CAPNY Road Trips

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

April 22, 2020 By Maureen Sager

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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

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:

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:

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:

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, Prospect Ave. & Bridge St., Catskill, NY 12414. An 1837 Greek Revival mansion, with sweeping views of the Hudson River and Olana.

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 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

April 7, 2020 By wordpress

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A Breath of Fresh Air: Sixteen Cap Region Walks in the Woods

March 31, 2020 By wordpress

By: Deanna Fox

Lucky for us, the Capital Region is flush with amazing outdoor spots that offer wide open green space and interesting walking trails that often lead to curiosities and wonders, like waterfalls, windmills, and so much more. Here’s our list of sixteen beautiful walks in the eight-county Capital Region that will allow you to safely commune with nature, take a deep breath, clear your head, and move your body.

PLEASE NOTE that the same rules apply as anywhere else: do not touch your face, sneeze and cough into your elbow to prevent the spread of water droplets that may contain the virus, and wash your hands thoroughly. (If you have hand sanitizer to use before returning home or entering your car, use it!) Go solo or with members of your household, and avoid meeting with groups.

SCHENECTADY COUNTY

Great Flats Nature Trail
West Campbell Road, Schenectady, NY 12306

Transport yourself to the marshy lowlands of The Netherlands — windmills included! — just outside of downtown Schenectady. This 1.8-mile loop leads through woods before the trail becomes a boardwalk around a small lake. Look for a small wooden windmill at the trailhead.

Sanders Town Preserve
Sanders Road, Schenectady, NY 12302

Tucked away in Glenville along Washout Creek, follow this short walking trail to find a small cascade of waterfalls that turns into a dry creek bed in the summer. If you wait to try this trail in warmer months, use the lack of water to look for fossils in the river rocks.

ALBANY COUNTY

Wolf Creek Falls Preserve Trail
776 Bozenkill Road, Altamont, NY 12009

Clocking in at two and a half miles, Wolf Creek Falls Preserve is a short drive from the town of Altamont in nearby Knox. It is part of a 138 acre parcel that is included in the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy. The trail abuts many old fieldstone walls, pointing to the history of Albany’s earliest settlers.

West Capitol Park
New York State Capitol Building, State Street, Albany, NY 12210

You don’t have to travel far from our area downtowns to find some green space. West Capitol Park offers stunning views of the Capitol building and is home flowering trees, sweet-sounding birds and rascally (but entertaining) squirrels. Bring your sketchbook for al fresco art time.

RENSSELAER COUNTY

Bloomingdale Brook Waterfall Trail
100 Defreest Drive, Troy, NY 12180

Tucked away on the northern side of Rensselaer Technology Park is a set of trails that lead to a surprising waterfall. You will need sturdy shoes for this trail, as there are hills to climb and you may have to cross water to stay on the two mile trail. Park in the loop near WMHT studios, and look for the red discs posted as trail guides.

Papscanee Island Nature Preserve
Staats Island Road, Castleton-On-Hudson, NY 12033

Venture down to the shores of the Hudson River as you explore this well-groomed trail that is great for dogs. Picnic tables are available, and bring your binoculars if you have them, as there are plenty of opportunities for bird watching for various types of waterfowl and smaller migratory birds.

SARATOGA COUNTY

Skidmore North Woods
Falstaff’s Parking Lot off Wait Lane, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Just beyond Downtown Saratoga and the Skidmore campus is a series of woody hiking trails that make the bustle of Saratoga Springs feel like a world away. There are several trails to choose from, none of them longer than two miles. A 200-foot elevation gain means an uphill climb on some trails, but this is still family-friendly.

Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve
Riverview Road, Rexford, NY 12148 (Multiple entrances)

This four mile loop offers an array of interesting sites and vistas, including Eric Canal remnants of towpaths and double locks, Clute’s Dry Dock, Forts Ferry, and a picnic area overlooking the Mohawk River that is nestled within the bird conservation area designated by NYSDEC. Audubon New York has observed more than 200 bird species in this area.

COLUMBIA COUNTY

Promenade Hill Park
1 North Front Street, Hudson, NY 12534

Go for a stroll along the well-maintained gardens, dotted by manicured shrubs and historical statues and markers, before grabbing a bench to overlook the Hudson River while the sun sets on the Catskill mountains. This city park has the feel of a hidden European green space.

Ooms Conservation Area
480 Rock City Road, Chatham, NY 12037

This easy hike around Sutherland Pond is maintained by Columbia Land Conservancy. While the views are lovely and the hike takes little exertion, the best part is greeting all the friendly dogs that you’ll encounter at Ooms. This is also a notable place for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter.

GREENE COUNTY

Riverside Park
Betke Boulevard, Coxsackie, NY 12051

Need a place to lay out in the sun on a blanket (with plenty of distance from others!) or to kick a soccer ball around? Riverside Park, in Coxsackie, is a great place to do just that. The expansive views of the Hudson River and the boats that traverse that waterway are just an added bonus.

Pratt Rock Trail
Trailhead located just south of Prattsville town center on NY-Route 23
Prattsville, NY 12468

Looking for artistic inspiration? Try Pratt Rock Trail, coined “America’s First Mount Rushmore” for the carvings into the rock facade and statues along the way. There are some steep inclines on this trail, which occasionally calls for climbing over large rocks, but the trail is otherwise moderate. Views down the Schoharie River Valley and its fertile farms can be see below.

WASHINGTON COUNTY

Carters Pond Nature Trail
County Route 49, Salem, NY 12865

Plan on spending some time with your thoughts as you gaze over Carters Pond, just outside the quaint town of Salem. This super-short and very flat hike leads to an overlook area that allows you keep an eye out for swooping birds (including predatory fowl like eagles and hawks) and breaching fish snatching bugs from the pond’s surface.

Dionondahowa Falls Overlook
Windy Hill Road, Greenwich, NY 12834

This short trail along the Battenkill River is an easy hike at any time of year and leads to a small perch that allows visitors to view the falls below. If you have limited time but want a big impact, keep this gem in mind.

WARREN COUNTY

Warren County Bike Trail
Towpath Lane, Fort Edward, NY 12828

This northern section of the Lakes to Locks bike path connects riders, skaters, runners and walkers to Lake George from downtown Fort Edward. It connects through various towns through Warren County and offers views of the Adirondacks, Glen Lake and the Hudson River. The trail is paved for smooth riding.

Feeder Canal
82 Haviland Avenue, Queensbury, NY 12804

While this trail is is seven miles long and runs from the Feeder Dam to the Old Champlain Canal, you can choose to just explore a portion of it by foot, or use the well-maintained trail for a longer run or a bike ride. A five acre park surrounds the entrance on Haviland Avenue and there is plenty of space for enjoying a meal outside or setting up supplies to do some sketching or writing.