Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway | Lake George, NY | Adirondack Mountains

Pros: Great views, Easy Drive, Located close to Lake George
Cons: None really

Are you in Lake George on a clear day? Do you want to get a great view of the entire area? 

If you do, you should consider taking a drive up the Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway. The road travels up the mountain and ends on its summit where you can get some amazing views of Lake George and the surrounding Adirondack Mountains.

Well worth the small toll, this road is a great way to spend a few hours.

Where do I find the Prospect Mountain Highway? 

That Highway actually starts in Lake George, not that far from the hustle and bustle of the downtown area.

The Highway begins at the intersection of Route 9 and 9N where it then crosses over I87 (The Northway) and comes to a toll booth. From the toll booth the Highway makes its way up Prospect Mountain. There are a number of really good views on the way up.

My favorite on the entire road is one that gives you a liner view of the Lake George Valley. The lake fills the valley and the mountains climb up on either side. It’s especially pretty in the fall as the mountainsides are bursting with color. It's actually the view that shows up here on the review!

Driving Up 

Don’t expect the sometimes harrowing drive of the Mount Washington Auto Road here. The Prospect Mountain Highway is a well constructed, 2-lane, paved and generally gently graded road from its base all the way to the summit of Prospect Mountain. It’s a very easy drive, which shouldn't challenge anyone’s driving skills.

There are a number of parking areas along the road at the various viewpoints along the way. I’d suggest stopping at each one, even if you don’t get out of the car as they are all beautiful views and worth some of your time.

The entire road is just under 6 miles long so it won’t take that long to reach the summit, even if you are stopping and enjoying the views along the way. Depending on just how long you spend at each view, expect to spend about a half an hour to an hour traveling up the mountain.

Once you’ve made it to the top, there’s a large parking lot and extensive views. On a clear day its said you can see about 100 miles, which is well into Vermont to the east, the Adirondack mountains to your north and west and into southern New York and a bit of Massachusetts to your south and southeast.

I always make sure to pack a sandwich when I make the drive up Prospect Mountain. With good weather, it’s the perfect place to relax, take in the view, and enjoy a picnic.

The drive back down is via the same road where you have an opportunity to stop at a view point that you may have missed.

Considerations 

I really wouldn't bother driving up Prospect Mountain via the Highway unless it’s a nice day. The real attraction at Prospect Mountain is the view and with a lousy day, it isn’t really worth the toll to drive up the mountain.

Plan on at least 2-3 hours for a trip up and back down Prospect Mountain. You’ll spend most of that traveling up the mountain and then enjoying its summit. The trip down is usually quick as you’ve already seen everything on the way up.

The roadway is only open during the late spring, summer and early fall months and is only open to traffic during the day.

Final Thoughts 

If I’m vacationing in Lake George, I make sure that we get up Prospect Mountain sometime during the trip when we have a clear day. It takes a few hours and it’s a great way to show off the area to someone who’s never been there. Not only that, even if you’ve already seen it, the views always change and I always find the few hours rewarding.

My favorite time of the year to travel the Proposect Mountain Highway is in the fall. The foilage along the way is stunning and the views offer you a chance to see the gold, yellows and reds as they spread across the neighboring valley and mountain sides.

I’d recommend that anyone vacationing in the Lake George region take a few hours out of their day (on a clear day) to make this trip. You won’t be disappointed.

Lake George Historical Association Museum | Lake George, NY | Adirondack Mountains

Pros:Free! Interesting and Educational, Covers a wide variety of topics
Cons:Probably at least somewhat boring to kids (except for the jail cells)

If you are visiting the village of Lake George and you are looking to spend some time learning about the history of the area in a laid back (and free) environment, the Lake George Historical Association's Museum is a great stop.

Finding the Lake George Historical Association Museum

The Museum is very easy to find.  It is located right on the main drag of the village (290 Canada Street) towards the northern end of the village.  There is some parking for the museum, but the vast majority of the parking in Lake George Village is on-street parking that you must pay for.  There are a few lots located in the outskirts too if you can find them.

Getting In andSpending Time

One of the great things about the Museum is there's no admission fee.  After paying through the nose for other activities in Lake George, this is a nice change.  They do ask for a small donation, but you are not required if you visit the museum.

I would plan to spend about 45 minutes or so to go completely through the museum and read through each of the exhibits.  Kids will probably spend less time as the exhibits tend to be static.  There are lots of pictures and artifacts to look at and lots of explanations to read, something kids probably will not be that interested in.

What's there?

There are three floors to the museum.  You enter on the 1st floor, which is home to the old courtroom along with a small exhibit room and a small gift shop and informational center.  Upstairs are several more exhibit rooms and down in the basement is a recreation of the old courthouse's jail along with several other exhibits.

