Lake George, NY is widely considered the “Original Vacation Destination”, welcoming visitors for a respite since the early 1800s, and it remains an extremely popular travel spot today. If you’re planning your first trip to the area, you are in for a treat! Here’s everything you need to know before you go, including the best time of year to visit, what to do while you’re here, and where to stay.
When to Visit Lake George
There’s no bad time to visit Lake George, but the best time depends on what it is you like to do.
- Summer (June-August) – The warmest and busiest season, summer is perfect for swimming, paddling, boat cruises and other lake activities, plus weekly fireworks displays and live music events nearly every night of the week.
- Fall (September-October) – Fewer crowds, cooler weather for hiking and biking, and fun events like the Adirondack Balloon Festival, Oktoberfest and Fright Fest, plus some of the best fall foliage in the northeast, make fall an ideal time to visit Lake George.
- Winter (November-March) – Winters in Lake George are cold and snowy, providing the perfect landscape for cross-country and downhill skiing, snow shoeing, tubing, ice fishing, and snowmobiling, as well as the Lake George Winter Carnival in February.
- Spring (April-May) – The rivers around Lake George are highest in spring, making it the perfect time for whitewater rafting. Plus, trout fishing is also popular this time of year, when the water temperatures are colder.
Top Things to Do in Lake George
There’s so much to do year-round in Lake George, it’s hard to fit it all in one guide, but there are a few iconic Lake George activities that you won’t want to miss.
- Get on the Water – Go for a swim at the local beaches, rent kayaks, take a historic cruise with the Lake George Steamboat Company, and check out these other lake activities.
- Explore the Village – Walk along Canada Street for ice cream, arcades, mini-golf, local shops, waterfront restaurants and nightlife.
- Go for a Hike – Climb the 3.2-mile round-trip trail up Prospect Mountain, hike the Tongue Mountain Range, or check out these other top hikes around Lake George.
- Take a History Tour – Revisit the French and Indian War with live musket demonstrations and costumed guides at the Fort William Henry Museum
- Ride the Coasters – Enjoy classic roller coasters and water rides at The Great Escape & Hurricane Harbor, or take the little ones to Lake George Expedition Park.
Where to Stay in Lake George
The Lake George area has a variety of hotels, motels and resorts, as well as campgrounds, vacation rentals and bed & breakfasts. However, if you are looking for a quintessential Lake George vacation experience, we highly recommend you stay at one of the few remaining family-owned lodging properties in the area.
Cramer’s Point Lake Breeze, and our sister resorts, Adirondack Diamond Point Lodge and Drake’s Lakeside Cabins are family-owned and operated by the Drake Family.
- Cramer’s Lake Point Breeze – Traditional motel rooms, efficiencies, and standalone Adirondack-style cabins with two outdoor pools and lake access with complimentary rowboats and canoes. Book online or call (518) 668-2292
- Adirondack Diamond Point Lodge – Authentic log cabins and multi-room suites with a heated outdoor pool, onsite sauna, and pet-friendly accommodations on a wooded 5-acre property. Book online or call (518) 668-4499.
- Drake’s Lakeside Cabins – Cozy cabins and a spacious lakefront vacation home rental with a private sandy beach, complimentary kayaks and canoes, and available dock rentals. Book online or call (518) 644-3018.