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 most within a few miles drive from one another. Wherever home base is, you’ll find a free-to-access trail, trail system, or hiking challenge nearby.
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. Hanging out in Bolton Landing? Hit up a Lake George Land Conservancy (LGLC) trail like The Pinnacle or Amy’s Park.
Filter through more hikes and nature preserves here on our website for those closest to you!
Meadowbrook Nature Preserve, Photo Credit: Kacey O'Brien
Biking
The Feeder Canal Towpath and the Warren County Bikeway 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 and further. 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 pedal 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! And, for an additional history scavenger hunt challenge along this route, print off or pick up a Letterbox the Bikeway passport. Read up on this free activity from our firsthand guide first.
For more of a thrill, at no extra cost, mountain bikers can shred the 13 miles of tails 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.
Discover other cycling routes or mountain bike parks on our website!
Don’t own a bike? Don’t worry! CPDHP Cycle! is a cost-effective bike-share program with e-bike and pedal bike rentals that are are just cents per minute, with student and member discounts as well. You can find racks in Glens Falls, Queensbury, and Lake George, April through November. Just download the free CDPHP Cycle! app to get started!
Warren County Bikeway, Photo Credit: Jaynie Ellis
Disc Golf
Head to the fairways for free! Around the Lake George Area are a variety of disc golf course from challenging wooded layouts to wide-open meadows and even an indoor course at a local brewery. Find out more about where to play disc golf without spending a dime in our blog: Disc Golf Dreams: Fun GuranTEEd in the Lake George Area.
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 nearby parking:
- Usher Park, Lake George
- Wayside Beach, Lake Luzerne
- Veteran’s Memorial Park Beach, Bolton Landing
- Roger’s Memorial Park Beach, Bolton Landing
- Morry Stein Park and Beach at Echo Lake, Warrensburg
- Brant Lake Public Beach, Brant Lake
- Hauge Town Beach Park, Hague
- Loon Lake Public Beach, Chestertown
- Haviland Cove Park, Glens Falls
Loon Lake Public Beach; Photo Credit: Kacey O'Brien
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 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, there are 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
- Peggy’s Point, Hague
Or, find more here on our website!
Hovey Pond Park, Photo Credit: Jaynie Ellis
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!
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 Rogers Memorial Park in Bolton Landing. 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) Thursday Night Fireworks shows from anywhere in the Lake George Village every Thursday night in July and August.
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 depart and return to Lake George’s southern basin.
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 in Bolton Landing and are easy, fun, and informative for all ages. Participation is limited per hike and registration is required at least 24 hours in advance.
Hop in the Car, Head to the Drive-In
Two movies for the price of one – sounds like a great deal to us! From May through October, every night is a double feature at the Glen Drive-In Theater. Pay one low price per person and pick the showings on Screen 1 or Screen 2. Tickets are $12 for adults, $7 for children ages 4-11, while 3 and under get in free ($1 surcharge per person is added to these prices when using credit card). Not required, but highly recommended, is at least grabbing some fresh, buttery popcorn. Pack a portable radio so you can tune into the stations for sound without draining your car’s gas/battery by leaving the engine running.
Photo Credit: Kacey O'Brien
Attend the Adirondack Theatre Festival
Is the Adirondack Theatre Festival in town the same time you are? Want to attend these original and award-winning plays & musicals but worried about stretching you budget? The ATF for All Fund provides complimentary tickets to individuals and families who may otherwise not be able to due to financial circumstances, through the generosity of fellow patrons and donors. No income requirements, no paperwork, no proof needed – just a love of theater! Simply apply here on the Festival’s website, and your request will be handled confidently through the box office.
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 $8 for an interactive, hands-on experience at the World Awareness Children’s Museum, or stop by the LARAC Lapham Gallery where admission is free. History buffs will enjoy the Chapman Museum (only $10 to get in) 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.
Lake George Battlefield Park Visitor Center, 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. Pick up or print off your passport and get adventuring. For more information on letterboxing click here or read our firsthand guide!
Vacations don't have to be costly - there is always something to do in the Lake George Area!
*Originally published on June 12, 2022.