The courtroom is home to exhibits on the history of the area in general.  On our most recent visit there was an exhibit on Lake George as a whole, which lets you locate and identify various historical locations along the lake.  There was also information on the local battles during the French and Indian War and information on revolutionary war history.  In the small exhibit room before the courthouse, there was an exhibit on contributions of women to the Lake George region over the years.

Upstairs were a number of different exhibits.  The first was on the history of ships in Lake George and the archaeological investigations of the sunken ships from the French and Indian War period.  I thought this was really interesting as there have been some amazing discoveries at the bottom of Lake George and there's even an underwater historical park protecting these shipwrecks that I did not know about.  There were also a few exhibits on life in the Lake George area through the different time periods since its founding.

Down in the basement was my favorite part.  It was a bit damp and musty, but they have a number of exhibits that you travel through as you make your way to the jail cells all the way in the back.  There were exhibits on the history of Prospect Mountain, along with a number of others that were interesting to read through as we made our way.  We enjoyed checking out the cells and getting pictures of each other ‘in jail' too.

Experiences

This is not a world-class museum by any measure, but the Historical Association has done a great job and pulling together a number of different aspects of the history of the Lake George region.  I know I learned a thing or two in the 30-40 minutes or so we spent wandering around the museum.

Final Thoughts

I think a trip to the Lake George Historical Association Museum in the village of Lake George is something that anyone visiting the village should do.  It is something free to do in Lake George (a rarity), it is quite interesting and I bet you will learn a thing or two about the history of the region.  I know I did and I have spent a lot of time in the Adirondacks and the Lake George region.

Guide to Adirondack Trails, High Peaks Region

Find Your Way in the High Peaks

Part of the Adirondack Mountain Club’s (ADK) guide to the trails of the Adirondack Mountain region in New York State, the High Peaks Region is a comprehensive guide to the trails and peaks in the High Peaks area. 

The Adirondacks and the High Peaks 

The Adirondack Mountains are located in Northern New York, to the east of Lake Ontario, the west of Lake Champlain and north of Glens Falls region. The mountains are protected within the Adirondack State Park, which at 6 million acres (a mix of public and private lands), makes it one of the largest parks in the continental United States. Mountains in the Adirondacks range from small rolling hills, to the summits of the High Peaks that reach above treeline. In the lower elevations, the entire region is dotted with innumerable lakes and rivers and the High Peaks are also where the Hudson River begins its journey to the sea.

The High Peaks of the Adirondacks are the region of the highest peaks in the Adirondacks. The summits include Mount Marcy, at 5344 feet is the highest mountain in New York State and rises over 800 feet above treeline. There are also several other high summits through the region. The High Peaks region also includes the towns of Saranac Lake, Lake Placid and Keene. Lake Placid was home to the 1932 and the 1980 Winter Olympics and Whiteface Mountain, another of the high peaks, hosted the skiing events.

While Mount Marcy is the highest of the mountains, others in the region are quite high and many of these peaks reach above treeline (the altitude at which trees stop growing) and all are exposed to the full force of the weather. Weather in the High Peaks is variable and harsh conditions can occur throughout the year. Winds on some peaks can reach well over 100 miles per hour and conditions with windchills in the wintertime can often rival the conditions on Antarctica (while the temperatures are more mild, when windchills are factored in, conditions can be at times equivalent). These conditions can occur during any month of the year, but are most likely to occur in late fall, winter and early spring. Conditions can change quickly and without warning and anyone hiking in the region should be prepared for the worst.

What You’ll Find in the Book 

ADK’s Guide to Adirondack Trails, High Peak Region provides comprehensive descriptions of the trails, peaks and destinations throughout the High Peak Region.

Starting off with a general overview of the natural and human history of the Adirondacks, followed by advice for novice hikers and climbers new to the area. In addition the introduction reviews regulations, along with other information pertinent to the area.

Following the Introduction, the different major areas in the High Peaks regions break down the trail descriptions into different chapters. These chapters include:

- Keene Valley
- St. Huberts
- Heart Lake
- Northern
- Eastern
- Southern

I know that sounds pretty basic – but that covers all of the major areas within the High Peaks region. The majority of the trails are focused in the Keene Valley, St. Huberts and Heart Lake areas, as these are the areas with the highest mountains and the most public interest and thus the most trails.

Each trail description goes into detail about the hike and the trail. The major features along the trail are described; as are steep pitches, trail junctions, side trails and more. The descriptions also contain information on the vertical elevation you will be gaining and losing on the hike, the mileage for each trail and an estimated trip time for that trail. In general the descriptions are accurate and appear to have been field checked – but I have run across a few errors here and there that have been fairly minor and shouldn’t affect any less experienced hikers.

The book doesn’t come with separate maps, however maps are provided within the text illustrating the different areas covered in the book. The maps aren’t that detailed and generally show the location of the trail and its route. Little other information is given. In general, they probably aren’t detailed enough for anyone to use while actually hiking. For that, you would be better off spending a few dollars to get a high quality USGS topographic map or one of the color trail/topographic maps published for the different regions of the Adirondacks.

