Hotel, Motel, Quality Inn: Tourists book Lake George rooms for Eclipse
LAKE GEORGE/ALABNY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Come next Monday tourists will be flocking into Lake George — not for the lake, but for the sky above it! For people who can’t get hotels in the path of totality for next Monday's solar eclipse, Gina Mintzer the Executive Director of the city’s Regional Chamber of Commerce says, Lake George is the overflow area.
“We've already had robust bookings," said Mintzer. “People have already booked for the weekend and especially Sunday night, so that they can be as close as possible because some of those other places right in the path of totality are sold out" she explained.
Mintzer isn’t exaggerating. If you're looking for lodging in Lake George, good luck. Rooms are booked up for the day the sun will be covered up. Hotel: The Courtyard Marriott, sold out for Monday. Motel: Super 8 Wyndham, near capacity. The Quality Inn? — full! (The Holiday Inn is almost full as well).
"I mean there's still room at the inn. Absolutely! There's always room at the inn somewhere in the Lake George area" Mintzer told NEWS10.
Looking around Lake George right now you might notice — almost everything’s closed. Mintzer says things won’t stay that way. "Restaurants that normally are not open on Monday will be open on Monday," said Mintzer. She also noted that Fort William Henry will be hosting an eclipse party with food, drinks, and a cash bar.
60 miles down the Northway, while Albany isn't expecting a tourism boom they're already looking up! County officials sported official eclipse viewing glasses while staring up at the ceiling, posing for news cameras. The city is planning a free skyway viewing party, starting at noon on eclipse day.
"We'll have special eclipse-themed ice cream from Boozi Moo at the event with, non-alcoholic flavors available for kids. Free popcorn, courtesy of the parking authority, and of course great music" said Jevan Dollard of Downtown Albany BID.
If you're not traveling to areas in the path of totality, both Albany and Lake George will see maximum Coverage at 3:26 PM on Monday.