Lake George Info needed

[diskids2]

Hi all,

We never made it to Lake George a few years back, went to WDW instead. However, next summer we plan to make the trip and I need some HELP!

First, I can't make up my mind between renting a house and getting a "hotel/motel" room. The homes I have looked at (VRBO, ADKBYowner, Homeaway) seem to have some of the amenities I want, but not all of the amenities. Does anyone know if I am looking too early for home rentals for next summer?

Second, if I stay at a hotel/motel, I am considering Marine Village and Holiday Inn Turf. My issue with Holiday Inn turf is that it looks just outside of town - Does anyone know if the trolley runs by it (I will have two 16 year old boys with me and would LOVE for them to go around a little on their own...just a little freedom). Also, I am concerned about parking if I have to bring the car into the village when we go. The Marine Village looks like it is more in the middle of the village, but I have to call the property because I can't get good pictures of the different rooms from the website. Has anyone ever stayed at either place?

And lastly, at least for now....any good recommendations on restaurants or for that matter any other lodging suggestions. We have to have a pool and if we rent a house, we have to have central air or air conditioners in all the bedrooms.

Thanks!

 

[adkkev]

1. Why Lake George?
2. How long do you plan on staying? A week? Less?
3. What kind of activities are you & your family looking to do?
4. You couldn't pay me to drive IN Lake George Village in the summer - it's crazy there. And check your dates to make sure your visit doesn't conflict with one of the "bike weeks" up there. Gets even crazier when those activities are scheduled!
5. A rental offers more options than a motel/hotel for meals, and space, especially when you're dealing with teenagers.
6. Here's a thought ... look at the Lake Placid area ... LG is only an hour or so away, if you're looking to go to 6Flags/Great Escape for a day ... Lake Placid may be less expensive, and slightly less crazy ... and the Main Street area is much more compact and easier to walk around (for the teens).

 

[DipsyDoodles]

I love Lake George. Have you looked at the Great Escape Lodge and Indoor Water Park? It's alot of fun and you can walk right over to Great Escape. The parking in LG can be a pain in the summer but we have never not found parking. The Georgian is a good location and have a nice pool and views of the lake as is The Georgian. The HI Turf is close enough that a trolley would take you into town, not one of my faves though. I've been to Lake Placid as well, my brother went to college there, it's a nice area but not a ton to do in the summer time (compared to LG). It's great in the winter though!

 

[gometros]

Also, think about staying a little outside of Lake George, up 9N in the Diamond Point area. There are a lot of nice motels/hotels right on the water, some with housekeeping units.

 

[adkkev]

I love Lake George. Have you looked at the Great Escape Lodge and Indoor Water Park? It's alot of fun and you can walk right over to Great Escape. The parking in LG can be a pain in the summer but we have never not found parking. The Georgian is a good location and have a nice pool and views of the lake as is The Georgian. The HI Turf is close enough that a trolley would take you into town, not one of my faves though. I've been to Lake Placid as well, my brother went to college there, it's a nice area but not a ton to do in the summer time (compared to LG). It's great in the winter though!

Closest college to Lake Placid is Paul Smiths ... not sure if that's the college your brother went to though. Or North Country CC in Saranac Lake.

Actually there is a ton of stuff to do in LP, if you enjoy outdoorsy activities. Hiking, mtn biking (at Whiteface Mtn), fly fishing in the Ausable, kayaking, canoeing, visiting the Wild Center in Tupper Lake, bobsled/luge rides at Mt. Hovenburg, watching the Olympic aerial ski team practice their acrobatics in the outdoor pools, watching the ski jumpers practice at the 70m ski jump (right by the aerial practice), gondola rides up Whiteface, you can even drive up Whiteface Mtn if you want.

 

[diskids2]

Hi all...thanks for the suggestions so far. We've been to Lake Placid, so we want to try something different. We're not going during Americade, but we are going fourth of July weekend.

 

[monkeyboy]

Love the lake

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Hello! We love Lake George and try to go for a long weekend every year. I would definitely choose Marine Village over the Holiday Inn Turf. We stayed at the HI for the first time this past Labor Day and it was just Ok. Rooms were clean but nothing special. And it was definitely a walk to the Village. MV is much closer and would be much better for your 16 year olds. We have stayed there in the past and never moved the car once we parked it.

My one restaurant recommendation ...and it is right across the street from MV is the Sicilian Spaghetti House. We eat at least once every trip!

Feel free to PM me if you have any more questions!

 

[bellebud]

for what you're looking for (w/ 16yo boys), I'd stay as close in the village as you can. we like Bolton Landing better, but I think your boys would like the village better.

we go to fish, so we always rent a house in Diamond Point or Bolton Landing (or further up in the nw bay), have a pontoon boat in the yard for the week, and we're happy.

We've used MacDonald Real Estate, and Davies and Davies Real Estate (both local places right there).

We've found only 1 house w/ AC so far - it doesn't seem to be too common. (I remember putting hats and gloves on my packing list for the next year, because at 6am out on the lake even in July or August, it can be cold). We also don't always find a dish washer.

But we love it all just the same.

 

[mickeyboat]

We vacation every summer on Lake George - at a resort in Diamond Point. We like a more relaxing vacation, but with two 16 year old boys, I would also recommend staying closer to Lake George Village.

We have never found difficulty parking in the Village. There are lots of side streets one street over from Canada St. PS make sure you have money for the parking meters - I think they only take quarters.

Try to stay away from Americade (Bike Week) which is in June. Sometimes the weather and the lake can be cold, so we like to go in the middle of August.

We eat most of our meals at the resort, but we like to have lunch once during the week at the Adirondack Pub. We actually don't go into the Village much anymore, unless there is a rain day or if the kids beg to go to the arcade.

Have a great time!

 

[C.Ann]

Very busy place in the summer and keep in mind that if you stay right inside the village, the noise will be very loud both day and night..

And unless you're a biker, you definitely want to avoid Americade week..

Great place - just loud, busy, and sometimes a little rough around the edges (as in "rowdy")..

I'd look for something outside of the village a bit..