Following the trail descriptions, the book contains several different appendices. These include a glossary, a list of the 100 highest peaks, a table of short hikes, opportunities for disabled people to enjoy the outdoors, the different lean-tos available in the High Peak region, a list of State Campgrounds and finally an index to the trails and peaks covered in the rest of the book. These appendices can be quite helpful and provide plenty of interesting and useful information.

Who Needs This Book? 

If you plan on hiking in the High Peaks, then you should have a copy of this book since there really are no equals to the detail, quality and thoroughness of ADK’s guidebooks for the Adirondack region – they seem to have developed a monopoly on the information rich, detail orientated guidebooks for the Adirondacks – much like AMC has done in New Hampshire.

So if you already hike, or are planning on hiking in the High Peaks of the Adirondacks and want the guide, do yourself a favor and pick up a copy of the Guide to Adirondack Trails, High Peak Region, you won’t be disappointed.

Originally published on Epinions

Rocks and Routes of the North Country

Learn the Story Behind the Rocks and Routes of the North Country written Bradford VanDiver

Have you been looking for a straightforward introduction to the geology of New York’s North Country (the Adirondack region – I use the two interchangeably)? Rocks and Routes of the North Country, written Bradford VanDiver, is an easily understood introduction to basic geologic concepts, the geology of the Adirondack region, and provides information on various geologic tours throughout the Adirondacks.

Part I 

Beginning with an introduction to basic geologic concepts, VanDiver explains enough geology so that readers will be able to understand concepts deeper in the book, but not so many that the average reader is lost in detail. He goes over basic concepts in mineralogy, rock types and formations and basic geologic processes.

Continuing on in Chapters 2 through 4, he continues introducing the reader to progressively more and more site-specific geology. He starts with an overview of the rocks that exist in the North Country, followed by the geology and physiographic setting of the Adirondacks in the greater geological context and finally closes his introduction to the North Country with a geological history of the area.

Part II 

Part II of Rocks and Routes of the North Country outlines seven different driving field trips throughout the North Country to better explain and explore the geology of the area. These includes trips throughout the lowlands and St. Lawrence Valley, the Potsdam area, the Whiteface Mountain area and the geology along the Northway just to name a few.

Each field trip is broken down into its respective components and directions from each site to the next are given. The directions are clear and easy to follow and the descriptions of various sites to stop at are well described and easy to find. Anyone who picks up this book will be able to follow along on the field trips and learn something new about the geology of the area.

Part III 

In Part III, VanDiver focuses on mineral collecting throughout the Adirondacks. He reviews the various minerals that are in existence throughout the North Country and provides information on where they can be collected, along with the rules and regulations pertaining to collecting samples.

For people interested in finding specific minerals, this section is quite interesting and useful. The Adirondacks contain a diverse assemblage of minerals and prospecting for them can be a fun and challenging pastime.

VanDiver also provides a bibliography of other books and writings on mineral exploration and prospecting in this section, which provides an excellent resource, should you be looking to find additional help on your rockhounding quests.

Part IV 

Finally in the fourth section of Rocks and Routes of the North Country, Van Diver looks at how geology impacts recreation in the North Country. His review includes issues related to rock climbing, whitewater rafting and the hidden beauty of geologic features in the North Country. This section is an interesting and entertaining read on the various real world impacts that geology has (and you thought geology was just looking at rocks).

Is It Worth Buying? 

The answer to that question is an unqualified “yes.” Rocks and Routes of the North Country is an excellent introduction to the geology of the entire North Country region of New York state. It is both a primer on geologic science in the area and a field guide that introduces readers to geology first hand on field trips. Then it’s also both a guide to mineral collecting in the area and a introduction to how geology impacts recreation in the area. It’s a whole bunch of things, but one of which it’s not, is overwhelming.

Rocks and Routes of the North Country is written for the average reader without much geologic background in mind. Concepts are laid out and identified in the beginning and the discussed more fully throughout the book. In addition there is a glossary defining any technical terms used throughout the book and extensive bibliographies that can point you in the direction of more information should you want to research a topic further.

So get this book, read some history, then get out in the field and look at some rocks and then have a better understanding of the geologic history of the North Country and how that impacts the area today.

Originally published on Epinions

19th Green Motel | Old Forge, New York (Adirondack Park)

The 19th Green Motel is located in the village of Old Forge in the western Adirondack Mountains of New York State.  The hotel is located a bit of out the "downtown area," but it has nice rooms, reasonable rates and comfortable beds.  The Thendara Golf Club is next to the motel and has golfing in the summer and cross country skiing in the wintertime.

I stayed at the 19th Green Motel because I have an annual meeting I have to go to in the Old Forge area and out of the hotels that were open in late October, this was the most reasonably priced of the few in the area.

