CapNY Road Trip to Lake George in Spring Time

Updated: July 2025

Lake George – the “Queen of American Lakes” – is one of the crown jewels of the Capital Region. A road trip to this destination is a great opportunity to take in the beauty of the lake and the first stirrings of spring. You’ll enjoy vast history, trails and beautiful architecture all along the way.

For our road trip to Lake George we’ve created an interactive map using Google Earth, with links, stops and information to help you with your drive. If you aren’t able to leave your home, you can use this map to go on a virtual drive. Access the interactive map HERE.

The Lake George Drive

A road trip to Lake George begins by exiting the Northway I-87 at Lake George Village (Exit 22). Making a left onto Route 9N, which will lead you through Lake George Village. Lake George makes small appearances throughout the village drive, and its beauty is spectacular. If open, take a detour down Beach Road to view Lake George and the Adirondacks from “Million Dollar Beach,” at the southern end of the lake.

Follow Route 9N through Lake George Village to the end of town, and keep right and continue on 9N along Lake Shore Drive. You’ll see some of the inns and resorts that make Lake George a thriving tourist destination in the warmer months.

Driving a little further, we came upon the charming Diamond Point Community Church, a historic church dedicated in August, 1879. You can take a virtual tour here. 

Continue north toward the village of Bolton Landing with lots of nearby hikes (the family-friendly trails at Up Yonda Farms are open, but the educational facilities are not). Visit the gorgeous Sabbath Day Scenic Lookout, which has two spots to pull over where you can eat some lunch, breathe in the fresh air and take in the incredible views of Lake George. During our drive, it was so quiet that we could hear dogs barking on the other side of the lake.

Break For Lunch

If you’re getting hungry, there are a few options nearby. You can order from Bolton Landing Brewing Company and/or get some delicious elixirs at Huddle Bay Wine and Spirits,. There are a couple of options on our Google Earth map, but you might want to plan ahead and pack a lunch or some snacks.

Further along the drive, you’ll get a closer view of Lake George as the road meets the shore. You’ll pass Silver Bay and the sprawling YMCA Family Retreat Center on the way to the town of Ticonderoga. As you approach Ticonderoga, you’ll find the quaint and historic Valley View Memorial Chapel, an iconic structure set atop a hill in the Lord Howe Valley. The chapel was dedicated August 25, 1901.

Now you choose how to head home. Turn around and head back south along the lake, or drive around the entire lake. By crossing through Ticonderoga and heading south on Route 22, your views will be sweeping farmland. Just make sure you have enough fuel to get home – there are no stations along this route. Detailed directions here.

Stretching Your Legs

You may feel like a stretch during your road trip to Lake George. Options include several hiking trails that offer extraordinary views of the lake, many with streams, ponds and falls along the way. You can find a list of trails on the Lake George website. We recommend that you check ahead of time to make sure they are open to the public.

If history’s your thing or just want a little extra info along the way, you can check out The Warren County History Mapper. You will find a comprehensive list of historical sites around Lake George.

Please note that there are several spots throughout the drive where there is little to no cell service. If you are looking for historical markers, hiking trails or to order takeout, make sure to plan ahead by downloading information or calling businesses ahead of time. 

  • Written by: Rachel Dunn

5 Romantic Spots in CapNY

Updated: July 2025

No matter the season, the Capital Region has some of the most romantic spots for a date night with your special someone!

  • Schenectady Central Park Rose Garden

While you may think of this as a strictly summer activity, the Central Park Rose Garden is truly a place you can visit all year round. Roses may only be in bloom certain months of the year (June-October), but the park is a place of serenity and peace all year long. Formerly maintained by the city’s park department, the rose garden is now consistently enhanced and maintained by a non-profit organization called the Rose Garden Restoration Committee.

If you find giving back to your community together a romantic activity, there are volunteer opportunities to help with garden clean up on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Just walking through you can see how much care is put into the over 4,000 rose bushes. In the center of the garden is a beautiful fountain and you’ll be sure to see some cute creatures hopping around by the pond. Date enhancement: stop by Gershon’s Deli for some fresh sandwiches on your way to the garden. Picnic among roses? Talk about romance!

