Lake George is a wintery vacation destination in the Adirondacks of New York that is perfect for visiting. Snow and ice play an essential part in shaping the winter months in this dreamy landscape. Locals embrace the winter traditions (ice fishing, skiing, and snowmobiling), while tourists flock to try the same. Though I am a Southern girl through and through, I didn’t mind donning my winter coat, hat, gloves, and scarf one bit to play on my winter getaway to Lake George.
Lake George’s Delicious Food
I was in heaven with the food selection in Lake George. I enjoyed a bountiful breakfast at TR’s Restaurant (Teddy Roosevelt) in my hotel two mornings and ventured into town for a few local dishes later in the day. One night was at TR’s for dinner, and another was out for dinner with friends at Caldwell House.
Breakfast specials at TR’s were Breakfast Quesadillas (salsa and sour cream) and Cannoli Stuffed French Toast, while other choices are omelets, Benedicts, and pancakes. Every dish I saw come out of the kitchen looked impressive and delicious.
I had a crock of French Onion Soup and perfectly cooked steak with Brussels sprouts and carrots and mashed potatoes for dinner. TR’s has exceptionally good food, and you can tell by the number of locals who frequent this establishment morning, noon, and night.
Caldwell House Restaurant
The Caldwell House Restaurant, a warm and romantic local eatery, was one of Lake George’s favorites. It offered a dining room and bar seating in a cozy, rustic 1940s log cabin. Caldwell House’s menu is loaded with comfort food favorites and high-end dishes.
Start your dining experience with the Baked French Onion Soup and Creamy Liver Pâté. There wasn’t a single bite left of that rich and delicious pâté topped with fried capers.
The Filet Mignon is a fabulous diner choice, or you can choose between a wide array of seafood dishes, two pasta meals, and house specials. Caldwell House’s Broiled Lobster Tail is mind-blowing!
Snuggle Up at the Holiday Inn Resort Lake George
The perfect accommodations for your winter getaway to Lake George, New York, are at the Holiday Inn Resort Lake George. Guests are welcomed in a stunning lobby with a blazing fireplace. Rooms are spacious and have all the modern conveniences, while the property offers a fantastic outdoor hot tub and indoor pool.
My Holiday Inn Resort hotel room had attractive furnishings in shades of turquoise and tan. It had a living room with a couch and chair and a separate bedroom. The rooms have a microwave and mini-fridge and beach towels for drying off after using the outdoor jacuzzi. Several rooms on the property can hold large families.
My bedroom my spacious and had a desk area and cozy corner chair area, plus a balcony with seating. I could have stayed at this superb hotel for much longer!
Another big name in the Adirondacks is the luxurious Sagamore Resort, a 100-year-old property with incredible history, located in Bolton Landing.
Ice Sculptures and Bars
Visiting Lake George was my first official wintertime trip, where I went to enjoy the blustery outdoor activities. I was surprised and happy to know that the northerners embrace the frigid temperatures and create fun around the season.
My Holiday Inn Resort Lake George offered a fantastic ice sculpture exhibit, of which I got to watch being created. A lot of work goes into these art forms, which can sometimes only last a day or so, depending on the weather. Amid the ice sculptures was an impressive ice bar featuring creative cocktails, both hot and cold.
Guests came to the ice event nightly and it was a huge draw. Live music played in the lobby, and guests mingled (pre-covid) outside around the huge firepit as they enjoyed their adult libations. My favorite was Peanut Buttercup (hot chocolate and Skrewball Whiskey), but The Glogg with mulled wine and Cointreau was excellent, too.
Later that evening, some friends and I went to a few local bars that also had their own outdoor ice experiences. At Duffy’s, we danced and sang in the teen-degree temperatures for hours, not paying one bit of attention to the fact that my hands were numb.
At Adirondack Pub & Brewery, we sipped cocktails as a DJ played our favorite tunes, and we admired the ice creations, namely a baby Yoda one. Adirondack has excellent beer (Peanut Butter Porter) and a relaxed rustic venue that is a great place to hang.
The Lake George Winter Carnival
A beloved Lake George winter tradition since 1961 is the Lake George Winter Carnival. Activities run the gamut from toilet racing to a chili cook-off, ice diving demonstration to a bonfire on the beach, and helicopter rides to wood-carving demos every weekend in February. This is a great experience for families to partake in, with food and drink offerings, crafts, shopping, and much more.
A Fun Snowmobile Experience
I only had time for one wintery activity in Lake George. So, between skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and snowmobiling, I chose the latter. A friend and I rode (via Uber) a half-hour to Chestertown, where we had a two-hour backwoods tour with C+C Adirondack Snowmobile Tours.
The drive to the location was fantastic, I felt like I was in a Hallmark Christmas movie, but the real thrill started when I got on the snowmobile, my first time.
The frigid cold didn’t stop us from having a spectacular time, though it did make it challenging to maneuver driving (it is harder than it looks) and taking pictures with an iPhone (you can’t wear gloves and open your phone at the same time).
We were given a short lesson and made to drive a few test runs on property outside the office; then, we hit the trails.
Over the hills and through the woods, we went to witness spectacular scenery and a sensational ride. These powerful snowmobiles rode over and cut through chunks of ice, making for a very bumpy but thrilling ride. I highly recommend it!
The Village of Lake George
While many stores were closed for the season, I walked into town to check out the offerings. The streets of the kitschy Village of Lake George (what I would refer to as downtown) are lined with unique shops, cafes, mini-golf, and hotels. About 25% of them were open.
I had a sandwich at Bella Delicatessen, a bowl of homemade tomato soup at Caffe Vero, and bought a bottle of wine at Adirondack Winery. Unfortunately Bella’s is closing at the end of October 2020.
You’ll want to allow some time to walk around the streets and see the lakefront. The wintery and colorful landscapes are very intriguing.
I also walked around the park where the Lake George Carnival is held and witnessed several local ice fishers far out on the frozen lake. Signs visibly warned of the possibility of the ice breaking, but that didn’t deter them.
Lake George Steamboat Company’s beautiful fleet, which offers daily cruises (including Sunday Champagne Brunch and Dinner cruises) through October, is docked in the harbor. The boats (Mohican, Minne Ha Ha, and Lac du Saint Sacrement) are all handicapped accessible, have bars and gift shops.
Explore Lake George
A winter getaway to Lake George, New York, was just what the doctor ordered. I had a great time, learned new things, experienced a whole new type of travel, and made some new friends. If you are looking for a unique place to visit, check out beautiful Lake George.
I was hosted by the Holiday Inn Resort Lake George on this trip to Lake George as a representative for TravelingMom. All opinions and reviews are 100% mine and unbiased.
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