Lake George NY

[chelsea&austinsmom]

Has anyone been to Lake George NY? How many days do you need to be there and what kind of activites is there? What time of year is good to go?

 

[mickeyboat]

We go every summer and stay a week at an all-inclusive lodge. The only months I would go are July or August. The lake is pretty cold until then. If we were not staying at the resort, a couple days is all I would need to get my fill of Lake George Village.

 

[GeorgeG]

Depending on what time of year you go, you could probably find enough to do for a week. You can day trip one day to Vermont, another to Lake Placid and there is enough to see and do in and around Lake George.

 

[Pigeon]

I live not far from there. I'd probably go in September. The weather is still nice and most of the tourists are gone.

 

[megthewonderful]

My family loves going to Lake George. Before our kids started school we would go in June to beat the crowds. Now, we just go for a long weekend over the summer. We could easily spend a week there and might one day in the future again. My kids like to hang around the hotel pool or the lake and walk around the village, but usually we venture to Great Escape one day, sometimes to Lake Placid and we always take a boat ride. Once the kids get older (our youngest is 2) we are hoping we can start hiking in the area once again.

 

[5 for WDW]

We love Lake George!

We like to go in June. We do Great Escape, take some hikes through some of the amazing cavern places and always, always, take a ride on the Minnie Ha Ha paddleboat. The Village is great and we find that trip is the only one we really sit back and enjoy!

 

[emma'smom]

I'll give a different opinion. I find Lake George positively schlocky and touristy! I agree with the PP that an Adirondack vacation on a lake is a truly relaxing experience and many of the things they named are great things to do. However, I might skip Lake George except for a day visit if you really are interested in this town specifically and head somewhere like Blue Mountain Lake or Long Lake (or if you are looking for touristy), Lake Placid or Saranac Lake. These are all Adirondack towns that aren't too far from Lake George that have a little less "commercial" feel. Don't get me wrong---I love the touristy things---but I also like to drive away from them.

That being said, that side of the North Woods region has better access to white water rafting. If you are into hiking, check out some of the high peaks challenges. The Adirondack Museum (in Blue Mountain Lake) and the Wildlife Museum (in Tupper Lake) are great places to visit.

You could fill a whole week with the following:
swimming in the lakes
rafting
hiking
canoeing
cavern visits
boating and boating activities (tubing, skiing, etc)
eating ice cream
wandering through touristy towns
museum and great camp tours
a trip to Vermont (Teddy Bear Factory, Ben and Jerry's, etc)


...but mostly just pulling up an adirondack chair, a drink of choice (Saranac Ale or a glass of upstate NY wine would be appropriate), and gaze out at the natural wonder of the mountains and lakes

P.S. We have a cottage in Cranberry Lake (which is all the way on the other side of the forest preserve)---but there is a lot of great camping all over the Adirondacks. As for best time to go, it depends on what you are looking for:

Summer- best time for swimming/boating activities IN the water--mountain lakes are cold--note June is black fly season so go with July or August

Fall- Best time for "leaf looking"--late fall brings out the hunters if you are into that (we're not)

Winter- snow mobiling, skiing, etc.

Spring- (which is really very late April and May)--- not my favorite time of year as it is very wet and muddy---but a great time to marvel at a natural world that is literally "waking up" after a long winter

 

[chelsea&austinsmom]

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and ideas. We are looking to go in the Spring to relax, enjoy the scenery and the kids want to do the zip line. Any other ideas or good places to eat.

 

[DisTeacher07]

I have to agree with Emma's Mom. We liked Lake George as little kids, but honestly, any campground with a pool or lake would have made us happy!!!

I love, love, love Long Lake. We go every summer and kayak, swim, hike. I really enjoy the Adirondack Museum (haven't been to the Wildlife Museum in Tupper, but I hear it's nice to visit).

Also, it's right between Lake George and Lake Placid so it's only about an hour drive if you wanted to make a day trip to either place!

Good luck and have fun!