Why Lake George keeps us coming back

There's something about Lake George - retro amusement parks, affordable waterside motels, a family-friendly atmosphere.

Come summer, loads of Long Islanders drive upstate to this Adirondacks hot spot for a leisurely, wish-we-could-stay-longer-than-a-week vacation. They spend sun-soaked days lazing around the water and nights roaming trinket shops and video arcades along the village main street.

"I can't imagine not going," says Jackie Hull, 45, of Port Jefferson, who has made a tradition (six summers - and counting) of vacationing on Lake George with her husband, James Grundhoffer, and their children, Thomas, 12, and Sarah, 9. They rent a bungalow at Twin Birches Cottages, where they've gotten to know other families that keep coming back.

Like any regulars, they have their rituals - getting ice cream and watching the fireworks over Lake George on Thursday night, making s'mores by candlelight, taking a cruise on the Minnie-Ha-Ha paddle wheeler. The best part, Hull says, is the family knows what to expect: "It's always the same thing."

A CLASSIC GETAWAY

That's the appeal of Lake George - it's comfortable, reliable, crowd- pleasing.

"It has not changed one bit," says Rachel Dengel of East Rockaway, who recently returned to Lake George for a four-night stay with her husband, Steve, and their two young kids. They swam in the lake and walked to Lake George village every night for dinner - and ate a lot of ice cream.

First-time visitors might be surprised by the laid-back pace, which seems to defy the sheer volume of amusement parks, mini-golf courses and family attractions. But half of the appeal of this type of getaway is doing as much - or as little - as you want, says Gina Koch, of Hauppauge.

For the past 10 summers, Koch has spent a week at Lake George with her family at The Flamingo Resort in Diamond Pointe. By day, the Koch clan revels on the water. "It's very peaceful and beautiful," says Koch, 38. "You actually breathe and feel free."

Nighttime typically finds them at Bolton Landing for dinner and ice cream. And this much is for sure - by the time the car's packed for the drive home, they're already booked for next summer.

BY DAY 

In the water

For many, lazing the day around the water is enough activity for a summer vacation. Most lodgings have their own pools - some also have private sandy beaches for lake swimming.

Otherwise, Million Dollar State Beach is a popular public spot for sunbathers ($8 parking, 518-668-3352). Kayak and powerboat rentals are easy to find - several outfitters will take you parasailing, water-skiing or tubing.

At the parks 

Lake George is brimming with amusement parks - from stay-all-day destinations to niche, family-friendly attractions. Among the favorites:

Reader pick: Six Flags Great Escape
Submitted by: Steve and Rachel Dengel, East Rockaway

Many a summer Lake George memory has roots at this popular theme park, which still has a Western-themed "Ghost Town," a "Storytown" neighborhood for little ones, and The Comet, a classic wooden roller coaster. Recently added: Wiggles World, an attraction Rachel Dengel said kept her toddler son, Max, entertained for hours.

Six Flags Great Escape: 518-792-3500, sixflags.com/greatescape. Admission: $44.99 ($29.99 for kids less than 48 inches tall); $10 parking

Reader pick: Magic Forest
Submitted by: Jackie Hull, Port Jefferson

The rides at this kitschy theme park for young kids haven't seemed to change a bit, Hull says - and that's a good thing, she adds. Not to be missed: the odd but hilarious "jungle safari" aboard a train.

Magic Forest: 518-668-2448, magicforestpark.com. Admission: $17.99 ($15.99 ages 2-10).

Reader pick: Adirondack Extreme
Submitted by:  Gina Koch, Hauppauge

This newer attraction sends the brave-hearted through the trees on ropewalking and zip-line courses. "It was intense," Koch says. "But it was great."

Adirondack Extreme: 518-494-7200, adirondackextreme.com. Admission: $45 for a three-hour course ($20 half-course for ages 9-11).

Take a cruise

Minnie-Ha-Ha: lakegeorgesteamboat.com

Cost: $11.75 ($6.75 ages 3-11)

The paddle wheeler putters around the lake for one-hour sightseeing cruises. On select Saturday nights, a band plays for two-hour moonlight tours that depart at 9 p.m. ($18.75; $8.75 kids).

LAKE GEORGE - BY NIGHT

There's a whole other side to Lake George after dark. Once the sun has slipped away and wet swimsuits are hung up to dry, everyone's attention shifts to finding a place to eat - and something to do afterward.

In the village

Lake George Village hosts a free fireworks show every Thursday night at 9:30 through Aug. 26. Most families spend at least one evening roaming the village's walkable stretch of restaurants, souvenir shops and video arcades. Among the more colorful quirks is Dr. Frankenstein's Wax Museum, a long-running horror house with gory scenes that spook patrons, and its newer sister attraction, Dr. Morbid's Haunted House, where costumed actors up the ante. Both are open until 11 on summer nights. Admission for each is $8.99 ($4.49-$7.99 ages 6-17), or visit both for $13.99 (518-668-3377, frankensteinwaxmuseum.com).

Hit the drive-in

Glen Drive-In: 518-792-0023, glendriveintheater.com. Admission: $8 ($3 ages 4-11).

It's rare to find a real drive-in movie theater still in business - it's practically unheard of to find one that screens current releases as double features. The grounds open at 7 p.m., with the first movie starting at dusk. Load up on foot-longs and French fries at the snack bar, then stick around (no charge) for the second film.

Play (mini) golf

Miniature golf is a major pastime with Lake George visitors. Even with half a dozen courses within a few miles of each other, supply doesn't always keep up with demand, as evidenced by the backlog of putters waiting between holes. But you weren't going anywhere, anyway, were you?

Around the World Mini Golf has two 18-hole courses with national and international themes - and a view of the lake, too ($6.95 adults, $5.75 ages 3-12; 518-668-2531, aroundtheworldgolf.com). The aptly named Pirate's Cove takes the buccaneer theme seriously, with an impressively landscaped 18-hole course ($8.50 adults, $7.50 ages 4-12; 518-668-0493, piratescove.net).

WHERE TO STAY 

The Lake George region is brimming with "mom and pop" motels along the commercial strip that leads to Lake George village, as well as lakeside cabins just north that can be rented for the week. Many families book their lodging a year in advance to guarantee their space.

In general, expect to pay about $1,100 a week for a one- to two-bedroom rental that includes a small refrigerator and microwave; more for stand-alone cottages or extras such as housekeeping. The following are among those with cabins available this summer:

Surfside on the Lake: 518-668-2442, surfsideonthelake.com

Rates: From $120 a night for a room with two double beds

Located in the village, Surfside's allinclusive packages are worth a look - the "midsummer getaway" for two adults and two children under 12 costs $725 and includes three nights' lodging, daily breakfast, two dinners at your choice of seven village restaurants and extras such as admission for all to a boat cruise and miniature golf course. Available July 5-22.

Still Bay Resort: 518-668-2584, stillbay.com

Rates: $160-$230 a night; $1,035-$1,395 a week

Situated on Lake George, the resort looks more like a bed-and-breakfast - it has its own beach with complimentary boat docking for guests.

Twin Birches Cottages: 518-668-2741, twinbirchescottages.com

Rates: Weekly rentals from $975

Most of the 2- and 3-bedroom cabins are booked through summer, but a few one-bedroom suites are still available ($1,000).