Located 3.5 hours from New York City, at the southeast base of the Adirondack Mountains, is Lake George, New York. A town named after a lake that Thomas Jefferson claimed was “…without comparison, the most beautiful water (he) ever saw.” Nicknamed the Queen of American Lakes, tourists and locals alike have flocked to the shores of Lake George each summer for almost two hundred years.
where to eat, stay, and play in this popular upstate new york vacation destination this season
As denizens of the East Coast, we’re pretty lucky to be able to fully enjoy the beauty of seasons. Mid-year, find us slathered in (reef-safe) sunscreen cruising along the calm waters of the closest lake, and six short months later we’re ice skating, snowmobiling, sledding, snowboarding/skiing, and, in this case, strolling through ice fortresses in the same location.
That said, while we can’t wait to go back to indulge in an iconic Lake George summer getaway, we had an amazing time here in the winter as well, and can wholeheartedly recommend that you add this Upstate NY vacation destination to your winter travel bucket list.
Top “Wintery” Things to Do in Lake George, New York
Visit the Ice Castles Installation
Learning of New York’s novel Ice Castles location is what ultimately led us to begin planning a winter trip to Lake George. If you don’t know about the Ice Castles let us fill you in… picture thousands of icicles hand-placed by professional ice artists to form tunnels, sculptures, slides, caves, and fountains, and then lit by LED lights. These installations pop up in various US cities each winter and have been made famous by dreamy Instagram photos showcasing their beauty. But do they live up to the hype, you ask? The answer is yes, they absolutely do. That said, the Ice Castles can get crowded, so here are some tips for making the most of your visit.
Our top tips for visiting New York’s Ice Castles:
- Purchase tickets in advance: There may be some tickets available at the gate, but to guarantee entry book your tickets ahead of time online.
- Book the 4:30pm time slot: By arriving at 4:30, you’ll be able experience the castles for a bit during the day, take in the sunset, and watch them light up at night.
- Bundle up: Temperatures frequently drop to single digits when the sun goes down, and you don’t want being cold to cut your time short.
- Be patient: This is a popular event, so there will inevitably be lots of kiddos playing and adults trying to get the perfect shot for the gram, so plan for that//manage your expectations ahead of time and you won’t be disappointed.
- Sharing all of our tips for making the most of your Ice Castles visit here.
Go Snowshoeing, Skiing, Snowboarding, or Cross Country Skiing
Exploring the snow-covered Adirondack Mountains is a must while you are in Upstate, NY, and this region has ample activities for outdoor lovers to enjoy. From skiing and snowboarding to snowshoeing and cross country skiing, to snowmobiling and ice fishing, there is no shortage of adventures to bundle up and go on.
The adventure we chose was snowshoeing, and because it was our first time trying out this slightly awkward form of winter hiking, we chose a short and moderately-rated trail. We waddled just over a mile up the peak surrounding Lake George known as the Pinnacle and found ourselves at this gorgeous view.
Top Hiking/Snowshoeing Trails*
Even though it was a little awkward getting used to hiking in snow shoes, we had the best time and definitely recommend trying it out if you never have before. It’s also super affordable, we rented a pair of snowshoes from a local shop for $7/day.
While we only had time for one snowy hike, but two others, both also moderately-rated and overlooking Lake George made our list of top contenders as we were researching as well:
- The Pinnacle (shown above) – 2.6 miles roundtrip | 450ft elevation gain
- Black Mountain – 4.6 miles roundtrip | 2,300ft elevation gain
- Buck Mountain – 7 miles roundtrip | 1,988ft elevation gain
*Remember, always practice Leave No Trace to keep New York and all of our outdoor spaces beautiful for generations to come.
Check Out Lake George’s Winter Carnival
Every Saturday and Sunday in February locals and visitors alike flock to the frozen Queen of American Lakes for the Lake George Winter Carnival. Activities for all ages, budget, and “adventure levels” take place from morning until dark. Events range from making s’mores around the fire, to helicopter rides over the lake, to cook-offs, to polar plunges.
Dining in Lake George
Although some restaurants in the area close their doors during the winter season, Lake George has a plethora of dining options that are open year round. From diners, to breweries, to French bistros, there is something for every palette. ProTip: Many of the local restaurants do not accept reservations, so be flexible with where you’d like to go and when – that said, we did not have one disappointing meal while we were in Lake George. Here are some of our favorites:
Lake George Eats (& Drinks)
- Prospect Mountain Diner: a retro box car diner serving traditional American fare
- Ray’s Helova Deli: we had the most delicious NY-style sub here after snowshoeing and bonus, there is a wine and liquor shop next door where we picked up some local wine for the evening
- Adirondack Brewery: Located within walking distance of the Ice Castles, ADK Brew Pub offers a variety of cocktails and their own craft beers
- Bistro LeRoux: If you are looking for a nicer option for dinner, we could not recommend this chef-owned French-inspired restaurant more
Where to Stay in Lake George
Northern Living NY hosted us at their Marley’s Cove Property, and we couldn’t have had a better time. When we arrived, we were welcomed with a hand-written welcome card, local wine, and homemade jam — details that immediately made us feel right at home.
We were traveling with our friends and their two dogs, and this three bedroom, 2.5 bath property was more than spacious enough to accommodate our group. We spent our evenings sipping wine by the fire and our mornings drinking coffee while overlooking the beautifully frozen lake.
The folks at Northern Living NY have dozens of other lake houses and luxury vacation homes available for rent, most of which are equipped with dock access, wood-burning fire places, and hot tubs. If you are looking to visit during the colder months, they also offer some pretty great offseason specials.
After visiting for the first time in January, we truly believe that Lake George is a destination for all seasons. From the outdoor recreation opportunities, to the iconic Ice Castles installation, to the cozy accommodations, the Queen of American Lakes is without a doubt worth a winter visit.