  • The Berlin

If you’re looking for a reason to dress up and step out, The Berlin is the perfect cozy spot to snuggle up to a loved one while drinking a delicious craft cocktail (we recommend their espresso martini). It’s hard to find many spots across the capital region where you can get dressed in a sexy outfit, but at The Berlin it is definitely the norm. We’re talking velvet couches, dim lighting, and tables for two nestled in the corner for extra privacy. With their craft cocktails and sexy speakeasy vibe, you won’t only fall in love with your date but also the atmosphere! Be sure to check their Instagram for nights with special guests like jazz bands or pianists.

Note: they do not serve food in this space, but EMRY’s Garden is right below the space and run by the same owner. Here they have great small bites, pizzas and more! Looking for something to do before drinks? Troy has the perfect small city feel with a unique city square and waterfront pathway where you’ll see unique art, string lights, and music is always coming from some direction.

  • Cafe Capriccio

Nestled in the heart of Albany, Cafe Capriccio is sourcing their restaurant with local organic products to pair with their freshly made Italian fair. If you want to feel like you’re stepping into your old school Italian grandmother’s house for dinner, that’s what you’ll get here. The steak and gorgonzola gnocchi is a dish you’ll be dreaming about for days after leaving. All the comfort of a home cooked meal but in an intimate and cozy setting. Each booth is spacious and the tables are perfectly placed so that you can enjoy your surroundings while taking in all the unique features of the restaurant. 

They also offer what they call “The Chef’s Table” which is a private dining space for groups of 10-16 people to have a specialized menu and experience. Our favorite part of this place (and the most romantic in our humble opinion)? The Tuscan Garden. This is a small outdoor space with only a few tables surrounded by their urban garden under dim lighting. Only an option for warmer nights, but great to plan ahead for if you’re looking for a unique and special experience for your special someone! Enhance your night: The MVP arena is a short walk away where there are different artists, performers, and events happening on a frequent basis!

  • June Farms

Who doesn’t love doing some yoga amongst baby goats? Okay, maybe it’s not for everyone, but it’s one of many fun things going on at June Farms. We’re talking food truck nights, barn crawls, clam bakes, there is truly something for everyone no matter what you’re into. A trip to June Farms can really be whatever you want it to be. Want to make it a double date? They have a giant line up of events perfect for bigger groups. Rather it just be a night out for two? You can do that too! Just walking around the farm is breathtaking in itself and the perfect opportunity to hold hands while taking in the views. The best part of all the fun happening here is they have cabins right on the property where you can stay to relax and enjoy the beautiful grounds. All of the cabins have a different theme so you can pick your level of romance or even pretend you’re in a big city. One of the cabins is NYC apartment style. Use your imagination to create a day or night(s) of romantic bliss!

  • The Chateau on the Lake

This last spot was actually featured in the Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America. We’re basically famous here now! In the heart of downtown Bolton Landing you will find this adorable white house turned restaurant sitting right on Lake George. Their menu is frequently updated based on local fresh food and quality. It shows when trying to make a reservation how great this spot is…book in advance! From the atmosphere to the food to the gorgeous view of the lake, this is the ultimate romantic evening for two. The Chateau on the Lake is only open seasonally, but it’s worth the wait over the winter months. Dine inside and then grab a seat by one of their outdoor fire pits after dinner to gaze at the lake while engaging in conversation with your special someone. Craving dessert? The beloved ice cream of Stewart’s (a staple here in CapNY) is right down the road.

  • Written by: Kristen Suraci

8 Skateboard Parks in CapNY

CapNY boasts a long, vibrant history with skateboarding, turning out more than its fair share of pros and industry icons over the past 35 years including Johnny Schilleref,  Co-founder and former president of Element Skateboards, and pro skaters Kenny Reed and Curtis Rapp.

