What can you tell me about Lake George??

[onthego103]

We are looking to go to Lake George for a 4-day vacation in August with another family. We have five children ages 12-17 between us (one in middle school and four in high school.) Neither family has ever been there and we would love to hear from anyone who has. We are looking for some fun / different activities and some good restaurants. We have a tentative reservation to stay at The Georgian, but we are open to other suggestions. Thanks for any input you can offer!

 

[onthego103]

Anyone?!

 

[ducklite]

It's a decent place, the water never really gets warm. There's a small but decent beach there, and they've got a pool. It's on the north end of town, it's probably about a five or ten minute walk into the heart of the strip. It used to be about the quality of an average Holiday Inn, and I would imagine that hasn't changed much.

I haven't hung around up there in twenty years so I can't suggest anyplace to eat these days, sorry.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Oh--there are a couple large ships on the lake, so think about taking a cruise--there are shorter ones that just point out some of the sites as well as longer dinner cruises.

Anne

 

[disneynutt1225]

The movie Last of the Mohicans was taped there (or parts of it, at least).

It's a nice place to visit, though I haven't been there in probably 10-15 years. I don't remember much about the trips we used to take there when I was a kid. I do know the last time we went, we visited a couple of museums.....That's about all I can recall.

Sorry!

 

[FayeW]

I can tell you that there is an awesome deal on travelzoo.com for The Sagamore. It is BOGO for most of August. Works out to about $139. per night. The Sagamore is very high end; it is one of the locations that you can use DVC points for. I am trying to talk my husband and some friends into going for 4 days as well.

 

[tw1nsmom]

The movie Last of the Mohicans was taped there (or parts of it, at least).

Actually none of the movie was taped there. I believe it was taped in North Carolina. However, the setting of the movie and the book is based there. Fort William Henry has a very small museum and I think some people in costume. The cave that the main characters hid in, is in Glens Falls. A very long time ago you used to be able to climb stairs down to the cave...not anymore. You can climb Roger's rock by going to the campground of the same name at the north end of the lake and hiking.

The area has become too touristy to make filming a historical movie feasible.

Having grown up in the area, I've never stayed in the village. Some fun things to do:
-parasailing
-rent a boat or canoe and picnic on one of the state islands
-Great Escape (typical cheesy Six Flags...does have a water park)
-mini golf (lots of places)
-Saratoga (the flat track and just walking around in general...about 30 min South)
-touristy but fun arcades, junk food and people watching
-Glen Drive-in Movies on Rte 9
-Skateland/go-carts on Rte 9
-Sutton's for really nice souvenirs/gifts and breakfast in the cafe (south on 9)
-Cherry Tomato on 146 is new, but is supposed to be great and is quite popular
-Lot's of people like the Log Jam which is on rte 9 near the outlets. It's a typical steak place
-most of the chain restaurants and a mall can be found in Queensbury

I hope you have fun!

 

[onthego103]

The suggestions for activities sound great! However, I am a little worried about the hotel. We are looking for something a little nicer than a Holiday Inn. Anyone stayed anywhere they can recommend? The Sagamore special doesn't cover our dates, and they have a 30-day cancellation policy that doesn't work for us.
Also, is the village really honky-tonk? Would you be comfortable having teenagers go there on their own?
I really appreciate all the input!
Thanks, Nancy

 

[ducklite]

The suggestions for activities sound great! However, I am a little worried about the hotel. We are looking for something a little nicer than a Holiday Inn. Anyone stayed anywhere they can recommend? The Sagamore special doesn't cover our dates, and they have a 30-day cancellation policy that doesn't work for us.
Also, is the village really honky-tonk? Would you be comfortable having teenagers go there on their own?
I really appreciate all the input!
Thanks, Nancy

Unfortunately due to the seasonal nature of the area, there really aren't any hotels within walking distance of downtown that are any nicer than a Holiday Inn. The Sagamore is by far the nicest in the area, and there's just not all that much else unless you want to stay outside of town (which the Sagamore would be).

The Georgian is a three star, which puts it at a Holiday Inn level. To get nicer you'd have to go to four star, and the Sagamore is the only place in the general area with four stars.

During the day teens are perfectly safe in the Village. As it gets later in the evening it turns into a safe but defninte party atmosphere, so that would really be your call.

Anne

 

[Mickeyfaniam]

can't help with where to stay as we always stayed at campgrounds.
We always have to rent a boat when we go... just so nice on that huge lake... you can go and go forever

But once we went to Ausable Chasm.... it was a 90 minute drive north so you may not want to ... but it is a beautiful drive through the Adirondacks so I didn't mind at all ... I have no time to describe.... so here is a link ....

Ausable chasm

 

[mickeyboat]

We are going in August, and at the suggestion of another DIS'er, we are staying at Canoe Island Lodge, a resort north of Lake George Village. Before this we have always camped at Lake George, except one time where we stayed at the Holiday Inn.

Lake George has a lot of motel-type accomodations, not many fancy hotels. Check out Lake George Escape hotel - it is one of those places with an indoor water park. It is pretty nice, and very new, and right across the street from the Six Flags Great Escape (you can walk there). There is a snack bar near the water park, a small pub / bar, and a steakhouse which is very good. They also have room service whose prices are very reasonable.

Have a great time.

Denae

 

[dandelion]

Actually none of the movie was taped there. I believe it was taped in North Carolina. However, the setting of the movie and the book is based there. Fort William Henry has a very small museum and I think some people in costume. The cave that the main characters hid in, is in Glens Falls. A very long time ago you used to be able to climb stairs down to the cave...not anymore. You can climb Roger's rock by going to the campground of the same name at the north end of the lake and hiking.

There is a new viewing platform for Coopers Cave, and it was quite a sight when the river was roaring past a week or so ago!
http://www.sgfny.com/Coopers-Cave.htm

It's worth a look if you're in Glens Falls or South Glens Falls for a shopping day or to see a movie or museum anyway.

To the restaurant suggestions I would add The Montcalm, it's also by the outlets at exit 20 of I-87. A little more upscale than the Log Jam.
http://www.menumart.com/montcalm/index.htm

As a lifelong area resident I've never stayed in any of the hotels. I can tell you there is a brand-new Country Inn and Suites just south of Great Escape (Six Flags) Looks nice in the photos. This winter Great Escape also opened their own hotel with indoor waterpark. You couldn't walk into the village of Lake George from there though.

Have you looked into the Fort William Henry resort? As a conference center it might have more of the hotel services you're looking for. http://www.fortwilliamhenry.com/ The setting is ideal, easy walk to shops, beaches, boat cruises etc.

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

I can tell you that there is an awesome deal on travelzoo.com for The Sagamore. It is BOGO for most of August. Works out to about $139. per night. The Sagamore is very high end; it is one of the locations that you can use DVC points for. I am trying to talk my husband and some friends into going for 4 days as well.

I just booked that for 4 nights on weds night An FYI my friend tried to book it last night and the special is sold out.

 

[3DisneyBuggs]

There is a new place the Great Escape Lodge. It has an indoor water park. My SIl stayed there last week and loved it- clean, new, not crowded.

 

[disneynutt1225]

Actually none of the movie was taped there. I believe it was taped in North Carolina. However, the setting of the movie and the book is based there.

My apologies! It must have been one of those things my parents told me as a kid to get interested in doing something. Glad you cleared that up!

 

[mommiepoppins]

used to live in saratoga and had tons of highschool fun in lake george
try staying in queensbury its the next town over. about 1 mile down. there is tons of stuff to do and everything $$$$