We all have special summer vacation memories from our childhood that remain with us forever. Warm nights spent catching fireflies in the backyard. Jumping into clear, cool waters from a rickety wooden dock. Balancing a three-scoop homemade ice cream cone while riding a bike home from town. As parents, we dream of recreating these memories for our kids and ourselves by finding the idyllic vacation destination that we can return to again and again. While the Hamptons and the Berkshires are popular spots for many families, the Lake George area in the Adirondacks continues to be a draw for those who want a more laidback, affordable and nostalgic summer experience.
Preserved and Protected
Known as the cleanest and clearest of all major U.S. lakes, Lake George’s 32-mile stretch is carefully preserved with initiatives such as The Fund, dedicated to preserving and protecting the waters to ensure the sustainability of a lake that Jefferson described as “the most beautiful water I ever saw.” Set against a lush backdrop of hills, mountains, the 32-mile-long Lake George is known as the “Queen of American Lakes.”
Escaping the ravages of time and modernity, the Lake George region offers a setting entrenched in U.S. history. It may be best known for its epic battle at Fort
William Henry, made famous by the film The Last of the Mohicans. While the tumult of the past has long died down, its bygone stories still echo here as local residents work hard to preserve the history of this region as well as the integrity of the lake.
Once known as a playground for the rich and famous, today the area caters to a mix of families drawn in by the variety of family-friendly activities on hand, including swimming, lake cruising, hiking and horseback riding. For the thrill-seeking among us, one of New York’s largest amusement parks – Great Escape and Splashwater Kingdom – is nearby.
With an ideal distance (a 3-hour drive from Westchester County), the region makes for an easy drive, where one can feel transported to another place without having to endure a barrage of traffic or the constant “How long ’til we’re there?” questions from the backseat brigade.
Nothing surpasses the feeling of arriving and smelling the fresh mix of pine and birch. Every visitor remembers the moment they turned the corner only to face the majestic lake view for the first time. The drive along the lake is lined with rustic homes and lakefront motels with a few ice cream parlors and miniature golf venues sprinkled throughout – one feels immediately that they have been transported to another time.
Where To Stay
One of the highlights of visiting Lake George is experiencing people from all backgrounds mixing so seamlessly together. While the area now is a draw for visitors of varied economic means, there is still one property that channels the bygone era of the Gilded past.
Should you have the money to spend and want to experience the more rarified areas in Bolton Landing, look no further than the grand dame of the Lake George region – the Sagamore Hotel. Built in 1883, the Victorian-era hotel is the kind of property people come to gawk at, oohing and ahhing at picture-perfect views while sipping drinks on chaises overlooking the sweeping stairs leading straight down to the oversized pool that seems to flow right into the lake.
An ideal stomping ground for the rich and famous, the hotel has maintained its reputation by catering to some of the most demanding residents and visitors to the region. With its own 19th-century replica boat The Morgan for cruising around the lake, a gorgeous outdoor (and indoor) pool, private beach and award-winning La Bella Vita restaurant, here one feels transported to a time when ladies always wore long dresses in summer and men wouldn’t be caught without a top hat, regardless of temperature.
Envision croquet on the lawn, sing-alongs with s’mores by the fire, and views so arresting one cannot help but stop and gaze even on the 10th pass. Kids are always occupied here which means parents can sneak away to the spa and indoor pool for leisurely lap swims. With shuttles going back and forth around the vast property, families can enjoy the fully outfitted recreation room complete with its own indoor baseball diamond, basketball court and miniature golf play area on rainy days and frolic outside on the little beach and the outdoor playgrounds. With prices soaring to $900 per night on premium suites in the high season and a sell-out rate that rivals every other property in this area, this is one hotel worth booking for a “once-in-a-lifetime” retreat.
For a more affordable stay and relatively good value full of kid-friendly amenities, the newly renovated Holiday Inn Turf Resort Hotel located in the heart of Lake George Village is a prime spot for families who return year after year. With both an indoor and outdoor pool, and a variety of activities including a blazing bonfire, human-size chess set, miniature golf, a playground as well as movies by the pool, this is an ideal retreat for those looking for a one-stop entertainment package for the whole family. The third floor suites are a particular favorite for parents as they have small kitchenettes and an extra living room where kids can lounge. Prices here can range anywhere from $200 to $500 per night in the high season.
What To Do
No matter what ages the kids are, there is truly something for everyone to experience at Lake George.
Lake George Steamboat
Operating one of the last steam paddle wheelers Minnie-Ha-Ha in America, the Lake George Steamboat Company offers 11 onehour cruises daily (complete with buffet) from May to October. It’s the perfect way to see the lake from the water. Register for the special cruises such as the Pirate Cruise for a themed voyage the kids will love.
Lake George Kayak
The lake is a paddler’s dream and Lake George Kayak is the perfect place for families to rent for the day, with lessons and even a war canoe option that will carry large families looking for more bonding time.
Saratoga Auto Museum
Located 30 minutes from Lake George, the museum is the perfect stop before your arrival or on the way home for little roadsters who want to get off the road for a change. With antique cars galore, kids can experience the thrill of high-speed racing through lively exhibits.
Great Escape Fun Park and Splashwater Kingdom
Located just minutes away, this is a large amusement park with more than 135 rides, a large outdoor water park, petting zoo and a designated area for little people.
Up Yonda Farm
Located in Bolton Landing, this environmental paradise offers learning and hands-on fun in its 70 beautiful acres overlooking Lake George. A butterfly garden and even a planetarium make this a wondrous, outdoor delight for parents and kids alike.
Usher Park Beach
Located conveniently in Lake George and still relatively uncrowded, parents of little kids love this beach for the playground and roped off shallow swimming area – a perfect place for sandcastles, boat watching and beach picnic fun.
Elina Furman is a seasoned travel writer and publisher of A-List Mom and A-List Mom Travel, reaching over 77,000 moms nationwide with her weekly email. As the former Editorial Director of Travel Holiday Online and several regional travel publications, she frequently appears on TV as a lifestyle and family travel expert. She lives in Dobbs Ferry with her two sons and husband.
