Lake George

[jkcyoung]

We are thinking about planning a trip to Lake George, NY this summer. I was wondering if anyone has some lodging suggestions. We would like to be on the lake and probably would prefer a cabin over a motel room. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Aliceacc]

WE made our reservations in January.

Here are my requirements:
a. I want to be ON the lake. Not "near the lake" or "across Rte 9 from the lake" but ON it, with a beach.

b. I want a pool. Actually, I don't care, but my kids do.

c. I want to be able to walk into LG Village for the shops and the restaurants.

d. We're a family of 5. My son needs a real bed, not a rollaway.

e. I want a place that's clean.

We've stayed for the past few years at Surfside on Lake George, and will very happily return there again. http://www.surfsideonthelake.com/

The location is great, the prices are reasonable, the facilities are wonderful. We can watch the Thursday night fireworks from the beach. They have discount tickets to Six Flags, the outlets, and most of the restaurants and attractions in the area.

They don't have cabins, but we stay at one of the lakefront suites. (When the kids were younger, we stayed in the cheaper efficiencies.) Their regular rooms are much cheaper, but we love being on the lakefront.

We have no reason to look elsewhere in LG.

We love it.

 

[lisaross]

just about to post SurfSide as well..we stayed there 3 years ago and LOVED it. One of our best vacations..u can park ur car at the motel and walk to town..lots of restaurants, arcades etc.

We did go to the Rodeo in town which was fun..also hit a drive in movie - they have outlets close by which we hit on the way home..

also have a great adventure we tried to do local things though..many mini golf courses as well on the strip...oh we also went tubing on the river - went w/tubby tubes - GREAT check it out..

 

[lisa-upnorth]

Welcome to my neck of the woods!! I live her and love it but I stay away from the lake area in the summer due to the crowds

I will agree the surfside is a good pick. I would say book ASAP!!!! Most on the lake will be gone long before summer! This year I am booked for 4 days on the lake at the Heathstone campground. They are the only campground with spots on the lake. They only have a few on the lake. I went to book in Dec and got the last 4 days available from Jun1st-Sept! I will be staying last week in July from Sun-Weds, which is not the best days but the only choice I had for a little fun away from home! We love to play tourist!
There are many motels ,cabins and camps around the Lake George area BUT not all are on the lake. These book fast so get on it! You can search online and see a lot of places.The open beach area in the heart of town is free and perfect to enjoy if you don't find one on the water for your price range. They do get pricey!
As for 6 flags-last year they sold a take 6 ticket which was good for 6 visits and was $40!! Hope they have that deal again! We had season passes but my hubby only got the take 6 tickets since he can't go as much as me and the kids! Nice Johnny Rockets across the street is a fun place to eat. Plan on going to the drive in one night too! If you have any ??? or want me to take pics of places let me know! Maybe I can meet up with you and say hi to a fellow diser

 

[jkcyoung]

Thanks I will definitely check it out!

 

[MUFFYCAT]

We've been going every year for the last 18 years. My older DD was 2 and she still loves it. I used to go when I was a kid but not that many times!
She's the one that actually insists we still go every year!

We stay further up Rte 9 at Depe Dene. It's a little old but I love the covered porch and they have a pretty big beach compared to some of the other places.

Did you go go-kart racing, horseback riding or jet-skiing at Chic's Marina?

 

[Aliceacc]

When I was a kid (so we're talking the early 70's) we always rented a boat at Chic's!!

And we stayed either at Carey's or Timberlane in Bolton Landing. Carey's is still there; I don't know about Timberlane.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

Welcome to my neck of the woods!! I live her and love it but I stay away from the lake area in the summer due to the crowds

I will agree the surfside is a good pick. I would say book ASAP!!!! Most on the lake will be gone long before summer! This year I am booked for 4 days on the lake at the Heathstone campground. They are the only campground with spots on the lake. They only have a few on the lake. I went to book in Dec and got the last 4 days available from Jun1st-Sept! I will be staying last week in July from Sun-Weds, which is not the best days but the only choice I had for a little fun away from home! We love to play tourist!
There are many motels ,cabins and camps around the Lake George area BUT not all are on the lake. These book fast so get on it! You can search online and see a lot of places.The open beach area in the heart of town is free and perfect to enjoy if you don't find one on the water for your price range. They do get pricey!
As for 6 flags-last year they sold a take 6 ticket which was good for 6 visits and was $40!! Hope they have that deal again! We had season passes but my hubby only got the take 6 tickets since he can't go as much as me and the kids! Nice Johnny Rockets across the street is a fun place to eat. Plan on going to the drive in one night too! If you have any ??? or want me to take pics of places let me know! Maybe I can meet up with you and say hi to a fellow diser

It's definetly getting very pricey. People say Disney resort prices are high, they haven't see LG summer prices. I could stay at the Polynesian with a discount for what we spend in LG.