Finding the 19th Green Motel 

The Village of Old Forge is a destination for many hikers, skiers, snowmobilers and other outdoor enthusiasts.  It is something of the western 'entrance' to the Adirondack Park and within a half hour drive of the village is almost unlimited hiking, camping, hunting, boating, cross country skiing and snowmobiling opportunities.  Hence there are a couple of different motels in Old Forge that are open throughout the year, including the 19th Green Motel.

The 19th Green Motel is located on the northern side of Route 28 just before you cross the Moose River and enter in the main 'downtown' area of Old Forge (I use the term downtown loosely here).  The motel is made of two different buildings and has plenty of parking for each of the rooms.

Old Forge is a little over an hour northeast of Utica on the New York State Thruway.

What you get at the 19th Green Motel 

The motel offers a mix of rooms with either a single queen sized bed or two queen sized beds.  The rooms all have TVs with cable along with heat and air conditioning, microwave, small fridge and one of those coffee makers that lets you brew a few cups with their pre-measured filters, sugar and cremora.  There is also free wi-fi available throughout the motel.

The rooms are pretty standard issue motel rooms.   You open your door and you have a main room with either the single or double set of queen beds.  There's a dresser and desk along with the TV along the opposite wall and a sitting chair by the window.  In the back of the room is a small closet along with a counter top area with the microwave and the small refrigerator.  Then the bathroom is off of that with a sink, toilet and a tub with a shower.

The room that we stayed in was very well maintained and very clean.  I really did not have anything to complain about going through it.  Even the  bathroom was very clean, something you do not always get in a motel setting.

The beds were pretty comfortable, though the mattresses were a bit stiff.

All of the rooms are nonsmoking at the motel.  In addition, no pets are allowed.  That would be a downside for me usually (with the pets), but since I usually travel to Old Forge for work, I do not usually have my pup with me.

What is around the 19th Green Motel? 

The closest attraction is the Thendara Golf Club.  The restaurants of Old Forge are within a few minute drive, as is the Enchanted Forest Water Park in the summertime.  Further out are the recreational resources of the Adirondack Mountains, which include several nearby hiking trails, snowmobile trails, lakes and river for paddling, and thousands and thousands of acres of state owned Forest Preserve.

Check in and Check Out 

Being a small motel, this is an easy process.  We were in our room within a few minutes of arrival and when we left, I just left the key in the room and locked the door on our way out.

We were there in October, towards the end of leaf season (well, more like slightly past the end) and the room rate was about $90.  While I think that this is high given the time of the year and the location, it is in line with what all the other motels in Old Forge charge.

Would I stay again? 

For sure.  The 19th Green Motel has been the nicest motel that I have stayed in while visiting and was not any more expensive than the others.  I will probably end up here next October when I have my next meeting up in Old Forge.

Final Thoughts 

For a basic motel, I was really impressed with the 19th Green Motel.  It was clean, well maintained, had comfortable beds and was reasonably priced.  The motel is located in the village of Old Forge and the shops and restaurants of the village are a short drive from the motel.

If you are going to stay in Old Forge, I would have no problem recommending a night's (or more) stay at the 19th Green Motel.

Lake George, New York | Adirondack Mountains

Pros: Tons to see and do, Generally decent prices, Beautiful lake, Outdoor adventure
Cons: Very crowded, especially on Holiday weekends, Honky Tonk elements

The Village of Lake George is located at the southern end of Lake George and almost at the southern Boundary of the Adirondack State Park, which allows it to act as one of the gateways to the Adirondack State Park.  The village and the surrounding areas offer a number of attractions from dining and shopping to boating and hiking with a little bit of everything else in between.

Lake George does have its share of honky tonk, but it is a fun place to visit and makes for a great weekend destination with enough activities to fill anyone's schedule.

Finding Lake George

Lake George is one of the most easily accessible places in the Adirondacks.  It's located about 60 miles north of Albany and the village is just off the Northway (I87), New York's north-south highway through the Adirondacks.  Exits 21 and 22 from the Northway provide access to the bulk of the village.  Exits before and after that provide access to the attractions and locations in what I'd call the "Lake George area."  The village of Lake George is quite compact, but the overall Lake George tourist area encompasses the village itself along with the Lake Area to the north and Route 9 to the south, one which you can travel through a number of outlet shopping areas and visit the Great Escape Amusement Park.

Places to stay?

Lodging runs the spectrum from primitive camping to nicer hotels and inns.  The price ranges also have a large range.  There is a state campground just outside of the village that offers inexpensive camping but no hookups (they do have hot showers) for trailers and campers.  There are also a number of private campgrounds surrounding the village and in the neighboring towns.  On the next tier are a number of motels and lodges that offer a room for a somewhat reasonable price.  Then you have bigger hotels and then those are followed by Bed & Breakfasts and Inns.  The price continues generally to go up as you go through these.

