Hey that's my neck of the woods! Actually I live outside of Albany and I spent almost every summer of my life in the Adirondacks.

Ok Favorite lakes..Schroon Lake is gorgeous, very clean,and has a Marina for boat rentals, 9 miles long, cute town, about 1/2 hour north of Lake George. Long lake is very pretty, so is Indian Lake. ( not sure about marinas, I have my own boat so it's been a while since I looked into rentals, but motor boats are allowed. Blue Mountain lake also very nice, Lake Lazerne is another very nice lake. All of these lakes I mention are crystal clear waters with very nice beach areas.( no mucK) But don't dismiss Lake George either,the town is busy but there are many bays on that lake that are like a lake within a lake which can be very private. Lake Placid about 2 hours north of lake George is also gorgeous but the town of Lake Placid is actually on Mirror Lake. Lake Placid itself is a few miles away. Saranac Lake, Lake Champlain also great for boating and lots to do. Geesh there are literally hundreds of lakes in the adirondacks.

Love the Adirondacks. Try 13th lake, Garnett ( like the stone) hill estates, and those smaller lakes. Many only allow non-motorized boating, so the water is clean, and pure. Great fishing. Private beaches, lots of canoeing and so on. It is about 45 minutes from Lake George, so you can still do day trips. We had a vacation home there years ago. Great memories of climbing mountains, tubeing the white waters of the Hudson. This is all around the Gore Mountain region, if it helps. There are lots of lakes, so I am sure that you will find a great location. You may also look into "the Lodge" in Garnett Hills. They rent lodge rooms and cabins, and also I think manage some private homes in the area. Also try Vacation home by owner (on-line). Have a great trip!!!

Since this is the Home Dec Forum, I thought this was going to be about Adirondack chairs! LOL

Not been to the "location" but am sure it's lovely and wonderful to visit!

Cameron

The Adirondacks are beautiful and I grew-up in the area on the Great Sacandaga Lake. It's rural... but beautiful. It's a large lake too, and then there is Lake Luzerne which is closer to Lake George. I'd say you would be happier in the Lake Luzerne, Lake George area, as there is much more to do, but do go take a ride around the Great Sacandaga Lake too! It's been 4-5 years since I last visited, and it's been 14 years ago we left the area to relocate to a warmer climate (winters are brutal) but I lived in the area for 30 years, so if I can answer anything I will!

Not the Adirondaks but how about the China Lakes and Moosehead in Maine? Or Long Lake, Kezar Lake, Sebago Lake?

ohmygosh, you guys have brought tears to my eyes with your quick responses. I'm not sure exactly what it is about the Adirondacks but it nudged itself into my heart and isn't leaving quickly! The second we drove away, I couldn't wait to get back. I'm going to print this out and go look at rentals at all the places you mentioned. Keep the responses coming though -I love research! (My family keeps hoping for a vacation that doesn't include a 3-ring binder!).

Alicialeo, I'm not sure if you have an email linked to your homepage, but I'm sure I'll be back with questions, so hope you do!

Tinker2006, we explored a bit of the town of Lake Luzerne while there this summer, and I just loved Papa's IceCream. Dragged the family back for another lunch on the porch before we left. I have pictures taken from that backporch. Both afternoons we were there, it was exquisite weather, the porch was filled with relaxed, happy families, and I truly felt as if I was experiencing a bit of heaven. Just so lovely...

Chelone, I love Maine. My dad and grampa spent many years fishing on Mooshehead. But we have spent many summers exploring Maine, NH and Vt., but thought we'd cast our nets into new waters this summer...

Thank you ALL!!!!
Lynn

May I butt in a little here, you reminded me that my family never got to take the drifter type vacation north that we had planned in 2000, when my Dad died.

