Destination Spotlight: Lake George, New York
This past weekend, I took a little trip with my family up to Lake George, New York. Lake George has always been one of my family’s favorite travel destinations, but over the past few years, this place has become our go-to weekend getaway spot.
In my opinion, Lake George is one of those places to go when you’re in need of a “reset”. Something about the slow pace of the village and distinct freshness of the mountain air enables a person to fully relax their mind and embrace the calmness of their present moment. For those of you that are familiar with this area of upstate New York, you know exactly what I’m talking about, but if you’re not, don’t worry…I’m here to tell you everything you would want to know about this East Coast gem.
If I’m being completely honest, there’s not ~much~ to Lake George—it’s not one of your typical travel destinations that is bursting with things to do. It reminds me of the small towns and “Christmas-time” villages that you often see in Hallmark movies. It’s quaint and charming, with food, shops, and activities intrinsic to this region and its history. However, if you’re not the type of person that is big into lake activities, you’ll probably enjoy this place for just a few days at a time. A few days, two to three in my opinion, is the perfect amount of time to spend here. Within this time, you could take advantage of steamboat cruises on the lake, shop within the local village stores or the nearby outlets, and dine at some of the town’s most notable restaurants, ones that you would only find here, all while experiencing that personal “reset” that comes naturally with the fresh mountain air and slow pace existing within the region.
You may be thinking that a place like this, one that is known for its countless outdoor “adventures”, is only suited for visitors in the warmer months…I would have to disagree. For the past few years, I’ve visited Lake George both in the midst of the cold winter months and in the heat of the summer, and what I’ve found is that there is much more to this place than its connection to the sunny outdoors. Yes, this place experiences a majority of its visitors in the warmer months, and understandably so—each and every one of the local shops and restaurants are open for business, steamboat cruises are fully operational, and the streets are flooded with other tourists, elements that somewhat define a vacation experience. However, I have also found that the Lake George experience is just as, if not more so, rewarding in the colder months. Yes, a decent portion of the village shops and restaurants may not be open regularly, and the streets may be relatively vacant (not the worst thing, in my opinion), but that fresh mountain air and offered peace of mind stays put within the region all year long.
…Well, if you didn’t already know Lake George, now you do… and I hope that this short and sweet introduction gives you something to think about when it ~ultimately~ comes time for you to plan your next trip. Sometimes, all you really need is a little bit of a break from your everyday, and places like this can provide the perfect “set-up” for that much needed reset.
