outdoors

Winter Outdoors: Public Art in CapNY

December 16, 2020 By upstatecreative

Want some quarantine-friendly ways to enjoy art, stellar local food AND the great outdoors? Lucky for us, CapNY is filled with amazing public art! From historic architecture and neighborhoods to public art “galleries” in urban alleyways, CapNY writer Jessica Kelly found six great sites that we can enjoy all winter. Got more ideas? Send them along we’ll add them to the list!

The Sculptures at the Empire State Plaza

100 S Mall Arterial, Albany, NY 12242
Note: Ice Skating is closed for the season

Empire State Plaza’s Reflection Pool is lined with 16 amazing, monumental mid-century sculptures by world-renowned artists such as Claes Oldenberg, Alexander Calder, Ellsworth Kelly and more. On a gloomy winter day, these pops of movement and color can bring some happiness and perspective. Then, head into the Empire State Concourse to warm up from the frigid temperatures. There, you’ll find dozens of large-scale (and some absolutely huge) paintings, and more amazing sculptures. Check out this video preview of the indoor and outdoor collections! After your explorations, I’d suggest you try a Nashville Hot Fried Chicken Sandwich from The Cuckoo’s Nest.

The 9/11 Memorial in Saratoga’s High Rock Park

112 High Rock Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Did you know that Saratoga’s High Rock Park is home to a memorial made of steel from the Twin Towers? The sculpture, titled “Tempered By Memory,” was created by John Van Alstine and Noah Savett in 2012. The artists use the recovered materials to thoughtfully memorialize those lost in the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

After a reflective walk through High Rock Park, I highly recommend brunch at Hattie’s, served 10am-2pm on Saturdays and Sundays. They have tasty Bloody Marys, warm biscuits with honey butter, and the best cheesy grits.

Art Omi

1405 Co Rte 22, Ghent, NY 12075

Love contemporary art? Then head to Art Omi! This 120-acre sculpture and architecture park is a quarantine-friendly, no-cost way to take in art AND fresh air. You’ll find amazing sculptures (look for the Olaf Breuning work, “Clouds,” towering over 30 feet) and stunning architectural work (don’t miss “Magnetic Z,” by Cameron Wu). Check out this printable map to see all that Art Omi has to offer. Best of all, you can snowshoe or ski through the site! Hungry? Great! Drive 10 minutes to Saisonnier for an artisanal sandwich or cheese board, plus try one or two of their craft beers. And did we mention that they have 125 craft beers available for in-house or take-out?

Franklin Alley

282B, 3224, River St, Troy, NY 12180

As a recent transplant to CapNY, I became entranced by the art scene in Troy after seeing the amazing and powerful murals during the Black Lives Matter protests. I was also thrilled to recently find the artwork in Franklin Street Alley. This interactive installation was developed by Joe Lurato and other local creatives. It’s filled with painted murals and structures that ingeniously incorporate the alley’s pipes, ladders, and lights.

If you’re trying to find its exact location, put the address of Dutch Utter Ice Cream Shop in your GPS, 282 River St Troy. It’s the alley right next to it! When you’re finished exploring, walk over to grab an order of some of the best crispy wings CapNY has to offer at The Ruck.

Capital Walls

Address: The murals are scattered, but a good place to start is at Albany Center Gallery: 488 Broadway #107, Albany, NY 12207.

The Capital Walls project, an endeavor of Albany Center Gallery, Albany Barn, and Albany Parking Authority, has sponsored 14 colorful murals (and counting!), by local artists across downtown Albany. Grab this handy tour map before you head out. After snapping some IG photos in front of the murals, stop by Druthers Brewing Company (1053 Broadway, Albany, NY 12204) for delicious mac & cheese like their Memphis BBQ Mac with smokey, tender pulled pork, spicy jalapeño ranch coleslaw, and sweet BBQ sauce.

Outside of Druther’s, be sure to take a peek at Nipper, a four-ton, 28-foot tall steel and fiberglass painted dog statue atop an old concrete warehouse – one of the most IG worthy spots in the downtown area!

Stockade Historic District

100 North Ferry St., Schenectady, NY 12305

The Stockade Historic District is located in the northwest corner of Schenectady, on the banks of the Mohawk River. It is the oldest neighborhood in the city, and has been continuously inhabited for over 300 years. Within it stand about 50 pre-Revolutionary houses in various styles that include Dutch Colonial, Georgian, Federal and Victorian. A good starting point to explore the neighborhood is 100 North Ferry St. This will bring you to the heart of the Stockade, right in front of the statue of “Lawrence the Indian.”

You don’t have to be a history lover to appreciate the gorgeous, unique artistic features of each of the homes. And, in the winter time, there’s an especially majestic feeling as the homes are decorated with winter lights and pines. You can even download a self-guided tour of the neighborhood here! Close by, you’ll find Mad Jack Brewing Co., there to quench your thirst and craving for a warm bite. You can read a review by a popular CapNY food influencer, Tim Walton, here!

Jessica Kelly is a freelance Journalist and Photographer with a focus on food, travel, and entertainment living in New York State. She’s written for Huffington Post, Dame Traveler, Kitchen, Insider, Business Insider, Wine Enthusiast, AAA World Magazine, AAA Northeast, Eater, Cosmopolitan, Times Union, Food52, Thrillist — and now, ACE and CapNY, a new project launching in 2021.

