Chase your wanderlust. Experience a newfound sense of independence roaming the Adirondack Mountains, and explore the Lake George Area without any expectations. New opportunities are bound to open up when you vacation solo. Hesitant to make the journey on your own? Let us give you some solo traveling advice and help to organize a laid-back itinerary so you can start packing your luggage ASAP!
Before Solo Traveling:
- Check the weather – tune in to the forecast for your destination. Not only does this simplify the task of packing, but it also helps you plan weather dependent activities.
- Confirm reservations – call ahead or double-check your email for confirmation. Verify with accommodations and attractions you’ve booked to clear up any miscommunication before checking in.
- Have a plan b – sometimes plans fall through due to weather or unforeseen circumstances. No need to create two different itineraries, but it’s a good idea to have backup options for lodging, dining, and entertainment at the ready.
- Tell someone where you are going – let a trusted family member or friend know what your schedule is and/or consider using a location sharing app. Although the purpose of your trip may be to disconnect, this is a crucial step when solo traveling. And, especially important if you plan on going into the woods or out on the water.
While Solo Traveling:
- Try to avoid overcrowded spots – 2023 is going to be busy travel year, and some crowds will be inevitable. Seek out “mom-and-pop” shops when you can, as they are what will distinguish one vacation from another.
- Go with the flow – don’t put too much pressure on yourself to experience all the area has to offer in just one trip. Instead, anticipate on visiting again soon. Plan on going to only a handful of attractions at the top of your list and let everything else fall in to place.
- Be aware of your surroundings – no matter where you go, your personal safety is top priority. Only share your room number with staff, and never say it out loud within earshot of strangers.
- Don’t be afraid to make new friends – group tours are great ways to meet likeminded tourists and share an adventure with other people while still preserving your sense of independence. Or, converse with friendly locals during happy hour for the best recommendations.
Transportation Tips:
Detailed instructions on getting to the Lake George Area by plane, train, car, and bus can be found on our website, or by clicking here. Once you’ve arrived, there are several options to consider on how you navigate around the area.
By Car
Take the scenic route! Adding together the acres of land and water, the region is close to 900 square miles with stretches of sparsely populated forest between towns. The easiest way to get around the Lake George Area is by car if you intend on staying in more remote parts or venturing far from your accommodations. Uber and Lyft are available, but not to the same extent and reliability as large cities.
By Trolley
Parking spots fill up fast during the summer season. If you want to explore Bolton Landing, the Lake George Village, or downtown Glens Falls, and are also staying in one of these bustling communities, leave your car at your hotel or campground and catch one of the bright red trolleys operated by Greater Glens Falls Transit. This popular mode of public transportation for tourists runs 7 days a week from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day. Hop on or off the trolley at any of the blue & white designated signs to visit some of our highly sought-after attractions.
By Bike
Don’t sacrifice your healthy lifestyle when going on vacation. CDPHP Cycle! is a public bike-sharing system that promotes an active way to get around. In just three simple steps you can start (and end) a ride:
- Locate a CDPHP Cycle station in the Lake George Village, Queensbury, or downtown Glens Falls.
- Register for a membership on the website or mobile app.
- Scan the QR code on the back of the bike and wait for the green confirmation light to unlock it.
- Return your bike at any of the stations to end your ride.
Your Solo Traveling Itinerary:
Visit our “Queen”
A beloved nickname for Lake George, the “Queen of American Lakes” is a 32-mile long pristine body of water, carved out of the southern Adirondack Mountains by massive glaciers long ago. The best way for a solo traveler to become acquainted with the “Queen” is through a sightseeing or specialty steamboat cruise with the Lake George Steamboat Company or Lake George Waterfront Cruises. Sailing from May through October, these giants of the lake have open-air decks that offer unobstructed views of Millionaire’s Row and the Tongue Mountain Range – remember to bring your camera!
Photo Credit: Kacey O'Brien
Or, maybe you just want to dip your toes in the water. Lake George draws new and repeat visitors for year-round relaxation along its scenic banks. Park your cooler in the sand, lay out a towel, and slip on your shades. Whether you prefer to watch all the excitement happening in the southern basin, or drift off on less frequented shores farther north, there is at least one public beach for swimming and sunbathing in every community around the “Queen”:
Lake George
Bolton Landing
Hague
Eat Like the Locals
Make your way through the Lake George Area by experiencing our variety of regional and international cuisine. With talented chefs at fine dining establishments and homecooked meals at mom-and-pop diners, your taste buds will thank you. Welcoming hosts and hostesses will guide you to an intimate table for one with waterfront views, or help you with your takeout order. In fact, artisanal food products made right here in the Lake George Area might just be an ingredient in your meal: sticky, sweet syrup from sugarhouses in Thurman; Nettle Meadows’s award-winning cheeses; Barkeater Chocolates gourmet truffles; Oscar’s smoked meats; and locally brewed beer, wine, and distilled spirits.
