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Stay Dry & Entertained With These Fun Rainy Day Activities in Lake George & Nearby

Find Out What to Do in Lake George When It Rains

When the forecast calls for wet weather during your vacation, it's easy to make alternative plans! From Fort William Henry to Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark, these are our picks for the best rainy day activities in Lake George and nearby.

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Explore One of the Lake George Region's Unique Museums

Fort William Henry Museum

museum display

A living history museum right in Lake George Village, Fort William Henry explores the history of tensions between British, French, and American forces in the 18th century.

Take a guided or self-guided tour and browse the impressive collection of artifacts ranging from musket balls to buttons. Make sure to check out their "augmented reality" exhibit inside the North Barracks.

Past visitors can't stop talking about how engaging and informative the tours are. The guides even dress up in colonial garb and light off a cannon right in front of you! It's a unique experience you don't want to miss.

The Hyde Collection

split image with art sculptures on the left and Renoir's Jesus on the right

Art history buffs can visit the renowned Hyde Collection in Glens Falls, a museum and historic house that rivals those in New York City. Louis and Charlotte Hyde's stunning collection spans 6,000 years of art history and is displayed in their former home.

"This is an amazing museum, and [I] would say it is a must-see!" said one Google reviewer.

Lake George's beauty extends beyond its natural landscapes. Discover it by visiting the Hyde Collection the next time your outdoor plans are rained out.

The Chapman Museum

museum display

Explore the fascinating backstories of the Southern Adirondacks and the Glens Falls/Queensbury/Lake George area at the Chapman Museum in Glens Falls. The museum houses over 10,000 photographs, among other artifacts and items.

Spend a rainy day learning about the Great Fires of Glens Falls or another captivating local tale.

One highlight of the museum is its seasonal exhibits, which showcase the region's rich heritage. The Chapman's rotating displays make it a fresh and engaging rainy-day activity each time you visit.

House of Frankenstein Wax Museum

front of House of Frankenstein Wax Museum

Can't get enough of creepy and weird attractions? Put the House of Frankenstein on your list! This cool wax museum typically opens for the season in April and has long been a Lake George staple. Some say the haunted house-type attraction harbors real ghosts.

This museum is perfect for horror fans as past visitors talk about how scary the exhibits were, even having jump scares built into the experience. While it might be too frightening for children, this is a perfect option for older teens.

Take a Day Trip to a Popular Adirondack Museum

The Wild Center

 family looks at water exhibit in museum

Looking to do some traveling on a rainy day instead? Part wildlife habitat, part museum, The Wild Center in Tupper Lake (a little over an hour and a half from Lake George) is a wonderful, all-day attraction with an elevated outdoor walk, 54,000 sq ft museum, and "hands-on everything."

One Google reviewer said, "This is a wonderful family attraction with displays inside and outside. Great learning experiences revolving around agriculture, eco-systems, [and] mother nature. I loved it."

This one is well worth the drive for interactive experiences that the whole family will appreciate.

The Adirondack Experience

four kids in a museum

The Adirondack Experience on Blue Mountain Lake offers 24 modern galleries and historic buildings, so you'll be sure to fill your rainy day with educational fun.

This museum is about an hour from Lake George. You follow the North River for a good portion of the drive, which will be an enjoyable sight to see, even in inclement weather.

The attraction spans 20 different buildings, offering plenty of indoor space to escape the rain. With so much to explore, it's the ideal activity to fill an entire day.

Browse more museums and historical sites »

Go Shopping In & Around the Village

Did you know that Lake George has many specialty stores, boutiques, and designer outlets?

What better excuse to visit them and check out the deals than a little rain? Soothe your rainy day blues with some retail therapy. Here are a couple of shops to visit in and around Lake George Village.

Live Love Laugh

Live Love Laugh display with logo

Check out Live Love Laugh, which was voted Best Lake George Village Shopping for five years in a row—with good reason!

