The Lake George Area changes with the seasons. After a scorching summer, fall eases in, the leaves begin to turn, and bustling sidewalks start to quiet. Brisk mornings warm into sunny afternoons then fade into cool evenings. The colors of the Adirondacks morph from emerald and seaweed green to a spectrum of yellows, oranges, and reds. The lakes are still pleasant and refreshing, but the fall air on wet skin forces a shiver or two.
Even though the climate begins to change after Labor Day every summer, the opportunities for fun remain essentially the same. The foliage is jaw-dropping and accessible. Waterfront restaurants are open and eager for visitors. Hiking trails continue to be beautiful challenges as the leaves and temperatures drop.
Fall is a gorgeous time to visit the Lake George Area. Let us plan a weekend trip for you – all you need to worry about is getting here and having fun!
Friday Evening
It’s around 6 p.m. After a crazy week at work, you roll into the Lake George Area ready to relax. You check into a clean and comfy hotel room, maybe an Adirondack cabin complete with dark wood paneling and a ten-point buck up on the wall, or even a secluded campsite shaded by tall pines. It’s time to grab a bite to eat.
There are dozens of eclectic and delicious restaurants in the Lake George Area. From family-owned Italian, authentic Mexican, or American fare like a good juicy burger, where you eat depends on what you’re in the mood for and the proximity of your digs.
Glens Falls and Queensbury, the largest populated towns in the region, make up the southern portion of the Lake George Area. That large population creates a lot of dinner options on a Friday evening. You can park in downtown Glens Falls and walk to more restaurants than your stomach can handle in one night. Fenimore’s Neighborhood Pub, located in the Queensbury Hotel is a casual gastropub that overlooks Glens Falls City Park.
Pictured: Fenimore's Neighborhood Pub
If you’re craving food with flair, you have several choices in Glens Falls. Raul’s Mexican Grill is a city staple, offering fresh Mexican-American food in an atmosphere-rich nook at the corner of Glen Street and Hudson Ave.
Pictured: Raul's Mexican Grill
Geographically, the center of the Lake George Area is made up of the Lake George Village, Bolton Landing, and Warrensburg. The Lake George Village and Bolton Landing both sit on the western shores of beautiful Lake George. A table overlooking the lake is easy to find. In the Village, join the Lake George Beach Club. This waterfront restaurant on Montcalm Street is newly renovated, serves quality food and drinks, and often has a lineup of live music. If you’re a craft beer enthusiast, the Adirondack Pub & Brewery just down the road is a great place to have dinner. Their award-winning beers are varied and excellent, while their fall seasonal brews go down quick on a Friday evening. Pasta lovers should head to Mario’s Restaurant, a family-owned Lake George Village fixture since 1954.
The best view in Bolton Landing belongs to The Algonquin. The perspective of Lake George from a stool at their lengthy bar or from a table on any of their outdoor decks is hard to beat. The Algonquin serves burgers, sandwiches, seafood, steaks, and pasta. Anticipate being there for some time, it’s slow eating when you’re savoring the food and staring at those views, trust us. For a flavorful meal with guaranteed fresh ingredients, check out The Huddle Kitchen and Bar. Their outdoor seating is perfect for an early evening meal.
Pictured: The Algonquin
Warrensburg may not be located on Lake George, but it’s still chock-full of options for a great meal. For casual pub fare with a local feel, grab a stool at George Henry’s. Order some wings in a variety of sauces and wash them down with an ice-cold draft beer.
If you’re staying in one of the small outskirt towns of the Lake George Area, you’ll still have plenty of opportunities for a sit-down meal. In Chestertown, take Route 8 to The Place for huge portions of flavorful Italian food, or stay in town for a tender steak at The Bullhouse. In Lake Luzerne, head to the Long Horn Restaurant & Pub for sandwiches at the bar. In North Creek, Trappers Tavern at the Phoenix Inn Resort is an après ski favorite that’s just as good in the fall, and The Barking Spider is a casual and cozy place for assorted wines and beers with friends.
Whichever restaurant you choose, make sure to skip dessert – after dinner you’re heading to Martha’s Dandee Creme in Queensbury. Their towering ice cream cones and daily flavors are legendary in the Lake George Area.
Early Saturday
You wake up well-rested, refreshed, and ready to get out and enjoy the Lake George Area in the sunshine. It’s impossible to explore every nook and cranny in one weekend, but there are a few things every fall visitor should check out. Hop out of bed, get dressed, and have a quick bite to eat. It’s time to take in the foliage.
Depending on when you visit, the fall foliage season is either getting better every day or its at peak. There are several ways to see outstanding views of the colors. If you’d like to get out in the woods and walk among the leaves, take a hike to one of the Lake George Area’s breathtaking mountain summits.
The Dean Farm Heritage Trail in Stony Creek is an easy and accessible walking path. Meanwhile, Crane Mountain is a difficult trail in Thurman that requires hikers to climb two ladders to complete the loop. Each of these trails gives leaf peepers exactly what they are looking for.
Pictured: Dean Farm Heritage Trail
If hiking isn’t your cup of tea, there are other opportunities to see the fall colors. Rent a boat or trailer your own to Lake George and spend the morning cruising around. Go to Gore Mountain in North Creek and take a scenic ride on the Northwoods Gondola for some bird’s-eye views of the foliage. Drive to the summit of Prospect Mountain to see a hundred-mile view of the Lake George, the Adirondacks, and beyond.
Pictured: Gore Mountain, Photo Credit: Kacey O'Brien
Visitors in the Lake George Area have been admiring fall foliage from the deck of cruise ships for 200 years. You can do the same with both the Lake George Steamboat Company and Lake George Waterfront Cruises. The Lake George Steamboat Company offers a Full Lake Fall Foliage Cruise on select Saturdays departing at 10 a.m. Lake George Waterfront Cruises offers a variety of sightseeing cruises daily. Climb aboard any ship to get an up close and personal look at the colors.
Sunday Morning
Your trip the Lake George is sadly coming to an end, but it’s not too late to squeeze in some more fun. On Sunday, you can still enjoy a morning hike or a stroll through quaint downtowns before hitting the road. Stop at the arcades in the Lake George Village, or sunbathe on the beach in Bolton Landing or Hague. Hit up the Factory Outlets of Lake George for some fall discounts. Take the scenic route on your way out of town. No matter how much you check off the itinerary, you’ll have next fall’s trip to the Lake George Area already planned before you get home.
Photo Credit: Kacey O'Brien