Pictured: Sunday Brunch at The Bond 1786, Photo Credit: Kacey O'Brien
Check out these foodie blogs on our website:
- Vegan, Vegetarian, Gluten-Free Roundup
- In the Lake George Area, We Brunch
- Caffeine Crawl
- Ice Cream Trail
- Festivals for Foodies – Spring
- Festivals for Foodies – Summer
- Festivals for Foodies – Fall
- Festivals for Foodies – Winter
Earn a Fine Arts Degree
Let galleries at The Hyde Collection, LARAC, and the Lake George Arts Project be your classrooms to study paintings by renowned Old Masters or local up-and-coming artists. Learn about the blossoming public arts scene by keeping an eye out for Murals, Mosaics, and More as you explore. Between the region’s natural beauty and projects to revitalize our more industrial areas, art is everywhere.
Showmanship is also alive and well in the Lake George Area. Support our performing arts by attending a show at the Charles R. Wood Theater, The Park Theater, and Lake George Dinner Theatre. Please do not hold your applause for the talented actors and actresses!
More of a history buff? Travel back in time to experience what life was like at a British Fort during the French & Indian War through a guided tour and reenactments at the Fort William Henry Museum. And, every town has at least one local history museum with artifacts and exhibits that teach about pioneers and early settlements developing into the communities they are today.
Pictured: The Hyde Collection
Take a Hike
Trek through the valleys or summit mountains on well-maintained trails that unfurl throughout our southern Adirondacks. We don’t recommend ascending peaks alone if you’re not an experienced solo hiker, but you can lace up your hiking boots and meet a guide at the trailhead, such as Hike with Jackson. Jackson, a Lake George native and certified First Wilderness Responder, offers custom hiking plans for those unfamiliar with the territory but up for the challenge. If a leisurely walk in the woods is more your speed, there is an abundance of parks & nature preserves as well. Observe wildlife along the path and give birding a go. Check out our Birding in the Lake George Area guide for an introduction into a hobby perfect for the solo traveler.
Pictured: Kipp Mountain Summit
Tire Yourself Out
Start at one end of the Warren County Bikeway and pedal for miles over paved, rolling hills. Connecting Lake George, Queensbury, and Glens Falls, this multi-use recreational path offers the perfect opportunity for solo travelers to join the growing cycling community in the Lake George Area without merging onto highly-trafficked roads. The bikeway begins at Platt Street in downtown Glens Falls and continues north to Ft. George Road in Lake George for a strenuous 9.4-mile workout. The path also winds past some of our cornerstone businesses – treat yourself to a cone of homemade ice cream at Cooper’s Cave as you zoom by. If your means of travel doesn’t allow you to load up your own bike, CDPHP Cycle! (as mentioned above) is a great bike rental option.
Photo Credit: Kacey O'Brien
Shop ‘til You Drop
A little retail therapy is good for the s(oul)o traveler. Spend as long as you desire browsing antique shops or artisan storefronts for unique souvenirs. Search the racks at locally-owned boutiques for casual and trendy threads. Hunt for the best name-brand bargains at the Factory Outlets of Lake George. And, better yet, mix shopping with entertainment at the Aviation Mall. The only snag in that plan – you’ll have to carry your own shopping bags, heavy with exciting new purchases.
Pictured: Lake George Outlets West, Photo Credit: Kacey O'Brien
Catch Some Z’s
There’s no better feeling than being tucked in between fresh sheets and a fluffy comforter after an exhausting day. There are affordable lodging options throughout the region ready to accommodate the wants and needs of every solo traveler. Retire to a rustic cabin hidden among the pines, or let gentle waves lull you to sleep at a waterfront cottage. Check-in to the luxury resort/hotel of your dreams or a homey bed & breakfast where you’ll be treated like family. The most adventurous solo travelers will find a place to set up camp and snooze under the stars. No matter where you lay your head, a good night’s rest is easy to come by in the Lake George Area.
Pictured: The Queensbury Hotel
While you’re here…check out an event! From live music performances to bustling street fairs and vibrant fireworks displays, there is no shortage of entertainment for the solo traveler in the Lake George Area. Plan your trip around one of our featured events, or attend a free festival while you’re in town. Click here for a list of all our various events happening during the duration of your stay.