A Day on the Lake

One of my favorite ways to spend time in Lake George is to get out on the lake. Whether you want to relax or make a splash, there is sure to be something I’m sharing to make your time on the water enjoyable.

Boat Tours

To see everything Lake George has to offer you need to get out on a boat. You can sightsee just about every part of the Lake in a day from the Village to the Narrows. 

While in the Narrows, a constricted passage on the north end of the lake, make sure to pull up close to Juanita Island to see if the bald eagles are home. Last year we were able to spot 2 adult eagles and 2 chicks on numerous occasions. Along with the wildlife, I also love looking at the beautiful properties that line the shore and guess how long it takes to clean the place! Passing by private islands with residences always amazes me. I would love to hear how they ended up there. 

Speaking of islands, did you know there are 186 islands on Lake George? Most of them are state owned. You can even reserve an island for your party to use for the day. You can reserve ahead of time or stop at a ranger station to see if there are any available. At the ranger station you can find food and bathroom facilities; my family frequents stops there with little ones onboard.

There are some great spots to stop to swim that are also only accessible by boat. Dollar Island is a great place to jump from the rocks and a popular cliff jumping spot is Calves Pen. I’m not a big fan of heights so my list of favorite swim spots includes Log Bay and Paradise Bay. 

I have rented a boat before, which was fun, but a bit stressful when worrying about the rules and safety of my family. If you don’t want the stresses that come with renting a boat, Custom Boat Tours & Rentals, offers captained tours from one hour and up. Let them do all the hard work while you enjoy your day on the lake. I promise it is worth it!

Swim

One of the best ways to experience Lake George is jumping right in. If you come to Lake George, you’ll be swimming in one of the cleanest lakes in the country. I was skeptical at first because, being from Florida, the number one rule is don’t swim in the lakes.
One of the first times I jumped in was on a hike. I was hiking the southern portion of the Tongue Mountain range and we were able to find a shallow entry point to walk in just off the trail in Northwest Bay. I was nervous, but excited to be able to cool off after many miles. You can also hike to the tip of the peninsula and swim at Mohican Point.

There are also various public beaches along both sides of Lake George. Million Dollar Beach is by far the most popular, as it’s the largest and its location on the southern tip of the lake gives you a great view. The beach features picnicking, swimming, a volleyball court, showers and changing rooms, and lifeguards on duty. The picnic tables and grills by the beach are available on a first come first served basis. There are also Shepard Park Beach and Usher Park on the Southern Tip of the Lake. I usually prefer to go to Bolton as it’s just a bit less crowded and smaller as well. Rogers Memorial Park Beach and Veteran’s Park are great spots for a swim. They both have pavilions, picnic tables, bathrooms, basketball courts, and a playground.

There are also various public beaches along both sides of Lake George. Million Dollar Beach is by far the most popular, as its the largest and its location on the southern tip of the lake gives you a great view. The beach features picnicking, swimming, a volleyball court, showers and changing rooms, and lifeguards on duty. The picnic tables and grills by the beach are available on a first come first served basis. There are also Shepard Park Beach and Usher Park on the Southern Tip of the Lake. In Bolton, Rogers Memorial Park Beach and Veteran’s Park are great spots for a swim. They both have pavilions, picnic tables, bathrooms, basketball courts, and a playground.

Whether you choose to jump in at your hotel’s beach, or head to a public beach, we can guarantee a great way to soak in the sun and have fun with the entire family. 

Steamboat Dinner Cruises

Get out on Lake George aboard one of many historic steamboats with the Lake George Steamboat Company. My family and I (from ages 3 to 93) took a dinner cruise and we were surprised at how much we loved it. The food was great, the live music was a nice touch, the staff was friendly, and, of course, you couldn’t beat the views. If you are on the fence about a lunch of dinner cruise, make those reservations- it was so worth it! We still talk about how great the food was and how much fun we had. This is one of the few pictures we have from the night because we were so busy eating, dancing, and sightseeing.

They have different tours, lengths, and times available to suit your schedule. Brunch, lunch, or dinner are all options as well as some family friendly themed dinners to chose from.

I hope this shortlist of water activities helps you kick-start your Lake George vacation planning. If you need further recommendations, I would be happy to provide them. If this has helped you decide to visit Lake George, I have got you covered on lodging! The Stone Gate Resort is a great place to stay while enjoying Lake George. 

Call (518) 691-3110 or make your reservation online.

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