You Spoke, We Listened! Your 17 Favorite Lake George Fall Activities
What do visitors and residents love most about autumn? Find out below, where we've highlighted the top 17 Lake George fall activities according to our Facebook fans!
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1) Go Leaf Peeping & Enjoy the Foliage
Discover the fleeting beauty of autumn's vibrant foliage when you go leaf peeping! Uncover the best spots to witness nature's stunning display, and get all the foliage finding tips you need for this area.
Whether you're taking a walk through a park or along the Warren County Bikeway, scaling a mountain for a hardcore hike, or hitting the road for a scenic drive, there are a lot of ways to enjoy the foliage and get that Instagram-perfect picture.
2) Head to Glens Falls & Queensbury for the Adirondack Balloon Festival
"Coming up for the balloon festival - one of my favorite things to do in the fall! Looooveeee it!" - Gloria Jean Gibson-Lyons
Indeed, the pictures don't do it justice - you have to experience this one in person!
The Adirondack Balloon Festival is one of the most highly anticipated events of the entire year! The event takes place over several days with around four balloon launches, in addition to live entertainment, a craft fair, and more festivities.
Get the details for the festival »
3) Take a Trip to an Orchard for Apple Picking
Photo credit: Alan Nudi
Apple picking is a classic fall tradition, and the Lake George area has several worthwhile orchards. Pick apples for pie or applesauce and enjoy other fall farm activities: visiting with farm animals, picking up cider donuts, wandering through a corn maze - and maybe a hayride!
Hicks Orchard in Granville, about a 40-minutes, scenic drive from Lake George, is a popular apple picking spot in the area. Stop by their Slyboro Cider House for a cider tasting before you leave!
See a list of local orchards »
4) Enjoy the Fall Weather & Foliage While Hiking
Photo credit: justinanewton, licensed by CC BY-ND 2.0
"Hiking Prospect Mountain!" - Jen Schroeder
"Going hiking to see the leaves change. Sometimes I even bring home some leaves. It is so beautiful up there in the fall." - Kristen Kircher
Make sure to get in a fall hike before the snow starts falling! Stunning scenery and not-too-hot temperatures make this activity a seasonal favorite. This is perfect time to take in the unique fall colors and beauty of the area before winter sets in.
Browse the Lake George Hiking Guide »
5) Breathe in that Crisp, Fresh Fall Air
Photo credit: SaratogaPhotographer.com
"Walking around the lake and drinking in the fall colors on the trees blanketing the mountains while sniffing the delicious aroma of wood fires and feeling the cool air on my face." - Barbara LaFleur
Not up for a hike up a mountain? Take a simple walk and enjoy the crisp, fall air. Savor the refreshing autumn breeze without necessarily breaking a sweat in an area park like Hovey Pond Park, shown above.
6) Make the Most of the Lake Cruising and Boating
"Love the fall in Lake George best time of the year and you don't have that brutal heat to suffer through, can truly enjoy walking around or taking a boat trip or just fishing from shore." - Dale M Hartman
How does seeing the fall foliage from a cruise ship or boat sound? Get out on the lake before it freezes over - or at least is too cold to enjoy!
Indulge in themed cruises like the Oktoberfest Luncheon Cruise, offering traditional German fare like bratwurst and wiener schnitzel, for a truly memorable autumn experience.
Get started with the Lake George Boating Guide »
Check out cruises on the lake »
7) See Classic & Antique Cars at the Adirondack Nationals Car Show
"Can't wait for the Adirondack Nationals car show! It's our favorite vacation!" - Tammy Gagliardi
Looking for a fantastic way to kick off September and early fall fun? Look no further than the Adirondack Nationals Car Show!
This event is a car enthusiast's dream, with classic cars, live music, and fireworks creating an unforgettable experience. Don't miss out on this
8) Embark on a Camping Trip
If you're ready to take your fall hike to the next level consider a camping trip in the Lake George or southern Adirondack area.
Just remember, it may still be warm during the day but temperatures fall at night, so bring a warm sleeping bag and everything else you need!
