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Summer Activities

Of course in the summer there is always fun to be had when you are out by the water. Lake George, like many vacation spots is no different; whether you are interested in a relaxing vacation or an adventure filled getaway, Lake George is worth looking into. However, it is by no means exotic; it is an area that thrives on tourism, so if you are looking for a place that offers an out of the ordinary twist on a vacation this may not be the place for you.

The Great Escape

  • 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.

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:

  • Adirondack Adventures Whitewater Rafting, ☎ (877) 963-RAFT. North River  edit
  • Beaver Brook Outfitters, ☎ (888) 454-8433. Wevertown  edit
  • Hudson River Rafting Company, ☎ (800) 888-7238. North Creek  edit
  • Wild Water’s Outdoor Center, 1123 Rte 28 Warrensburg NY 12885 (Exit 23 off I-87. Drive thru Warrensburg on Rte 9. Turn left onto Rte 28 and 5 miles up on left just after the bridge.), ☎ (800) 867-2335, [2]. 8-6. Fun rafting and tubing tr5ip for the whole family! We offer rafting trips on the Hudson and Sacandaga rivers. All inclusive trip with equipment, meals and fun experienced guides. Family own and operated since 1984. $19-$90.  edit

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

  • Lake George Steamboat Company, ☎ (800) 553-BOAT. Lake George, NY 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). There is a fleet of 3 boats, each one different from the other offering special highlighted amenities to guests like full or partial tours or lunch specials. All 3 boats have food, restrooms and a gift shop.  edit
  • 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.

Parasailing

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

Kayaking

  • Lake George Kayak Co., ☎ (518) 644-9366. Bolton Landing; 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!  edit
  • Charter Boats Rod Bender Charters, ☎ (888) 372-4909. Diamond Point Going out on a charter boat is great for people who want a boating day out on the water, who don’t have a boat of their own. Fishing is always fun; most places help you from start to finish, so anyone who isn’t skilled can still take part and there are plenty of places to choose from.  edit

Golf

  • Gooney Golf, Corner of Rte 9N & Rte 9 Lake George, NY 12845, ☎ (518)668-2589. This is a typical old fashion mini golf, with the classic windmill type obstacles; very affordable prices.  edit
  • Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf, 2115 State Route 9 North Lake George NY 12845, ☎ 518-668-0493. This choice is the more expensive of the two mini golf options. It was recently built and has nice greens and newer obstacles.  edit

Hot Air Balloon Rides

  • There are a few companies to choose from if you are interested. The views from above are amazing and not to be missed!

Shopping

  • 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.

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.

Swimming/ Waterside

  • Million Dollar Beach is ironically a FREE beach. Good for sunbathing or swimming and other lake activities. There is also a sand bar that reaches out into the lake that you can walk along.

Winter Activities

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 and out of the always changing and unpredictable weather in the North East, you may like to try wine tasting at the Adirondack Winery and Tasting Room, indoor golf, checking out local museums and historical sights or stopping into some of the local shops in the heart of the village.

Skiing/ Boarding

  • Gore Mountain
  • White Face Mountain
  • Lake Placid - This amazing ski getaway is located only an hour and a half away and was home to the 1980 Winter Olympics.

By car

  • The best way to enter into Lake George is by car. Lake George lies off of exits 21 and 22 on I-87. Either exit takes you directly to the village. To get there from the North, South or East you must first get to Albany then take Exit 24 to get onto I-87 North. To get to Albany you must take the NYS Thruway from the west, the Mass Turnpike from the east and route 87 from the south. To get to Lake George from the North take I-87 south.
  • Traffic Note: Many people live in Saratoga Springs but work in Albany. This makes for a lot of traffic during rush hour so drive carefully.
  • Police Note: The New York Stare Police force patrols I-87 between Albany and Saratoga Springs very frequently. You will be stopped if you speed over 63 mph due to the 55mph speed limit (the speed limit raises to 65mph at exit 10). The Staties usually stay in the emergency U-turn lanes in the medians.

By train

  • The closest train station with regular service is Albany-Rensselaer, which lies in Albany, NY. From there you must take a car north to Lake George. There is also occasional service to closer Fort Edward with hourly bus service provided by Greater Glens Falls Transit.

By plane

  • The closest Airport is Albany International Airport, which also lies in Albany, NY. A car must also be taken north from this point to get to Lake George.

By bus

  • There is a bus station in Lake George but schedules are not available online.

Trolleys

  • The trolleys run daily from 8:30AM to 11PM from the end of June through Labor Day. There are five separate trolleys, two that go north and three that go south. They are the South RV A, South RV B, Glens Falls, North A and North B/C. Each trolley is clearly marked with a sign in the front and back windows. All trolleys originate in Lake George Village and travel down Beach rd to the steamboat docks. The base fare for all routes is $1 with children under 5 free and half price for those above the age of 60. There is a zone change fee but that only applies when traveling from a southbound trolley to the North B/C 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 differ per route but most run every 40 to 45 minutes.

