Sprawled along the foothills of the great Adirondack Mountains is the sparkling waters of Lake George and the quaint village that shares its name. In the summer months, the streets of Lake George are engorged with tourists. The air is electrified by music, laughter and the muffled horn of the Minnie-ha-ha as it steams away from its dock, hauling passengers on a sightseeing tour of the 32-mile mountain lake.

In town, shoppers hunt for bargains at outlet stores, tour the village in a horse-drawn carriage, or sunbathe on the silver sands of the "Million Dollar Beach." Nearby, children squeal in delight at area amusement and water parks while history buffs examine artifacts at Fort William Henry Museum and Lake George Battlefield Park. Cars meander through a 5-mile scenic trail along Prospect Mountain Memorial Highway leading to a mountain view of the magnificent lake below.

Less than five miles from Lake George Village are three titillating amusement parks ? the Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom (now part of Six Flags Amusement Parks), Magic Forest, and Water Slide World, all on Route 9. A 3.3-mile hiking trail on Buck Mountain, offers a breathtaking panorama of Lake George, Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains of neighboring Vermont.

Summertime here is filled with charm and excitement making the village a haven for water sports, camping and hiking. When the crisp air of autumn arrives, however, it mellows as the leaves begin to take color and outline the lake in reds and yellows. And when the winter snows begin to fall, Lake George Village is silenced by muffling snow, a mere pass-through village on the way to ski towns further north.

Lake George Village is an easy hour's ride from Albany on I-81 North (Adirondack Northway), exit 18.