New Year’s Day in Lake George: Parties, cruises and a polar plunge

New Year’s Eve is the big party night, and there are several venues in town where you can count down to 2017 with a champagne toast. King Neptune’s is rockin’ in New Year’s with party band Flip-N-Mickeys, the Lake George Steamboat Company has the Lac du Saint Sacrement heading out at 6 p.m. for a New Year’s Eve dinner cruise, and she will head out again at 10 p.m. for a New Year’s party cruise.

Lake George Lanes & Games has planned a Family Night for earlier in the evening that includes bowling, shoe rentals, prizes and party favors. For adults, Lanes & Games New Year’s Eve party kicks off at 10 p.m. and includes a midnight champagne toast. For the ultimate New Year’s Eve party, Dunham’s Bay Resort is offering a complete package with dinner, entertainment, Lodging and New Year’s Day Brunch. If you are anywhere near the southern end of Lake George at midnight, be sure to step outside and watch the fireworks shoot off over the lake.

If you prefer to spend New Year’s Eve at home quietly reflecting on the year that has passed, or sitting on a sofa to watch the ball drop on TV, there are several options in Lake George for celebrating on January 1.

Jump in the Lake

Registration for the New Year’s Day Polar Plunge begins at 10 a.m. at Duffy’s Tavern on Lower Amherst. Registered plungers gather at Shepard Park with the first wave of 400 going into the lake at 1 p.m. followed by a second, third and, if necessary, a fourth wave. Jumping into Lake George on New Year’s Day has been a tradition since 1973. Last year, 1,200 launched their year with an icy plunge.

Take a cruise

Although Mother Nature has brought some wintery weather to Lake George, the waters are still open. Shoreline Cruises’ New Year’s Frostbite Cruise aboard the Adirondac embarks at noon. A cruise ticket includes a cruise up the lake, beer and wine drink tickets, hors d’oeuvres, live entertainment and free admission to the New Year’s Day Party at King Neptune’s Pub.

The Lake George Steamboat Company New Year’s Day Champagne Brunch Cruise boards at 11 a.m. and cruises up to the Narrows with music, dancing and a breakfast/lunch buffet.

Belly up to an Ice Bar

2017 is a big year for the Lake George Steamboat Company. The company was incorporated in 1817, making the 2017 its bicentennial. The Company is launching its 200-year birthday party celebration with a 12-foot ice bar and other ice sculptures outside the Deuce Moose Café, directly across from the Steel Pier on Beach Road. The ice bar will be serving up craft brews from Common Roots Brewing Company along with signature cocktails. O’Pablos’s food truck and Cheesy Does It will be proving the eats.

Ice Bar hours:
Friday, December 30, 5 – 9 p.m.
Saturday, December 31, noon – 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, January 1, 2017, noon – 5 p.m.