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Cap Region Road Trip: Rural Schenectady County

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This drive through rural Schenectady County is a great way to explore Capital Region’s natural beauty and pick up some craft beverages along the way. We are finally seeing some sunshine and warmer temps, which makes it a lot easier to get that vital dose of Vitamin D. While visiting any of our amazing outdoor spaces, please take all of the safety measures recommended by NYS Parks Department.

How To Get There: There are several routes that will take you into rural Schenectady County from US-90 and US-88 to State Routes 20, 7 and 74. We recommend downloading a map before you go as there are some areas without cell coverage. Virtually visit our recommendation with our Google Earth map if you are unable to get out (View that here)..

What To See:

Christman Bird & Wildlife Sanctuary, 3281 Schoharie Turnpike, Delanson, NY 12053. Home to the spectacular Bozenkill waterfall and plantations of locust, cedar, spruce and pine. Explore the two looped main trails and two side trials. Located on the property is a two-story dwelling built in 1868, a stone dairy house, large stone walls, and more.

Schenectady County Forest Preserve, Lake Rd. (County Route 88), Delanson, NY 12053. The Preserve has three trail paths. The pates feature a number of habitats including a native hardwood forest, a red pine plantation and a man-made pond.

Mabee Farm Historic Site, 1100 Main St, Rotterdam Junction, NY 12150. The oldest farm in the Mohawk Valley (1705), Mabee Farm Historic Site offers visitors beautiful vistas and riverside beauty. The buildings are currently closed, but the trails and grounds are still open to visitors.

Great Flats Nature Trail. W. Campbell Rd, Schenectady, NY 12306. The Great Flats Nature Trail is a wetland habitat that offers an easy well-defined path through a wooded area. The path leads to wetlands and a small lake, where you can walk on a boardwalk around the lake. The trail is a circular route that has both a long and short option.

Where to Eat and Drink

Back Barn Brewing, 7082 Western Turnpike, Delanson, NY 12053. Growlers, pints and cans are available for pick-up Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons. Check out what’s currently on-tap on their website at the link.

Altamont Vineyard & Winery, 3001 Furbeck Rd, Altamont, NY 12009. While their wine alone is worth a stop, don’t sleep on their full array of good for sale online. From yummy grape jelly to small-batch honey to home decor & more, there is so much great stuff to score. Order ahead of time and they will provide curbside delivery. Don’t miss out on the view of the vineyards as you head up the driveway.

Wagon Train BBQ, 671 Mariaville Rd, Schenectady, NY 12306. Worked up an appetite from exploring all the natural beauty in Schenectady County? Wagon Train BBQ is ready to tackle any sized hunger. We dare you to try and conquer the Train-Wreck Burger (A burger topped with Swiss cheese, ham, roast beef, coleslaw, horseradish mayo and chipotle ranch) or one of their Wagon Train Combos. Check their IG for daily specials including family meals.

Wolf Hollow Brewing Company, 6882 Amsterdam Rd, Schenectady, NY 12302. Don’t miss out on the great brews on tap at Wolf Hollow Brewing Company. Call ahead or order online for growlers and cans. I recommend the Lock 9am Vanilla Coffee Porter. And don’t forget to check the website to see what food truck is on-site serving up delicious eats on the weekends. Click here for pre-order information. I mean because you’ll need to wash something down with all that great beer.

Cap Region Road Trips: Saratoga Springs to Schuylerville

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This country drive on Route 29 from Saratoga Springs to Schuylerville is a great chance to revel in the farmland, lakes and rivers, and apple groves of rural Saratoga County. The solace and space of Stillwater, Schuylerville and all of these little hamlets make for a great spring drive. While visiting, please take all of the safety measures recommended by NYS Parks Department.

How To Get There: Take Exit 14 Saratoga off the Northway I-87, and follow directions for NY-9P toward NY-29/Saratoga Springs/Schuylerville. Route 29 will be the “backbone” for this drive, with side jaunts to Saratoga National Historic Park, Fish Creek, Hudson Crossing Park, and more. Download this custom Google Map to find all stops mentioned in this article.

What to See:

Bog Meadow Brook Nature Trail, Route 29, Saratoga Springs. This two-mile, well-maintained rail trail is an easy, relaxing walk through marshy wetlands (don’t worry, the trail itself is dry). I was thrilled to see a blue heron during my visit in May.

