How to Plan a Trip to Lake George, NY
Lake George has something to offer everyone on a family vacation. Just three hours from Manhattan, Lake George is an easy getaway. This large lake (it is approximately 32 miles long and nearly 3 miles wide) boasts unlimited water activities, including swimming, sailing, rafting, and jet skiing. Families can also find plenty to do on land, including visiting the local amusement parks and hiking on the numerous Adirondack hiking trails. History buffs will also enjoy the two area forts, Fort William Henry and Fort Ticonderoga.
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Instructions
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When to Go and Where to Stay
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Decide when to go. Lake George is busiest during the summer when all of the shops and attractions are open. Several events also increase the number of tourists on the lake, including Americade in June and the Adirondack National Car Show in September.
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Choose an area to stay based on the activities that interest your family. If you want to shops and restaurants, stay downtown in the village. If you are looking for a relaxing retreat, choose a motel further away from town to enjoy the outdoors.
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Decide where to stay based on the activities that you want to enjoy during your trip. There are many hotels and motels, cabins, and camp grounds available in Lake George and the surrounding towns. Get a list of accommodations from the Lake George Tourism Department. Review the descriptions of each hotel, then read reviews of the hotel or motel on TripAdvisor.
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Check pricing for hotels, motels, cabins and campgrounds online on popular travel sites, such as Expedia or Orbitz. You can also call or check the motel’s website.
Lake George Activities
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Enjoy water sports. In addition to soaking up the sun on the sandy beaches of Lake George, visitors can choose from swimming, boating, parasailing and many more activities.
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Tour the lake from a steamboat. The Lake George Steamboat Company offers a variety of cruises on their three large cruise ships. Dinner cruises are also available.
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Go to The Great Escape. This Six Flags amusement park features more than 135 rides, including seven roller coasters.
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Absorb some history by visiting one or both of the two forts in the Lake George area. Fort William Henry was the site of the massacre featured in “The Last of the Mohicans.” Fort Ticonderoga is located in nearby Ticonderoga, NY.
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Get some exercise and enjoy nature on a hike through the Adirondacks. Choose from hiking trails along the river and Prospect Mountain, a 2030-foot mountain with amazing views.
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Bring the kids to the Magic Forest. This amusement park, with its 25 rides, including a train and tram, is designed especially for children.
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Go shopping at the factory outlets. Choose from the Log Jam Factory Outlet, French Mountain Commons, the Adirondack Outlet Mall and the Lake George Plaza Outlet Center.
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Tips & Warnings
Book your hotel reservations early. Many motels fill several months in advance during popular weekends, such as July 4 and Americade weekend.
Look for discount tickets for The Great Escape amusement park. This park is part of the Six Flag family.
Choose a motel on or near the trolley route for easy access downtown, to the amusement parks and the outlet malls.
