Six Flags Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Water Park, Lake George, NY

We have been going to the Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom every summer for years, and we have wanted to check out their lodge, located in Lake George, New York.  Earlier this year we got a Groupon deal to visit during the holidays, so on the last day of school before winter break, the plan was to head out after school (around 2pm), but the kids got a snow day.  It was definitely a big surprise when we told them to get dressed and pack their swimsuits!

We braved the snow and headed out in the morning to try to beat the snow.

The Lodge has a very “Adirondack” type theme to it.  The decor is very rustic, with a woodsy feel with lots of log and animal type designs.  We went on December 22, and the Lodge was completely decked out in holiday decorations as well.

Check-in was quick, and we headed up to our room.  We had a basic Standard Suite room with two queen beds, but you can also find some cool rooms at the lodge, like a room with a cabin within the room and bunk beds.

There is a small kitchenette in the room.  It is very simple (with a microwave, mini fridge, and coffee maker), but you can save money if you bring some food with you.  The coffee maker was ok, but I preferred to buy coffee right by the front lobby and in the water park (it was about $2.50-3.00 for a Green Mountain coffee).  I do recommend bringing some food and drink, even if you just bring snacks.  Soda in the machines were $3.50 and at the water park it was $4.50, so it would help to be prepared.

After checking in, the kids were eager to get to the indoor water park.  We changed into our swimwear, and headed downstairs.

The water park has some basic sections to it – a lazy river, boogie board ride, splash pad for little kids, big slides (which actually go outside the building!), and an area for younger kids.

“Tak-It-Eesi-Creek” was one of the kid’s favorites, which is a lazy river that you can swim, walk, or ride a tube.

My kids loved the Boogie Bear Surf, where you can ride a virtual wave.  We had never done it before and the lifeguards gave good instructions to help them figure out how to ride the surf.

Upstairs is the Tall Timbers Treehouse, for preschool to school age kids.

Tip-a-Kanu Beach is a cute area for littler kids, so this was the only place my kids didn’t play in at the water park.

The park does provide towels.  I had heard that they were small, which they are.  So while they aren’t big, you can take a bunch with you right as you enter the park.  We actually brought a couple towels of our own, and decided not to use them because it is nice not having to deal with wet towels.

There are several places to eat on site. We ate dinner at Johnny Rockets, which is attached to the Lodge.  It was nice not to have to walk outside to get to the restaurant, which is also open to the general public.  The prices seemed reasonable – I had a veggie (black bean) burger for $8.49, my husband had a chicken breast sandwich for $8.99, and the kids each had a kids meal (grilled cheese, fries, and a drink) for $6.49.

There is also an arcade downstairs at the Great Escape Lodge.  We checked this out in the evening when my daughter had gotten in many hours of swimming and was looking for something else to do.

There are a couple of gift shops at the Lodge, and you can find a wide range of merchandise from swimwear and water shoes, to things like toys, Great Escape logo merchandise, and seasonal items (like holiday ornaments).  It is nice that you can find things that you might have forgotten or need (Advil, swimsuits) as well as souvenirs or gifts.

There are also other things to keep the kids busy at the lodge.  We were given a paper with a list of events, like a show in the lobby, visit from Santa, Mrs. Claus reading bedtime stories, and craft projects.  The events change seasonally, and some were free while others involved a charge (e.g. a fee for painting a ceramic piggy bank keepsake).

Overall, we had a nice stay at the Great Escape Lodge & Indoor Water Park.  It was great to get away and have some fun at the water park.  If you go in the warmer months when the Great Escape Park is open, your overnight stay also includes admission to the park.

What to bring:

~ For the waterpark: flip flops or water shoes, swim wear.  The towels are very small but we didn’t use the big ones we brought.  Goggles if you like to use them.

~ Food: snacks, water or other drinks, and other food if you aren’t planning on purchasing food.

~ Money if you plan on spending at the gift shops, adventure trek, etc.

~ If you are going to the Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom (outside), bring comfy shoes, sunscreen.  If you are going to the Splashwater Kingdom, bring swimwear, towels, sunscreen, goggles, etc.

 

My other Lake George area reviews:

The Great Escape and Splashwater Kingdom, Lake George, NY
Tips for Visiting The Great Escape and Splashwater Kingdom, Lake George, NY
Adirondack Tubing Adventures, Lake Luzerne, NY