Saratoga National Historic Park, 648 Route 32, Stillwater. The park facilities and tour road are closed, but the grounds are open for pedestrians and bicycles every day from sunrise to sunset. Click here for a map to the grounds. Updates are available on their Facebook page.

Hudson River Park

Hudson Crossing Park, County Road 42, Schuyerville. Open every day, year round, dawn to dusk. This terrific park offers fishing and birding sites, a children’s play garden (keep safe distances, of course!) and two miles of nature trails with panoramic Hudson River views and Champlain Canal overlooks. There’s also a floating dock where boaters can stay for up to 48 hours, and a kayak launch on their Riverwalk Sensory Trail walk.

Champlain Canal Lock 5, County Road 42, Schuylerville. On your way to Hudson Crossing Park, park your car and take a look at Champlain Canal Lock 5. The now-inactive lock has great signage to give you a sense of our region’s history and relationship with the Canal.

Kayak Shak, 251 County Route 67, Saratoga Springs. Enjoy some spring paddling on Fish Creek! You’ll need to book your reservation online before arriving, as no more than 5 watercrafts will be allowed to launch at once, every 15 minutes.

Browns Beach / Saratoga Lake, 511 NY-9P, Saratoga Springs, NY. If you’ve never seen Saratoga Lake, this side tour is worth your time. You can enjoy the serene and beautiful lake drive from your car, and if you want to stretch your legs, Brown’s Beach offers public access to the lake.

Where to Eat:

farmers daughter drive in

Farmer’s Daughters’ Drive-In Restaurant, 882 Route 29, Saratoga Springs. One of my all-time favorites, this 60’s style stops is doing a fantastic job of adapting to quarantine, with car-side or internet orders, and safe, well-marked pickups. Try the fresh-cut fries with Michigan sauce. Gluten-free menu and cones available.

Saratoga Apple Orchard and Farm Stand, Route 29, Schuylerville. This Saratoga institution is open daily all year round, offering a full array of fresh vegetables in addition to its startlingly fresh, crisp apples — twelve varieties in all! Order online or shop in their store. Delivery is also available within 15-mile radius.

Just Meats, 1023 Route 29, Schuylerville. A carnivore’s paradise, this butcher shop has deli sandwiches made to order (call ahead for pick up, 518-507-6061) and fresh meat, milk and eggs for purchase.

Saratoga Gluten Free Goods, 176 Broad Street, Schuylerville. Trust me, you do NOT have to be gluten free to enjoy these amazing, homemade baked goods. Grab yourself some lemon blueberry cheesecake bars. You’ll thank me later.

Harvest and Hearth, 251 County Route 67, Saratoga Springs. Terrific wood-fired pizza available for takeout Wednesday – Sunday, starting at 4:30pm. Located on Fish Creek, right next door to Kayak Shak, if you’re up for a paddle!

 

Cap Region Road Trips: A Hudson River Drive, From Coxsackie to Catskill

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River Views, Picnic Sites, Forest Hikes, Three Historic Towns, and Great Take-Out

Last weekend, itching to get out of the house, my kids, boyfriend and I piled into the car and ended up on a COVID-friendly afternoon of hiking and driving along the Hudson River on Route 385 in Greene County. Pack a lunch and a blanket, or grab some curbside-delivered food. We didn’t get out of the car except to hike, and never came closer than a hundred yards of another human. We all felt very safe during this springtime jaunt. FOLLOW THESE COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS FROM THE NEW YORK STATE PARKS DEPARTMENT anytime you’re visiting parks or other outdoor sites during this time.

What It Is: A picturesque 12-mile drive along Route 385, from Coxsackie to Catskill

What You’ll See: River Views, Riverfront Parks and Hikes, Forest Walks, and Three Quaint Historic Towns  

Directions: Take the New York State Thruway to Exit 21B Coxsackie / Ravena. Follow US-9W S/Rte 9W S, then bear left onto Route 385 South / Mansion Street, to another left onto Reed St. Historic District (you’ll see a sign) in Coxsackie. If you miss the sign, just put “Reed Street Coxsackie” or “Reed + Mansion Store, Coxsackie” into your GPS to get you there.

