10 Best Things to Do in Lake George

The Lake George Steamboat Company lets you explore Lake George’s beauty from the water. The company features some of the USA's oldest steamboats, offering daily cruises on 3 large vessels around the lake from May to October. With upwards of 13 cruises per day, your options include meal cruises, entertainment cruises, sightseeing cruises, and more.

The Lac du Saint Sacrement is New York's largest inland water cruise ship, offering a romantic setting for dinner or brunch. Operating since 1908, the Mohican cruises nearly the entire 32-mile lake and offers trips around the Islands of the Narrows and into the tranquil Paradise Bay. The Minne-Ha-Ha is noted for its kid-friendly cruises and hosts a variety of live onboard entertainment.

Million Dollar Beach is the most popular public beach in Lake George Village. The 51-acre sandy area on the southern shore of Lake George accommodates families, swimmers, boaters, and anyone looking to unwind by the water. Pack a lunch for a picnic, cook burgers on the grill, or play volleyball with your family and friends. Just make sure there are lifeguards on duty before going for a swim.

If you plan on bringing your boat, arrive early since the boat launch’s parking quickly reaches capacity. The beach is free but you’ll have to pay a parking fee if bringing your vehicle. There are showers, restrooms, changing rooms, concession stands, and well-maintained facilities for a relaxing beach day out.

The Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway is a 5.5-mile route that provides incredible views of Lake George. Usually open from late May to early November, the winding road takes you from the village to the summit of Prospect Mountain. The 2-lane highway is accessed from Route 9 about half a mile south of the village and has 3 scenic overlooks.

On a clear day, the 100-mile view from the summit lets you gaze at the Adirondack High Peaks, the White Mountains of New Hampshire, and Vermont’s Green Mountains. Prospect Mountain offers scenic hiking trails around the summit, and there’s a picnic area where you can enjoy your lunch. There’s a large parking lot to leave your vehicle, but you’ll have to pay a fee.

The Outlets at Lake George is the premier shopping destination in the area, just a 10-minute drive south of Lake George Village. The adjacent outlets offer attractive deals on clothing, shoes, and gifts for men and women. Save big at designer brands such as Michael Kors, Polo Ralph Lauren, Coach Outlet, and Vera Bradley. Stock up on new sports gear at Adidas, Asics, and New Balance.

All stores are within walking distance of each other, and you can complete your shopping in a single trip. If you get hungry during your shopping spree, stop by the Beef Jerky Experience or Lindt Chocolate for a delightful snack.

The Fort William Henry Museum, less than a mile south of Lake George Village, is where you can travel back in time the colonial age. The British built the fortress in 1755 due to the ongoing conflict with the French to protect their colonies. Nestled on Lake George’s southern shore, Fort William was strategic in attacks against the French and witnessed fierce battles during the French and Indian War.

Guided tours discuss the importance of the conflict and include musket and cannon firing demonstrations. Exhibits and artefacts reveal a soldier’s life at the outpost and showcase the Native American tribes who lived in the area. For a spooky visit, join the ghost tour to explore the fort's haunted locations and hear tales of lingering spirits.

Shelving Rock Falls is a beautiful location along the eastern shores of Lake George. The 50-ft cascade is easy to reach, about a 45-minute drive from Lake George Village and makes a relaxing spot to cool off during the summer. You can reach the trailhead by boating into Log Bay or driving to the nearest parking lot.

The unmarked dirt trail follows serene waterfalls and eventually reaches Lake George. Families will find the path suitable for the youngsters on a family trip into the outdoors. Just be cautious around the rocky base of the falls since it's steep and slippery. For an aerial view of Lake George, you can also take the nearby 1.7-mile hike to the Shelving Rock Summit.

Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course is a nature playground built for adrenaline junkies, just 15 miles north of Lake George Village. The daring obstacle courses take you to the treetops while you conquer zip lines, ladders, rope bridges, and other barriers. Adirondack Extreme opened the USA's first aerial adventure course back in 2007, and has since offered 1.5 miles of obstacle courses.

Challenge yourself to over 100 obstacles and around a dozen zip lines on the 4-, 5-, and 6-course packages. Bring your kids and test their skills on the children’s courses or let them play on the Squirrels Den Playground. The staff provides a training session and encourages you on each course to ensure you make incredible memories exploring the Adirondack forest.