A little background info... I am from Upstate NY, and I am expecting guests from Russia this fall. One of them has been here already a dozen times, and the other has never been, and probably will never be back (US/Russian bureaucracy issues).

We have very limited time, and they will be seeing much of what is within driving distance- NYC, Boston, Niagara Falls- as they are chaperoning a group from school.

We are left with one full day for a day trip. My thought was to bring them to "high tea" at the Sagamore, and then enjoy the area a bit.

I haven't been to the Sagamore since I was a kid, but my memory was that it was lovely. I have checked here and on TripAdvisor, and found many mixed reviews of the property. People say that the service isn't great, and the rooms are worn.

Has anyone gone just for the high tea on the terrace? How much does it cost per person? Would you recommend the experience?

Or can anyone recommend another fun experience within a few hours of Albany? I would be willing to go to Lake Placid, too- but I don't think Mirror Lake Inn offers a similar tea.

Thanks for any help you can offer!

ttt

It has been about 3 years now since I stayed at the Sagamore but it was not worn and the service was wonderful. We stayed in a lodge with a fireplace..on the lake, great views.
I really like that idea of high tea .. we had it every afternoon, sitting outside looking out over the water..once it was too chilly and we sat inside and chatted with some of the other guests, that night was cocktail night ...
( I just made myself "homesick" lol

Hi Scarlett! Thanks for your response! I remember the Sagamore as being a wonderful place, too- but as I said, I went when I was younger.

I think and hope (!) that this would be a nice way to spend an afternoon, and I love Lake George, so hopefully they would appreciate it, too.

Sorry to make you homesick! Sometimes a walk down memory lane is fun, though... right?

(Or maybe you are already re-booking!)

Thanks again!

LOL, yes, it is good to remember those times and we are very close to booking lol
Have a lovely time, there is nowhere like NY state for Fall beauty..

I would vote for Mirror Lake Inn, even without a "high tea". To sit walk around the lake, stroll down main street and then head over to Mirror Lake Inn and sit in the comfy leather overstuffed chairs or the big chairs by the fire...to me...that is heaven. Or to sit out on the porch in rockers and just gaze out towards the lake. And there are games to play by the fires. And they have several different rooms to sit in . We won't even mention that they have wonderful chocolate chip cookies...

Hope this helps...
Debi

Scarlett- thanks again, and I do have to agree. Fall in NY is my favorite time of year!

Hi Debi-

I REMEMBER those cookies!! I knew they had something for guests, but since we really can't stay overnight, I was hoping for a day trip. I wonder if they would serve us tea & things in one of the restaurants? I'll have to give them a call.

Once again, I stayed at the MLI as a child with my family- we actually went a few times, once very memorably with a group of families. I remember how we (the "kids table") polished off every strawberry in sight at breakfast... yummy memories! I even had my first ever manicure there at the spa.

It's a tough choice... any other thoughs from Fodorland?

Oops... that word would be "thoughts".

Too distracted by chocolate chip cookies....