Lake George Winter Carnival Tips: Know Before You Go
The annual Lake George Winter Carnival is held each weekend in February and the first in March, so there are lots of opportunities to make the most of this special event - and to enjoy everything else the Village offers in winter. Read our Lake George Winter Carnival tips below!
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Staying Overnight? Book Your Room Early!
Our top recommendations for lodging for the Lake George Winter Carnival:
The Holiday Inn Resort Lake George - Adirondack Area puts you on Canada Street about 1 mile from Shepard Park, and TR's Restaurant & Lounge offers convenient on-site dining.
Fort William Henry Hotel also has on-site dining and puts you even closer to the Carnival action, with a front-row seat for fireworks.
For a stay that's slightly off the beaten path but still close to Lake George, you can't go wrong with the Queensbury Hotel in Glens Falls: gorgeous accommodations, on-site dining (and igloo dining!), and you're in walkable downtown.
Keep an Eye on the Weather, Dress Accordingly & Watch for Schedule Updates
The weather can affect the schedule of the Winter Carnival. If the lake isn’t frozen in the southern basin, then some activities may be postponed, cancelled, or moved onto shore, like outhouse races.
See the Winter Carnival's Facebook page at Facebook.com/LGWinterCarnival for the latest updates - they are excellent at posting updates when needed!
Layers are your friend when it comes to bundling up for the cold weather! Make it so that you can add or remove layers as needed, perhaps carrying a backpack with you where you can stash extra clothing.
If you're bringing kids to the Lake George Winter Carnival, you’ll definitely need a backpack or a diaper bag where you can keep extra hats, sweaters, and anything else you may need during the day.
Order Food for Cook Offs & Hot Chocolate Mugs Ahead of Time
Patrons can now order online ahead of time for the four cookoffs that happen each Saturday throughout the Winter Carnival season. You can see more info on this on the Winter Carnival page.
Plan Ahead: Decide on Your Must-See Attractions
Let’s say you’re planning on arriving at the Winter Carnival in the morning because you’d like to check out the sanctioned car races on the ice. But you simply cannot leave without seeing the spectacular fireworks over the lake. The car races start at 11am; the fireworks are at 6pm. Are you going to last all day?
Browse the schedule and prioritize what you must see or do, keeping in mind you have five weekends to enjoy it. Be realistic about how long you are going to stay outside in cold weather. Which brings us to...
Scope Out Spots to Warm Up In
It’s a good idea to have a couple of places in mind where you can pop in and warm up. Here are a few suggestions:
If you aren't able to catch the bonfire on the beach or just need to get indoors here are a couple of choice spots:
Caffe Vero: Caffe Vero is open year-round and situated at a new location at 35 Montcalm Street. Stop in for a cup of coffee and hang out for a bit.
Lake George Beach Club: The Lake George Beach Club will be open on weekends during the Winter Carnival. When you need to warm up, slip by the ice bar patrons outside and duck indoors to enjoy a solid meal as you refuel.
Bonus tip: The restrooms at Shepard Park and at the Visitor's Center should be open.
Visit Village Shops & Restaurants
Many might be surprised to find out how many shops and restaurants are still open in the Village in the winter. Make sure to pop into a few while you're out and about enjoying the Winter Carnival!
The Adirondack Winery in particular is a prime spot to visit, as they're across from Shepard Park and have exciting events and specials going on all year long. Stop by for a tasting and to pick up a bottle of your favorite wine for when you get back home.
Have an Idea of Where You Want to Park
A final consideration before you head out for the event: where you're going to park (if you're not staying in the Village and can walk, that is). In the winter, street side meters are covered and you don't need to pay.
If you head up McGillis Avenue, there's often parking towards the top of the hill. Or, you could pay to park in a parking lot like the Beach Road Lot, which utilizes a pay-and-display-kiosk.
