5 Best Lakes in New York Under 5 Hours from NYC

Step into the serene world of Mirror Lake in Lake Placid, NY, where the water mirrors the sky, making it a photographer's paradise.

[{"selector":"#anim-f9b24710-d08e-48f8-8949-476216210a47","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-255641c3-f63d-4ea2-a23f-5287da25329b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.38462%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Explore the vast beauty of Lake George, stretching over 109 miles of shoreline and dotted with over 300 islands – a perfect family getaway.

[{"selector":"#anim-893247d4-ee07-4ffb-b15b-8a126838bbd4","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b786b947-4fcf-4ec2-88ce-0863d6a7ba96","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.92356%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Indulge in the largest of the Finger Lakes, Seneca Lake, renowned for its wine region and breathtaking natural beauty.

[{"selector":"#anim-ef2588d5-6e2d-42a2-836a-37fde7e8f497","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3c963bf8-2307-4c13-a0c0-31abebd92f01","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.14196%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Discover the hidden gem of Lake Minnewaska, nestled in the Minnewaska State Park Preserve, offering stunning trails and refreshing swims.

[{"selector":"#anim-356ca8de-9eb3-4fa5-90dd-12b65fb08714","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-e9edab68-164a-433f-8cb7-428fe5392e61","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-115.14196%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

Experience the fairy-tale ambiance of Mohonk Lake, set amidst the striking Mohonk Mountain House, perfect for a romantic or family retreat.

[{"selector":"#anim-96af1147-9223-4b0d-b25b-0bf76146a2d9","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-7a6016b2-ec1b-4957-92ca-2a9018256207","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(-114.8265%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}]

See our recent story.