Hotels in Lake George

Located at the base of the Adirondack Mountains, Lake George has earned the nickname “Queen of American Lakes.” For much of the 19th and 20th centuries, this area served as a vacation destination for the wealthy. The Rockefellers and Roosevelts were just two famous families that built cottages on “Millionaire's Row.” Today, Lake George continues to attract visitors for its natural beauty, historical attractions and fun family activities.

Things to do

Beaches

Lake George offers an abundance of water activities. You can charter a fishing boat or board a cruise boat to admire the beautiful scenery. This area has many beach locations as well; Million Dollar Beach is one of the most popular, and admission is free. The beauty spot includes plenty of space to enjoy a picnic, build sand castles or play a game of volleyball. Shepard's Park Beach and Usher's Park Beach are also family-friendly locations to enjoy the sun, sand and water.

Amusement parks and attractions

Lake George is filled with family fun. Enjoy Six Flags Great Escape, the area's largest amusement park. It includes over 135 rides, games and shows.

For some outside fun, visit Water Slide World to ride the numerous slides or splash around in New York's top wave pool. The Fun Spot is an interactive adventure filled with go-karts, laser tag and roller skating. For challenging obstacle courses, zip-lines and other thrilling activities, head for the Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course.

Historical attractions

Lake George is rich in history. Lakes to Locks Passage is a self-guided journey through the scenic waterway that connects New York and Quebec. An inside attraction is the Lake George Historical Association & Museum, which displays Native American artifacts, Prospect Mountain history and other great memorabilia. Lake George Battlefield Park is another place to witness the past. There is an open space that preserves major battlefields from the French-Indian War and the Revolution.

Shopping

Lake George is filled with rustic charm, and there are numerous places to find souvenirs or other personal items. Traditional shoppers will enjoy the many outlet centers. The Adirondack Outlet Mall includes stores like Timberland, Hanes and Eddie Bauer. For more unique offerings, you may consider visiting Bolton Landing or the Village. Both locations are filled with quaint shops.

Dining

Arguably the best thing about Lake George is its vast number of restaurants. The village is filled with ice cream parlors, pizza shops and more upscale restaurants. Because the views are amazing, many restaurants offer outside patio dining. No matter where you eat, leave room for some ice cream.

Where to stay

Lake George offers a wide variety of well-established lodging options. The Fort William Henry hotel and conference center is open all year-round and includes a large outdoor pool. The Marine Village Resort in the village of Lake George has its own private lakeside beach.

Special events

Lake George hosts a number of festivals and events. Americade is one of the best motorcycle rallies on the East Coast. It occurs in early June and draws more than 50,000 riders for exhibits, vendor displays and local rides. Each August, the Music Festival takes over the area, filled with local talent and fun activities. Throughout the summer, free events and fireworks are a weekly occurrence at Shepard Park.

Best time to visit

Lake George is most popular in July and August. Summer events are in full swing, but crowds are also common. September can be a better time to visit. Crowds begin to wane, and the water temperature remains warm. It is also the time when leaves change colors, so the views are varied and arresting. Although winter is extremely cold, visitors can enjoy ice fishing and snowmobiling. Hotel rates are very low at that time as well.