For many of you visiting, you know of all the wonderful amenities Upstate New York has to offer. However for those new to the area, be prepared to be pleasantly surprised.
Many consider the Capital Region a hidden gem, with a plethora of nationally recognized and awarded destinations including the celebrated Saratoga Race Course, majestic Lake George and treasured Adirondacks, historic Erie Canal, Hudson River Valley, and more. We’ve provided more information about these popular destinations below.
Saratoga Springs, NY
Most commonly known for horses, music and the arts, mineral springs, fashion, great food and drinks, and no shortage of shopping destinations, the city of Saratoga Springs is always booming.
This historic little city attracts visitors from all over the world, especially during the summer months when visitors can take advantage of award-winning golf courses, the celebrated Saratoga Race Course, the acoustically ideal Saratoga Performing Art Center (SPAC) amphitheater, local food and wine festivals and family friendly fairs.
Lake George, NY
Listed as one of the 20 Best Places to go in 2018, Lake George is a popular day or overnight destination for those who enjoy swimming, fishing, boating, parasailing, kayaking, paddle-boarding on crystal clear Adirondack mountain water. We highly recommend setting up a tour of the lake aboard one of the Lake George Steamboat Company’s vessels.
For land lovers, dozens of hiking trails varying in elevation distance and difficulty surround the 44-mile square foot lake. Most hikes are complete with a breathtaking view of Lake George and the towering mountains that shelter the lake.
Hudson River Valley
The Hudson Valley is steeped in history, natural beauty, culture, food and farmer’s markets, which is why National Geographic Traveler named the Hudson Valley one of the top 20 must-see destinations in the world.
Among many attributes, the Hudson Valley is home to scenic hiking trails, epic skiing slopes, charming breweries, and romantic wineries.
Travel: Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Albany International Airport in Colonie is the major airport of the Capital Region and is home to several major airlines such as American Airlines, Allegiant Airlines, Cape Air, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, and United Airlines.
Albany-Rensselaer Rail Station is the ninth busiest rail station in the country, offering Amtrak service to New York City, Boston, Vermont, Syracuse, Buffalo, Montreal, Chicago and Toronto.
The New York State Thruway connects the Capital Region with New York City, the Massachusetts Turnpike and western New York State. The Northway (I-87) links the area with major destinations to the north and to the Canadian highway system at Montreal. Interstate-88 provides the region access to the southern tier of the state and to the Pennsylvania markets.