Suggestions for a Lake George Vacation

[eeyore29]

Hello, everyone...hoping to pick your brains for our upcoming vacation. We're skipping WDW this year and going back in February 2012, so for this year we're trying to plan a more budget-friendly vacation in order to still be able to put money aside for 2012. After seeing a travel show, we've decided to give Lake George a try. I've done some research, but I do have a few questions...
We're planning to go in June, sometime after the motorcycle & Elvis gatherings so that puts us in either the 3rd or 4th week of June. Does it get pretty packed that early in the summer? Are all the attractions open? (we went to the shore a week before Memorial day once, and there was hardly anything open)
What's the weather like at the end of June? I've read that the lake water is probably too chilly for swimming in June.
As far as our accomodations go, I'm looking for a pool, within walking distance of the "village," on the lake, and less than $150 per night. Here are some of the places we're considering: Fort William Henry Resort (but I don't think this is really on the lake/beach, is it?), Marine Village, Park Lane Motel, and Surfside on the Lake (leaning toward Surfside because of their packages available).
I also would consider the following places, but I can't find as much info on them:
Lake Crest Inn, Shore Meadows, O'Sullivans on the Lake, and Sundowner.
I have found a lot of other great places, but they're either too far from town to walk, or too expensive. I'd give up the "in-town" location if the price was right and/or if they include activities/meals. Like the Canoe Island Lodge...looks awesome...and it includes meals, but at $800+ per person, that's just way over our budget (just like the Sagamore & Erlowest...which are gorgeous!). I would love if we could have a kitchen, but again, only if it's within the budget.
Are there any attractions you would recommend skipping? Are there any lesser known attractions that we should check out? We're not into clubs or drinking, we do like museums and sight-seeing (just nothing too physical because of DD), we love history, and I love shopping.
Has anyone done any horseback riding in the area? DH really wants to go on a trail ride, and he'll probably have to do that alone since I doubt I'd take DD on a horse (even if they'd let me), I'm afraid she might be too skwirmy.
That's all I can think of, for right now. I'm looking forward to any info you can provide, good or bad...thanks!

 

[mickeyboat]

Well we go to Canoe Island Lodge every summer (this will be our 6th year) and absolutely love it. We barely ever leave the resort the entire week. And I do no cooking or cleaning while we are there. It is so worth it to us. I think the rates in June are lower than July and August, so you might want to give them a call to find out.

So I can't really help with any other recommendations on where to stay.

We don't spend time in the village, other than to go to lunch at the Adirondack Pub and to an arcade if there is bad weather. There is a cool indoor/outdoor go cart track / arcade just past Great Escape. There is also some good outlet shopping. There is a horseback riding place towards Diamond Point which we have been meaning to go to, but have never gotten to.

I hope you find a great place to stay and have fun this summer.

 

[luvmy3]

If you go the 3rd week of June it shouldn't be too crazy. Most kids in that area and down here where I am are still in school. Alot of people here vacation in LG but go in July.
I can't really give any advice on he places you mentiond since I've never stayed in any of them but FWH is not on the beach. Its within walking distance located at the end of it.
Last year my dd and dh did horseback riding at Wild West Ranch (south of the village). They did an hour guided trail and enjoyed it altough they said a half hour ride would have been enough (they did offer that). They also had an area where you could ride a guided horse around in circles if it became an option for your dd. They have a Wild West show (which we were too late for) and a what they call a village and an animal petting area, but its not worth going for that suff. My dses didn't do the horseback riding and they were pretty bored after about 20 minutes there. I spent most of my time texting my SIL
We usually get away from LG for a day. Last year we went to the Garnet mines and it was really cool but it is a long ride. We also like the Natural Stone Bridge and caves in Pottersville.

 

[eeyore29]

Mickeyboat, thank you for suggesting I contact CIL. I sent an email to them, so we'll see if there's any discounts for June. And DH says thanks for the go-kart info; he LOVES doing that!

Luvmy3, thanks for the info on the horseback riding and the garnet mines. Question on the cave/bridge: do you think we can do that with a stroller?

 

[kacaju]

Mickeyboat, thank you for suggesting I contact CIL. I sent an email to them, so we'll see if there's any discounts for June. And DH says thanks for the go-kart info; he LOVES doing that!

