive (Route 9N) (2 miles north of Lake George Village), ☏ +1 518 668-5193. Hearthstone Point is a campground run by the state of New York with 251 campsites that are all spacious except for a few on the north side of the campground. The campground boasts a beach on Lake George that is manned by trained lifeguards who are present at all times, and has two bathhouses (one on each side the house) along with multiple restroom buildings spread throughout the campus. Pets are allowed at this beautiful campground, which costs only $22 per night and has access to the village via the trolley that turns nearby. People also use the volleyball net that is available near the beach. 

Go next[edit]

Routes through Lake George
Montreal ← Chester ←  N  S  → Saratoga Springs → Albany
Plattsburgh ← Ticonderoga ← Jct W ←  N  S  → Saratoga Springs → Ends at


This city travel guide to Lake George is a usable article. It has information on how to get there and on restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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