Lake George Steamboat Cruise

Lake George is often called the Queen of American Lakes, and the best way to take it in is from the water. The Lake George Steamboat Company has carried passengers on the lake since the early nineteenth century, and its fleet includes a classic paddlewheel steamboat, the Minne-Ha-Ha, along with larger lake cruisers that offer narrated sightseeing, lunch, dinner and sunset cruises. The lake is about 32 miles long and surrounded by forested mountains, with more than 150 islands, many of them public campsites, and shoreline dotted with historic estates and Gilded Age mansions. A cruise gives a sense of scale, a chance to see the landmarks from the water, and a break from driving. The standard sightseeing cruise lasts around an hour or two and typically leaves from the dock in the village of Lake George, near Fort William Henry and the beach.

The choices vary by season and the company runs a mix of boat types. The paddlewheeler is slower and more nostalgic, popular with families and anyone who wants the old-fashioned experience, while the larger cruisers offer dining and longer routes into the northern basin of the lake. Narration highlights the history, from French and Indian War battles to the resorts of the 1800s, and the geology that created the deep, clear glacial lake.

Cruises sometimes include live music or themed events, such as a fireworks outing or a foliage cruise, and the schedule is published on the operator's site. Reservations are recommended for dinner cruises and holiday weekends.

Weather and light affect the experience. Clear summer days offer sparkling water and busy decks, while September and October bring cooler air and vivid color along the shoreline. Evening sunset cruises are especially atmospheric, and a jacket is a good idea because the breeze over the water can be cool even on warm days.

Cruises generally run from late spring through early fall, with the busiest schedule in summer, and rough weather can affect departures. Boarding is at the dock in the village, where parking is available in nearby lots, though they fill quickly on summer weekends.

The cruise fits easily into a Lake George day. Many visitors combine it with Fort William Henry, Million Dollar Beach and an evening in the village, or with a drive up Prospect Mountain for the view of the lake. Lake George is about an hour and a half to two hours from Lake Placid by road, so most people visit on a day trip or as part of a move south toward Saratoga or the Capital Region.

For travelers who find the Olympic region mountainous and chilly, the lake offers a warmer, more resort-like contrast, and a cruise is the easiest way to enjoy it without renting a boat or planning a paddle.

Arrive at least thirty minutes before departure on summer weekends to find parking and board in good time, and choose a seat on the side facing the best scenery for the route, which the crew can advise. If you get seasick, pick a larger vessel and a calm morning cruise. Bring a camera with a zoom lens for islands and mansions, and a light layer even in July. Children often enjoy the open decks, but keep them close to adults, and ask about any age policies on the dinner cruises before you book.