Luvmy3, thanks for the info on the horseback riding and the garnet mines. Question on the cave/bridge: do you think we can do that with a stroller?

no you cannot use a stroller at the natural bridge. We went about 4-5 years ago and my brother rented a backpack to carry mt nephew who was one at that time.

we went white water rafting, the garnet mine, horseback riding, the natural bridge and took a steam boat dinner tour while we were there. I do remember there was a alot more stuff we could have done while we were there

 

[eeyore29]

Bummer on the no-strollers for the cave tour, think we'll have to skip that then. Thanks for the heads-up, saves us some grief later!

Also, heard back from CIL: no discounts for off-season, so that's a no-go too, then.

Really hoping to do the garnet thing, that sounds neat.

 

[eeyore29]

Just read about the Magic Forest...has anyone done this with a toddler? Is it worth the $40 it'll cost DH & me to get in (DD would be free). I don't mind if DH & I can't go on a lot of rides, I guess I'm worried if there's enough for DD to ride without us? She'll be 2 in August, and our trip is in June.

 

[eeyore29]

Wondering now if we should stay "in-town" or not...was hoping there would be lots of shops, dining, attractions, and activities we could walk to so that DH wouldn't have to drive so much...

Is it worth staying in-town, or will we get bored with the stuff within walking distance after a day or so? I know there's some stuff we'll have to drive to do, no matter what, but if we can cut some of that by staying in-town, that'd be great...so if it's not worthwhile, then we'll considering staying out-of-town to avoid all the hussle & bustle...

 

[tw1nsmom]

Honestly? The only shops you'll find in the village are going to be souvenir shops (t-shirts, shot glasses...)There are arcades and bars. There's a small beach in the middle of town. There might be one of those old time photo stores. There's a cheesy wax museum and the house of Frankenstein. If you walk past the boats (you can take a boat tour of the lake) you get to some mini golf places. There are restaurants, but none that I would eat at.

I would go for a cheaper/better place out of the village and drive and park, but that's just me. I grew up there. I even worked at House of Frankenstein in the gift shop. There is a lot to do in the region, but I personally wouldn't want to spend a week in the village.

 

[krcit]

Honestly? The only shops you'll find in the village are going to be souvenir shops (t-shirts, shot glasses...)There are arcades and bars. There's a small beach in the middle of town. There might be one of those old time photo stores. There's a cheesy wax museum and the house of Frankenstein. If you walk past the boats (you can take a boat tour of the lake) you get to some mini golf places. There are restaurants, but none that I would eat at.

I would go for a cheaper/better place out of the village and drive and park, but that's just me. I grew up there. I even worked at House of Frankenstein in the gift shop. There is a lot to do in the region, but I personally wouldn't want to spend a week in the village.

I agree. Maybe you could look into Bolton Landing? Close enough to drive into Lake george village for a day but it seems nice and quiet with some cute shops. You could find a resort on the beach there. Check it out.

 

[pixie dust 112]

Honestly? The only shops you'll find in the village are going to be souvenir shops (t-shirts, shot glasses...)There are arcades and bars. There's a small beach in the middle of town. There might be one of those old time photo stores. There's a cheesy wax museum and the house of Frankenstein. If you walk past the boats (you can take a boat tour of the lake) you get to some mini golf places. There are restaurants, but none that I would eat at.

I would go for a cheaper/better place out of the village and drive and park, but that's just me. I grew up there. I even worked at House of Frankenstein in the gift shop. There is a lot to do in the region, but I personally wouldn't want to spend a week in the village.

I agree. Maybe you could look into Bolton Landing? Close enough to drive into Lake george village for a day but it seems nice and quiet with some cute shops. You could find a resort on the beach there. Check it out.

I totally agree with these 2 posters!

 

[auntie]

http://www.chelkalodge.com/Photos.htm

Chelka Lodge
Past the village of Lake George, but before Boltons Landing. The time you're vacationing is still off season, according to their rates so you might be able to secure something for $150. or so and it's on the lake.

Another alternative..and it's really VERY nice, and much nicer than some of the so called dump "resorts" in Lake George, is the Lake George RV Park. Located right before the village. On state Road 149. They offer what is referred to as "wilderness cabins". This is a "camping resort". These are 42 foot park models, two bedroom units. You don't have to bring anything but yourselves. While there are RV's, there isn't any tent camping. The resort features 4 pools (one indoor, great for those rainy days). There is an arcade, on site dining, lodge/store..tennis/volley ball/basket ball courts. They also have nightly entertainment in their own theater.
An extremely family friendly place and short drive down the road to the Lake.
It also offers free trolley transportation to the outlets and to The Great Escape amusement park). They have a DVD you can send for. Some people hear "camping resort" and figure camping isn't for them. Believe me...you aren't exactly "roughing it"..in this place.
http://www.lakegeorgervpark.com/

You have to be careful, a lot of the Lake George resorts are in my opinion really kind of dumpy. Glorified 1968 hotel rooms that haven't been updated or refurbished.
We've stayed in both the options listed above in addtion to Canoe Island Lodge.