We've always stayed at either the State run Lake George Battleground campground in town or at one of the more inexpensive motels or lodges.  On our last stay, we stayed at the Howard Johnson Tiki Resort in town.  It was a decent room and while it was as touristy as one would expect, it met our expectations.

The one thing I would say is a necessity is for you to make reservations for all but the most off-season times of the years.  If you are planning on going for a weekend, have reservations in hand before you go, otherwise you may end up quite far out of Lake George before you find something available.

Honky Tonk Touristy?

Yeah, there is some of this in the village itself.  I can remember coming as a child and it was even more touristy than it is now, but some of it is still there.  There's the Wax Museum, the various arcades along with a ton of shops selling souvenirs and other trinkets.  I kind of like it though.  It is not as over the top as some other tourist areas that I have been in and the village itself is quite fun to walk around and enjoy.  Plus once you leave the village itself, that kind of atmosphere pretty much melts away and you're enjoying the natural beauty of the Adirondacks.

Must Do Sights and Activities

There are a couple of things that I would consider as "must-see" kinds of things when you visit Lake George:

The first thing you should do after you get settled, if it is a clear day, is pay the $8 to drive up Prospect Mountain on the Prospect Mountain Veterans Memorial Highway.  These easy to drive, paved road takes you nearly to the top of Prospect Mountain.  From the parking area you can either walk or take a shuttle bus to the summit.  From there you get a 360 degree view of the surrounding area and you look directly down on to Lake George village and the rest of the Lake.  You can see the Adirondack's High Peaks to the north, Vermont's Green Mountains to the east and the Catskills to the South.  It is simply an amazing view that is very easily accessible.

Second, take a walk through the village to get your bearings and find where everything is.  Along Main Street are a number of shops and restaurants.  There is also a historical museum in the old courthouse, a beach area on the lake, a lake-side park and pavilion (where there are concerts) along with a number of other attractions.

Third would be the Fort William Henry Museum.  The admission is a bit steep, but the museum offers a realistic recreation of the original Fort William Henry, which was the scene of an intense battle during the French and Indian War.  It offers a window into what life was like in the area back then and the demonstrations of things such as musket ball making and cannon fire are very interesting to watch and experience.

Fourth if you like outlets, head south of the Village on Route 9 and there are a number of Outlets and Outlet malls that let you shop to your hearts content.

Fifth, even further south on Route 9 is the Great Escape Amusement Park.  This park, while small, does make for a fun day's worth of activities.  They have a couple of roller coasters along with all the other rides you would expect at an amusement park.

Getting around Lake George

The only way to get to Lake George is in a car or another vehicle and really the only way to get around the area, unless you are saying in the village only, is by automobile.  Outside of the village, there really is nothing within walking distance.  This is something to consider if you take a bus tour to the area.  You will basically be stuck in the village itself unless they offer side tours.

Parking in Lake George

On the big tourists weekends there's one word for parking in Lake George..."ARGH!"  Parking can be a real pain.  There are a few private lots along with public, metered parking along the streets.  There are also other public lots that are located further out of the village center and require quite a walk to get to the downtown area.

During off-peak times it can be easier to find a spot right in town, but all the on-street parking is metered and you have to pay 7 days a week (no free Sundays!).

Lake Activities

Lake George has some of the cleanest waters in the region and is a wonderful lake to enjoy.  In addition to the Town Beach at the southern end of Lake George, there are a number of boat tours of the Lake that leave from Lake George.  You can also bring your own boat and explore the lake.  Since the islands in the Lake and the eastern shore are mostly public lands within the Adirondack Park, you can go on a canoe trip and camp on your way around the lake.

Hiking and Camping

There are a number of hiking trails in the immediate area surrounding Lake George.  The majority of the major trails are to the east of Lake George village, in the large chunk of public lands between Lake George and Lake Champlain.  There are also trails and public lands to the west and to the north that are easily accessible from the Lake George area.

Further Out...

If you're willing to travel a bit from Lake George, there are a number of areas to visit in the Adirondacks.  The Natural Stone Bridge and Caves is about ½ an hour north of Lake George.  You can take a self guided hike through the various rock formations and you can also go on a guided cave diving tour.  Gore Mountain, with a Gondola Ride is about an hour away from Lake George.  The Lake Placid Olympic area is about an hour and a half north of Lake George.  There you can tour the Olympic Facilities from the 1980 Winter Games and watch athletes training for future Olympics year round.  Whiteface Mountain, which was home to the Olympic downhill skiing events has a summertime chairlift ride and there is an Auto Road that goes to the summit.

Overall

Even though it is a bit touristy at times and can be very crowded on holiday weekends, Lake George was an integral part of my childhood and subsequent to that, has always been a place I have enjoyed visiting with friends and now with my own family.  There is a lot to do in a little area and I think just about everyone can find something to enjoy in Lake George.  If you don't like the hustle and bustle of the village, there is the entire Adirondack Park to explore and enjoy right around you.