View campgrounds and more in the Lake George Camping Guide »
9. Swing From the Trees at Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course
"Swinging through the trees at Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course on a sunny fall day can't be beat." - [Name Withheld]
Many might think of Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course as a summer outing, but they're typically open through early November! This is a perfect adventure for the young and young at heart.
Just picture yourself swinging through the trees and taking in the spectacular aerial view of the vibrant autumn leaves. It's an experience not to be missed!
Find out more about Adirondack Extreme »
10) Don't Miss Out on Great Fishing Opportunities
"Tubby Tubes... and fishing in Knapp Estates..." - Adam Mackler
Looking for more reasons to get out on Lake George or other local waterbodies this fall? Several local fishing seasons continue throughout autumn, and some even last all year!
It's the ultimate excuse to enjoy crisp fall air while relaxing and doing something you love.
Explore the Lake George Fishing Guide »
11) Hunt for Treasures at the Warrensburg Garage Sale
"The world's biggest garage sale in Warrensburg! Awesome!" - Jackie Osborne
Did you know? Warrensburg, just north of Lake George, holds the record for the World's Largest Garage Sale.
Join in on the fun at this epic fall event that encompasses hundreds of participants and vendors, and discover all the amazing treasures waiting to be uncovered. Who knows what you might find!
See what to expect at the event »
12) Shop 'Till You Drop in the Village & Beyond
"Shopping in the Village." - Karen Cupo-Brenneisen
There are a lot of year-round local shopping opportunities, including in the Village, to take advantage of. Bring a souvenir home from your Lake George fall getaway, or even get a head start on holiday shopping.
We recommend walking down the Village streets to pop into various gift shops - pro tip: Fort William Henry's Sutler Shoppe is the biggest gift shop in the Village - or head over to the Lake George Outlets, which encompass four separate shopping centers.
13) Eat Out at a Lake George Restaurant
"The Lake George Beach Club has great food and views all year." - [Name Withheld]
Year-round dining is available in Lake George Village and the surrounding area as well! Stop by your favorite eatery this fall, or discover a new restaurant you haven't tried yet.
Feel free to wander out of Lake George to experience new vibes and great tastes in Bolton Landing, Queensbury, or Glens Falls.
Adirondack Winery has locations in Lake George and Queensbury, and they always have something festive going on, including their annual Drink Pink fundraiser come October.
View list of year-round dining options »
14) Hit the Trails for Some Fall Horseback Riding
"Horseback riding to enjoy the gorgeous fall colors." - Nancy Nicastro-Jonas
Try something new this season and check out horseback riding in the Lake George area! There's nothing quite like strolling through the fall foliage on a magnificent animal.
Circle B Ranch in Chestertown, just about 25 minutes from Lake George, offers horseback riding into the fall, and then they bring out the sleigh rides come winter.
Find local horseback riding guides and more »
15) Break Out the Kayak for Another Trip Around the Lake
"Kayaking off of Lake George Beach." - Wendy Willard
For you waterbugs out there: break out your kayak or find a local rental place and extend the boating season into the fall!
Head north to Garnet Hill Lodge, about 45 minutes from Lake George, for a plethora of outdoor fall activities from hiking to disc golf to kayaking on Thirteenth Lake, pictured above.
Rent a kayak, go tubing, check out stand up paddleboarding, and more »
16) Hop on a Hayride at Local Orchards & Farms
When checking out local orchards for apple or pumpkin picking look into where hayrides are offered and take a ride around the farm!
Hayrides are a quintessential fall activity in the Lake George region, right along with apple picking and corn mazes. The above is a hayride at Hicks Orchard.
17) Sink Your Teeth Into Sugary Cider Donuts
"Cider donuts from Hicks." - Robert Haas
Our final fall favorite suggestion is cider donuts! As with the hayrides, picking up these to-die-for treats goes along with visiting an area farm or orchard.
Although we're partial to Hicks, there are many farms in the area that carry the sweet goodness that is cider donuts.
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