South RV A

  • This trolley travels down route 9 to route 149 and the Lake George RV park. This route is once an hour.

South RV B

  • This trolley travels down route 9 to the Best Western/Travelodge Motels and the Wild West Ranch.

Glens Falls

  • This trolley runs from the Village all the way down to Glens Falls. If you are going to the Great Escape and do not wish to drive this is the trolley to take.

North A

  • This trolley travels down Canada St. and Lakeshore Rd. as far as the Hearthstone State Campground.

North B/C

  • This trolley travels all the way to Diamond Point along Lakeshore Rd.

By car

  • All of the main attractions of Lake George are contained on Route 9 so if you choose to drive its rather easy to get around. Parking and traffic though, can be a nightmare; especially during the Tourist season. All parking in the village is paid parking 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 in traffic then actually driving.

Walking

  • 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.

Lake George offers a variety of restaurants. Here are some of the local favorites.

  • Deshi Masala, 375 Canada Street Lake George, New York. 12845, ☎ (518)-668-3960. The food is disgusting and over-priced!! The service is terrible.  edit
  • Mario's Restaurant, 429 Canada St Lake George, NY 12845, ☎ (518)-668-2665. This restaurant has been serving authentic Italian cuisine since 1954. It is so popular that it is in your best interest to call ahead to make a reservation. Mario’s accepts all major credit cards and encourages you to try out their full service bar. Dinner is offered from 4:30PM Monday through Thursday and from 3:00PM on Sundays.  edit
  • Sushi Yoshi, 1818 State Route 9 Lake George, NY 12845, ☎ (518)-668-4135. 1 mile south of Lake George Village This is a hibachi steakhouse that serves gourmet Chinese and Japanese food. Though this restaurant is slightly pricy, the authentic low tables, which are situated over hollow pits, allow guests to dine in Asian style without kneeling uncomfortably on the ground. Sushi Yoshi is closed until May 2009. During their usual business hours, they serve lunch and dinner seven days a week.  edit
  • Pizza Jerks, 59 Iroquois Street Lake George, NY 12845, ☎ (518)-668-441. Delicious New York Style Pizzeria that serves, among other dishes, award-winning chicken wings and garlic knots (a local favorite.) Pizza Jerks offers a delivery service that includes food and drinks. Yes, you heard me, Pizza Jerks will bring beer right to your door if you order. Nice try, buster, identification is required.  edit
  • A Taste of Poland, 259 Canada Street Lake George, NY 12845, ☎ (518)-668-4386. If you’re looking for authentic Polish Cuisine, pierogies, stuffed cabbage, or potato pancakes, try A Taste of Poland which is open for lunch and dinner all year. Be advised that this restaurant is open on weekends during the winter months only.  edit
  • SJ Garcia's, 192 Canada Street Lake George, NY 12845, ☎ (518)-668-5111. SJ Garcia’s is authentically Mexican. At the front of the restaurant, a large picture window, which extends across a full wall, offers picturesque views of Lake George and the alley that runs in front of the restaurant. SJ Garcia’s is open every day for lunch and dinner beginning at noon. There are gluten-free and vegetarian options available.  edit
  • Christie's on the Lake, 6 Christie Lane Lake George, NY 12845, ☎ (518)-668-2515. A great place to try steak, seafood, hamburgers, and wings. Christie’s is open April-October. Bring your laptops-there’s free WiFi here!  edit
  • Nina's Sweet Shop, 179 Canada St, Lake George, NY 12845, ☎ (518)-668-3226. Nina’s offers a variety of sweets for reasonable prices. Whether it’s fudge, taffy ice cream or sugar free, bring your sweet tooth and you’ll be more than satisfied. This shop is a local favorite.  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!

  • O’Toole’s Restaurant Pub, 118 Quaker Road Queensbury, NY 12804, ☎ 518-793-3389. This place is awesome! For the days you want to sit and enjoy a meal with friends or grab a drink at the bar, this restaurant is perfect. They’ve got more than 30 TVs with private speakers for each one so you can hear the game loud and clear from your seat. O’Toole’s offers an awesome variety of food (everything from fajitas to sirloin) and live entertainment. The walls are decorated with sports memorabilia and café signs from the 50’s which add to the pub’s relaxed atmosphere. Enjoy fireside seating or chill at the expansive bar.  edit
  • King Neptune’s Pub and Night Club, 1 Kurosaka Lane Lake George, NY 12845, ☎ 518-668-2017. This is a great place to eat and hang out. They’ve got 3 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.  edit