Final Thoughts

I think a trip to Lake George is well worth it.  There are a ton of places to eat, shop, explore and have fun in. Plus Lake George is nestled in the Adirondacks with almost unlimited opportunities for hiking, skiing, boating and exploring.

Lake George offers a lot that should be able to keep everyone entertained on their trip to the area.  I'm never disappointed with a visit, I don't think you will be either.

Fort William Henry Museum | Lake George, NY | Adirondack Mountains

Pros: Tons of history, Nice views, Interesting guided tour, Hands on
Cons: Kind of expensive

Located along the southern end of Lake George, the Fort William Henry Museum is a great place to understand the historical significance of the region in our Nation's early wars (actually we weren't even a Nation, just colonies at that point).

While Fort William Henry didn't exist for very long, it was host to some fierce battles between the British and the French, along with their Indian and Colonial allies.  The Fort sat at the southern end of Lake George and was at the beginning of a portage to the Hudson River.  Whoever controlled the area controlled the flow of people and goods in a north-south corridor between New York City and Canada.

The British established Fort William Henry to protect that route and the French attacked in 1757 to win control over the route.  While the fort fell in the battle, eventually the British were victorious, preventing the French from cutting the American colonies in half.

What's there?

The original fort was destroyed in its final battle by the French.  They overtook the fort and drove the British to the south.  After taking over the fort, it was burned and destroyed by the French so that it couldn't be used by the British in the future.

The Fort William Henry you visit today is a reconstruction based on the descriptions, plans and archeological evidence at the site.  The fort is built roughly in the same area as the original fort and where it was possible, original portions of the fort were incorporated into the reconstruction.

In addition to the fort itself, there are a number of different exhibits scattered throughout the fort describing life and the battle the fort faced.

Tours?

In order to view the interior of the fort and make your way through the exhibits, you must purchase an admission to the tour.  This tour consists of a short film and then a short guided tour of the fort that explains the weapons and manners of warfare from the time period of the fort.  You'll get to see a musket and cannon firing demonstration (it's really loud!) and you'll get to see the guide (who's dressed as a British solider) make his own lead musket ball.

After the guided portion of the tour, you're left to your own devices and you can wander the fort in any way you'd like.  There are a number of different "stops" throughout the fort which let you get different views of life there and of the battle that destroyed it.  You can take a look at the hospital, which is where injured British soldiers were also killed by the French Indian allies (as evidenced by photos of the mutilated skeletons that were found there).  Take a walk through the barracks and see what life for a soldier in the fort was like.  Down in the dungeon there's still some of the original fireplace left.  There are also exhibits on the archeological research done on the site, the history of the French and Indian War along with a number of other interesting things.

All told between the guided tour and the self-guided portion, a trip to the Fort will probably take 2 hours or so, depending on how much time you spend exploring the various exhibits.

It's also worth spending some time to enjoy the views from the top of the fort.  You have an unobstructed view of Lake George to the north and all around are the mountains surrounding the lake.

Costs

In order to get into the fort and to view the exhibits and take part in the guided tour, you must pay an admission fee.  In 2008 the fee was $14.95 per person with reduced rates for children and seniors.

I thought this was a bit high, but if you want to see the fort, it's the only way to get in.  In the end I guess it was worth it, but I was still a bit shocked at how much it cost.

Can I see anything without paying?

There isn't much to see if you don't pay.  The entrance to the fort before you get to the ticket counter offers a few small exhibits on the fort and the region's history, but beyond that and a gift shop, you won't really get to experience anything unless you pay the admission fee.

How do I get there?

Fort William Henry is located right off of Route 9 in Lake George.  It's just south of the beginning of the downtown Lake George area and its next to the Fort William Henry Resort.  There's plenty of free parking and it's a short walk from the parking area down to the entrance of the fort.

When's the fort open?

The fort is open daily from May through October from 9am to 6pm.  The tours begin on the hour through 5pm.
Experiences

I had been to Fort William Henry when I was younger but didn't really remember much beyond the loud bang of the cannon firing.  That's why on my last visit with my partner, we decided to spend some time here.  We went in the late afternoon and caught the last tour.  It was a great experience because we were the only two on the tour and really got to see the firearm demonstrations up close and got to speak to the tour guide in a one-on-one manner, which was a lot more interesting than just being part of a large group.

I was a bit taken back by the price.  Almost $15 a person does seem slightly steep, but you do get the guided tour and we spent almost an hour beyond that wandering around the fort taking in all the exhibits and just exploring the fort itself.

It was really interesting and it gave me a better appreciate for the history of the region, which I had known, but this just helped to reinforce it.

In the end I'm glad we sp
ent the money and the time to explore Fort William Henry.  It's an interesting chapter in our Nation's history and its cool that there's a piece of that history right in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the Lake George region.