Any of these lakes dog friendly? like 2 golden retrievers who love to boat and swim?? Either Maine or Adirondacks been to neither and love to explore too. already cut and pasted the above. thanks Sue

We used to bring our dogs to 13th lake. You can call the lodge at garnet hill @ 1-800-497-4207 and ask if it still is. My little poodle "buttons" taught me how to doggie paddle in that lake.

Here's a couple web sites for you

http://www.cyberrentals.com/schroon-lake/s/6063/fa/find.squery

http://www.vacationrentals.com/vacation-rentals/Lake-George-New-York.html

Here are some more websites for you

www.vrbo.com
www.homeaway.com
vbro will have a paw print next to it if you want to bring the dogs along. Also homeaway will tell you if pets are considered. I have been pleased with all the rentals through these sites.
Check out www.adkbyowner.com

Another good place to start for information is
www.tripadvisor.com You can gather all sorts of info from it.

My neighbor has a summer home on Glen Lake right near Lake George and there is tons to do.

Shroon Lake is the best, we vacationed there all the time when we were growing up. I liked it because Lake George was close by and also Lake Placid.
We also vacationed in Long Lake and Blue Mountain.
I dont think you will go wrong with any lake especially if you will rent a boat.
We are now southern people, love the NC beaches, but I always long to go back to spend a few days in the mountains.

Try Lake St. Catherine just over the border in VT. Some cute houses available on the lake-just bring your kayak, a good book and relax!
Have fun!

The Waldheim, at Big Moose Lake, Eagle Bay, NY.
(315) 357-2353 http:/www.thewaldheim.com

Rustic cabins, 3 great meals/day included. Open late June through Columbus Day.

We stayed there for a week when our son was married in The Chapel at Big Moose Lake. Had a wonderful time and would go back in a flash (if we didn't live in So. Cal.)

Lynn, DH and I have a lakefront cabin in the village of Saranac Lake, which is in the High Peaks region of the Adirondacks. In my humble opinion, this area is the closest place to heaven you could find on this earth! Although the village is called Saranac Lake, we are actually on Kiwassa Lake, a beautiful serene lake that is connected to 40 miles of waterway, including the Saranac Lake chains of Lower Saranac, Middle Saranac and Upper Saranac.

We love where we are because it has so far been untouched by the typical overdevelopment many lakefronts experience. The lakefront lots are mostly very large (ours is over an acre and considered small!) and beautifully wooded. We spend hours on our boat, traveling through the chain of lakes, stopping at small islands for picnics, waterskiing, tubing, etc. The fishing, of course, is great as well. And in the backdrop of these glimmer glass lakes are the high peaks of the Adirondacks--reflected so majestically in the water.

In addition the the fabulous hiking (there are hikes to accomodate any level of ability and the views are to die for), there is a wonderful arts and cultural life here. Saranac Lake is a kind of "earthy crunchy" little village with many new art galleries and little eateries. Very laid back here--picture teeva's, birkenstocks and hiking clothes. Ten miles down the road is Lake Place, home of the Lake Placid Horse Show (attended by many celebrities), fabulous restaurants, nice little shops and boutiques, the Olympic attractions (including regular ice shows, ski jumps, bobsled rides), Whiteface Mt. gondola rides, arts and theatre. Really anything you could want to do is here!

We have a five bedroom, semi-rustic adirondack cabin right on the lake. We bought it from DH's family about 8 years ago, DH grew up there as a kid. We love it--it's one of the older ones on the lake and fortunately much of the adirondack charm was preserved over the years. We do rent it out in the summer (in your price range--gee hate to sound like an ad). I could give you the name of our realtor if you'd like!

Hi Teeda_2006,
Yes, I'd love the name of your realtor! The whole package sounds made for our family... my daughter rides and loves everything about horses, my husband and son LOVE to hike, I'm the artsy one. Does the lake have a marina where we could rent a boat as well? Please email me at harphamfamily@comcast.net -thanks so much!
Lynn

Lynn, yes there is a marina right in town for boat rentals. I'm emailing you now with the realtor info.