Now is the perfect time to get out and start rolling, no matter your age or experience level. In this post we highlight 8 skateboard parks in CapNY, along with skate organizations, stores, and influencers. Skating is an individualistic activity and social distancing is embedded in its DNA. Colder weather means way fewer people are at the parks and spots, so layer up and get out there!

  • Skate Organizations, Stores, & Influencers

Seasons Skate Shop (at 211 Lark Street, nudge nudge) deserves due credit for providing a much-needed home base in downtown Albany since their opening in 2010. Core shops like Seasons exist in towns around the country. They create an immediate link between local skaters and the industry by fostering community, hosting demos, making videos and helping promote hometown skaters with connections to national brands. There’s been a dramatic increase in participation from girls, women and the LGBTQ+ community.

Niche organizations such as Noteworthy Resources in Albany and ON DECK in Saratoga have sprouted up as well. Both provide advocacy, lessons, and outreach to people who want to get into skating but aren’t quite sure where to start. 

The Instagram account @albany_flicks is a testament to the lively skate scene here in CapNY. Check out clips curated from the myriad skate videos that have featured out-of-town crews visiting our parks and spots.

  • 8 Skateboard Parks Across the Capital Region
  • 1. The (Blue) Banks

A highly trafficked skate spot since the early 80s (maybe even earlier?), the former tennis courts at the Western edge of Albany’s Washington Park are now an official skatepark. The place features a combination of professionally constructed concrete street and transition features. There is also an ever-growing list of DIY obstacles. The skating area is huge, which means that anyone can find a space to roll around. For a little history, watch this video of some contest footage at the banks from way back in 1988.

The Banks
  • 2. CPAP

CPAP – Clifton Park Action Park — is a free, suburban pre-fab park off of Exit 9 near the mall, and is great for learning the basics, “action” included. Currently closed for the winter, there’s a grassroots effort to keep the park open year-round.

  • 3. Art OMI Bowl
Art Omi

The confluence of art and skating has a long history, and the new concrete bowl at Art OMI in Ghent is a testament to how far this relationship has come. Conceived by artist Chemi Rosado-Seijo, the Mahican Bowl identifies as sculpture, but welcomes (no – begs for) the contact of urethane wheels. The bowl sits in the midst of OMI’s Sculpture & Architecture Park. Whether you’re arting, skating or both, the park and bowl are free and open year-round.

  • 4. Saratoga Skatepark

This is oldest municipal skatepark in the state! Saratoga’s skatepark has been around since the late 80s and has had its share of upgrades through the years. Thrasher Magazine dubbed the bowl, “the gnarliest in the northeast.” Composed of a series of pre-fab metal ramps, recently, a smooth concrete slab was poured to replace the former gritty asphalt surface.

Saratoga Skatepark
  • 5. Lake George Skate Plaza
The Plaza

Lake George is Warren County’s lakeside tourist town. Built as phase one of a youth marketing and fundraising effort, the Lake George Skate Plaza is small but fun. While phase 2 may never happen, the plaza is fun and well-constructed in its larval form. On warmer days, after you’re done messing around at the park, walk right across the street and hop in the crystalline waters of the Queen of American Lakes. LGSP is open year-round.

  • 6. This Place

This coveted spot in the woods (known to outsiders as the Albany Bowl) has been in quite a few video parts, and sessioned by many touring pros and teams. The location has been kept under wraps, against the better wishes of outlanders who come to town expecting to be led there. If you can wrangle the whereabouts from the locals, bring brooms and buckets as the condition of its deep end is always in question.

  • 7. The Plaza

A shared history with the Blue Banks has made the Empire State Plaza one of Albany’s key skate spots since the dawn of street skating. Smooth, marble tiles, wide open spaces, photo- and videogenic architecture plus endless ledges, stairs, rails and picnic tables make this a dream spot, even for beginners.

  • 8. Endure Skate Park

Managed by the Shred Foundation, this new indoor skate park at 930 Broadway in Albany is a facility aimed to empower and inspire youth.

  • Written by: Benj Gleeksman

Benj Gleeksman is a lifelong skateboarder who lives with his wife and two kids in Saratoga Springs. You can learn more about him at www.mistergleeksman.com.

