Enjoy your vacation to the Lake George Area this summer without spending a lot at the pump. Traveling on a budget can be easy with plenty of free and fun activities to do in every town across the region.
Get Lost in the Woods
Hiking
The Lake George Area is made up of many nature preserves and hiking trails of all difficulties, each with rewarding views and some within a few miles drive from one another. If you are staying in or near the Village of Lake George, check out Prospect Mountain for a challenging moderate to difficult hike. While in Queensbury, take a walk in the woods at one of many nature preserves, such as the Hudson Point Nature Preserve, Meadowbrook Nature Preserve, VanDusen Nature Preserve, Halfway Brook Trail, or Rush Pond Trail (pictured below).
You can find even more hikes and nature preserves on our website!
Photo Credit: Jaynie Ellis
Biking
The Feeder Canal Towpath and the Warren County Bikeway (pictured below) are easily accessible paths suitable for not just biking, but walking and running as well. The 9-mile Feeder Canal Towpath is a crushed stone trail beginning at the Feeder Dam in Queensbury and traveling southeast right along the Hudson River through Glens Falls, South Glens Falls, and Hudson Falls to Mullen Park in Fort Edward. The paved Warren County Bikeway is 9.4 miles of rolling hills beginning at Platt Street in Downtown Glens Falls moving north to Ft. George Road in Lake George – or begin your bike ride in Lake George and peddle south. If you have some spare change stop for an ice cream cone at Cooper’s Cave or Sprinkles Ice Cream Shoppe located right off the bike path!
For more of a thrill, mountain bikers can shred the 13 miles of trails ranging in difficulty at the Gurney Lane Mountain Bike Park, and Brant Lake Bike Park's 3.5 miles of advanced trails traversing Bartonville Mountain.
Photo Credit: Jaynie Ellis
Spend a Day at the Beach
Have a splash in the lake or spend the day working on your tan. Almost every town in the Lake George Area has at least one beach/park that is open to the public when lifeguards are on duty and with no cost for parking:
- Usher Park, Lake George
- Wayside Beach (pictured below), Lake Luzerne
- Veteran’s Memorial Park, Bolton Landing
- Roger’s Memorial Park, Bolton Landing
- Morry Stein Park & Beach at Echo Lake, Warrensburg
- Brant Lake Beach, Brant Lake
- Hauge Town Beach Park, Hague
- Loon Lake Public Beach, Chestertown
- Haviland Cove Park, Glens Falls
Have a Picnic at the Park
Any of the town beaches listed above double as the perfect place to have a picnic, including Glens Falls City Park (pictured below) right in the heart of downtown. If you’re looking to make a day of it and spend some recreational time outdoors on the playground, basketball court, and soccer or softball fields, here are some other options for picnic spots:
- Crandall Park, Glens Falls
- Hovey Pond Park, Queensbury
- Ridge/Jenkinsville Park, Queensbury
- Stony Creek Recreation Field, Stony Creek
- Lake George Battlefield Park, Lake George
Or, find more here on our website!
Photo Credit: Kacey O'Brien
Enjoy Live Music, Movies, & Fireworks
Live Music
The sound of live music accompanies warm summer nights in the Lake George Area, as every town has a free summer concert series scheduled. Check out the lineups and venue information here – there are sure to be some tunes that will make you want to get up and dance!
Thursday Night Community Band Concerts in Shepard Park, Lake George Village
Movies
Enjoy a family night out to see a free movie under the stars. New releases and classics alike will be playing on the big screen every Wednesday throughout July and August at Roger’s Memorial Park in Bolton Landing. All showtimes can be found here.
Or, head over to Glens Falls City Park for their Outdoor Cinema (pictured below) with a showing once a week in July and August for more family-friendly movies on the big screen beginning at dusk. All showtimes can be found here.
Fireworks
Who said fireworks are just for the 4th of July? Certainly not us! Take in the spectacular (and FREE) fireworks shows from anywhere in the Lake George Village every Thursday night in July and August. For more information about these firework displays, click here.
Take a Stroll in the Village
Canada Street in the Lake George Village has a lot offer to offer on its own. Take in all the sights and sounds with a stroll along the main strip. There is no shortage of entertainment between all the shops, restaurants, and attractions this ideal location has to offer. Venture into Shepard Park to find some peace and quiet in the middle of the Village and watch the steamboats tour Lake George.
Photo Credit: Kacey O'Brien
Meet the Farm Animals & Learn About Local Wildlife
If your vacation to the Lake George Area brings you into Warrensburg, stop in at Nettle Meadow to see the animals being raised or enjoying retirement at the Kemp Farm & Sanctuary (pictured below). Meet the sheep, goats, llamas, horses, donkeys, pigs, and more on a self-guided tour, or hear all about their unique stories and personalities on their noon Saturday tours. Both are free, but donations are also accepted.
Or, learn about the Lake George Area’s ecosystem through the Lake George Land Conservancy's Discovery Series. These free, naturalist-led hikes are all located within Bolton Landing and are easy, fun, and informative for all ages. Participation is limited to 15 people per hike and registration is required at least 24 hours in advance.
Visit a Museum
Between history museums and art galleries there is a great deal of exhibits showcasing the Lake George Area’s culture. Most are free admission, while others cost less than $10. For an art-filled afternoon, spend $7 for an interactive, hands-on experience at the World Awareness Children’s Museum, stop by the LARAC Lapham Gallery where admission is free, or check out all the murals, mosaics, and more in Glens Falls and surrounding areas. History buffs will enjoy the Chapman Museum (only $5 to get into) and the free, self-guided historical tour of Lake George Battlefield Park – maps can be picked up at the Lake George Battlefield Park Visitor Center (pictured below).
Photo Credit: Jaynie Ellis
If you have some gas left in your tank, another fun and FREE activity is the Warren County Historians' Challenge letterboxing trail. Head to 12 historical sites in the Lake George Area, solve clues to reveal a 13th mystery location, and find our most famous resident. For more information on letterboxing click here or read our firsthand guide!