The shop carries everything from Adirondack-themed gifts to handmade items, clothing, shoes, and more. Drop by to browse through the huge selection of fun and quirky items.

The Book Cabin

books on display in a bookstore

Find your next favorite read at this adorable shop! The Book Cabin is stocked with new releases (and the classics, of course), gifts, stationery, games, puzzles, toys, and much more.

This bookstore, which is open seasonally, offers something for every age group. Visit their website for hours or call to make a private appointment at the Cabin.

Indian Tepee Gift Shop

exterior of a shop with red doors

Take a short trip to Bolton Landing for the ultimate shopping experience at the Indian Tepee Gift Shop!

The shop has become a popular must-visit destination for tourists in the area. It has everything you need to find the perfect gift for those back home. They offer a wide variety of merchandise, from home decor to local custom-made gifts and more.

Check out more shops in Lake George »

Check Out Top Indoor Attractions & Hotspots

Adirondack Axe

three men smiling and standing in front of axe targets holding axes

Get out of the rain and have some fun with this unique experience! Adirondack Axe is an indoor axe-throwing facility less than 15 minutes from Lake George in Queensbury.

This family-owned business is great for every experience level, and the friendly staff is more than happy to teach you tips and tricks on improving your toss.

Minors between 10 and 14 must be accompanied by someone 21 or older, and children under ten are not permitted to participate.

Use the rain as an excuse to pick up a new skill in an environment past customers have called safe and fun.

Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Waterpark

kid at indoor water park

Even though you can't be out on the lake, you can still have fun in the water at this indoor waterpark. With over 38,000 sq ft of splash zones, the waterpark is kept at 82° Fahrenheit and is an excellent rainy day alternative to water skiing or tubing.

If you want to make the indoor water park one of the main attractions of your visit, consider staying a night in the lodge. They offer spacious rooms with themed kids' beds and unlimited access to the water park from open to close.

Whether looking for a weekend getaway or a daily escape from the rain, head to the Great Escape Lodge for indoor water fun!

The Fun Spot

Close up of kid holding laser tag gun with red background lighting

Despite its many outdoor attractions, The Fun Spot has indoor activities that are great for a day inside. Kids can burn energy by roller skating, playing intense laser tag, exploring the indoor playground, or trying their hand at the ninja obstacle course.

With so much to do, your kids are guaranteed to be entertained for the day with no outside play necessary.

Lake George Lanes & Games

kids in game/arcade room

Classic bowling with a state-of-the-art scoring system, a cutting-edge light and sound system, and DirecTV at every lane - it is bowling at its best at Lake George Lanes & Games!

Past patrons have highlighted how the indoor activity center is perfect for kids to hang out in Lake George, especially on a rainy day.

Lake George Lanes & Games returns the classic nostalgia to bowling alleys that kids love. Other indoor, dry-weather fun include laser tag, a playground, an arcade, and more.

Head Out to Eat at a Nearby Restaurant

Aerial view of the inside of a bar with sports on the tvs and patrons at the bar
Lake George Beach Club Dining Room/Bar

Ready for a hot cup of tea or a good meal as you get out of the rain? Lake George has all kinds of excellent dining options.

No matter what you are looking for, you will be able to find it. Check out the lists of dining locations below to get started.

Check out year-round dining »

Search for a place by meal »

Grab a Babysitter for Adults-Only Fun at Wineries or Breweries

Two women cheersing with wine glasses

Craft beverage, anyone? The Lake George region is rife with craft beer and wine! We suggest the following:

Adirondack Winery: Located in the heart of Lake George Village, enjoy sampling different wines in a relaxed environment out of the rain. Book a tasting, and choose your favorite bottle to bring home.

Bolton Landing Brewing Company: This brewery is in gorgeous Bolton Landing and offers excellent craft beers and a great pub menu. The brewery is open all year, and beers rotate on a seasonal basis, so stop in on a stormy day and see what's available.

Browse more craft beverage hotspots »

Get even more inspiration for rainy day fun »

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