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Washington Park Inn: Upstate Overnights

September 28, 2020 By wordpress

The Low-Down

Built in 1884, this brick Victorian Mansion has a historic charm that matches its location in the heart of historic Albany, as one can walk to the Capitol Building, Empire State Plaza, Center Square and the other gems of the downtown area. If you’re wishing for a leisurely, urban adventure through Albany’s fantastic downtown while enjoying an Inn with character, this may be the perfect place for you.

What Gabby Loves About This Place

I love small boutique hotels. Plus, location, location, location! Washington Park Inn is just two blocks from Center Square in the Lark Street neighborhood, which offers delectable local restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, and more. One of my favorite things to do in the area is walk around and admire the 19th century brownstones. I would love to live in one of these brownstones…maybe one day!

The Details

If you book a stay directly on their website, you get a 10% discount using code WPI10! Rates start at $139/night. Breakfast is included in your stay; Brooklyn bagels and smoked salmon included…I mean, what more could you want!

The Washington Park Inn
Address: 634 Madison Ave, Albany, NY 12208
Phone: (518) 930-4700
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CapNY is a perfect fall getaway destination. You deserve a vacation. Book, enjoy, and relax. Don’t forget to tag us in your photos! We’d love to share. @UpstateCreative

Grey Gables: Upstate Overnights

September 28, 2020 By wordpress

The Low-Down

A welcoming Gothic Victorian home awaits your arrival in the heart of Slingerlands historic district. This 2,000+ square foot home has three bedrooms, a kitchen with all the necessities for a home cooked meal, a front porch, a screened in back porch, plus a back patio overlooking the woods equipped with a fire pit for those chilly fall nights. Located just a few minutes from downtown Albany via car, you can escape an urban exploration filled day in your own quiet, private, cozy space.

What Gabby Loves About This Place

The location of this place couldn’t be more perfect for a fall stay. Just minutes from Albany County Helderberg-Hudson rail trail, you can ride your bike or take a walk and enjoy everything beautiful Upstate has to offer in this beautiful season. This home is a great middle ground for those who want to enjoy nature and who also want to drive into downtown Albany for a meal at one of the local restaurants.

The Details

To reserve your dates, you must fill out an inquiry form on the website. There is a two night minimum and the price is $160 per night plus a $100 cleaning fee per stay. It sleeps up to six people, but you can put in a special request if you wish for more people to join. As we come into the October months, be sure to book quickly so you can enjoy all that fall has to offer at Grey Gables!

Grey Gables
Address: 127 Font Grove Rd, Slingerlands, NY 12159
Phone: (518) 728 1175
Website
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CapNY is a perfect fall getaway destination. You deserve a vacation. Book, enjoy, and relax. Don’t forget to tag us in your photos! We’d love to share. @UpstateCreative

CapNY Apple Picking Map (Plus Craft Beverages, To Boot)!

September 20, 2020 By wordpress

By: Gabby Fisher, ACE Digital Manager

There is nothing that says a CapNY fall like being out in the orchard on a crisp sunny day! Whether you’re competing for the best looking apple or chowing down as many cider donuts as your stomach will allow, it’s a great day out for families and friends. The only hard part is trying to save room for the homemade apple crisp later.

Upstate New York is known for some of the best apple picking IN THE WORLD. Even though you may have a favorite spot, I challenge you to visit a new spot this year! Try our downloadable Google map of the “U-Pick” locations all over the Cap Region, which you can find at the bottom of the page.

We’ve also marked all of the nearby local brews and ciders, to check out before or after your orchard adventures.

Here are some of our orchard and craft beverage combo picks…

Albany County: Indian Ladder Farms & Meadowdale Winery

My nephew and I…see what I mean about the views from the farm!

A visit to Indian Ladder Farms is an annual tradition in my family. There are so many things to see and do at this farm aside from great apple picking (Honeycrisp are my favorite by the way). They have farm animals that you can pet and feed, incredible scenery, drool worthy cider donuts, a restaurant, brewery…and the list goes on… You could spend the whole day here, but if you’re looking to explore more of the Altamont area, there are a few spots I’d recommend exploring.

Beautiful Thatcher Park. You can see Meadowdale Winery from the lookout spot.

