Tag: Adirondack Theater Festival

5 Things to Do in Lake George, NY

The Lake George area in the Adirondack region of upstate New York is a favorite vacation destination regardless of the season. Come summer, though, it’s easy to see why it has been a number one vacation destination since it first became a “hot-spot” in the mid-1800s. With the crystal blue waters of Lake George, known as the Queen of American Lakes, and surrounded by the majestic Adirondack mountains, the area has plenty to do and see. Plan a glamping trip to Alpine Lake RV Resort or Lake George Escape Campground and get ready to find out why this has been a number one vacation destination for over 150 years! 

1. Enjoy the View: There are many, many hiking trails here but if you want to get some of the best views, consider these: Pilot Knob Ridge, with stone staircases, wildflowers and a gazebo all combining for one of the best views of Lake George; Spruce Mountain Trail (in Corinth), a 2.5 mile roundtrip hike, leads to a restored fire tower and expansive views of the mountains, or Sleeping Beauty Mountain with stunning summit views.  

Lake George

2. Day Trips: You won’t want to leave during your stay, but if you feel like exploring a bit further from this fantastic area consider a day trip to: Lake Placid with its Olympic Museum, waterfall hikes and beautiful Mirror Lake; or Saratoga Springs with its beautiful Victorian architecture; Yaddo – the National Historic Landmark with its beautiful gardens; and beautiful Congress Park with its charming carousel and mineral springs.  

3. Historic Sites: There are plenty in the area! Don’t miss the Ulysses S. Grant National Cottage Historic Landmark, which was the final home of President Grant; Fort Ticonderoga – the site of the US Revolutionary War victory over the British with US troops led by Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys; Fort William Henry which was a major site during the French Indian Wars; and the Saratoga National Historical Park, the site of the Battles of Saratoga during the Revolutionary War.  

4. Go for the Thrill: In addition to the thrill rides at Six Flags Great Escape in nearby Queensbury, which include Sasquatch, a 192-foot drop tower, the high-flying Adirondack Outlaw and the Bobcat Wooden Roller Coaster, other adrenaline pumpers can include parasailing over Lake George (parasailingadventrues.com), a helicopter ride (northcountryheliflite.com), ziplining through the trees (adirondackextreme.com) and whitewater rafting (adirondack-adventures.com). 

5. Plan Ahead: The 10th Annual Food & Wine Festival is scheduled for June 27-28 and promises offerings from area wineries, breweries, distilleries, artisan food vendors, crafters and everyone’s favorite – food trucks! Horse racing season begins at the historic Saratoga Race Course, the oldest thoroughbred racecourse in the US and runs July 3-September 7. The Adirondack Theater Festival opens its season June 17 and the Saratoga County Fair is scheduled for July 21-26.  

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Nestled in New York

Cabin at Lake George Escape Campground, Diamond Point, NY

Nestled in New York

Does your idea of the perfect summer vacation include a cozy cabin in the woods, complemented by the perfect lake for lazing by or playing in, all surrounded by towering trees and majestic mountains? If that fits your bill, don’t wait to book a stay in one of the cabins at Lake George Escape or Alpine Lake, both located in New York’s incomparable Adirondack region.

Lake George Escape, located in Diamond Point, sits on 178 acres and has direct access to the Schroon River. With four cabins to choose from (one sleeps 4, one sleeps 5 and two sleep 6), this is the place to enjoy an idyllic summer getaway. Amenities vary from cabin to cabin but all promise to be the perfect place to spend your summer at the lake.  The campground also has two pools, a playground and of course access to the lake.

Cabins at Alpine Lake RV Resort, Corinth, NY

The cabins at Alpine Lake RV Campground, located in Corinth, sleep 6 and have full bathrooms and kitchens complete with refrigerator, stove, microwave, as well as AC and heat. The resort has fishing available in the stocked lock and plenty of hiking and biking trails to explore.

Nearby to both campgrounds, there is plenty to keep you busy this summer. While there are certainly “inside” things to see and do, the focus here is enjoying the outdoors. There are hiking trails, rafting and tubing trips, scenic boat rides and lots of fishing.

From a history buff’s perspective, there’s Grant Cottage State Historic Site, in Wilton, where Ulysses S. Grant spent the last days of his life writing his memories and where for years Civil War veterans trekked to pay homage to our 18th president and Civil War General. Another top historic attraction is Lake George Battlefield Park, a 35-acre park that preserves battle sites from both the French & Indian War and the Revolutionary War.

Both the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) and the Adirondack Theater Festival (AFT) have a lot to offer this summer season. The AFT, located in Glen Falls, produces a nine-week summer theater schedule and this summer’s shows include Alice in Wonderland, Calling All Kates, a romantic musical comedy and The Enlightenment of Percival Von Schmootz, a musical comedy billed as Monty Python meets the Dark Ages. Check out this summer’s lineup at www.atfestival.org.

SPAC runs the gamut of entertainment genres from live big-name concerts including the Dave Matthews Band and Dead and Company to opera, ballet, and theater productions. A full calendar of events can be found at www.spac.org.

Special events to note include the Adirondack Wine & Food Festival, June 29-30, at the Charles R. Wood Festival Commons in Lake George, that will showcase 120 wine vendors, craft beverages, artisan foods, food trucks, and vendors. For information on that event, visit www.adkwinefest.com. Come fall, when the color show of autumn makes its debut here, the Adirondack Balloon Festival draws more than 150,000 people to this event to watch the hot air balloons soar into the mountain skies. That event is set for September 19-22 in Queensbury.

Pick your events, pack your bags and book your cabin for a tranquil, yet cultured, lazy, yet, sporty and definitely all kinds of fun summer in the Adirondacks. Go to www.PetiteRetreats.com.