Lake George, NY

[Aliceacc]

Hehe...
We took our kids to Frankenstein's when they were like 6. We had no idea it would be that serious! They are traumatized.

Then absolutely avoid Dr. Marvel's House of Horrors, or whatever it's called. A friend said it scared HIM, and he doesn't scare easily.

Oh, and for some reason my kids need to have ice cream each night at the Candy Apple, near the fort.

 

[emma'smom]

If you are looking for something a bit less "tacky touristy" maybe go deeper into the Adirondack region. There are cabin/cottage rentals all over the Adirondacks--- some right on the lakes that are much more "week at the lake" sort of experiences where more of your time is spent swimming in the lake, boating, kayaking, hiking (or for me--short walks in the woods as I'm so not a hiker), campfires, trips to the ice cream store, etc. We have a cottage (fully modern with internet, cable TV, etc) and do all this and then take day trips to Lake Placid, Blue Mountain Lake, the Wild Center in Tupper Lake, etc.

Also, when you are looking for places wherever--don't be too put off by no air-conditioning--- it gets cool up there at night--you really don't need it most days. That's why folks from the bigger cities used to spend their summers "up north in the woods".

WDW it is not! If you are looking for a similar sort of experience---the Adirondacks isn't it. But if you are looking for something different---it's a great vacation.

 

[MPB82]

When I was little my family and a friends family would spen 2 weeks in the summer at the Lake George RV park. We both had small pop up campers and we would get side by side sites and strap a big blue tarp between them for if it rained. Great escape the forts mini golf swimming riding bikes the haunted house it was all great fun.

Like most people say depending on if you like touristy family fun or something more out of the way/quiet you can find t all up there.

 

[Cogswel_Cogs]

When I was younger we use to go up to Hullets Landing quite a bit. If you are looking to swim a lot August is much nicer as the water is so cold before then.

 

[eeyore29]

Thanks again for all your helpful info. If we'd want to be able to see the fireworks from our hotel, what area would be best?

Has anyone tried the parasailing? Hubby might want to try that.

 

[mickeyboat]

We spent many summers vacationing in Diamond Point. We stayed here http://www.canoeislandlodge.com/ . It is not exactly what you are looking for, but we loved it, especially when our kids were younger. Some years didn't leave the resort at all.

DH and the girls went parasailing a couple years ago and they loved it. It was expensive, but they all said it was totally worth it.

 

[Aliceacc]

Everyone goes down to the dock at about 9ish I think; you can check in at the desk.

 

[eeyore29]

If we'd stay somewhere in-town, like Surfside, can we pretty much walk to most of the attractions & dining? What sort of things would be within walking distance (with a 7-year-old)? And is it a safe walking path/sidewalk?

I know Six Flags is out-of-town, and so is the garnet mine (both are on our definite to-do list) so those would be day trips. And maybe the racetrack, too.

 

[Aliceacc]

Yes, from Surfside or Marine Village. you can absolutely walk into town. It's a 3 or 4 block walk to the restaurants, the shops, the ice cream shops, and all the rest. Add a block or two, max, for Fort William Henry, mini golf and the Minnie Ha Ha and other cruises. And they're safe, wide sidewalks, with lots of crosswalks and lights. My girls have on occasion walked together back to the Surfside at night. (Though the momma bear in me refuses to let them go alone. As with WDW, it's safe. But you take normal precautions.)

 

[eeyore29]

Thanks again, Aliceacc. I just can't decide where to stay. Good thing we've got plenty of time to do our research! Are there any other hotels you'd recommend closer to "in-town?"

 

[wishesuponastar]

We are camping at Lake George. First time going. Will the water at Lake George be warm enough to swim at the end of July?

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

We are camping at Lake George. First time going. Will the water at Lake George be warm enough to swim at the end of July?

Lake George is never warm enough for me
But yes... There are lots of swimmers there around that time.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

We are camping at Lake George. First time going. Will the water at Lake George be warm enough to swim at the end of July?

What campground? (If you don't want to answer or you want to PM me that's totally fine).

 

[Aliceacc]

Honestly, the two I mentioned ARE in town.

 

[wishesuponastar]

Lake George is never warm enough for me
But yes... There are lots of swimmers there around that time.

Then I'm sure it won't be warm enough for me too.

We are going to Hearthstone. A friend of ours recommended it.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

Then I'm sure it won't be warm enough for me too.

We are going to Hearthstone. A friend of ours recommended it.

I haven't been there. Let me know what you think! We go to Adirondack Camping Village I really want to try one of the big resort type ones but DH says it kind of ruins the camping experience LOL.

 

[wishesuponastar]

I will let you know how we like it. Thanks for your recommendation. Hope you get to go to the resort one sometime.

 

[TARAMEOW]

We go to Lake George a few times a year. We always stay at the Great Escape Lodge. It is a bit pricey but they often have discounts on their website. It includes the indoor water park and the Great Escape if you are going in the summer. There are kids club activities every day. And a Johnny Rockets on site

 

[eeyore29]

We go to Lake George a few times a year. We always stay at the Great Escape Lodge. It is a bit pricey but they often have discounts on their website. It includes the indoor water park and the Great Escape if you are going in the summer. There are kids club activities every day. And a Johnny Rockets on site

I had dismissed this hotel because of some reviews I saw on tripadvisor (bugs-eww!). I didn't know admission to the park was included...that's awesome! Have you ever had any such issues there?

 

[mavslab]

Thanks again for all your helpful info. If we'd want to be able to see the fireworks from our hotel, what area would be best?

Has anyone tried the parasailing? Hubby might want to try that.

The kids went last year and LOVED it! I don't like heights so I didn't go.

We loved Adirondack tubing adventures. Great 2 hour relaxing tubing ride and not far from the village.

Check groupon for tubing and the fort as there are often groupons for that.

We stay at Lake George RV park with our camper so I am no help on where to stay but they do have campers you can rent. Think of it like a small hotel Room the park has stuff for kids to do (pools, fishing, bingo, arcade, paddle boats) and they have a trolley that goes to the outlets and to the village so if you wanted to have a few drinks at dinner you wouldn't have to worry about driving back.

Fireworks are every Thursday (I think) on the lake and you can see them from many places in the village or from a fireworks cruise