Looking for things to do in the winter in Lake George? You will not be disappointed! The entire Adirondack region embraces the season, and Lake George, in particular, provides visitors and locals with tons of fun things to do all winter long. You might cross-country ski or snowshoe on scenic wooded trails, then thaw out by a blazing fire at a cozy local restaurant or inside a private heated igloo.
Whether your plan is to sip cocktails at an ice bar, attend the winter carnival, or simply soak in the season, you’ll find tons of winter fun in this Upstate New York region. Read on for 12 awesome things to do in Lake George in the winter!
1. Chill Out at an Ice Bar
If you haven’t yet experienced the ice bars in the Lake George region, get ready to be amazed! Massive blocks of ice are expertly carved into outdoor ice bars, where you can toast to the winter season, maybe even with a glass made entirely of ice! Artists use saws and chisels to render blocks of ice into exquisitely carved pieces of art. The ice bars are definitely one of the most unique winter activities in Lake George.
Visit Ice Bars near Lake George at the following locations and (2024) dates:
Glacier Ice Bar & Lounge at The Sagamore
Check out the whimsical, frozen sculptures and then order a snowball martini, glacier cosmo, frosty mojito, or other winter-themed cocktail from the fully stocked, intricately carved ice bar.
- Address: 110 Sagamore Rd., Bolton Landing, NY
- Dates: January 19-20, January 26-27
- Tickets: $40. Advance reservations required.
Funky Ice Fest at Adirondack Pub & Brewery
They always go big here! Past sculptures have included an ice-carved throne, a playable piano, and a frozen beer pong table. Another bonus is that it all happens at a friendly local brewery!
- Address: 33 Canada St., Lake George, NY
- Dates: January 19-20, January 26-27
- Cost: Entry is FREE but plan to hang out for food specials and a pint or flight of beer made on-site.
Polar Ice Bar at the Fort William Henry Hotel
Order a specialty cocktail from the full service ice bar, warm up at the firepit, and listen to live music as you take in incredible views from the southern end of Lake George.
- Address: 48 Canada St., Lake George, NY
- Dates: January 19-21
- Cost: Entry is free; no reservations required. Stay and dine at the Lakeside Restaurant & Lounge.
2. Dine in a Heated Igloo
Wrap yourself in the toasty warmth of your own private igloo at these four restaurants around Lake George.
- Park 26 at the Queensbury Hotel-Igloos can accommodate up to six guests. Reservations required. Lunch and dinner slots available. $10 per person deposit is taken at time of reservation and applied to final bill. 88 Ridge St., Glens Falls, NY
- The Barrel Restaurant-Reservations encouraged. Call 518-240-6118. Igloo reservation fee: $20. 4571 Lake Shore Dr., Bolton Landing, NY
- Bolton Landing Brewing Company-Reservations not required. Igloos are first come, first served. 4933 Lake Shore Dr., Bolton Landing, NY
- Inn at Erlowest-Reservations required. Call 518-668-5928. Food and beverage minimum: Thursdays and Sundays: $250; Fridays and Saturdays: $300. 3178 Lake Shore Dr., Lake George, NY
3. Celebrate the Season at the Lake George Winter Carnival
Winter Carnivals are one of the best ways to celebrate the season. Every weekend in February, the village of Lake George pulls out all the stops with activities and events that will make you fall in love with winter.
There is so much going on at the Winter Carnival in Lake George, but highlights include bonfires on the beach, horse-drawn carriage rides, a hot chocolate bar with toppings, and weekly cook-offs to determine who makes the best local chili, chowder, barbecue, and wings. And if the air temperatures aren’t cold enough for you, there’s also a Polar Plunge!
I love this annual carnival for how much it brings the community together, and nowhere was that more apparent than at the popular Outhouse Races, when local teams transform outhouses—yes, outhouses!—into zany and hilarious creations that they race across the frozen lake for a chance to win $2,000 in prizes.
