Most people have one location somewhere in the world that is their favorite place to go on vacation, kind of like a home away from home. A place that they feel their happiest and count down the days until they get to go there again. For my family and I, that place is Lake George. Lake George is a small lakefront town in upstate New York, and yes, it actually is upstate because it is past Albany. If you are from New York like I am, chances are you have vacationed in Lake George at least once. If you haven't, what are you doing? How can you be from NY and not have been to Lake George at least once? Even if you are not a New Yorker, Lake George is still an ideal place for you to spend a week or two vacationing in.
Lake George is surrounded by the Adirondack Mountains. My dad and I like to say that the Adirondacks are a bowl and Lake George is the cereal inside the bowl. The view no matter where you are standing in Lake George is breathtaking. If you are a person who enjoys being outdoors and the excitement of nature, I highly suggest going to Prospect Mountain during your vacation and hiking up to the top. I promise that the view is more than worth it. Not only can you see all of Lake George from up there, but you can see land for miles beyond. In the town of Lake George is where the vast majority of hotels and motels are. My family always stays at Surfside on the Lake. It has its own private beach and a gorgeous outdoor pool, so I recommend staying there. In town you can also find restaurants (Monte Cristo's is my personal favorite), arcades, haunted houses, a plethora of souvenir shops, boat rentals, and of course, the beach. In the summer there are usually fireworks on the beach during the weekends. Also, Lake George has three boats in which you can take a two hour tour of the lake, or you can opt for one of the dinner/moonlight cruises. It is something you absolutely do if you are in Lake George. My family's favorite boat is the Minnie Ha-Ha. Go on a cruise on the boat and you will find out why it is called that.
Lake George is not just for the summer, it is for the fall and winter as well. Lake George is stunning in the fall. All of the leaves have changed colors and the mountains are red, orange, and yellow. In the winter the annual Winter Carnival occurs in February. It takes place literally on the lake because it is frozen by that point. Some activities include helicopter rides, sleigh rides, s'mores on the beach, fireworks, and ATV rides. Truly, there is always something to do in Lake George.
Whether you prefer resorts or campgrounds, you can find the desirable accommodations for your family in Lake George. Lake George is my favorite place in the world and I think that everyone should experience a vacation in there at least once in their life time.
