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Published: November 8th 2008
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Attractions and Favorite "To Do's" in New York's Capital Region.
We love to tout our home base - essentially Schenectady, Saratoga and Albany in New York's Capital Region. We just visited opening day of the region's newest attraction, the Schenectady Year Round Greenmarket in Robb Alley at Proctors Theatre. What a treat each Sunday from 10am - 2pm. Seasonal produce, farm raised beef and pork, eggs, herbs, cheeses, peanut butter, pesto and other sauces, a bakery (which had totally sold out by the time we got there at 1pm) and more. Not quite the year round farmers' markets in Montreal; but very exciting and fun for Schenectady.
The performing arts abound - from New York State Theatre Institute (NYSTI) on the Russell Sage College Campus in Troy, NY where we saw a stellar production of 1776 last spring; to Cap Rep in Albany where we thoroughly enjoyed "Hank Williams Lost Highway" a few months back and had a "girls night out" to see Menopause the Musical last summer; to Proctors, Schenectady's great venue for Broadway and just about everything on tour; to Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) for summer productions by NYC Ballet; Philadelphia Orchestra, Glens Falls Opera and
special events; to Schenectady Symphony Orchestra, Schenectady Light Opera Company; Schenectady Civic Play House to so many other presenters; performing arts abound in our region.
We have our fair share of visual arts including the Tom Myott Gallery and Hyde Collection in Glens Falls; Beekman Street Arts District in Saratoga Springs; galleries at our many colleges; Oak Room Artists in Schenectady; Albany Institute of History & Art; and annual shows like the wonderful Stockade Villagers Art Show (always the Saturday after Labor Day in Schenectady's Historic Stockade District). Nearby Canajoharie is home for the new Arkel Museum, where we happened upon two gems, a Winslow Homer exhibit and a Wyeth Family exhibit. The gardens at artists' retreat, Yaddo, in Saratoga Springs are open to the public; significant Yaddo documents are on exhibit at the New York City Public Library (Fall/Winter 08).
Recreation includes Central Park in Schenectady, our many lakes (Ballston Lake, Lake George and Loon Lake for us), and rivers (the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers); and many golf courses including two at Saratoga Spa State Park. Last spring, we took Beth's children to a Trout Release event sponsored by NYS Fish and Wildlife out of NYS EnCon
in the Geyser Picnic Pavilion at Spa Park - fun and educational. There are a few active geysers in this area (little mini Old Faithfuls). At Spa Park, we love the Victoria Pool for us and the Peerless Pool for the younger set when warm weather set in. The Park is also home to a very cool Automobile Museum, the National Dance Museum and two "baths" where one can luxuriate in the bubble (and aromatic) waters from the area's natural springs. We recently biked on the "old Avenue of Pines" and there are many hiking trails and picnic areas. There is skating, XC skiing, and snowshoeing in the winter; and paths for just taking a leisurely stroll year round. Our spectator sport venue of choice is Saratoga Race Course. We are lucky and have credentials to let us into the backstretch for morning workouts and to avoid the crowds on big days like Travers Day. Some of our partners and friends throw a huge backstretch picnic on Travers Day, and indeed on most weekends during the summer meet. We really love this way of experiencing racing at Saratoga.
The Saratoga Battlefield, the site of the turning point of the
Water Skiing, Loon Lake
Too bad it's so fuzzy - this is Beth - who even surprised herself that she hasn't lost her form! American Revolution, is located near Schuylerville. It's great for biking, and hiking, has good historic interpretation areas, and you can even ride your horse here. There is a beautiful National Cemetery nearby in Quaker Springs. A movement is afoot (spearheaded by Albany's Siena College) to transform this area and neighboring Schuylerville (which has a nice marina on the Hudson River) into a Williamsburg type destination - it has great potential - stay tuned! Our region is great for military related historic travel - Uncle Sam is from Troy, Albany has the US Slater, a retired Navy ship open for tours, Schenectady has an Air Museum with tons of retired military planes, Saratoga has a Veteran's War museum. All within an hour's travel of each other.
We could never include everything, but here are some of the top Capital Region restaurants and attractions not mentioned in our previous capital region blog.
Panza's on Saratoga Lake - this is pizza the way we remember it from childhood. The Panza family and ours go "way back!"
Galway Golf Course - just right for nine holes with friends.
Docker's Bar and Restaurant - Glen Lake, NY - outdoor dining on a covered deck
with lake view - heaters available for those iffy Adirondack evenings.
Victory Cafe, Sheridan St., Albany - convenient to Cap Rep.
Upper Union Street, Schenectady great fare including New York style deli Gershon's, Scotti's with wonderful Italian food, the ever tasy Home Style Pizza and Catering, and Mr. Wasabi with great sushi and great rolls (eel, tuna, spicy tuna, dragon, etc.)
The Egg at The Plaza, Albany where we enjoyed a concert by Don McLean and dinner before at the Albany Lark St. Wine Bar & Bistro at 200 Lark St.
The Factory, a restaurant and club in a refurbished building that once housed a chocolate factory, is great re-use of space. We had a nice dinner and then climbed the stairs where Yarn, a Brooklyn-based American roots music band whose members have local ties. Great acoustics.
While in Ballston Spa, the 51 Front, a new wine bar with wonderful food at the named address, is spectacular.
We also hear that the Brick Yard, on Route 50 (the former Paul's Restaurant) is great for casual fare.
When in downtown Schenectgady - I would recommend grabbing a "slice" for lunch, Pizza King, Corner of Franklin and Jay Streets, Downtown Schenectady has
a great selection of gourmet pizzas.
Warm weather brings us to Jumpin' Jacks, a fun outdoor stand located along the Mohawk River, for dogs, burgers, fries and ice cream (open April 1 - Labor Day). We will meet friends for dinner in December at the Water's Edge Light House, also on the Mohawk River - in warm weather, you can come by boat and dock right at the restaurant.
We also rely on the Ripe Tomato (Malta), Chez Pierre (north of the Wishing Well on Route 9 Saratoga), Carney's (146A Ballston Lake, and Charlton House.
Dine (pricy but nicey) is on Henry St., Saratoga.
One of our most recent fun food nights was at the Schenectady County Community College Culinary School Dining Room. Reservations are necessary. The ambiance is great and food and service by students learning the restaurant ropes is a nice experience.
The Water's Edge Lighthouse with a Mohawk River view on Freeman's Bridge, Glenville offers good food with a view.
Hearty breakfasts and sandwiches at Lake Side Cider Mill are seasonal favs.
AND anything operated by Angelo Mazzone - Glen Sanders Mansion; Saratoga National Golf Course; Angelo's Prime; Aperitivo and more. We are eager to try Inn
at Erlowest, with master chef Dale Miller presiding over another Mazzone kitchen, soon.
You can scroll back through our travel blogs for other entries re: Schenectady, Ballston Lake and Capital Region --- fun to be a "tourist" in one's own backyard.
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