Lake George fireworks: Navigating the traffic

The Thursday night firework shows have returned to Lake George, and they have been drawing record crowds. Unfortunately, this has been creating traffic jams. For visitors who have booked a hotel room or campsite in town, watching the fireworks is an easy stroll down the street. However, if you are driving in, dealing with the traffic can be frustrating. Recognizing this, Village officials, in a July 26 press release, have offered some tips for locals familiar with the Village backstreets to avoid gridlock and expedite the flow of traffic.

• The fireworks begin at 9:30 p.m. Arrive early, park on the back streets and enjoy some Village time before the show.
• Plan to stick around a while after the show. The shops, restaurants, taverns and ice cream stands will be open.
• When leaving town after the fireworks, exit south to Sewell Street or Birch Avenue in the town.  Note that exiting the backstreets at the North end of the Village via Mountain Avenue (North of the High School) forces vehicles to cross southbound traffic creating a bottleneck that backs up traffic for over an hour.

“We want those who are familiar with our streets to have an enjoyable time,” says Village Mayor Blais, “but going south or staying in the Village for an hour will help you going home.” 

The Thursday night fireworks will continue through September 2. A special show is planned for Saturday, September 18.  The Fireworks are launched from platforms on the lake and may be viewed from the shoreline along the Lakefront Walkway and from boats on the lake. Restaurants and bars with lake-facing decks also offer a good viewing spot.

Related: Where to park in Lake George Village