Get Outdoors: Warren County Paddles-to-Pubs

The Adirondacks are one of the best places to spend the summer in Upstate New York. As an avid hiker and paddler, I venture up to Adirondack State Park as often as possible to enjoy the abundance of outdoor activities. My favorite part of a long day outside? Stopping at one of the many Adirondack breweries for a cold one.

Take a trip with me as we go through some of the best Warren County paddles-to-pub spots and breweries. From lakes, ponds and rivers to several craft breweries, you’re never too far away from a paddle or a pub.

  • Glen Lake & Northway Brewing Co

We start our Warren County paddles-to pubs adventure at Glen Lake in Queensbury. A non-motorized boat launch for the lake is located at 290 Glen Lake Road. The boat launch also features picnic tables, a restroom and a fishing dock. The two mile long lake is a perfect size for a relaxing day of paddling in a canoe or kayak. If you’re an angler (using a hook and line), Glen Lake is known to have brown bullhead, chain pickerel, largemouth bass, pumpkin seed, smallmouth bass, walleye and yellow perch.

Located just minutes from the boat launch is one of my personal favorite breweries, Northway Brewing Company! A warm atmosphere paired with some delicious beer makes for a perfect post-paddle destination. My personal favorites are the Perfect Day Pilsner and Sunrise Session IPA. Their colorful cans make for a lovely lakeside photoshoot, too!

My Favorite!
  • Lake George’s Northwest Bay & Bolton Landing Brewing Company
My Favorite!

Paddling Lake George can be intimidating due to the lake’s massive size and heavy traffic. However, if you stay in a more secluded area like the lake’s Northwest Bay, you’re likely to have a calmer paddling trip while still taking in the sheer beauty of the lake. There’s a reason it’s nicknamed the Queen of American Lakes! A Department of Environmental Conservation public boat launch for the Northwest Bay is located off of route 9N in Bolton Landing. Enjoy stellar views of the Tongue Mountain Range as you paddle around Northwest Bay.

If you’re going back into the town of Bolton Landing after paddling, be sure to stop by Bolton Landing Brewery Company, a family-owned microbrewery located on the shores of Lake George. Their spacious outdoor patio is a great spot to socially distance while enjoying a brew. Check out their website to see what’s currently on draft!

  • Moreau Lake State Park & Common Roots Brewing

Technically Moreau Lake State Park is in Saratoga County, but it’s so close to Warren that I’m including it here. This paddler’s paradise is located between Saratoga Springs and Glens Falls, in the foothills of the Adirondacks. The easily accessible boat launch allows you to be out of your car and in the waters in no time! I love paddling on Moreau Lake for many reasons, but most of all, I love that there are no motorized boats allowed. This makes for calm waters suitable for any paddling skill level. Explore the small ponds off of the lake and you’ll be sure to spot ducks, turtles and a wide variety of fish. Keep an eye out for the loon that lives on Moreau Lake, too!

When you finish paddling, head on over to the newly reopened Common Roots Brewing Company in South Glens Falls. They have a huge selection of beer, and if you’re an IPA lover, Common Roots is definitely the place for you!

  • More Warren County Paddles-to Pubs Adventures!
  • Thirteenth Lake in the Siamese Ponds Wilderness: A true backwoods paddling experience minus a long hike to the boat launch. Bonus! The lake also has a network of hiking trails and 13 lakeside campsites.
  • Garnet Lake: Another calm paddling destination that is ideal for all skill levels. With over six miles of shoreline to explore, this hidden gem will keep you paddling all day long.
  • There are several boat launches on the Hudson River in Warren County. While paddling the Southern Hudson can be challenging, the calm waters of the Northern Hudson are a paddling dream.
  • Written by: Maria Gigliello

Maria Gigliello is an avid hiker, paddler and writer who enjoys spending as much time as possible doing all three things in the Adirondack State Park. She is just as passionate about beer as she is about responsible outdoor recreation and is always in search of a good view and a brew. You can follow her adventures on her blog, The Dirt.