New York : Safety by City
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- Lake George
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With its beautiful clear waters and mountainous surroundings, Lake George, New York, is a picturesque village in upstate New York that offers a charming getaway.
Though small, Lake George packs in plenty for visitors to see and do.
Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy the lake itself by boating, fishing, kayaking, and swimming during the summer.
Hikers have miles of trails to explore in the nearby Adirondack Mountains.
History buffs will appreciate the colonial architecture of the village as well as learning about the lake’s strategic importance during the French and Indian War.
Kids and adults love the Lake George Steamboat Company’s sightseeing cruises or a visit to the Magic Forest amusement park.
Unique to Lake George are the hundreds of intriguing islands that dot the 32-mile-long lake.
The lake is said to have 365 islands, one for each day of the year.
With its stunning scenery, outdoor recreation, and historic charm, Lake George offers an ideal Upstate New York retreat.
Warnings & Dangers in Lake George
OVERALL RISK: LOW
This is a safe region with a low risk combined with abundant things to do. Crime rates are historically low, and this is one of the most popular vacation spots in the Adirondacks.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
If you visit LakeGeorge.com, look for the "Transportation Options" section. The robust plan to get around encourages you to ditch the car and use one of the rideshares, shuttles, and trolleys available. All options are low-risk, and you can still rent a car. Whether you're in a car or shuttle, the traffic will still be an issue during peak season.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
The county doesn't offer exact data on this, so I can only tell you to use standard cautions as you would in any tourist area. Only carry what you need. Leave valuables at home, and ladies - keep purses secured while dining. I always like to wrap my purse strap around the chair I'm sitting at and keep it between my feet.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
The wild mix of weather year-round is nothing out of the ordinary, but it can ruin a good day outdoors. Spring and summer thunderstorms can bring flash flooding, intense lightning, and high winds. Wildfires are a risk in this area. Winter storms can cut off access for days at a time. The risk is medium, but you can lower it by keeping updated on the forecast and knowing emergency management plans.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
The only robberies I could find anywhere near Lake George involved businesses. There's a low risk of being mugged. Keep it low by not walking around in unlit areas after dark.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
This is another low risk, but keeping aware of anything suspicious helps keep it low. New York has a toll-free hotline for suspicious activity. That number is 1-866-SAFENYS or 1-866-723-3697. You can also call the local police.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
Timeshares and short-term rentals are popular in this area, so you want to avoid any scams. The New York Division of Consumer Protection issued a booklet on how to avoid rental scams. You can download that for free online. The risk is low if you stay informed. Overall, if you're asked to wire money to secure a home or the deal seems too good to be true, it's likely a scam.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
This is another low risk, with many things to do for women of all ages, solo travelers, and moms traveling with young kids.
TAP WATER RISK: LOW
The tap water risk is low, with full compliance in the latest water quality report. The bigger issue would be any broken pipes or flooding issues that impact water pressure, availability, or cleanliness. You'll get alerts on that from the city if it happens.
Safest Places to Visit in Lake George
There are several websites where you can get travel and tourism information about the Adirondacks, but VisitLakeGeorge.com focuses just on this popular area.
A travel guide is available, but you have to give your name, phone number, and address to get it.
That said, the Lake George Region includes:
- Bolton
- Chester
- Glen Falls
- Hague
- Horicon
- Johnsburg
- Lake Luzerne
- Queensbury
- Stony Creek
- Thurman
Just be sure to check the town or village of a location before you add it to your itinerary.
I’m just going to go through things only available in Lake George (the town, village, and lake).
Many beaches are available in Lake George.
Million Dollar Beach is the biggest and most popular.
It’s a state-run beach with public boat docks.
Expect many of the village beaches to be open to the public, though at least one village beach is only open to residents.
Always check the website of any beach before you go.
Many beaches also won’t open if there aren’t enough lifeguards on duty.
Take a cruise on Lake George and enjoy the beautiful scenery and fresh air.
Cruises range from narrated historical tours to relaxing sunset sails.
For the adventurous, rent a kayak, canoe, stand-up paddleboard, or speedboat and explore the lake.
The summit of Prospect Mountain is a must-see.
A three-mile hiking trail takes you to the 2,300-foot summit, or you can drive there on a five-mile scenic highway.
Step back in time at Fort William Henry Museum, an authentically reconstructed British stronghold from the French and Indian War.
Costumed guides lead engaging tours of the fort’s barracks, hospital, bakery, and blacksmith shop.
See artifacts recovered from Lake George, including weapons, uniforms, and tools.
Historic, haunted, and scenic tours are also available.
Pair that with a trip to Lake George Battlefield Park, featuring excavated ruins of the original fort, as well as marked trails and monuments explaining the events surrounding the infamous massacre that took place there in 1757.
For more history, check out the Lake George Historical Association and Museum.
Kids will love the Funa’rama Fun Park, with arcades, bumper cars, and amusement rides.
Adults will like it too, but the park is very focused on kids.
Places to Avoid in Lake George
Honestly, if there was a bad part of Lake George, it’s so small that you’d have to leave Lake George.
The crime rates here leave no dangerous neighborhoods or bad parts of town anyway.
It might help to know that there’s a Lake George Village, Lake George Town, and then Lake George the lake.
The village is a tourism corridor with souvenir shops and more tourist-based activities.
The town surrounded the village, and both the town and the village touch the lake.
There was a vote to disband the village and make it all a town, but that failed.
It wouldn’t have impacted tourism.