Head on over to Meadowdale Winery to try one of their nine wines (some award winning!) made wholly of New York ingredients. You might be happy to know that this spot is an ultra-low-carbon, zero-waste winery. Win-win! Then, you HAVE to venture right nearby to Thatcher State Park to see enjoy the beautiful fall foliage and if you’re feeling up to it, explore one of the trails and you might see a few small waterfalls!

Rensselaer County: Windy Hill Orchard East & Stable Gate Winery

I think I am just going to let these next few photos speak for themselves…

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! These are just a few of homemade desserts you can enjoy at Windy Hill Orchard East after you pick your apples. They also have wagon rides, a corn maze, sunflower field, fire pits and frequently have food trucks and live entertainment to enjoy! This place has it all.

If you’re looking to maximize your time in the area, head on over to Stable Gate Winery. Stop by for a wine tasting, some live music, yoga on the farm, or even brunch! Their events calendar is always jam packed.

Between these two spots, you’re guaranteed to have an unforgettable day.

Enjoy & don’t forget to tag us in all of your Instagrammable moments, @upstatecreative and use #CapNY #getCAPtivated #UpstateCreative!

Click HERE to download a PDF list of all of the Apple Orchard locations

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CapNY Insider Tips: Automated Edition

September 14, 2020 By wordpress

Sign up, pay online, get a code, unlock your kayak/life jacket/paddle, ADVENTURE! Upstate Kayak Rentals makes the process of self-service kayak rentals THAT easy and that’s why they’re included in this week’s first edition of CapNY Insider Tips.

The only difficult part of the process was choosing one of the eight paddle locations – many of which I’ve never explored before. My friend Cassie and I chose the Klamstream Kayak Launch in Clifton Park, which allowed us to explore the area of the Mohawk River underneath the twin bridges – making for some pretty cool Instagram pics, as seen below.

Unlock the kayaks with your special code

After I chose our launch spot, I picked a reservation time, paid the $50+tax (for the two of us, total!) for a three hour adventure, and then I got an email with the instructions.

Day of, we met at Klamstream and quickly unlocked our kayaks and went on our way. We loved the fact that we didn’t have to wait in line and could leisurely take off on our own schedule. It made for such a peaceful, serene experience and we were truly able to enjoy one another’s company. It was by far the easiest, most enjoyable kayak experience I’ve ever had. I cannot wait to explore the other seven launch spots.

IMPORTANT NOTE! Sign up for Upstate Kayak’s FREE adventure: Paddle-Pedal the Mohawk: Schenectady and Niskayuna. Learn more here!

If you happen to embark on your paddle adventure at Klamstream launch, pop over across the street to The Klamr Tavern & Marina for DELICIOUS pub food and some craft beers. One of the best buffalo chicken wraps I’ve ever had…

Connect with Upstate Kayak Rentals!
Website / Email / Phone: 518-209-1063 / IG / FB

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#CapNYRedAlert

September 8, 2020 By wordpress

There is no doubt that COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on creative industries across the globe.

Simply put, the Capital Region creative industries are a critical sector of our economy and are crucial to our recovery.

Our local creative businesses and organizations bring vibrancy into our region.

These industries, and the creative people who make them come alive, are resilient. We will overcome. It is time to lift each other up — to support ourselves and our institutions in the darkest of times like they support us in our own dark times. Stand up in solidarity. We have an idea on how to do just that…#CapNYRedAlert

How to Participate

Register via the link toward the bottom of this page, to receive information and updates about #CapNYRedAlert.
Show your support and share your story on social media, tagging #CapNYRedAlert.
Buy a red lightbulb. You can purchase them online, here, or at a local hardware store. Please #SupportLocal!
Replace the light bulb in front of your house/business (over your front door, on your porch, etc.) with the red lightbulb and shine it bright! As we head into Daylight Savings Time, the shortened days will add even more hardship to creative businesses struggling to stay afloat, as outdoor dining and performances wind down.
Donate to not-for-profit arts organizations and artist support programs like…

Creative Impact: The Capital Region Artist Fund

Show Your Support & Spread the Word!

Scroll below to register.
Share your support by posting the #CapNYRedAlert logo on social media. Caption it something along the lines of, “Support our local creative industries #CapNYRedAlert”.
Share stories of your favorite creative businesses and tag them with #CapNYRedAlert
Tag us in your photos, FB: @upstatecreative, IG: @upstatecreative, Twitter: @upnycreative. we would love to share all of the photos and compile them.
Tag your favorite local creative businesses and organizations to let them know they have your support!