Several teams compete year after year and believe me, they want to win! But when the event is over, win or lose, there is laughter all around and lots of compliments about the craftsmanship of the portable potties-turned-racing chariots!
An opening ceremony and parade kick off the event on the first Saturday (February 3), and fireworks close out the first day. If you are planning your Lake George winter activities, be sure to add this festive event to your calendar!
Several activities at the Winter Carnival in Lake George are dependent on winter weather, so keep an eye on the schedule and Facebook page for the weekend you plan to attend.
- Winter Carnival, Lake George 2024 Dates: Feb. 3-4, Feb. 10-11, Feb. 17-18, Feb. 24-25
- Location: Lake George village-activities take place on and around the lake
4. Cross-country Ski Through Adirondack Landscapes
Depending on the terrain, cross-country skiing can be very physically challenging, which is one of the reasons why I like it, but I also love it as a reason to play in the snow and see the beauty of winter. In Lake George, winter’s natural beauty is abundant! Lots of places in the region maintain groomed, well-marked trails for cross-country skiing.
Explore four miles of groomed trails at Lake George Recreation Park (124 Transfer Rd., Lake George, NY). Gurney Lane Recreation Area (118 Gurney Lane, Queensbury, NY) offers several trails of varying grade, with distances ranging from 0.3 to 1.2 miles.
Just south of Gurney Lane Recreation Area, skiers can traverse the wetlands at Rush Pond (West Mountain Road, Queensbury, NY) on 2.6 miles of cross-country trails. Winter enthusiasts who want to ski through a peaceful meadow and along a woodsy path should head to the trails at Meadowbrook Preserve (306 Meadowbrook Rd., Queensbury, NY). The 1.75 trail system also includes 12 nature education signs about the habitats in the area. Van Dusen Preserve (County Route 58, Queensbury, NY) has 1.8 miles of cross-country trails spanning over 51 acres.
The trails at Cole’s Woods (40 Parkview Ave., Queensbury, NY) were the first lighted cross-country ski trail in North America when it opened in 1971, making it possible for skiers to enjoy the trails until 10 p.m. Skiers can also participate in Thursday Night Racing on select dates, adult ski lessons, and a youth ski program for kids ages 3-12.
See the cross-country ski map for how to navigate the trails and for an entertaining explanation of how some of the trails (Bonnie and Clyde Hill, S.O.B., the Snake Trail) got their names.
Cross-country skiing is one of the best ways to have fun in Lake George in the winter!
5. Take a Scenic Snowshoe Walk or Hike
While I love the challenging nature of cross-country skiing, I also enjoying snowshoeing and the ability it gives me to walk on top of a nice soft snowfall. To do this within eyeshot of Lake George, head to Up Yonda Farm and Environmental Education Center (5239 Lake Shore Dr., Bolton Landing, NY) for breathtaking lake views and marked woodland trails.
Snowshoers at Up Yonda can trek on their own or better yet, join a hike led by a naturalist to learn about animal tracking and winter ecology. Snowshoes are available to rent, for use only on the farm’s property.
Snowshoeing is also possible at the mentioned in the cross-country skiing section above:
- Lake George Recreation Park
- Gurney Lane Recreation Area
- Rush Pond
- Meadowbrook Preserve
- Van Dusen Preserve
- Cole’s Woods
An excellent resource for snowshoeing in the region is Snowshoe Warren County. They provide tips on how to get started, how to stay safe, lots of options for places to snowshoe.
Where to Rent Cross-Country Skis and Snowshoes
- Up Yonda Farm and Environmental Education Center-Rent snowshoes for use only on the farm’s property.
- Gurney Lane Recreation Area-Stop by the pool house to borrow snowshoes at no charge! They must be used on site.
- Inside Edge Ski & Bike-Snowshoe and cross-country ski rentals available.
6. Ice Skate in the Great Outdoors
Practice your jumps, spins, and figure eights—or just skate around for the fun of it!—at these outdoor ice skating rinks in the Lake George area.