It was more of a tax and zoning issue for locals.
Only 667 people live in the village year-round.
Unless you are planning a tour of some kind, avoid going on outdoor adventures without knowing the weather forecast.
Most tour guides will cancel if bad weather is in the forecast.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Lake George
- Lake George doesn’t have its own police department. Law enforcement comes from Warren County Sheriff’s Office, but there is a sub-station in Lake George. You can program their main line in your phone should you have questions down the road. That number is (518) 743-2500.
- The sheriff’s office’s website has one of the more unique layouts I’ve seen for crime reporting. Instead of a traditional crime statistics map, look under the “Current Activity” tab. You’ll see a list of police calls from the last 24 hours, be able to search for arrests during a chosen timeframe, and read about planned road closures.
- Sign up for NY Alerts through the state emergency management website. You’ll get weather alerts and other urgent safety information sent to your mobile device or email. You can choose if you want text messages or phone calls.
- Warren County has a Storm Reporter form where you can send in information about severe weather if it happens while you’re there. Since this is such a rural area, these reports help deputies keep tabs on where the worst damage or heaviest precipitation is.
- The New York Department of Environmental Conservation website should be a stop for all outdoor lovers visiting Lake George. You can buy a fishing license, read about boating requirements, check the wildfire danger map, and look at lake and river quality reports.
- The Adirondacks are black bear country. While the risk of seeing a bear is low, it’s not low enough that you shouldn’t learn the best safety practices. Carry bear sprays with you if you’re going into the woods. Put all food in bear-proof containers. Before visiting any trail or park, ask a ranger if there have been any bear sightings.
- You can’t bring any rafts or tubes to the beach or use them on the water of Lake George. These items are banned. You can bring flotation devices for kids and lifejackets.
- It’s illegal to use a mobile device while driving in New York. It’s even more important to keep the device down when you’re driving the scenic roads of this region. I’ve read about a lot of accidents resulting from people not paying attention or driving too fast for road conditions.
- If you plan to use the trolley or bus system here, you’ll need to buy tokens at local businesses in town. Start with the visitor’s center to get better guidance. There are two trolley routes that go through Lake George. You can call the transit company at (518)792-1085 to get more information.
- The ice castles in Lake George have been heavily dependent on cold temperatures and plenty of snow. After a few years without ideal weather conditions, starting in 2023, the festival will be able to go on regardless of the weather. Just be sure you wear warm layers when visiting this phenomenal attraction.
So... How Safe Is Lake George Really?
Lake George is one of the safest communities in the country, surrounded by other safe small towns in a safe county.
Warren County saw violent crime rates go down 78% since 2012 when it was still a very safe county.
While exact crime statistics aren’t offered for Lake George, we do know that recent news reports back up some of the standard advice we give.
For example, a woman was arrested after several personal items of other people were found in her car.
She had broken into cars and stolen them the night before.
One item was a credit card that had been reported stolen.
It’s a good reminder always to lock your car and take out any variables or personal items when you park it.
One of the oddest crime reports that made headlines here was about a man in a drug store making lewd gestures behind a woman bending over to read greeting cards.
He did it twice, knocking the woman over the second time.
It’s a rather unique way to remind you always to stay aware of your surroundings.
Of course, the biggest risks here will be the outdoor adventures.
Know the rules about boating and fishing.
Check the weather forecast often.
Don’t go into the wild or on the water by yourself without telling someone where you are going and when you plan to be back.
The standard safety guidance goes a long way here.
How Does Lake George Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Lake George | 78 |
| Honolulu | 65 |
| Chicago | 65 |
| Dallas | 64 |
| Memphis | 54 |
| Orlando | 64 |
| Las Vegas | 62 |
| Sydney (Australia) | 80 |
| Santiago de Chile (Chile) | 71 |
| Vienna (Austria) | 88 |
| Hong Kong (China) | 70 |
| Manama (Bahrain) | 54 |
| Tianjin (China) | 67 |
Useful Information
Visas
The first thing to do is check if you are eligible for a visa waiver. Look up ESTA and VWP on the Customs and Border Patrol website to see how that works. You'll need to apply for a visa if you aren't eligible. A passport that is valid and not more than six months from expiring is also required.
Currency
Only the U.S. Dollar can be used here. Most ATMs will be able to exchange currency, but the lowest fees you'll pay will come from your home bank. Those traveling through an international airport should see if exchange services are available there.
Weather
The seasons are pretty standard here, with a lean toward cooler summers and colder winters. You'll still get great weather in the summer. Dress comfortably and casually, with plenty of clothing for outdoor activities any time of the year. Bring bug spray from spring through fall.
Airports
Albany International Airport is just 40 miles south of Lake George. If you're booked at a resort in Lake George, ask if they provide free shuttle service to and from the airport.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is a smart investment overall. You get coverage for accidents, delays, and cancelations without having to worry about costly accidents.
Lake George Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | -1 | 1 | 7 | 15 | 22 | 26 | 28 | 27 | 23 | 16 | 9 | 2 |
| Low °C | -13 | -12 | -6 | 1 | 7 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 9 | 3 | -2 | -9 |
| High °F | 30 | 34 | 45 | 59 | 72 | 79 | 82 | 81 | 73 | 61 | 48 | 36 |
| Low °F | 9 | 10 | 21 | 34 | 45 | 54 | 57 | 55 | 48 | 37 | 28 | 16 |
Outstanding
Lake George is outstanding when it comes to safety, there are police everywhere roaming around streets which is why it is safe here to travel.