Skiing, hiking, snowmobiling, winter carnivals, ice bars…friends and family can’t stop talking about this year’s Lake George Area winter vacation! And for those who just don’t care for the cold weather, a T-shirt friendly agenda of excitement awaits! Leave that snow gear behind – your winter vacation will be a walk in the sun!
Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark
It’s like summer never ended! The temperature of this enormous indoor waterpark is a balmy 82º year-round. Get ready to make a splash at White Water Bay, where there is something for kids of all ages. The more adventurous head straight for two of the most thrilling waterslides to be found. And, hang on for dear life as you raft the out-of-control Avalanche – a bone rattling 382 ft. winding descent. Some surf and boogie atop the continual sheet waves, while other float leisurely down lazy Tak-it-Eesi Creek. Meanwhile, young splashers will be busy in the shallow pools, swings, and fountains of Tip-A-Kanu Beach.
During the winter months, an arctic adventure awaits as guests are transported to a one-of-a-kind frozen escape, where they can enjoy kid-friendly meet and greets with holiday characters, dance parties, an enchanting light show, creative cookie decorating, cool crafts, chilly challenges, and special winter games in White Water Bay! Visit summer’s winter getaway at the Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Water Park!
RockSport Indoor Climbing Center
Photo Credit: Kacey O'Brien
While ice and snow cover rock ledges and peaks of the Adirondacks, climbers stay warm, dry, and focused in this 10,000 sq. ft. indoor rock-climbing complex. RockSport's walls test the grit of even the most experienced “rock jocks”, but first-time climbers are more than welcome! Staff instructors have been safely introducing people of all ages and ability levels to climbing since 1992. Included among their ranks is a former national competitor and a former National Park Climbing Ranger. Guests are familiarized with climbing technique, fitted with gear, given an orientation of the gym, and briefed on safety before lifting a foot off the floor. With nowhere else to go but up, the ascent starts. Beginners can test the waters with gentle challenges, the more experienced can go for moderate climbs, and the experts can tackle the intense overhanging climb. Conquer the wall, and chalk it all up to another great vacation in the Lake George Area!
Sky Zone Trampoline Park
Bouncing off the walls this winter? Take that energy to the next level with endless aerial action on wall-to-wall trampolines at the one-of-a-kind Sky Zone Trampoline Park. The Freestyle Jump and new Sky Tower lets traditional trampoliners display their acrobatic skills into the Foam Zone without fear of the fall. Sports enthusiasts will enjoy a new competitive dimension with Ultimate Dodgeball, while SkyHoops and SkySlam bring an exciting twist to old-school basketball. Challenge a pesky sibling to a SkyJoust for some friendly hand-to-hand combat action. Those who wish to measure their own mettle can test personal speed, strength, and agility on the Warped Wall, Warrior Course, SkyLadder, or new Hangbar Challenge. Little Leapers lets younger visitors discover the fun of being active and bouncing without the “big kids” interfering. While the cold winds blow outdoors, Sky Zone visitors are bouncing the boredom out of a dreary winter day!
Indoor Golf & Sports Simulators
Although your favorite local golf courses will be buried under the snow for months to come, you don’t have to let those skills you’ve perfected over the summer fade away. When the others in your vacation party are hitting the slopes and trails, you can hit up some of the finest golf courses in the world.
One of the most unique experiences in the Lake George Area, The Luxury Box is a state-of-the-art simulation facility at which guests can play virtual sports and be entertained with friends and family in a private suite. Each suite features golf, soccer, baseball, hockey, bowling, shooting, foot golf, frisbee golf, and dodgeball. Guests can also enjoy watching TV and movies in the comfort of leather reclining chairs; or take their music and entertainment to the next level with The Luxury Box’s high-quality sound system!
Bay Meadows Indoor Golf Club’s state-of-the-art indoor simulators are so realistic you can almost smell the fresh-cut greens! Play any of the 41 virtual courses in complete comfort. The advanced 3Trak and Immersive Play technologies provide pinpoint accuracy in measuring all elements of your game, from swing of the club to speed and slice of the ball. It helps to assess player performance like only a PGA Tour Simulator can.
Golfing in the Adirondacks is a year-round sport at The Dack Nine at Green Mansions. Take a swing at their top-notch indoor golf simulators that use the newest Foresight GC3 Launch Monitor System with FSX Performance Software. The Dack Nine has 3 indoor golf bays each with its own viewing bar, rustic décor, and comfortable, spacious seating area.
Sunnyside Par 3 Golf Course, a favorite among locals, also offers an opportunity for you to enjoy a level of indoor golfing satisfaction like no other, and keep those critical skills sharp. When spring rolls around and the others are busy working out the winter kinks, you’ll be on top of your game thanks to these indoor golf simulators!
