Hi All,
I'm hoping you great travel experts can help me with this.

I've been looking into a trip that's no more than 4 hours from NYC (perhaps some have seen my previous post). Now I can be a bit more specific, and I must say, Lake George looks quite interesting (I've basically narrowed the choices to Lake George and Ocean City Maryland, (unless a better choice comes along)).

So what do you all think of Lake George? Is it worth the trip? What's it like? Any hotels/resorts/condos you would recommend? Any specific town to stay in?

By the way, the budget is reasonable I think. But when I looked at the Sagamore I got sticker shock at the $400-500 per night price they wanted. Out of the question. Hoping to get something for less...(maybe $200 a night).

I'm looking for a place/area that's on the water, not overly rural, and with some fun stuff to do, nothing too empty or trashy/tacky or wild.


Is Lake George the right place?

Really appreciate your feedback on this.

IMO, Lake George is seriously trashy and honky-tonk. Unless the Sagamore has been majorly upgraded in the last few years, it too is very old and tired. Certainly not worth those prices. Maybe others will disagree?? But then, I think Ocean City, MD is trashy too. Sorry. See posts about that specific site that agree.

Okay, so I need clarification. What does "Honky-Tonk" mean? In this post, irishswampy uses it as a negative, but then Rachel defended Ocean City as being not trashy, but "honky-tonk".

LOTRHP - you specifically said that you don't want anything trashy or tacky, and you've received feedback that both Lake George and Ocean City are both trasy and tacky. I think you need to move along and start checking out the places already suggested before starting another thread about this subject

Lake George is not elegant or upscale at all - and the town really is fairly tacky and tatty (lots of tee short shops and cottoncandy sellers, water slide parks, miniature golf, and amusement/ game arcades. (The Adirondacks is beautiful - but the town of Lake George is sort of inexpensive kiddy tourism personified.)

Also - if you're looking at August the prices will be esp high since a lot of overflow folks from the racing season at Saratoga (which doesn;t have nearly enough hotels) mob into Lake George.

It's not a bad place to amuse kids - but it sounded like you wanted something more adult and less amusement park.

I would have reco'd the Adirondacks - which hasa beautiful places - but you requested not too many woods - and it's mostly heavily forested.

Appreciate your comments about your negative experience with Lake George. What exactly is trashy about it?
Anyone else care to way in?

And no, haven't heard too much specifics about trashy/not trashy Lake George so please don't reprimand me when I ask this question.

Just saw your post nytraveler. Got it, tee shirts and cotton candy. Good to have a visual. Thanks also for responding. So, would Bolton Landing which is on the lake but not in 'Lake George Village' still qualify in that way?

I haven't been to Lake George (although we're going there this summer) so I don't know if it is trashy or not.

But I had another idea for you -- how about Newport, RI? Boat rides, mansions, shops, galleries, restaurants, beach -- it has it all.

Keep looking. There's not much to recommend about Lake George. Check reviews for accomodations on TripAdvisor.

You haven't mentioned when you're going...

Go to Vermont or New Hampshire or the glorious coast of Maine.

If you're really into wilderness hiking, canoeing, and beautiful mountain/lake scenery the Lake George region can be great. If you're the stay in town on dry land see the sights type, then you may find Lake George a 3rd rate vacation destination.

The draw of LG is the natural beauty and open space. The downside is that it does not have a modern first rate vacationers infrastructure to support many leisure travellers tastes.

I was going to suggest Newport, RI, too.

It's a big lake. You don't have to limit yourself to Lake George Village.

Hague is a lovely are of Lake George on the northern tip. I've recommended the Ruah B&B to someone on this board and they loved it, although I haven't stayed myself.

as I live only about 45 minutes from Lake George, I can give you some details. It is not trashy, but it is a bit kitschy, in a 1970's sort of way. But if you go in with that knowledge, it can be fun. It has a great lake cruise with Minnie Ha Ha (old steamboat), a nice beach, a six flags amusement park and then your cheesy souvenir stores. I am concerned, however, that you are looking a bit late in the game for this trip as it books pretty early for the summer. I also don't find the Sagamore tire although it is a historic resort. I think it's beautiful. Other than the Sagamore, I don't believe there are any other hotels there, other than a family run motel here or there. I stayed at Northward Ho! one year for a wedding, and while, older it was kept VERY nice and clean and had it's own beach. It's in between Lake George and Bolton Landing.

The Adirondacks as a whole looks like a step back in time with older family run motels and cabins. But for the most part, it's obvious the families love their businesses and treat them well. So if you go in with the understanding that the buildings might be older, but well kept (and I recommend Northward Ho!), you'll have a fun and relaxing time.

i agree, that lake george could be considered family/american touristy. straight out of the 60's weekend driving trips...but i had one of the nicest weekends of my life up there 2 years ago, and would absolutley go back. we stayed at the fort william henry hotel right on the lake.

Thanks for all the great feedback. Yeah, I know it's late in the game for a summer trip so I'm trying to work really fast and appreciate all your helpful feedback. Yes, I agree, I don't have to stay right in the village but in the relative Lake George vicinity is fine as long as there's a view of the lake.

Any more suggestions on good hotels that show views of Lake George?

(I absolutely love Newport but its not a pick for this time around).

The northern section of the lake is beautiful!

http://www.hagueticonderoga.com/index.asp

As I mentioned in an earlier post, this place is supposed to be very nice:

http://www.ruahbb.com/

It's right on the lake and the views are lovely.

Lake George is so incredibly tacky that it almost has an aura of "Vacation RETRO" that may make it almost an historic spot. I mean seriously, where else in America do you find a place like Lake George?

Lake George, the lake, is beautiful.

Lake George Village? Well, think of South of the Border but without the miles of signs before you get there.

That said, I've visted both, especially LGV many times. Just don't think you're going to find something like Cape May or coutless other beach cities.

One of the pluses is that just south of LGV there is now a hotel with an indoor water park .. I won't be going, but heard some good things about it. I'm not sure if it's part of 6Flags/Gr8 Escape or not.

that waterpark hotel is VERY expensive - I've heard about $400 a night or so.