Opening Dates in the Lake George Area
The sun is shining and the water is warming up here in the Lake George Area. As the spring turns into summer, many top attractions, restaurants, and lodging properties are cleaning up, finalizing renovations, and opening their doors for the season. From amusement parks and ropes courses to cruise ships and top events, these are the dates your favorite Lake George Area attractions will be open.
Six Flags Great Escape and Hurricane Harbor
When it comes to amusement parks and theme parks there is no location in the Adirondacks like the Lake George Area. These are the parks that your family looks forward to all year long. The premier amusement park in the Lake George Area is Six Flags Great Escape & Hurricane Harbor. This Six Flags Theme Park is busting at the seams with rollicking roller coasters, hilarious live shows, and other attractions to create an unforgettable family memory.
Six Flags Great Escape opening weekend is Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19. Hurricane Harbor Waterpark opens Saturday, May 25.
Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course
There’s more excitement where that came from. For some different thrills check out Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course. This ropes course grants you the ability to climb high in the air and zipline through the trees.
Adirondack Extreme will be open Saturdays and Sundays and select weekdays starting April 20. They will be open 7 days a week beginning the week of June 1.
Railbiking in the Adirondacks
Revolution Rail Co.’s guided railbiking excursions are a fun, new way to experience nature and are easy for all ages. Hop on a railbike and pedal through Adirondack forests and along the Hudson River on train track and trestle bridges that were once used by the Adirondack Company and the Delaware & Hudson Railway locomotives. Revolution Rail Co. has locations in North Creek, Hadley, and Warrensburg.
Revolution Rail Co.’s Thurman Station Run is booking Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays staring May 4. Cap off the Thurman Station Run with happy hour at the Red Dog Salon on 1000 Acres Ranch. The Red Dog Run is booking starting May 11.
The North Bridge Run in North Creek is booking weekends starting April 20, adding Fridays starting May 24, and will be open 7 days a week beginning June 25.
The South River Run in North Creek is booking weekends starting May 18, adding Fridays starting June 14, and will be open 7 days a week beginning July 1.
The Hadley Bridge Run is booking weekends starting May 4, adding Fridays starting May 24, and will be open 7 days a week beginning on June 25.
The Rails to River Run, a combo railbike and tubing trip, will be available for the North River Run and South River routes starting June 22 through Labor Day Weekend. The Thurman Station Rails to River Run will be available starting June 27 through Labor Day Weekend.
Cruise Ships on Lake George
Boat cruises are one of the classic adventures that built the Original Vacation. Both the Lake George Steamboat Company and Lake George Waterfront Cruises will be sailing the lake soon. If you want to discover Lake George as people have been doing for centuries, climb aboard one of these cruise ships.
Lake George Steamboat Company’s Mohican and Lac du Saint Sacrement will begin cruising the lake this season on Saturday, May 4. The Minne Ha-Ha begins her hourly cruises on Saturday May 25 alongside the Mohican “Islands of the Narrows” cruise. Mohican Full Lake Cruises will be available Tuesdays only starting June 18, and Mohican Paradise Bay Cruises will be available June 15.
Set sail with Lake George Waterfront Cruises on the Adirondac and the Horicon, starting April 19 with their 1-hour, narrated Historic Sightseeing Cruises on select weekends. Other specialty cruises that will be available all summer long are their Bay Cruises, Happy Hour Cruises, Morning Coffee Cruises, Sunset Cruises, Twilight Cruises, Dinner Cruises, and Fireworks Cruises.
Photo Credit: Kacey O'Brien
Prospect Mountain
Hike or drive to the summit of Prospect Mountain for picturesque views of Lake George and the surrounding areas. The Prospect Mountain hiking trail is a 1.5-mile, moderate-to-difficult trek to the top. But, Veterans Memorial Highway makes the views from Prospect accessible to all. Only a 5.5-mile drive up the winding slope to a parking lot and day-use area. On the way up there are three overlooks offering sights of The Narrows, Lake George, and The Eagle’s Eye.
Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway opens Memorial Day Weekend – Saturday, May 25.
The free shuttle service to the summit of Prospect Mountain will be available. Or, fees to drive up Veterans Memorial Highway are $10/car; $5/motorcycle; $50/bus.
Natural Stone Bridge & Caves
Also on the Original Vacation itinerary is Natural Stone Bridge and Caves. This location in Pottersville is home to the largest marble cave entrance in the east and boasts self-guided tours, gemstone mining, and the crystal mine quest.
Natural Stone Bridge & Cave opens Friday, May 17 for self-guided tours.
Photo Credit: Kacey O'Brien
Fort William Henry Museum
Another landmark of the Original Vacation is the Fort William Henry Museum. This museum offers a glimpse of early American history and the role the Lake George Area played in building our nation.
Fort William Henry Museum tours and tickets available daily starting April 27.
Annual Events
Some of the top attractions in the Lake George Area are annual summer events. These events are a great introduction to the Lake George Area and the reasons you'll want to return year after year.
Major festivals taking place in late spring and early summer include: Americade, May 28 – June 1; Adirondack Theatre Festival, June 27 – August 7; LARAC June Arts Festival on June 8 & June 9; and the Adirondack Wine & Food Festival on June 29 & June 30.
Check out our full list of Lake George Area events to find your favorite summer event!
The Trolley
Parking spots fill up quickly during the summer season in the Lake George Area. A great alternative to get to and from some of these top attractions are the blue trolleys operated by CDTA. This popular mode of public transportation for tourists! The Glens Falls-Lake George Trolley (#876) and The Lake George-Bolton Trolley (#877) services begins May 24 and runs 7 days a week, from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. through Columbus/Indigenous Peoples’ Day weekend.