Plan the Best Family-Friendly Winter Weekend in the Lake George Region
The most important part of any winter vacation is choosing the right lodging property for your family. You'll want a place that's warm, comfortable, and equipped with the amenities you'd like to have throughout the weekend.
To help you decide, we've highlighted a few different properties conveniently located in the Town of Lake George, which is a great starting point for all your winter adventures. Start planning your 48-hour winter weekend getaway today!
Friday Evening: Check Into Your Lodging Property & Dream of All the Fun You'll Have
If you're coming with a larger family or would love to stay in a rustic lodge, then consider The Lodges at Cresthaven. Accommodations include two-bedroom, two-bathroom lodges (as well as one-bedroom and hotel room lodges for small groups), so you have options to choose from. Pro tip: book a lodge with a fireplace so you can get cozy on those cold winter days!
Looking for an exceptional hotel experience instead? Check out the Fort William Henry Hotel or the Holiday Inn Resort in Lake George, which both offer on-site dining.
Find more Lake George lodging properties that are open in winter »
Dinner Recommendation: After you've checked in, take the family out to dinner at a local Lake George restaurant. One of the top spots during winter is The Garrison Restaurant and Bar on Beach Road. This American restaurant serves an awesome selection of pub fare, such as specialty burgers and sandwiches, soups, house entrees, options for kids, and more.
Saturday Morning to Afternoon: Explore the Ice Castles Attraction
If you're coming with the fam in the winter, you cannot miss out on the Ice Castles in Lake George, which first opened in January of 2022. This fun, frozen world is created from thousands of icicles, with magical features like slides, tunnels, thrones, and more. Most guests spend 30 minutes to 1 hour having fun in the attraction, but we bet you won't be able to drag the kids away!
When you and your crew are ready to tear yourself away from the fun to refuel, there are several family-friendly, year-round restaurants nearby, such as The Lagoon. This lakeside spot serves up burgers, pizza, fish and chips, and other kid-approved fare.
Saturday Late Afternoon: Take a Drive to The Fun Spot & Skate to the Upbeat Music
The Fun Spot in Queensbury is not just a family entertainment center, it's also an excellent place for the kids to burn off some late afternoon energy. They offer roller skating and other activities, such as a virtual reality experience, Ninja Challenge Course, and more—visit their website to see what's currently open! Skating admission and rentals are affordable, and the whole family will have a blast gliding across the room while listening to the hottest Top 40 music.
Alternative Saturday Late Afternoon Suggestion: Hit Up Unique Gift Stores & Shopping Centers
Does your family like to shop for souvenirs and explore local stores during vacation? If so, block out a little time on Saturday afternoon for a shopping spree in the Lake George Region. Live Love Laugh in Lake George and the Indian Tepee Gift Shop in Bolton Landing sell a wide variety of unique gifts from the area. Or, you can stop by the Factory Outlets of Lake George and browse over 50 stores in one central location.
Saturday Night: Enjoy a Delicious Dinner at the Rustic & Cozy Log Jam Restaurant
It's been a busy day, so wind down with a relaxing dinner at The Log Jam Restaurant in Lake George. This Adirondack-style restaurant is renowned for offering superb food and a cozy atmosphere. Reserve a table by one of their massive stone fireplaces and enjoy a delicious dinner as you warm up from the chilly outdoors. The Log Jam serves soups, sandwiches, seafood, steaks, and more, and they have a kids menu too!
Late Saturday Night: Hit the Lanes & Find Out Who the Best Bowler Is
After dinner, it's time to fit in one more family-friendly activity before returning to your lodging property for a great night's sleep. Make your way over to Lake George Lanes & Games and prepare for an incredible night of bowling. This is one of the region's premier bowling centers featuring both a state-of-the-art scoring system and an amazing light and sound system. Strike up some fun and discover which member of the family is the best bowler.
Sunday Morning: Order Your Breakfast Favorites in a Retro Diner Setting
Your Lake George weekend is coming to an end, so start the day off right with breakfast at the famous Prospect Mountain Diner. This retro-style diner has been a favorite among locals and visitors for over 50 years, and they have a traditional breakfast menu and a kids menu. You'll have a hard time choosing between the pancakes with sweet mountain wild blueberries, the decadent chocolate chip Belgian waffles, and the classic Hash n' Eggs.
Late Sunday Morning: Experience the Thrill of Snow Tubing at the Rec Center
Bring cross-country skis, snowshoes, or snow tubes with you on this weekend trip because the last stop in our itinerary is the Lake George Recreation Center, a four-season outdoor recreational facility. When snow falls in the region, the Lake George Recreation Center transforms into a winter wonderland of fun with miles of cross-country ski trails, snowshoe trails, and a snow tubing hill. Admission is free, and the snow tubing hill is ideal for ages five and older.
There are so many things to do during this snowy time of year, and hopefully this itinerary will help you plan the perfect trip with the family.