Scenic flights and tours in and near Lake George, NY offer several ways to take in the lake and the surrounding Adirondacks, whether from the air, on the water, or along the rails.
Visitors can book a private plane or helicopter flight, float above the countryside in a hot air balloon, cruise past the lake's islands, or ride a vintage train through the southern Adirondacks. Each option suits a different pace, group size, and budget, and several run into fall foliage season.
Scenic Plane and Helicopter Flights Over Lake George
Aerial tours cover the most ground in the least time, with views that stretch from the lake to the High Peaks and across to Vermont.
From Floyd Bennett Memorial Airport in Queensbury, Leaf Air LLC offers private scenic flights in Cessna aircraft seven days a week, year-round. Routes can include Lake George, the Adirondack High Peaks, Lake Champlain, the Green Mountains, and Saratoga, and pilots point out landmarks and local history along the way. A Date Night package pairs a 30-minute Lake George flight with dinner.
East of the lake in Fort Ann, North Country Heli-Flight runs flights from about 20 minutes to two hours, including sunset tours. Helicopters fly lower and slower than planes, which keeps shorelines and mountainsides in close view.
Hot Air Balloon Rides in the Lake George Region
For a quieter ride, Adirondack Balloon Flights by SunKiss Ballooning floats over villages and countryside in the Adirondack, Lake George, and Saratoga Springs region. Flights run by reservation April through October at sunrise and just before sunset, with small group and private rides for up to 10 passengers. Booking at least a week ahead is recommended for a specific date.
Boat Tours and Cruises on Lake George
Seeing the lake from the water puts islands, bays, and mountain shorelines right alongside the boat. Boat tours and cruises range from large sightseeing ships to small private charters.
Departing from Lake George Village, Lake George Waterfront Cruises operates two locally built ships, the Horicon and the Adirondac, from spring into fall. Its schedule includes historic sightseeing, morning coffee, happy hour, sunset, and fireworks cruises.
Smaller groups can book a private tour instead. On the east side of the lake, Daleys Adventure Boat Tours leaves from Avista Marina in Kattskill Bay for one- to six-hour trips built around swimming, cliff jumping, snorkeling, tubing, and stories about sunken ships and lakeside mansions. Back in the village, True North Boat Tours runs pet-friendly custom outings aboard a luxury tritoon or a wake sports boat, with options like island picnics, wake surfing, and a hike to Shelving Rock Falls.
Scenic Train Rides Near Lake George
About 30 minutes from Lake George in Corinth, the Saratoga Corinth & Hudson Railway offers 90-minute vintage train rides past marshes, streams, and forest. Seasonal trips include winery trains, dinner trains, and fall excursions with pumpkin picking, and open-air seating sits right behind the locomotive.
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