From treasures of art and architecture to world-class horse racing and polo, you’ll discover rich cultural heritage and cutting-edge excitement in the Capital-Saratoga region. Catch headlining performers in modern performing arts centers and majestic Vaudeville-era theaters. Explore historic cities and charming villages surrounded by farmland and apple orchards. In Albany, see the Million Dollar Staircase in the magnificent Capitol building and take a cruise on the river named after Henry Hudson.
Troy features great antique shops, a farmers market, and the highest concentration of Tiffany windows per square mile in the US. Schenectady’s historic Stockade District preserves an era of Dutch settlement. Further north, walk a Revolutionary War battleground and experience Saratoga’s famous mineral springs. You’ll enjoy the eclectic mix this region has to offer!
A. Albany
Begin at the Empire State Plaza, which houses a world-class modern art collection, the New York State Museum, an observation tower and a stunning performing arts center.
Don’t miss New York State’s magnificent Capitol building. Take a free tour to see features like its ornate staircase carved with 300 portraits of famous New Yorkers.
Stop at the Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center to learn about local history. Take a ride on the trolley or hop aboard the Albany Aqua Duck, an amphibious vehicle that tours Albany’s historic neighborhoods and then splashes down into the Hudson River! The Visitors Center also houses the Henry Hudson Planetarium. Fascinating sky shows highlight planets, constellations, galaxies and celestial legends.
B. Rensselaer
Head east to cross the Hudson River and explore Crailo State Historic Site, a museum highlighting Dutch Colonial history in the upper Hudson Valley.
C. Troy
Just north, tours and exhibits at the Hudson Mohawk Industrial Gateway and the Burden Iron Works Museum show how the region’s industrial heritage influenced development and culture.
Stop to pick up fresh local produce, baked goods, crafts and other items at the Troy Farmer’s Market. Each Saturday, thousands come to shop and enjoy live music, chef-prepared food and fun family activities.
Along Troy’s scenic waterfront,
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que features great food and live blues. It’s the fourth and newest branch of a famous New York legend that began in Syracuse and is now nationally acclaimed and featured on TV travel and food networks.
D. Grafton
A short drive east takes you to the Berkshire Bird Paradise, one of the largest avian sanctuaries in the country. See more than 1,000 birds and 100 different species.
Refresh at Grafton Lake State Park, located on a woodsy mountain. Go swimming or fishing, have a lakeside picnic, and hike or bike along the 25 miles of nature trails.
E. Cambridge
Head north for outdoor fun at Battenkill Riversports & Campground. The legendary Battenkill River is renowned for fly fishing as well as canoeing, kayaking, tubing and waterside picnicking.
F. Shushan
Continue a few miles north to the charming Shushan Covered Bridge Museum. Housed in an antique covered bridge, it features hands on exhibits. Next door, explore the one-room school house in continuous use from 1852 to 1943.
G. Saratoga Springs
Get yourself a stylish hat (a Saratoga tradition) and head west to watch the Thoroughbreds run at Saratoga Race Course, America's oldest racetrack. Go early to have breakfast trackside and watch the horses work out. Take a free 45-minute tram and walking tour of the track's historic backstretch area. The 2011 racing season runs from July 22 to Labor Day.
Historically beautiful Saratoga Spa State Park features the famous mineral springs, the elegant Avenue of the Pines, lush trails and scenic picnic grounds. It also houses many cultural treasures: the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Spa Little Theater, National Museum of Dance, Saratoga Automobile Museum, The Gideon Putnam Resort and the Roosevelt Baths and Spa, offering bubbling mineral baths and spa treatments.
Catch an exciting show in the 5,000-seat outdoor amphitheatre at Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Another popular tradition is to bring a picnic and stretch out on the lawn. The hot summer schedule includes top pop stars, the New York City Ballet, the Philadelphia Orchestra, opera, chamber music, and cool jazz festivals.
Saratoga Casino & Raceway features live evening harness racing year-round. Additional entertainment at the Casino includes simulcast wagering, 1700 video gaming machines, two restaurants and a nightclub called Vapor, where you can dance the night away!
H. Broadalbin
From Saratoga Springs, travel west on State Route 29 to find family fun at Eagle Mills Cider Company and Family Fun Center in Broadalbin, featuring a water-powered cider mill; homemade ice cream, fudge, country bakery, and family fun activities—gemstone mining, dino dig, petting goat junction, train rides and a large play area. The facility hosts two weekends of craft fairs in September that host 10,000 people per day (Sept. 17-18; 24-25).
About 5 miles west on State Rte 30 is Adirondack Animal Land, a family owned and operated wildlife park that provides a home in all-natural settings for over 500 animals. Enjoy the 45-acre African Safari Ride! See bottle-raised bear cubs, wooly baby llamas and a large animal petting area.
I. Schenectady
Complete the itinerary’s circle by heading south to the Schenectady Stockade District, setin the heart of the city. With beautifully preserved 17 structures along the Mohawk River, the entire neighborhood is a National Historic Landmark.
Browse fascinating exhibits on history, art, science and technology at the Schenectady Museum. Kids get stars in their eyes, and you will too, at dazzling sky shows in the Suits-Bueche Planetarium.
Take in a performance at Proctor’s Theater, a majestic Vaudeville-era palace that dazzles with its grandness as well as its full schedule. Show include traveling Broadway hits, musicals, pop and classical music, dance and movies.
J. Waterford
Just to the east, RiverSpark’s Waterford Harbor Visitors Center highlights local history and the influence of the river on development and culture. See displays on tug boats, barges, canals and the oldest continually incorporated village in the United States. Boaters moor along the shores here and walk to shops, restaurants, and services.
Nearby, find hiking and biking trails along the Old Champlain Canal and in scenic Peebles Island State Park.
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