Devil’s Tombstone Campgrounds: Upstate Overnights

August 19, 2020 By wordpress

The Low-Down

This is a little different from the other brick-and-mortar places – we’re talking about good ol’ traditional camping. Devil’s Tombstone is one of the oldest campgrounds in the Catskill Forest Preserve. It’s a small campground with wooded sites, a small shallow lake – Notch’s Lake – and spots for boating, fishing, and hiking. There are 24 tent and trailer sites, two picnic areas with tables and fireplaces or charcoal grills, a playground, a volleyball net, horseshoes, and firewood for sale. Swimming, boating, and showers are available at North-South Lake Campground – 8 miles away.

What Gabby Loves About This Spot

Camping is a very affordable option and provides that rustic feel that many nature lovers crave. This campground provides hiking access to the 21-mile Devil’s Path Trail. This is a haven for serious hikers! It offers breathtaking views of the Central Catskills from the Buck Ridge Lookouts.

The Details

Book quickly and easily here! Find more info: Website / FB

DEVIL’S TOMBSTONE CAMPGROUND

NYS Route 214, Hunter, NY 12442

Phone: (845) 688-7160

Gather Greene: Upstate Overnights

August 19, 2020 By wordpress

The Low-Down

Located in Coxscakie, Gather Greene has 100 acres of land where folks can celebrate, stay, or explore. Their pavilion, cabins, and grounds have views of the Catskills and Berkshires, They have 17 cabins which come with an outside deck, a king size bed, bathroom, closet with large mirror, mini fridge, and caffeine fix. 12 cabins are looking out over the ridge towards the Berkshires, and 5 cabins are nestled into the woods slightly further apart.

What Gabby Loves About This Place

One small detail that makes all the difference – the cabin bathrooms come with sumptuous handmade organic and local toiletries from 2 Note Hudson. I love the emphasis on supporting small and local! Those big windows that allow you a piece of nature while inside is a huge perk too…also great for those Instagram shots.

The Details

Check out this site to explore their cabin stay options and pricing. You can check availability for cabin bookings here! Follow their Instagram for upcoming announcements on fall stays. Connect with them via: website / email

GATHER GREENE

176 Levett Road, Coxsackie, NY 12051

phone: 262-448-3683

Cap Region Bike Trails: Jeff Buell’s 16-Mile Loop, From Albany to Troy

May 19, 2020 By wordpress

By: Jeff Buell, Principal of Redburn Development

Over the past couple of months, biking has become the preferred mode of transportation for many looking for socially distant recreational activities. Jeff Buell, a Schenectady resident, Cap Region enthusiast, and Principal of Redburn Development is an avid biker, so we asked him to share one of his favorite Cap Region bike trails…read on!

From 1994 to 2019, I biked around 75 miles. Generously. Since we’ve shut down our lives, I’m one short ride away from 600 miles! I’ve biked more in two months more than I’ve driven, a notion I would have scoffed at if ever suggested to me prior to COVID.

Naturally this makes me an expert in 2020, and so here are a few tips for a Cap Region ride, especially for all the new cyclists (that’s what we call ourselves) out there looking for expand their horizons.

For today, we will talk about my loop.

Jeff’s Loop: Albany to Troy

Just about every day I head out from the base of Jennings Landing (it’s the footbridge on Broadway, plenty of parking available) in Albany and head towards Troy. The total loop is just about 16 miles, and with a few exceptions, is quite an easy ride.

The first 5.5 miles is on the bike path. You can’t get lost, you can’t take a wrong turn, you just go. It’s crowded until you clear the I-90 bridge, then loosens up. Be prepared then when passing, many people wear headphones, and do not always excel in walking in a straight line.

At 5.5 you’ll hit Watervliet and must head onto the streets where the cars care less for bikers than the pedestrians you just passed, though admittedly, it’s probably close. Hug the road that 787 parallels (Broadway) until you get to 25^th Street. There you want to hang a right until you get to the Green Island Bridge.

There’s something freeing about slowly moving over the Hudson River and being able to take it all in.

Right now you’re about 8 miles in and you’re going to head back. OR, you can head into downtown Troy and stop somewhere. Little Pecks is always a great option, so is Liza’s. Or, if you’re me, you stop and talk with your buddy Heidi on her stoop for a while.

To Get to Downtown Troy:

From the Green Island Bridge you can head right into Riverfront Park where a bike lane mysteriously appears and will take you all the way through South Troy to the Menands Bridge. Be forewarned, the deceptively hilly and always windy last mile of South Troy can be a challenge for new bikers, but you got this! Sure, sometimes I feel like I’m going backwards, but that really is just a feeling. Promise.

View of Troy from the Green Island Bridge

Over the Menands Bridge you go until the path dumps you back onto the bike path where you are about 4.5 miles from Jennings Landing. Go right, not left, off the ramp.

There’s a few alternate plans that head you up to Waterford, or Schenectady if you are intrigued. All are great paths with some hills. All eminently accessible via the Interweb.

Biggest takeaway? Fear not the streets! Cars are (mostly) aware of you. Go in a straight line. Wear a helmet. And see the Cap Region from a brand-new vantage point!

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.