We love the beach just as much as the next person–especially since there are so many in NYC to choose from–but something about hopping in the car, rolling the windows down, and embarking on a road trip is so intoxicating, and nothing says summer in New York without a good ol’ day spent by the lake. And this 10,000 year old lake in New York was just named one of the best in the U.S., so it certainly makes for the perfect summer getaway!
If there’s one thing about USA Today it’s that they love polling their readers to uncover the best gems around the world–whether it be the best amphitheater in America or the best food festival in the nation–and they recently had their expert panel nominate their top picks for the best lakes in the country so their readers could vote for their favorites.
And, well, the readers have spoken, and they named New York’s Lake George as the third best lake in the U.S.!
Lake George is a popular vacation destination in the southern Adirondacks, in Upstate New York. It formed about 10,000 years ago when the Earth began to warm following the Ice Age–glaciers began to recede and carve through rock leaving behind sediment, deposits, and chunks of ice, and when these chunks of ice began to melt and water filled in the gouges along the land, Lake George, along with other bodies of water like, were formed.
Today, Lake George is nicknamed the “Queen of American Lakes,” as it’s the largest lake in the Adirondacks. The lake measures more than 32 miles long and varies between 1 and 3 miles across. At its deepest, the lake’s bottom sits 196 feet below the surface and are more than 170 islands dot its surface, many of which are state owned for island camping.
Lake George is visited by approximately 3 million people per year–including both overnight visitors and day trippers–eager to enjoy the more than 45 square miles of crystal-clear waters, mountainous terrain, and endless attractions and activities the lake offers.
Just be careful if you do decide to take a dip in the lake’s waters–there are reports of a lake monster that date back to the early 1900s, known by the locals as Georgie! USA Today writes:
On the southern edge of New York’s Adirondacks, Lake George has been a popular vacation destination for well over a century, drawing both aristocrats and outdoor adventurers to its shores. Visitors can marvel at the architectural wonders along Millionaires’ Row, while water activities span from sunset lake cruises to parasailing to taking a leisurely dip at one of the lake’s many beaches.
Lake monsters aside, Lake George was also named a runner-up as the best lake for swimming thanks to its unusually clean water–locals like to congregate at the sandy Million Dollar Beach to swim, sunbathe, stand-up paddleboard, and take leisurely cruises out on boats–as well as the runner-up as the best lake for water sports with opportunities for wakeboarding, parasailing, tubing, and jet skiing throughout.
The top ten best lakes in the U.S. are as follows:
1. Big Bear Lake, California
2. Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
3. Lake George, New York
4. Marion Lake, Minnesota
5. Lake Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Wisconsin
6. Lake Erie, New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania
7. Lake Superior, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin
8. Lake Cumberland, Kentucky
9. Lake Champlain, New York and Vermont
10. Lake Havasu, Arizona and California
See the full study.
If you’re looking for some more summer roadtrip destinations, here are some fabulous swimming holes, waterfalls, and small towns near NYC.