But it's worth it. Family time, good atmosphere, fun while resting and relaxing is worth every penny of it!

 

[MUFFYCAT]

When I was a kid (so we're talking the early 70's) we always rented a boat at Chic's!!

And we stayed either at Carey's or Timberlane in Bolton Landing. Carey's is still there; I don't know about Timberlane.

Timberlane isn't but it probably another name.

I have pictures of me at the Golf Around the World, across from the Minnie Ha Ha that look same today.

 

[Aliceacc]

And remember Gaslight Village??? We kids saved all year so my parents could afford to take the 5 of us there!

 

[MUFFYCAT]

And remember Gaslight Village??? We kids saved all year so my parents could afford to take the 5 of us there!

Loved that!! It's depressing there now, it's all deserted. They tried 10 years or so ago to open something but it didn't work out.

My mother laughs now because it wasn't a real vacation for her. She used to cook for days before and we would stop along the rest areas - all had picnic tables and eat.Then she cooked all week as we stayed in a cabin.

We stay in a cabin also but there is no cooking.

 

[Aliceacc]

Yeah, my mom worked pretty hard too. And they had to watch 5 kids in a lake!! We were all pretty decent swimmers, but they were pretty badly outnumbered!!!

I don't cook on vacation!!! That's why I love all those discount coupons at Surfside!

 

[MUFFYCAT]

The outlet has some pretty good stores. Depending on what they have in stock, it's a hit or miss. For few years when I liked Coach, I always did well there.

 

[Aliceacc]

Kasper suits!!!! Every time I go to the outlet, I buy one or two!

 

[lisa-upnorth]

for cheap eats I do a picnic from panera! About 10 minutes from the lake.We love the salads and sandwiches. Bag it and take it out for a picnic

Also-The Outback is here now and has kids meals for $5 which is a great deal since it is actual good food and not McD's! We love it there-meal quality and service are always great. Johnny Rockets is also fun.We split the large burgers and the kids love the dancing servers We got a Golden Corral about a month ago for those that like those southern buffets!
Up in Bolton is The Algonquin. It is fabulous! We will head over sometimes for lunch on a nice sunny day. Sit right on the deck as the boats pull up Now that I think of it, The Algonquin has rooms! You might want to check them out.
Be sure to take one of the 'boats' out on the lake for a cruise.We do the dinner,dance cruise once a year.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

Where is the Outback? We've tried alot of the restaurants but never the Algonquin, it does look nice.One night last year it was just me and my 19 year old daughter and we went to the Boathouse at Cresthaven Lodges. That was very pretty too.

It had a nice bar overlooking the lake, not that we could go there.

 

[Aliceacc]

We always do an afternoon in Bolton Landing (with the kids climbing on the rocks in the park) and have eat at Frederick's. They have an appetizer I have for lunch every year: baked Brie with raspberry sauce... delicious!!!

 

[MUFFYCAT]

We always do an afternoon in Bolton Landing (with the kids climbing on the rocks in the park) and have eat at Frederick's. They have an appetizer I have for lunch every year: baked Brie with raspberry sauce... delicious!!!

We eat at Frederick's our first night every year!
Bolton Landing is a cute town.. much different from the village.

 

[lisa-upnorth]

Where is the Outback? We've tried alot of the restaurants but never the Algonquin, it does look nice.One night last year it was just me and my 19 year old daughter and we went to the Boathouse at Cresthaven Lodges. That was very pretty too.

It had a nice bar overlooking the lake, not that we could go there.

The boathouse is very nice too! the Outback is heading in the other direction from the lake-towards Walmart

I agree Bolton is a nice place to spend some time. We love to drive along the lake on sunny days in Sept when the crowds are gone

 

[Aliceacc]

We eat at Frederick's our first night every year!
Bolton Landing is a cute town.. much different from the village.

Our first lunch every year is at the Overlook Cafe, by Fort William Henry We walk into town while they finish getting the room ready, sit there under the canopy, and just enjoy looking at the lake!! Oh, and the food's good too!

Other places we like to eat:
- Montannas (probably the only place we eat that isn't on the water.)
-The Shoreline
-Christies
-Tamrack (for breakfast or dinner)
- there was a new place last year, down the block from Frankenstein-- something about a Moose??? the food was good!

And thanks for the info on the OUtback Lisa; my son is a huge steak fan!