- Gurney Lane Recreation Area-Open 10 am – 4 pm on weekends and over school breaks. A warming hut is on site and includes a rest room. Cost: FREE. The skating rink is weather dependent. Call before you go to check conditions: 518-745-4481 or 518-761-8216. 118 Gurney Lane, Queensbury, NY
- Crandall Park-Ice skate for FREE on this frozen pond in Glens Falls, weather permitting. The skating area is lit and open daily from dawn to dusk. Call ahead to be sure conditions allow for skating: 518-615-0446. Fire Rd., Glens Falls, NY
- Winter Realms Ice Skating Rink-Guests at the Winter Realms at the Fort William Henry Historic Fortress can skate for as long as they’d like. The cost of skating is additional $9 plus admission to Winter Realms. Winter Realms is open through March 3, 2024. 48 Canada St., Lake George, NY
7. Be Pampered at The Spa at The Sagamore
Any time of year is the right time for a massage or facial, but in my opinion, it is especially alluring during a cold Adirondack winter, when a lot of our physical energy is spent on bundling up and staying warm. You won’t find a more luxurious place to pamper yourself in the winter than the Spa at The Sagamore Resort.
Relax into oblivion with a hot stone massage or a hot oil and scalp treatment, or go for the full Signature Bliss Journey, an experience that starts with a full body exfoliation, followed by a massage with lavender oil and warm stones, and ends with a foot and pressure point scalp massage. Check the spa menu for prices and a full list of facials, body treatments, and massages.
Located at the northern end of Lake George in the village of Bolton Landing, The Sagamore Resort is a luxury hotel that first opened in 1883 to accommodate wealthy vacationers. 110 Sagamore Rd., Bolton Landing, NY
8. Zip Around on a Snowmobile Tour
There’s no more exciting way to experience the fun of winter than to go charging through the snow on a thrilling snowmobile ride! A couple of businesses in the Lake George area offer tours of varying duration, so put on your helmet, layer up in your warmest winter clothes, and explore winter’s great outdoors in true upstate New York style!
For snowmobile tours around the Lake George area, check out C+C Adirondack Snowmobile Tours and Bolton Mobile Snowmobile Tours.
9. Sample Local Wines at Adirondack Winery
Conveniently located on Canada Street in Lake George Village, the Adirondack Winery beckons passersby to enter for a warm-up and perhaps some vino sampling. Do a wine tasting or sip on a mulled wine or a hot apple toddy.
A $15 wine tasting comes with seven samples of your choice of locally made vintages, from dry reds, whites, and roses to wines infused with green apple, peach, black berry, and much more. Whiskey tasting flights are also available for $15.
Whatever you choose, add on an ADK Happy Snacker (incudes local cheese and crackers, marshmallows, and wine-infused chocolate truffles) for $20. 285 Canada St., Lake George, NY
10. Do a Whiskey Tasting at Lake George Distilling Company
If you prefer whiskey to wine, head to the Lake George Distilling Company, just a few doors down from Adirondack Winery.
Here you can sample unique small-batch spirits with fun names like Apple Pie Moonshine, Lake George Lemonade, and Adirondack Wildfire, a whiskey with a natural cinnamon flavor. All products are made with local ingredients.
Lake George Distilling Company is open year-round but check website or call for seasonal hours. 329 Canada Street, Lake George, NY
11. Dine by the Warmth of a Roaring Fire
After spending a day outdoors in the winter in Lake George, you’ll need to thaw out at dinner! Try these restaurants with fireplaces around Lake George.
Shepards at Erlowest
Guests can enjoy the fireplace while taking in beautiful mountain and lake views. Dishes are prepared with fresh local ingredients. Standout meals include hen of the woods mushroom risotto prepared with maple cream, filet mignon in a truffle thyme demi-glace, and Faroe Island salmon topped in a lingonberry beurre blanc. The menu suggests a wine pairing for each dish.
