Lake George Village sits at the southern end of the lake, with the steamboat dock, a reconstructed fort and a public beach all close together. A cruise on the lake is the anchor of the visit, and a family park with a dinosaur trail covers the youngest grandchildren. Fall is a good time for the colors.
✓ Cruises give you a sit-down way to see the lake without any driving
✓ The village, the beach and the fort are all close together
✓ Battlefield Park gives you open grass for kites and picnics
→The Lake George Steamboat Company has operated since 1817 and runs daily cruises from May to October
→Fort William Henry is a reconstruction of the fort that burned in the French and Indian War, run as a living museum
→Million Dollar Beach is a 51-acre public beach on the southern shore
→Lake George Expedition Park combines Magic Forest rides with a half-mile Dino Roar Valley trail
🌟 Start Here
Lake George Battlefield Park
A 35-acre state day-use area with grassy sloped grounds for kites and frisbees, picnic tables and barbecue pits. It preserves French and Indian War and Revolutionary War sites, and a visitor interpretive center is at 75 Fort George Road.
Check the NY DEC website·All ages
Lake George Steamboat Company
Operating since 1817 with some of the oldest steamboats in the country. Three large vessels offer sightseeing, meal and entertainment cruises, with many departures a day from May to October.
Check the venue website for current admission⏱ 1 to 3 hours depending on the cruiseAll ages
Grandparent note: Pick the shortest sightseeing cruise for young children. Check the website for the current schedule.
Fort William Henry
A reconstruction of the fort that stood here during the French and Indian War, operated as a living museum in the village.
Check the venue website for current admission⏱ 1 to 2 hoursAges 6+
Grandparent note: Check the museum website for tour times and for accessibility details.
Million Dollar Beach
The most popular public beach in the village: 51 acres of sand on the southern shore of Lake George.
Check the NY DEC website⏱ Half dayAll ages
Grandparent note: The beach is next to Battlefield Park, so you can pair a swim with a picnic on the grass.
Lake George Expedition Park
On Route 9, the park combines the older Magic Forest rides (merry-go-round, car track and boats) with Dino Roar Valley, a half-mile nature trail with life-size dinosaurs, a nest to climb into and a fossil dig.
Check the venue website for current admission⏱ 2 to 3 hoursAges 2 to 10
Grandparent note: A paved trail connects the dinosaurs and takes about 90 to 120 minutes. The park is seasonal, so check its website.
Fort William Henry Hotel
Lakeside hotel · Check the website for current rates
On 18 acres with lake views, two pools and three restaurants, next to the fort in the village
Holiday Inn Resort Lake George
Resort hotel · Check the website for current rates
A full-service resort with a restaurant on site, recommended for families
Adirondack Pub & Brewery
Pub · Check the restaurant website for the current menu
In the village, family friendly, with a covered deck and fire pits for outdoor dining
Mario's Restaurant
Italian · Check the restaurant website for the current menu
A family-run Italian restaurant serving since 1954
1
Choose the shortest cruise first. You can always add a longer one on day two
2
A beach-plus-picnic day at the Million Dollar Beach and Battlefield Park area needs no tickets
3
Water Slide World has closed, so skip any old guidebook that lists it
4
Check each attraction's website for seasonal dates, since many close after October
•Morning: Steamboat cruise
•Lunch: Adirondack Pub & Brewery
•Afternoon: Fort William Henry, then Battlefield Park
•Morning: Million Dollar Beach
•Afternoon: Lake George Expedition Park
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