Major city · United States
Lake George
Stay 2–3 nights in the village if you want the lake and the trolley; 4–5 if you add Great Escape or a Gore Mountain ski day. Skip the car in July–August.
Lake George is a small Adirondack village on a 51 km lake, 80 km north of Albany off I-87. It runs on two seasons: late June to Labor Day for boats, beaches and the trolley, and winter for skiing at Gore and Whiteface. The village itself is walkable; everything else needs a car or the seasonal trolley. Two nights covers the lake cruise, the fort and Prospect Mountain. Add a night for Great Escape or a ski day.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Jun–Sep for the lake; Jan–Mar for skiing
- avoid Nov (many businesses closed), peak July–August weekends for traffic and parking
- Airport
- ALB
- Nights
- 2–3
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Lake George911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Lake George, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyLow-crime resort village; the real risks are summer traffic, cold lake water and unlit back roads at night.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportALB Albany International Airport (Closest scheduled flights; about 80 km (50 mi) south, roughly 1 h by car).ALB Albany International Airport (Closest scheduled flights; about 50 mi (80 km) south, roughly 1 h by car).
- Getting aroundThe village is walkable end to end in about 20 minutes.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$3–6
- Sit-down mealCasual dinner main$18–32
- Street or quick mealPizza slice or diner breakfast$5–15
- Beerdraught in a pub / six-pack at a store$7–10$10–14
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$10–30
- Budget bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$110
- Mid-range bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$180
- High-end bedMotel double room, a night, per roomUS$320
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$160 · High US$280
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- ALB Albany International Airport (Closest scheduled flights; about 80 km (50 mi) south, roughly 1 h by car)ALB Albany International Airport (Closest scheduled flights; about 50 mi (80 km) south, roughly 1 h by car)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
Feb
Best
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Mar
Best
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
Apr
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
May
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Jul
Care
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Care
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Best
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Oct
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Nov
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Dec
not flagged
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Best: Jan–Mar, Jun, Sep. Mixed: Jul–Aug. Avoid: Nov. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Feb (10). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Lake George: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
12 rd
Feb
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
10 rd
Mar
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
11 rd
Apr
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
11 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
12 rd
Jun
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
12 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
11 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
11 rd
Sep
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
10 rd
Oct
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
11 rd
Nov
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
−1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
12 rd
Dec
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−7°C (19°F)19°F (−7°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The village is walkable end to end in about 20 minutes. Greater Glens Falls Transit runs a single bus route most of the year and seasonal trolleys from late June through Labor Day, daily about 7:00–22:30, base fare $1 (check). Driving in the village in summer means traffic and $1–2/hr metered parking (check).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Lake Placid
overnightDoor to door: About 1 h 45 min
I-87 north then Route 73/86 by car
1980 Winter Olympics sites and Whiteface Mountain; too far for a relaxed return day.
Saranac Lake
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h
I-87 north then Route 3 by car
Pair with Lake Placid for an Adirondack high-peaks loop.
Ticonderoga
goDoor to door: About 1 h
I-87 north, then Route 9N/22 by car
Fort Ticonderoga is a half-day; check seasonal opening dates.
Old Forge
overnightDoor to door: About 2 h 30 min
Route 28 west by car
Western Adirondacks; a long day, better as a stop on a loop.
Wilmington, New York
overnightDoor to door: About 1 h 45 min
I-87 north then Route 86 by car
Base for Whiteface skiing and High Falls Gorge.
Keene, New York
overnightDoor to door: About 1 h 45 min
I-87 north then Route 73 by car
High-peaks trailheads; pair with Lake Placid.
Westport, New York
goDoor to door: About 1 h 15 min
I-87 north then Route 9N by car
Lake Champlain ferry and a small lakefront town.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Lake George Village
Walk to the beach, docks, fort and restaurants; paid metered parking, so leave the car.
Bolton Landing
Quieter north-shore base, about 15 km (9.3 mi) up Route 9N; trolley north route stops here in season.Quieter north-shore base, about 9.3 mi (15 km) up Route 9N; trolley north route stops here in season.
Queensbury and Route 9 south
Motels, outlet mall and Great Escape; cheaper, but you need a car for the village.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $90–140 excl. bed
- Mid
- $150–230 excl. bed
- High
- $250+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Motel double room1 × 3 nights × US$180 | US$540 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × US$160 | US$960 |
| Steamboat cruise, one-hour lake trip2 × US$22 | US$44 |
| Fort William Henry Museum, adult2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Prospect Mountain drive-up, per car1 × US$10 | US$10 |
| Seasonal trolley day of rides2 × US$5 | US$10 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$160 |
| Trip total≈ US$294 per person per day, bed included | US$1,764 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; sales tax added at checkout. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $3–6 |
| Pizza slice or diner breakfast | $5–15 |
| Casual dinner main | $18–32 |
| Beer: draught in a pub / six-pack at a store | $7–10 / $10–14 |
| Seasonal trolley base fareChildren under 5 free; half price 60+ and disabled | $1 |
| Village parking meterPrepaid meter | $1–2/hr |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | $10–30 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Many restaurants and attractions close from November to spring: check before you book a winter weekday.
- Village parking is metered and prepaid; free spaces are on back roads only.
- Summer daytime traffic on Route 9 is slow; walking beats driving in the village.
- Lake water is cold even in August; the beach has lifeguards in season only.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
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Lake GeorgeLake George
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Lake George; consulates-general are in New York City, and national embassies in Washington, DC.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Albany airport → Lake George, taxi or rideshare: about $90–130, 1 h
- Seasonal trolley, base fare: $1, children under 5 free, half price 60+
- Prospect Mountain drive-up, per car: $10 including shuttle to summit
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Where is the trolley stop? — Where is the trolley stop?
- One adult ticket, please — One adult ticket, please
- Is this open today? — Is this open today?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
- Where is the restroom? — Where is the restroom?
Tipping: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% taxis. Sales tax is added at checkout.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Lake George. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Sep for the lake; Jan–Mar for skiing · avoid Nov (many businesses closed), peak July–August weekends for traffic and parking · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 7 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for ALB: drive time, rental desks, last sensible arrival for a village check-in.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Beach Road and the docks, Canada Street, Fort William Henry, Prospect Mountain.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Fort William Henry, steamboat cruises, Million Dollar Beach, Great Escape) and eat pages with last orders.
- Seasonal fixtures so gates A–D can go green: trolley start and end dates, winter closures, ski-day logistics.
Sources
- officialTown of Lake George
- officialLake George official travel guide
- officialGreater Glens Falls Transit
- officialFort William Henry Museum
- officialLake George Steamboat Company
- officialAlbany International Airport
- secondaryWikivoyage: Lake George, revision 5310338 (CC BY-SA 4.0)