The restaurant is part of the Inn at Erlowest, an opulent inn that was originally built in 1898 as a private mansion for Edward Morse Shepard, a wealthy attorney from Brooklyn. 3178 Lake Shore Dr., Lake George, NY
Log Jam Restaurant
There’s nothing cozier than sitting by a crackling fire inside a snug Adirondack log cabin. You’ll find that and good filling food at Log Jam Restaurant, located just minutes from the Lake George’s shopping outlets.
A pot-belly stove cranks out heat at the entrance and a total of three stone fireplaces keep the restaurant warm all winter long. Dine on hearty dishes like pork chops topped with warm apple crisp and a brown sugar demi-glace, or lamb chops in a mint bordelaise. The menu also offers a salad bar, seafood, sandwiches, and a long list of decadent desserts. 1484 US-9, Lake George, NY
Lakeside Restaurant & Lounge at the Fort William Henry Hotel
Warm up by the fire as you dine on slow roasted duck breast, cast iron seared rainbow trout, and much more this upscale hotel restaurant that sits on the southern shore of Lake George. Guests can stay toasty by the indoor fireplace or venture outside and sit around a table with a gas fire at its center (open during regular restaurant hours). Wood fire pit rentals are also available to groups of up to six people (available through January 31). 48 Canada St., Lake George, NY
12. Explore the Region for More Winter Fun Near Lake George
Take a day or overnight trip the these places to experience more of the magic of winter in New York!
Saratoga Springs
Cross-country ski or snowshoe in Saratoga Spa State Park, then pamper yourself with a massage and private mineral bath soak at Roosevelt Baths & Spa. Saratoga Springs is approximately 30 miles (48 km) from Lake George.
Garnet Hill Lodge
Get in all your winter fun in one place at Garnet Hill Lodge in North River, NY, located 35 miles northeast of Lake George Village. The Outdoor Center here includes 50K of groomed cross-country trails in a gorgeous wooded setting. Skis and snowshoes are available for rent.
Adult day passes start at $20 for a half day and $25 for a full day. Stay the night at the rustic Adirondack lodge if you want to wake up and ski straight out of your room! North River is approximately 35 miles (56 km) from Lake George.
Lake Placid
Visit sites that played a prominent role in two Winter Olympics, including the bobsled track, Speed Skating Oval, and the ice rink where the “Miracle On Ice” hockey game took place in 1980. You can also visit the Ski Jumping Complex and be amazed as you watch ski jumpers, aerialists, and snowboarders perform amazing moves as they train. Take the Skyride to get a closer-up view of the amazing ski jumpers. Lake Placid is approximately 80 miles (128 km) from Lake George.
How to Get to and Around Lake George
Lake George is located in the southern Adirondacks region of New York State, just a few minutes off Route 87 (at Exit 22). Options to travel:
By bus–Trailways and Greyhound buses operate from New York and other select cities to Lake George.
By train-The New York City to Montreal Amtrak route stops in Fort Edward, about 20 miles south of Lake George.
By air–The closest major airport is Albany International Airport, located 55 miles to the south of Lake George.
By car–As with most of New York state, driving is the most convenient option for getting to Lake George. Approximate distance and driving time from major cities:
- Albany: 55 miles (88 km). 1-hour drive.
- New York City: 210 miles (340 km). 3.5-hour drive.
- Montreal: 160 miles (255 km). 2-hour-45-minute drive.
The village of Lake George is pedestrian-friendly and easily walkable. If you’re traveling beyond the village during the winter, a car is the best option.
Final Thoughts on Lake George in the Winter
Like many people I know, I am more beach lover than snow bunny, and I adore the fall season. But I also live in New York State and as anyone who has lived here can tell you, winters can be long and cold. That is why, instead of counting down the days until the warmer seasons arrive, I visit places like Lake George, which help me not only get through winter, but have a blast while doing it.
I love seeing people outside and embracing the season, rather than hibernating until it’s over. If you feel the same way, add these Lake George winter activities to your calendar!