Bowling, Roller Skating, Laser Tag, Arcades
Heading in from the cold, bowling and roller skating have always been the go-to activities for adults and kids alike. In the Lake George Area, these favorite pastimes have been given a 21st century makeover, bringing in laser and light-show techniques that make guests feel like they’re in an out-of-this-world play arena! Lake George Lanes & Games (pictured) blends Galactic Bowling with an Adirondack Fort-themed laser tag experience, sports simulators, a redemption arcade featuring a variety of games, as well as an indoor playground and restaurant. The Fun Spot in Queensbury is a great place to let the kids exhaust their energy on the Ninja Challenge obstacle course, laser tag, in the arcade, or at the restaurant, while the adults indulge in a little roller-skating nostalgia. But this isn’t just your typical 80s roller-disco rink – a laser light show and booming sound system will have you skatin’ the day away!
Theater and Cinema
On some vacations, people want to do nothing more than walk into a comfortable theater, sit down, and be entertained by what’s on the screen or stage. In the Lake George Area, thespians are in for a treat. Two of the finest live-performance venues are located in the heart of downtown Glens Falls. The Charles R. Wood Theater strives to promote cultural and artistic efforts through cutting-edge music, theater, dance, and comedy performances. The Park Theater (pictured), a 1911 movie house, has been stunningly restored into a top-notch performance venue. Both play host annually to the Adirondack Film Festival and offer a vast array of entertainment throughout the year! If theater isn’t your thing, catch all of the latest releases at the Regal Aviation Mall cinema complex. Ease back in comfortable recliners and let the surround sound pour over you. Nothing like spending some quality time in your theater of choice on a cold winter’s day!
Go Play with Your Food
The cozy atmosphere of Go Play with Your Food welcomes those looking for respite from the cold. This unique hangout in downtown Glens Falls is the Lake George Area’s only board game tavern, an up-and-coming type of establishment where you can eat, drink, and play! Rent a table for only $10 and then scan their floor-to-ceiling shelves for classic games from your childhood or the latest, hilarious party games. Roll the dice and take a few turns around the Monopoly Board, challenge family to a round of Uno, or pick from over 650 other board and card games for hours of friendly competition. All the more reason to seek shelter here is their food and drink menu that features easy to eat appetizers and sandwiches, craft beverages, and more.
Craft Beverage Experience
While the rest of your vacation party works up a thirst in the chilly outdoors, keep a seat warm for them at any of the Lake George Area’s growing family of craft breweries, wineries, and distilleries. These unique establishments have been perfecting their craft for years and are eager to share with visitors the secrets behind these magnificent concoctions. Those interested in the hoppy side of things can choose from among several craft breweries in the area. Each offers a distinct spin on their brews and, to keep you nourished, most serve excellent food in a family-friendly setting. Those who prefer the “vintner in the winter” will enjoy an afternoon of tasting at Adirondack Winery's Lake George location, or their latest Queensbury Tasting Room. Up for something more? Head over to American Oak Distillery for a sampling of the good spirits! The options for the palate are endless in this craft beverage mecca!
Museums & Collections
The rich history and cultural heritage of the area has resulted in an impressive variety of museums and historical attractions that tell the story of an illustrious past. In addition to the fascinating relics that have been compiled as the country grew from infancy into industrial powerhouse, some of our hometown captains of industry traveled the world and brought back works of art to adorn their fabulous mansions. The Hyde Collection is a magnificent example of this. Gaze upon works of the Old Masters, European, and American Art, as well as Modern and Contemporary pieces. Another distinguished local collection, the Chapman Museum, celebrates the history of Glens Falls. And, even the young ones will be fascinated by the art, artifacts, and hands-on learning space at the World Awareness Children’s Museum (pictured). Vacationers can easily spend a week exploring these wonderful places and never experience the same thing twice!
A Shopping Getaway
Photo Credit: Kacey O'Brien
You know you’re in a shopper’s paradise when chain hotels pop up amidst a half-mile long strip of road jam-packed with factory outlet stores! Shopping in the Lake George Area is diverse and widespread, and some of the most sought-after name brands have set up shop right here. With your credit card in hand, wander through the aisles of L.L. Bean, Under Armour, Eddie Bauer, Timberland, Brooks Brothers, Banana Republic, J. Crew, Tommy Hilfiger, Merrell, Gap, and too many more to list! Spend the brisk winter day meandering throughout four individual outlet complexes along pedestrian-friendly walkways, or enjoy the toasty-warm comfort of the Aviation Mall with its popular anchor stores and diverse shops. There is nothing like the shopping experience here, which is why vacationers return again and again to snap up those bargains that can’t be found elsewhere!