Not every day is a beach day. Even the most fastidious vacation planner cannot predict what the skies will do when booking that hotel room or reserving that campsite weeks or months ahead of time. Vacationers do not have to be content with watching HBO in the hotel room, or playing endless rounds of Go Fish with the kids. There is plenty to do on those wet days, no sunblock required.
Take A Cruise
Whether a one-hour historical cruise on the Horicon or a four and a half hour tour aboard the Mohican, a ride on one of the lake’s sight-seeing boats is a must-do activity that is not hampered by rainy skies. The Lake George Steamboat Company at the Steel Pier on Beach Road and Shoreline Cruises on Kurosaka Lane (along the lakeside walkway) both have glass enclosed ships that allow passengers to stay dry while gliding past the magnificent great camps along the shoreline and the many islands that dot the lake.
Play skeeball
The flashing lights, bells and whistles of the Village arcades are always a favorite with the kids. Offering games of skill, games of chance, pinball machines, and action sports simulators, even adults can enjoy a rainy afternoon accumulating strands of tickets to cash in for a genuine souvenir. Fun World and Playland are both located on Canada Street. Find Funa’rama on the corner of Beach Road and Canada Street.
Get scared out of your wits
For aficionados of the macabre, a trip through the Village’s scarier attractions may be just the thing for a dreary day. The House of Frankenstein on Canada Street is a horror-themed wax museum. Visitors move at their own pace along an eerie path to view classic ghouls and frightening scenes.
House of Frankenstein warns it may not be suitable for young or impressionable children so consider carefully before venturing forth as there is a no-refund policy.
Go bowling
Lake George Lanes & Games is just south of the Village at 2211 Canada Street. They have daily open bowling hours, laser tag, an arcade and indoor playground.
Skate – on wheels or blades
The Fun Spot is just south of Lake George at 1035 Route 9 in Queensbury. Vacationers can roller skate or blade to pop music at this indoor arena. The Fun Spot has skate rentals, snack bar, game room, and laser tag. Parents may enter to watch their children at no charge.
Visit an Escape Room
Crack the codes and follow the clues to escape from one of the themed escape rooms at Escape LG. Find the challenge at 115 Canada Street. A great group activity that will test your teamwork skills. Escape LG game room offers 15-minute and 60-minute adventures.
Sample local craft beverages and artisan foods
Lake George has a thriving craft beverage industry, and you can taste producer’s products in their shops along Canada Street. The Adirondack Pub and Brewery at the South end of the Village offers a craft beer sampler of six five-ounce tastes of their brews.
At the Adirondack Winery tasting room, across the street from Shepard Park, you can sample a flight of their award-winning wines. While tasting wines, you may want to check out their locavore slate of artisan foods. The Lake George Olive Oil Company is just south of the winery tasting room. Stop in to try their large variety of flavor- infused olive oils and balsamic vinegars.
If you prefer the hard stuff, check out the Lake George Distilling Company Tasting Room, also on Canada Street, for a sample of Apple Pie Moonshine or Adirondack Wildfire Whiskey.
Go shopping
The many gift and souvenir shops along Canada Street and Beach Road offer hours of entertainment browsing stocks of witty t-shirts, gag and serious gifts, traditional souvenirs as well as fine apparel and home décor items.
For industrial strength shoppers, the factory outlets, two miles south of the Village, have over 70 stores of discounted merchandise. Further south is Aviation Mall. Just off exit 19 of the Northway (I-87), it is a standard shopping mall with a Regal Cinema showing current run films.