Final Thoughts

If you have a few hours to spare and don't mind spending the admission money, a trip to the Fort William Henry Museum is well worth it in my mind.  You'll get to explore the reconstructed fort, learn about the history of the French and Indian War and learn about the role that this fort played in those battles.

Howard Johnson Tiki Resort and Hotel | Lake George, NY | Adirondack Mountains

Pros: Respectable prices, Indoor & outdoor pools, Clean and comfortable rooms
Cons: Tiki/Hawaiian/Polynesian theme...a bit over the top...but thankfully doesn't go into the rooms

Would you like a little piece of Hawaii with your stay in Lake George, New York?

Then the Howard Johnson Tiki Resort might be right up your alley. This hotel is situated near the southern end of the Lake George ‘strip' on Route 9 and overlooks the southern end of Lake George itself. It offers a number of different amenities (in season) including dinner shows, indoor and outdoors pools, a breakfast café and a location that lends itself to walking down to the center of the Lake George village. It also offers decent rates, especially in the off-season.

Our experience with the Tiki Resort is limited to a stay in the somewhat off-season. We arrived a few days before the Columbus Day Weekend and the majority of amenities including the Polynesian dinner show, the Tiki Bar and the breakfast café were closed at that point. They were opening for the weekend, but then they would close for the season after that.

As it was, we really weren't looking for all those extras. We just wanted a place to stay while we spent some time in Lake George. Our hotel room was clean and neat and wasn't a bad place to stay. We would have taken a dip in the indoor pool if we had brought our suits, but we hadn't even though to bring them since we didn't know where we'd be staying.

Our rate was $49 a night as we used a coupon from one of those travel magazines that you find at the rest areas. This was roughly the same cost for most of the other hotels that were open at this time in the Lake George area.

Where do I find the Howard Johnson Tiki Resort?

The Tiki Resort is on Route 9, which is the main road through the center of Lake George. The hotel is about a ½ a mile north on Route 9 from the intersection with the road from Exit 21 of Interstate 87. This puts it on the edge of the Lake George "strip" but it's still within walking distance of the downtown area. My guess is that it would take 5 to 10 minutes to get there with the lakeside stuff being a little closer and the village a bit longer.

Tiki Resort?

Yes, it's like a little bit of Hawaii in Lake George. I have to admit that when I walked into the lobby of the hotel, I felt like I had been transported to the hotel I had stayed in while I was in Hilo, Hawaii. There's a tiki bar, plenty of Polynesian themed decorations and Polynesian statues outside. There's even a Polynesian dinner show.

Thankfully though, that tiki theme really doesn't follow you into the rooms themselves as they are just your run-of-the-mill hotel rooms.

The Rooms?

I don't really expect much when I spend $49 a night on a room and I was neither disappointed nor excited when I got into our room. My partner and I got a standard room with two double beds (sometimes it's nice not to share a bed). In addition to the beds, there was a small dresser, a TV and a fridge in the room along with a chair and a small table.

The bathroom was at the back of the room and included a large closet, a sink area and then an attached room with the toilet and the shower. I was actually pretty impressed with the bathroom area. It gave you plenty of room and was clean and well maintained.

Our window in the front overlooked the parking lot, pool and then Lake George beyond. It was an okay view, but we kept the blinds closed since people were always walking by. The walls could have stood to be a bit thicker or more insulated since some noise traveled like TV sound and some voices from neighboring rooms.

Free wifi is available in all of the rooms, though I didn't have my laptop with me to try it out.

Overall I was satisfied with the room. Most importantly it was clean and the beds were comfortable. I was also glad that it was in good repair and the bathroom was well maintained.

With regard to room types, the standard rooms are pretty much the same with the two double-bed setup that we had. If you are interested in a suite, they have a few different types including ones with jacuzzis and more living area.

Would I go back?

I probably would, considering the reasonable rates and the decent location far enough outside of Lake George village to allow you to get in and out of the area without too much traffic but not so far that you can't walk down there.

I doubt I'd partake in the Polynesian dinner show or anything like that, but I would have liked to have had breakfast at the café and if the weather was better, I wouldn't have minded hanging out in the pool (or just remembered my suit to use the indoor pool).

Final Thoughts

The Howard Johnson Tiki Resort is a decent place to spend a few nights in the Lake George region. It's got clean rooms with comfortable beds, some nice amenities and its close enough to Lake George Village that you can walk from the hotel to all of the activities in the area.

Overall I wouldn't mind staying here again and for the money, I don't think others would be disappointed after a night here.

Whiteface Mountain Memorial Highway | Wilmington, NY | Adirondack Mountains

Pros: Incredible views, Easy drive, Fairly low cost, Trail to summit, Elevator to summit
Cons: None really

Looking to reach out and touch the clouds in the Lake Placid region without actually having to hike all the way to the mountain peaks? If you are in the area in the warmer months, there is a way, by driving up the Whiteface Mountain Memorial Highway and exploring the summit of Whiteface Mountain.

