The Girls’ Getaway Guide to Lake George
A girls’ getaway in Lake George marries Adirondack outdoor adventure with rest and relaxation at The Sagamore Resort, secluded on its own private island.
With its azure-blue waters surrounded by the emerald-green mountains of the Adirondacks, Lake George is an ideal destination for a women-only weekend. Where else could you stay in a historic Victorian hotel that plays homage to a bygone time, then go indulge in Lake George activities, like cruising aboard a nineteenth-century touring vessel or horseback riding in the Adirondacks? It’s all part of the experience when you pick The Sagamore Resort – a one-of-a-kind destination secluded on a 70-acre-island – for your upcoming girls’ getaway.
Where to Stay
More than 100 years ago, hotelier Myron O. Brown rallied Philadelphia millionaires to help him build The Sagamore Resort, a sprawling-first class Adirondack “camp” on Green Island. Today, the hotel keeps the proud tradition of treating guests like royalty alive with nearly 400 sumptuous rooms and suites surrounded by a playground of tennis courts, nature trails, and boating opportunities. But for accommodations that will really wow the women during your girls’ getaway, reserve The Sagamore’s Wapanak Castle, a 2,000-square-foot, six-bedroom home located next to the historic hotel. It features five gas-logged fireplaces, a large modern kitchen, a dining room, and a formal living room that leads out to the lower deck and Lake George.
Horseback Riding in the Adirondacks
Giddy up, girls! Before an hour-long trail ride through the Adirondacks with Saddle Up Stables (just seven miles south of The Sagamore on Lake Shore Drive), the gaggle is giggling as they get to know their horses and meet their guide. Then it’s time to mosey through the mountains, marveling at the greenery and at the view of Lake George, upstate New York and Vermont while sharing stories about families and lives back home. Rides leave every 10 to 15 minutes, accommodating almost any schedule.
Rejuvenating at the Spa
There’s nothing like checking into a spa, stepping into a robe and slippers, silencing cell phones, and submitting to the tranquility and treatments that await – especially when it’s the Lake George Spa, which welcomes groups of women with Adirondack stone massages, aromatherapy, facials, salon services, and more. Splurge on the Signature Ritual and create your own customized package of treatments for four-and-half hours of frills.
Dining at the Pavilion
Any closer to the water, and you’d be swimming in Lake George. Luckily, the Pavilion at The Sagamore keeps diners dry and high with a menu that begins with a naturally skinny “Repo-Rita” made with Sauzas Hornitos Reposado tequila and agave nectar and continues on to oysters from Long Island Sound and chilled shrimp cocktail on the raw bar. No clichéd nachos are in sight; instead, dive into rice bowls with seared sushi-grade tuna, or go for the Maine Lobster Experience that includes a two-pound crustacean.
Relaxing by the Pools
The group of gals will feel as if they’ve wandering into a scene out of Beverly Hills 90210 when discovering The Sagamore’s series of indoor and outdoor pools. The 10,000-square-foot outdoor terrace has plenty of room for an entire sorority to spread out towels and swap magazines on 150 chaise lounges before jumping into the 95,000-galloon pool. Guests can also opt for the sheltered 40-foot pool and Jacuzzi or the heated indoor pool. The views of the Adirondacks, however, beat Beverly Hills.
Wine Tasting at Adirondack Winery
Opened in 2008 by a young husband-and-wife team Mike and Sasha Pardy, Adirondack Winery has since grown into an expansive Lake George Tasting Room that showcases seven distinctive wines and one dessert wine made from upstate New York grapes. The winery accommodates groups of eight or more with reservations and can host private parties for up to 45 people. Perhaps some souvenirs to bring home to the partners?
Cruising Lake George Aboard The Morgan
One of The Sagamore’s best-kept secrets is that a 90-minute tour on The Morgan is included in the resort fee. Women can travel back to the nineteenth century when sailing on the replica of the Victorian touring vessel – and travel back to today by posting Instagram shots of the surrounding Adirondacks. A group of 72 can book every seat and arrange for a private cruise. It’s an unforgettable way to end your girls’ getaway.
