Tubby Tubes River Company in Lake Luzerne cut the ribbon on their new Welcome Center building Wednesday afternoon to the cheering of local officials, Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce representatives, river guides and about 60 bathing-suit-clad tubing customers. Tubby Tubes has been the Lake George area’s go-to lazy river tubing place for more than 20 years offering guided two-hour tours down the Hudson River.
“Our biggest priority,” says Jamie Johnson, who purchased the business in 2021, “was to add better bathrooms and more changing rooms.” In addition to upgraded restrooms and several changing rooms, the new building houses a large waiting and entertainment space and a selection of water sports accessories for sale.
Keith Scherer from New York State Senator Dan Stec’s office spoke at the ribbon cutting saying, “On behalf of the Senator, congratulations! The building is absolutely gorgeous, it looks great!” Gina Mintzer, Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, says that the new facility will create a better experience for tubing customers, and she spoke about the importance of Tubby Tubes to the area. “Everybody loves to see the buses going back and forth in the summer. It’s the kick-off to the summer season,” Mintzer says.
From Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day, Tubby Tubes offers guided two-hour tours down the Hudson River. Colorful buses carry tubers from the Tubby Tubes facility at 1289 Lake Avenue to the launch site on the river. The bus ride takes approximately 15 minutes.
Johnson says his next project is to add food and beverage services in the Welcome Center. He will apply for a beer and wine permit this fall and hopes to offer his customers food and drink by next summer.
