Love Arts & Culture? Visit These 9 Lake George Area Hotspots for Art, Music, Theatre & History
The Lake George Region is overflowing with fascinating museums, spectacular performing arts venues, and even more places where you can soak up local arts & culture. If you’d like to forge your own path through the area's rich arts scene, then plan a trip to these 9 hotspots!
Experience Premier Entertainment in the Historic Park Theater
If you're looking for a cultural experience that combines all the beauty and history of a century-old venue with the modern luxuries of state-of-the-art audio/visual equipment, The Park Theater in Glens Falls is the ideal location. The theater hosts comedy shows, concerts, films, and a variety of event series all year long.
If you're looking for a great place to get dinner and drinks before the show, check out Park & Elm. Not only does this spot offer an elevated experience with dishes like stuffed calamari, tuna carpaccio, and veal rib chop carpaccio, it's also located right across the street from The Park Theater! Check out the market and delicatessen on-site, as well, where Park & Elm offers local farm-to-table ingredients along with fresh, free range meats carved to perfection by their expert butcher.
Reservations for the restaurant are highly encouraged, so be sure to give them a call beforehand!
Connect With History, Nature, and the Arts at The Sembrich
Located on the shores of Lake George in the hamlet of Bolton Landing, The Sembrich is a unique spot where history, nature, and the arts converge. The museum was originally the teaching studio of acclaimed Polish-American soprano Marcella Sembrich, and features many of the original artifacts placed by the songstress herself. The Sembrich carries on Marcella's legacy of incredible musicianship and culture during their renowned Summer Festival, which features musicians, films, and programs of the highest caliber.
The Sembrich also maintains a 4.5-acre nature preserve, which guests can explore during their visit. The walking paths and trails offer views of Lake George and the surrounding mountains that are simply exquisite.
Explore Exhibitions & History at The Hyde Collection
You can’t talk about art museums in the Lake George Region without mentioning The Hyde Collection in Glens Falls. Recognized as one of the most exceptional small art museums in the Northeast, The Hyde is currently home to over 4,000 objects and artworks in its permanent collection, which continues to grow over the years. You can view them in the historic Hyde House and throughout the galleries.
The museum complex's distinguished collection of American and European art includes works by the masters, such as Botticelli, Rembrandt, Renoir, and Degas, as well as more modern and contemporary pieces. The five gallery spaces feature different exhibitions each year, so you can always look forward to seeing something new.
Step Back in Time at the Fort William Henry Museum
Fort William Henry was built at the southern end of Lake George (present day Lake George Village) back in 1755 as a British outpost during the French and Indian War. The role that the fort and Lake George played in the war is highlighted in James Fenimore Cooper’s popular book “The Last of the Mohicans.”
Although the original fort was destroyed, it has since been recreated as a living history museum where visitors can learn all about the French and Indian War. You can take a self-guided tour of the museum’s exhibits, attend one of their special events and programs, and witness history come alive with live musket and cannon demonstrations.
Discover the Arts at the Lake George Arts Project
Here in Lake George Village, the old county courthouse is currently the home of the Lake George Arts Project, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing high-quality arts programming to the region. Each year, they present exciting exhibitions and live music at their gallery and other local venues.
The Courthouse Gallery is located in the back lower level of the historic courthouse building in Lake George, and its mission is to feature exhibitions by regional and national contemporary visual artists. Visitors can stop by to see the new artworks and enjoy presentations, workshops, readings, meetings, and other activities.
In addition to the gallery, the Lake George Arts Project manages a wide array of concerts and music festivals, including the popular Jazz Weekend, a Summer Concert Series in Lake George Village, and more. Stay up to date on all of their upcoming events and discover the area’s growing arts scene.
Step Inside an Intimate Setting at The Lake George Dinner Theatre
Each year in summer and fall, The Lake George Dinner Theatre at the Holiday Inn Resort in Lake George offers patrons one of the most memorable dining and theater experiences in the region. Your trip to this intimate setting will begin with a delicious full-course meal and end with a performance of a contemporary comedy.
The Lake George Dinner Theatre is operated by Lake Theatre Productions, Inc., which aims to bring professional theatrical productions to the Lake George Region. While they specialize in featuring plays, Lake Theatre Productions, Inc. also hosts workshops and seminars for the general public.
Enjoy Performances During ATF at Charles R. Wood Theater
Although the Charles R. Wood Theater in downtown Glens Falls hosts an eclectic lineup of entertainment throughout the year, such as comedy shows, films, music, dance, and more, the arts venue is well-known for being the home of the Adirondack Theatre Festival (ATF).
ATF is a professional, nonprofit summer theatre that aims to produce new and contemporary musicals and plays that will challenge, entertain, and nourish their audiences. The original works performed during ATF are created by some of the most established and experienced professional theatre artists in the U.S.
Since these amazing new productions are presented at the Charles R. Wood Theater during the summer, you’ll have to take a trip to Glens Falls if you want to enjoy these one-of-a-kind experiences!
Tap Your Feet to the Music at Little Theater on the Farm
Located a short drive away from Lake George, Little Theater on the Farm in Fort Edward is a nonprofit performing arts venue that hosts everything from theatrical shows to live music, parties, and even historical reenactments on occasion. This theater space features a relaxed atmosphere and was designed to highlight local performers and make the arts more accessible to all.
So what can you expect to see at Little Theater on the Farm? Some of their typical shows include folk concerts, bluegrass bands, jamborees, acoustic artists, and more. It’s always a fun time at this performing arts and music venue!
See Who's Rocking the Stage at The Strand Theatre in Hudson Falls
The Strand Theatre in Hudson Falls originally opened in 1923 and was later converted into the Town of Kingsbury office building. It was purchased from the town by Hudson River Music Hall Productions, Inc. in 2016, and has since become a hub for music, shows, and events.
Renovations have continued over the years to restore the space to its original glory and bring it up to code for modern times. You'll find everything from rock concerts, open mics, and jazz groups to films, dance troupes, and more on the stage. Check out a show and enjoy the vintage aesthetic of the theatre!