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[eeyore29]

That RV place looks great, I think there would be so much we could do there as a family...but it's a little over our budget. I'm not totally ruling it out though, so thank you very much for that suggestion.

In town I'm leaning towards Surfside (since they have a package with dining plus discount tickets to attractions) or Marine Village. Maybe this weekend I'll try to find more places out-of-town to consider. So everyone, please fire away with more suggestions. We're trying to keep the price around $100/day for lodging (unless the place includes dining/activities).

Still wondering if anyone has any comments/suggestions on the Magic Forest...?

 

[ADisneyQueen]

We loved going to Magic Forest when our kids were little. They do have kiddie rides, if your daughter is brave enough to ride alone. I think there are a few rides that parents can to on with kids. They also have a lot of displays of nursery rhyme houses and other fairy tales. This was our favorite part and also you can push a button on the house and it will tell you the story.
There is also a great restaurant in Lake George called Grandma's with all homemade food. It has wonderful meals. I don't remember the location.

 

[eeyore29]

I think she might be ok going on rides alone, not sure...but I think we'll probably be more scared than she is! Thanks for the info on the MF and Grandma's, too!

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

Fort William Henry Resort looks so so nice, that's where we want to stay next visit now that we see where it is, etc., etc. We did go into the resort itself to look around. It is on the lake, well it's across a small side Beach road but right there on the lake. You can walk across the small road and that is also where you take out boats and their ferries. There is also a swim beach and the town everything is all right there in walking distance, stores, places to eat, small bars, restaurants, etc. That's where I would choose personally. Fort William Henry itself is a really cool place also. It sits up higher so you have a really beautiful view, etc., etc. Bolton Landing, all those places are fairly far from Lake George. I mean definitely driveable but 20-30 minute drive away. It is a nice area but if you are into Lake George it's much nicer and more things to do. Fort William Henry is in the middle of all the action, you don't need a car once you are there.

 

[eeyore29]

FWHR was on our list because we thought it looked beautiful, but then I read some negative reviews on it, mostly concerning the different buildings...if you're not in the "main" building, people don't seem to be happy with the place. We're still considering it though...will let y'all know what we decide on, hope to decide and book it this week.

 

[eeyore29]

Well after some crazy internet searching, I've narrowed down lodging to the following 4 places:
Mohican Motel
Tiki Resort
Best Western
Comfort Suites
I've decided that staying in town isn't that important since most of what we want to do is out-of-town. Although I'd love to have a kitchen to save some money cooking, I've chosen these 4 hotels based on their prices & amenities. I'm looking for a place with an indoor pool and even better if it has a kiddie pool for my 18-month old DD. I'm also looking for a place with a playground for her as well. I'm not sure if the Tiki or the BW have playgrounds, so if anyone knows that, I'd be very thankful to find out.
Because they include breakfast we'll probably go with the Best Western or Comfort Suites. I'm probably leaning towards the BW since it has a lower price than the CS, but I like the pool options better at the CS. Plus because of the price difference, we can get a bigger room at the BW than what we could afford at the CS.
If you have any other feedback (good or bad) on any of these 4 hotels, please let me know. Thanks!

 

[zigzagzerr]

LOL! I had to dig through the internet to try to remember the name of the place we stayed at in Lake George. A couple of summers ago, we spent 3 nights in New York City and 3 nights in Lake George.

We stayed at the Blue Lagoon Resort, which is in the Diamond Point area. If you check it out in TripAdvisor it gets very good reviews. They had cabins you could rent for a week, but we stayed in one of the motel efficiencies since we were only there a few days. It was very clean, the owners were friendly, it had a private beach with a gorgeous view, swimming area, picnic tables and grills. Free boat rentals and canoes. And the efficiency was plenty of room for me, DH, and DD. We thought Lake George was really beautiful (not the touristy stuff, but the lake itself), and the Blue Lagoon was a great value.

Hope you have a wonderful vacation!!

 

[eeyore29]

I think we're set on the Comfort Suites. It seems pretty new, has a lot of great reviews, and all the amenities we're looking for. Thank you all for your info & advice!