Lake George and Albany

Q: Can you please provide me with some tips about New York’s Adirondack Mountains, more particularly the Lake George and Albany areas?

A: I am pleased to provide a very detailed response to this question, since I know the region well. For a family vacation, the Lake George area is a fabulous choice. Albany, the New York State capital, is less than an hour away and offers plenty of cultural opportunities not to mention terrific shopping. Lake George offers a multitude of activities, from go-carts and miniature golf, to museums, the famous Great Escape amusement park, family friendly restaurants and great places to stay.

In terms of family friendly places to stay I have two specific recommendations, both of which offer very different experiences of the area : The Sagamore Resort (www.thesagamore.com) on Bolton Landing, a 72-acre private island 20 minutes from the Lake George Village and the historic Fort William Henry (www.fortwilliamhenry.com), right in the midst of all the action on happening Canada Street. The Sagamore is a year-round vacation paradise. Originally built in 1883, the resort has had a varied and colourful history. It includes a Donald Ross championship Golf Course, a European-style spa, 350 guest rooms with lake view and garden view rooms and suites in both the updated historic hotel and the lodges. The Lodge suites feature fireplaces and terraces. Children’s and teen programs provide parents with time to themselves. There are several appetizing eating experiences on the premises, but our vote goes to the Sagamore Dining Room which offers Regional American and International selections- a gourmet buffet breakfast year-round featuring a full-service omelet station, as well as dinner in July and August. The Saturday night buffet is fit for a king. An indoor heated swimming pool offers year-round enjoyment. Lakefront facilities in the summer include a private beach area, a full-service marina, fishing charters, water skiing, wind surfing, sailing and parasailing. The Sagamore takes advantage of the glorious Adirondack winter by offering cross country skiing, ice skating, ice fishing and sledding. In addition, complimentary daily shuttle service to nearby Gore Mountain is provided for downhill skiing. The resort is surrounded by jogging and walking trails. The concierge can also arrange horseback riding and white-water rafting nearby.

The Teepee Club helps the resort’s younger guests get the most from their summer vacation, while giving adults quality time to spend by themselves. The supervised enrichment program offers a variety of activities for children four through 12. It is available seven days a week July 1 through Labor Day and offers an exciting modified program on Saturdays and holidays year-round. Reservations are required and space is limited.

The Fort William Henry Lake George Resort Hotel and Conference Center just happens to be the site of the James Fenimore Cooper classic The Last of the Mohicans. This place has survived a devastating fire, the Civil War, two world wars, the Great Depression and major upheavals in the tourism industry. In fact, when it was first opened in 1856, as the first elegant resort on Lake George, the United States included only 31 states, and the town of Lake George, was still known as Caldwell. This picturesque, 18-acre resort overlooking the southern basin of Lake George was just renovated to the tune of $7.1 million. In fact, an entirely new building consisting of 96 suites opened in July. A large swimming pool overlooks the blue waters of Lake George and surrounding Adirondack Mountains. Lakeview rooms are just a few hundred yards from the waters edge and offer a spectacular view of the southern basin and its many islands. With a Jacuzzi, sauna, indoor pool, three restaurants, mini-golf, bike rentals and the Fort William Henry Museum, you don’t have to walk far to enjoy your vacation.

There are so many other fabulous activities to enjoy here - The Great Escape and Splashwater Kingdom (www.thegreatescape.com) at 1172 State Rte 9) is perhaps Lake George’s most notable tourist attraction. Open daily from Memorial Day to Labour Day, and on weekends until October 27, it features 125 rides, shows and attractions including six roller coasters and a full water park. New in 2003 is the Canyon Blaster Roller Coaster, located in the Ghost Town section of the park, just east of another roller coaster, an indoor ride called the Nightmare at Crack Axle Canyon. It has joined The Great Escape’s five other roller coasters which include: the Nightmare indoor coaster; the Alpine Bobsled; the Boomerang Coast-to-Coaster; the Steamin’ Demon, and of course, the legendary Comet which dates back to 1948 and has repeatedly been selected as one of the world’s top ten wooden coasters. Season pass holders also receive unlimited admission to all Six Flags Theme Parks worldwide.

There are no shortage of other attractions in Lake George, all of which are accessible via www.visitlakegeorge.com. Labour Day and periodically in the fall. A small but thorough display.

As for dining, we strongly recommend The Log Jam Restaurant which is located right in the heart of Outlet Mall territory and has an excellent children’s menu. The food here is outstanding. If it were not for the sizzling steaks, you just might think you walked into an Adirondack logging camp from 100 years ago. Open 363 days a year, for lunch and dinner, its vast menu includes superbly prepared seafood, prime rib, lamb chops, char-broiled steaks, chicken, veal and a big salad bar. There is also a kids menu. Try the mud pie for dessert, but make sure to share it with at least a few people. People with special dietary needs will be accommodated. Diners can review the menu in detail prior to arriving in Lake George. It is all there to make your mouth water on their website at www.logjamrestaurant.com. The restaurants at The Sagamore, by the way, are open to the general public. So even if you are not staying on the premises, you’ll have a chance to see it in person and experience the meal of a lifetime.

Now for a bit on Albany. A tour of this government town is best begun at the city’s Heritage Area Visitors Center. Located in historic Quackenbush Square, it is only blocks away from the full-service luxury Crowne Plaza (www.albanycityct.crowneplaza.com). With 384 well-appointed guest rooms, including 18 suites, it is a great place to stop with the family. The kids will love the beautifully heated indoor pool. And why not provide a little history lesson. You can step back into the pages of Albany’s past and discover its treasures preserved in diverse museums, historic homes, architecture and churches. Its ancient and diverse cultural heritage is evident in the bricks and mortar of Albany’s historic buildings and homes. Historic Cherry Hill, Schuyler Mansion, Ten Broeck Mansion, and Pruyn House all offer a unique historical experience with period furnishings and a history lesson that can’t be found in any book. Make sure to visit the gigantic Crossgates Shopping Mall as well, home to Macys, Old Navy, Bon Ton and JC Penney. For more information log on to www.albany.org or call The Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 1-800-258-3582.