Things to See and Do in Coxsackie:

Reed Street Historic District, Coxsackie, NY
Four Mile Point Preserve, Coxsackie
  • Coxsackie’s Reed Street Historic District – make a slight left on Route 385 to stay on Mansion Street, and follow onto Reed Street, to see a lovely collection of Italianate buildings, as well as a great view of the Hudson River.
  • Coxsackie Riverfront Park, South River St. and Betke Blvd., Coxsackie. Boat launch, green space for picnics (with plenty of room for social distancing), beautiful view of the Hudson.
  • Four Mile Point Preserve, 169 Four-Mile Point Rd, Coxsackie. Kid-friendly walk, with longer trail options and river views. Click here for trails map.

Coxsackie Take Out / Curbside Delivery:

Mansion + Reed Store, Coxsackie
  • The Cask and Rasher, 245 Mansion Street, Coxsackie, NY 12051, 518-731-PINT (7468), 4-8pm daily.
  • Mansion + Reed General Store, 45 Reed Street, Coxsackie, (518) 616-9701, Wednesday-Sunday, 12-6pm. Snacks, breads and coffee items, delivered to your car.

Things to See and Do in Athens:

The Stewart House, Athens, NY
The Willows at Brandow Point, Athens
  • Athens Historic District — turn off of Route 385 onto Second Street when you enter the town of Athens, and drive through the side streets to see gorgeous, historic homes and storefronts.
  • Athens Riverfront Park, 4 North Water Street, Athens — Take Second Street to the river, and you’ll find a park with plenty of room for strolling, picnics (and distancing!). 
  • Hudson Athens Lighthouse – You can see this gorgeous little lighthouse from Athens Riverfront Park.
  • The Willows at Brandow Point, 480 Rt. 385, Athens — Hike through wildflower fields and then down through forested land until you reach the river.
  • Cohotate Preserve Trail, 450 Route 385, Athens. — An easy, one-mile walk in the woods, with access to Hudson River.

Athens Take-Out / Curbside Delivery

  • Crossroads Brewery, 21 Second Street, Athens, 518-945-BEER (2337). Burgers and pub food – and very good beer. (Try the Black Rock Stout. It’s my favorite.)
  • Black Horse Farms, 10094 Route 9W, Athens, 518-943-9324. Fresh produce available for curbside pickup; click for list.

Things to See and Do in Catskill:

Main Street, Catskill, NY
  • Downtown Catskill, Main Street, is a quintessential Hudson River town, home to the founder of the Hudson River School of painting Thomas Cole, and legendary home of Rip Van Winkle. Come back after COVID to see the fantastic shops and restaurants.
  • Dutchman’s Landing Park, Lower Main Street, has boat launches, plenty of room for safe picnicing, and beautiful views of the Hudson River.
Beattie Powers Place, Catskill.
  • Beattie Powers Place, Prospect Ave. & Bridge St., Catskill, NY 12414. An 1837 Greek Revival mansion, with sweeping views of the Hudson River and Olana.
RamsHorn-Livingston Sanctuary, Catskill
  • RamsHorn-Livingston Sanctuary, 84 Dubois Road, Catskill. 2 miles of trails follow an old farm road past a 28-foot observation tower, then narrow as they meander through forests and skirt RamsHorn Marsh. 

Catskill Take Out / Curbside Delivery:

Mermaid Cafe, Catskill
  • Mermaid Café, 374 Main Street, Catskill, NY 12414, (518) 217-8811, Wednesday-Saturday 12-7pm. Tacos, ramen, and bowls. Super fresh and affordable.
  • Avalon Lounge, 29 Water Street, Catskill, NY 12414, 518-719-1640, Wednesday-Sunday 3-8pm. Great Korean food — try the Kimbap (Korean sushi rolls) and the Bulgogi. Actually, it’s ALL good! Cocktails to go, too.
  • 394 Wine Bar, 394 Main Street, Catskill, 12414, (518) 947-47744. Wonderful Mediterranean selections — try their falafel platter.
Don’t miss the seafood at La Conca D’Oro
  • La Conca D’Oro, 440 Main Street, Catskill, 12414, (518) 943-3549. Best red-sauce Italian north of New Jersey (I don’t say that lightly!). My favorite is the zuppa de pesce. It’s delicious, and the servings are huge — you’ll eat for a week.
  • Wasana Thai, 336 Main Street, Catskill, 12414, (518) 943-9134. Delicious, made-to-order Thai for over 20 years.

Read More:

The Covered Bridges of Washington County

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By: Maureen Sager, Executive Director of ACE

Want a picturesque, quarantine-friendly drive to some of the most charming and photo-friendly spots of the Capital Region? Roll down your windows and head out to Washington County, where five covered bridges await you.

