The EDC is shining a spotlight on the diverse assets of our region by listing what we consider the top 5 best things about living in Warren County communities. In this installment, we are covering the picturesque lakeside community of Bolton.
The town of Bolton snugs up to the western edge of Lake George. This vibrant community is full of year-round recreation, rich history, and family fun. The summer season, however, is when Bolton really comes alive.
We are going to break down our top 5 reasons why Bolton is not only a great place to visit but a wonderful area to relocate to.
1. Gorgeous Parks, Outdoor Adventure, and Nature Center
Bolton and the hamlet of Bolton Landing are home to multiple pockets of stunning natural beauty everywhere you look – just head east! The area’s parks, some located directly off the main strip, are the perfect introduction to the Adirondacks and Lake George.
Rogers Memorial Park is accessible by foot, car, or boat. Sloping grassland leads you directly to the shores of Lake George. This pristinely maintained park contains a picnic area, grills, and clean restrooms all in the heart of Bolton. Sit with your toes in the sand or walk up the hilltop for a breathtaking view of the lake.
Located in the center of, Veteran’s Memorial Park is a smaller, quieter area that holds a monument to those who have served our country. The park is also home to a shallow beach which is perfect for young children, a volleyball court, and a launch site for kayaks, canoes, and paddleboats.
Named in memory of Amy Wolgin Wiener, Amy’s Park is a beautiful property of ponds, marshes, and forests in the uplands of Bolton Landing. This gorgeous nature preserve is located off the beaten path but still just about 7 miles north of downtown. Here you can animal watch, hike, canoe, or kayak to your heart’s content.
Up Yonda Farm and Environmental Education Center located just a 5-minute drive north of Roger’s Memorial Park has something for nature lovers of all ages. Explore their 3+ miles of hiking trails utilizing interpretive signs and QR codes. Afterward, chat with a naturalist and learn more about the region’s ecosystem, including the on-site pond! Don’t forget to check out their butterfly garden interactive Museum before you explore the rest of Bolton.
Adirondack Extreme Adventure Course is located 6.5 miles northwest of downtown Bolton just beyond the Cat and Thomas Mountains Preserve. Established in 2007, Adirondack Extreme was the first aerial adventure course to open in the United States. This unique family-friendly experience offers treetop courses, ziplining, and lazy river tubing
2. Endless Water Recreation Opportunities
If you’ve had enough with adventuring on dry land there are endless opportunities to enjoy the lake, its narrows, and the many surrounding bays and inlets. Bolton is the perfect spot for you and your family to enjoy swimming, tubing, boating, kayaking, cruises, parasailing, and more! We will touch on just some of the recreational options available.
Looking to rent a boat? There are multiple marinas in Bolton with acknowledgeable, friendly staff and a variety of boats to choose from.
Rental options:
- Chic’s Marina
- Bolton Landing Marina
- Bayview Marina and Suites
- Captain Bob’s Boat Rentals
- F.R. Smith & Sons
- Norowal Marina
- Water’s Edge Marina
3. A Rich History and Vibrant Culture
The depths to which you can explore the rich history and culture in Bolton are as vast as the wilderness that surrounds it. The region has long been a destination for world-class musicians, historians, writers, and artists. Famed modernist painter Georgia O’Keeffe chose to live in Bolton for a period of her life and was enchanted by the beauty of Lake George which she would paint repeatedly.
The Sembrich is a gorgeous and intimate museum housed in the former teaching studio of famed Polish opera singer Marcella Sembrich. From 1925 to 1934 Sembriuch brought students to study with her where they could enjoy the sweeping 55 acres of land surrounding the studio. Today, The Sembrich preserves and maintains 4.5 acres of the original land and is listed on The National Register of Historic Places.
The Museum’s website states, “The permanent collection contains memorabilia of her distinguished international career. Letters, artwork, furniture, photographs, awards, and more can be viewed throughout the Museum. Among these items, visitors will find numerous accolades from colleagues including notable figures such as Brahms, Puccini, Rachmaninoff, Toscanini, and Verdi.”
The Bolton Historical Museum located inside the former Church of the Blessed Sacrament on Lake Shore Drive in the center of town educates visitors about the history of Bolton, Lake George, and the surrounding region. The museum displays extensive collections of regional artifacts and memorabilia and sponsors a summer lecture series with the Darrin Fresh Water Institute in Bolton Landing.
Lake George Music Festival brings thousands of classical music lovers to Bolton for two weeks each August with live performances around the town. Each year, the festival brings emerging young talent and celebrated artists from 27 countries around the world to perform concerts ranging from chamber music to orchestral works to contemporary pieces all on the picturesque shores of Lake George.
4. You Can Shop ’til You Drop
The streets of downtown Bolton are lined with fun and unique shops that will keep you browsing for hours. This eclectic mix of modern, vintage, and antique stores is perfect for a rainy day excursion or to pop in out of the hot sun. Below are just SOME of the shops you can discover in Bolton.
- Toys/gifts
There’s something fun for kids ages 0-99 at the shops below!- Happy Jacks
- Trees Adirondack Gifts and Books
- Adirondack Trails
- Clothing
Here you’ll find specially curated clothing with a local flair.- Serendipity Boutique
- Local
- Antiques
If you’re a history lover then antique shopping in Bolton will be right up your alley!- Black Brass Antiques
- Sumptuous Settings Antiques
- Lakeview Antiques
- Candy
Here you find carefully curated sweet treats you can’t find anywhere else.- Mrs. Whizzy Fizz Pop’s Candy
- Specialty
Take a bit of the Adirondacks home with you from one of the specialty shops below.- Lakeview Trading Co.
- Indian Teepee Gift Shop
- Adirondack Winery
5. Top-notch drinks and dining
Whether you’re looking for the perfect breakfast sandwich, the best burger in town, or impeccably seared steak, Bolton has something to suit everyone’s tastes.
A sample itinerary for you is: start your day with a cup of coffee and fresh bagel at Bear’s Cup which has been recently featured on the Rachel Ray show, then hit the water, and grab a sandwich and fries while you people-watch at The Shack. After you’re done exploring the area, wind down with a glass of wine and a big bowl of pasta from Le Belle Vita Ristorante.
- American
- The Lakehouse
- The Shack
- Bolton Landing Brewing Company
- Frederick’s Restaurant
- The Huddle Kitchen & Bar
- Tavern on the Lake
- Algonquin Restaurant
- Chateau on the Lake
- Italian
- La Belle Vita Ristorante
- Cate’s Italian Garden
- Mexican
- Cantina 32
- Seafood
- Beyond The Sea
- The Pavilion Lakeside Dining
- Steakhouse
- Marketplace Steakhouse
- Club Grill Steakhouse
- Pizza
- Trailhead Pizza
- Cafe
- Bear’s Cup
- Bolton Beans
- Sunrise Cafe
This is just a top 5 round-up covering a few of the options available when you come to Bolton, New York. You can see why this region is a beloved Adirondack destination for tourists and locals alike. Come experience Bolton for yourself!