The Whiteface Memorial Highway is a great way to get an amazing view of the entire northern Adirondack region. You'll get to see the entire Lake Placid area below you, the High Peaks of the Adirondacks to the south, Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains to the east, the western Adirondacks to the west and to the north you can see into the northern portions of New York and beyond into Canada.

Not only that, but the road itself is an interesting drive with constantly changing views, you will get to explore a castle at the end of the road and at the summit, you can learn about the weather observatory there and the alpine summit area of Whiteface Mountain.

Where do I find the Memorial Highway?

The Whiteface Memorial Highway is located in the Town of Wilmington, New York which is about 12 or so miles east of Lake Placid. The highway branches off of State Route 431 a few miles outside of the center of town (and the intersection of Route 431 and Route 86). After passing through the toll booths, the road goes for about 8 miles while it climbs up the flanks of Whiteface. It ends in a parking area a few hundred feet below the true summit of the mountain. Here you can either take a trail and walk to the summit or you can take an elevator that's been carved into the center of the mountain from the parking area to the observatory at the summit.

How much does it cost?

The Memorial Highway is a toll highway, so you will have to pay as you pass through the toll booths.

Is it a scary drive?

I guess that depends on your temperament, but compared to other mountain roads like the Mount Washington Auto Road, this drive is a piece of cake. The ‘highway' name isn't a misnomer, the road is well built, wide and paved the entire way. There's only one lane up and one down, but there's plenty of room on the road and the shoulder. In addition there are few areas where the road really is on the edge of the mountain. Only at the very end is there a big drop along the road and at that point you will be parking up against the mountain so it's not that big of a deal.

What's at the top?

At the end of the road you'll have to loop around and through the "castle" that was built at the end of the road. I'm not sure quite why such a massive structure was built here, but it is pretty neat and quite imposing as it sits right below the summit cone of the mountain. Inside you'll find bathrooms, a small gift shop and a cafeteria. There are views from the castle if you want to stay inside and be out of the weather.

Depending on how much activity you are up for, at this point you can either take a trail along a ridge to the summit of the mountain or you can go down to the elevator entrance and take the elevator through the core of the mountain to the summit. Both ways are pretty cool in their own right.

I personally suggest that you go up the trail, as it is quite the experience. The trail makes its way along a rocky ridge that's fairly narrow as the mountain drops away on either side. There are guardrails and while the exposure if fairly high, the hike is easy and it's unlikely that you'd fall off (I've climbed it in the winter and had no problem). The views are just amazing as you go though. You can pretty much look all around you and in addition to the views down the slopes of the mountain, you get to see the mountains all around you.

The top of the mountain is home to a weather observatory along with the top of the elevator from the parking lot. There's a small outdoor patio area around the building and then the summit continues off to the south for a bit. The summit is above treeline so the views are pretty much everywhere. You can look down on Lake Placid, across the High Peaks and everywhere else. I think this is probably one of the best views in the Adirondacks because Whiteface is a mountain that sort of sticks up by itself and you therefore get a 360-degree view of the region without anything blocking your view.

As for the elevator, I usually take it down to the parking lot since the trip down the trail isn't any harder or more dangerous, but I like to get to experience the elevator ride too. It travels through the heart of the mountain and the door lets you see the inside of the mountain streak by as you travel down. When you reach the base, you are in a tunnel that's carved about 400 feet into the mountain and you slowly walk out towards the bright light at the end of the tunnel. It's really an experience.

How much time do I need?

Figure about a half and hour up and down the road as you stop to take in views and wait for other traffic. For the top, my guess is that you'll need at least an hour or two to really take in the views, read all the interpretive information and to just enjoy the mountain.

Weather?

Whiteface is an alpine peak and the weather is generally colder and windier than you'll find in the valley areas. This is most noticeable in the spring and the fall when the variations are more extreme. You should bring something warm to wear and a wind breaker to help protect you against the wind.

When is it open?

The Memorial Highway is only open in the snow-free months of the year. It opens in mid-May and closes for the winter at the end of the Columbus Day weekend.

Other uses?

In the wintertime the Memorial Highway is a memorable ski trip. Parking is available at the toll booths and you can ski your way up the mountain on cross-country skis and then turn around and have an 8-mile downhill ski. It is quite the trip and you need to be well-equipped with proper winter gear, but if you are all set with that, it's well worth the effort to get to the top.

Final Thoughts

I really like the Whiteface Mountain Memorial Highway. It's an interesting drive up a very spectacular mountain that offers some of the best views in the Adirondacks. In addition to the views, you'll be able to explore the alpine summit area and you can sit and have a coffee in a castle as you take in the views.

If you are in the Lake Placid region you really should find the time to take a trip up the Memorial Highway, its well worth it and you won't be disappointed.