Remember to take the proper precautions:

  • Stay six feet away from anyone you meet along the way, if you get out of your car.
  • There is spotty cell phone reception in some of these areas, so download or print maps and directions before you go. Click here for directions on how to do so on Google Maps.
  • Pack a lunch, or bring along water and snacks, as there won’t be open stores or restaurants.
  • Fill up your gas tank before you go.

NYS Parks has put out very useful guidelines for visiting parks and other recreation areas.

Share your covered bridge photos with us on Instagram, tag @upstatecreative, and use the #getCAPtivated! We’d love to repost them on our social media pages.

Buskirk Covered Bridge
Directions: Go 2 miles south of Salem on NY 22, then left onto Rexleigh Rd. for 1.5 miles to the bridge. GPS: N43° 08.045′ W073° 21.369′

The historic Buskirk Covered Bridge is unique because it is located over the Hoosick River between both Washington County and Rensselaer County. Featuring a Howe Truss design, the covered bridge is 152 feet in length and open for vehicular traffic. This bridge was built in 1857, making it one of the earliest Howe Truss bridges still standing in New York State.

Buskirk Covered Bridge

Shushan Covered Bridge
Directions: The bridge is in Shushan at the intersection of CR 61 and CR 64A. GPS: N43° 05.476′ W073° 20.681′

Shushan is a hamlet located on the Battenkill River between Salem to the north and the Eldridge Swamp State Forest to the south. Although the community is small, it actually contains two historic covered bridges, located just 2.3 miles away from each other.

The Shushan Covered Bridge is right in the heart of Shushan, and while it isn’t open to vehicular traffic, the Shushan Covered Bridge Association, Inc has converted it into a museum. This 161-foot long bridge features a Town Lattice Truss structure, and it was built by the Stevens Bros. in 1858.

Shushan Covered Bridge

Eagleville Covered Bridge
Directions: Located 5.6 miles north-east of Jct. of Rt. 22 on Rt. 313. Then turn left onto Eagleville Rd. to the bridge. GPS: N43° 04.986′ W073° 18.775′

The Eagleville Covered Bridge is located 2.3 miles east of the Shushan Covered Bridge. To reach it, all you have to do is follow County Road 61 from Shushan to Eagleville Road. The 101-foot long Eagleville Covered Bridge was built in 1858 by Ephraim W. Clapp, and it is open to vehicular traffic.

Eagleville Covered Bridge

Rexleigh Covered Bridge, South Salem
Directions: Go 2 miles south of Salem on NY 22, then left onto Rexleigh Rd. for 1.5 miles to the bridge. GPS: N43° 08.045′ W073° 21.369′

The Rexleigh Covered Bridge is one of the five historic covered bridges in Washington County, and it is located over the Battenkill River in Salem. Visitors can drive over this covered bridge by following Rexleigh Road, and if you’d like a photo, you can park by the side near the picnic tables.

Built in 1857 by Reubin Comins and George Wadsworth, this historic covered bridge features a Howe Truss design and is 107 feet in length. It was actually prefabricated in Troy, transported to Salem, and then pieced together at the current site. Over the years, the bridge has been repainted and repaired multiple times, and it is now owned and managed by Washington County. An easy way to reach the bridge is by driving through Salem along NY-22 from the north.

Rexleigh Covered Bridge

Slate Covered Bridge, Granville
Directions: This bridge is on the grounds of the Slate Valley Museum, click here for directions. The museum is temporarily closed during the COVID-19 crisis.

Nestled in the foothills of the Eastern Adirondacks, Granville is a small town that has been nicknamed the Colored Slate Capital of the World thanks to its unique red slate quarries. The major role that the slate industry played in the community’s development is celebrated at the Slate Valley Museum, which is where you’ll find the Slate Covered Bridge.

The Slate Covered Bridge is a long pedestrian bridge that crosses over the Mettawee River and connects the museum to Rathbun Avenue. As its name suggests, the bridge’s roof is made of slate while the rest of it is a prefabricated steel superstructure. Built in 2000, this 120-foot long covered bridge is a local landmark that allows visitors to look up and down the waterway.

Slate Covered Bridge

ENJOY! Don’t forget to tag @upstatecreative in your photos and use #getCAPtivated to get reposted!

Thank you to New York State Covered Bridge Society for your wonderful information. Visit their site to find covered bridges all across New York.

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