Daytrips from Albany?
 

Hi folks, I'm doing a mileage run in the middle of Sept to Albany. I am arriving on a Saturday late (spending the night in Albany) then have all Sunday and Mon before I fly out on Tuesday.

I'm not familiar with the East coast at all and am trying to think of places that would be great to visit during these two days. I was thinking of NYC but would like to keep the cost down on this trip and would like more time to visit if I go there so that is out of the question.

I was thinking of picking up a car and visiting maybe Burlington, VT or Montreal? Any ideas on how the drive is to these places? Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

It probably will be a little too early for the fall coloration, but the best bet for that would be northern Vermont, such as the Burlington area. The drive north offers two options - I87 through eastern NY. Only problem is that you have to go about 20 miles north of Burlington to cross Lake Champlain. The roads in western Vermont are beautiful but slow 2-lane highways.

If fall colors aren't an issue, you might really want to consider the Berkshires in western Mass. It is much closer, a very easy drive of a couple of hours, and just as pretty with lots of New England "heritage" types of things to do. Towns like Stockbridge, Interlaken, Williamstown, and North Adams right on the NY border - or Amherst and Mt Holyoke a little further east - along with the mountain settings are well worth visiting.

You could also drive Northwest from Albany to the Adirondacks. Head north on I-87 to Glens Falls and then take route 28. Places like Blue Mt Lake, Raquette Lake, Long Lake, Tupper Lake, Saranac Lake, and Lake Placid are all pretty - the mountains are higher than the Berkshires and the lakes more plentiful but you won't find the New England culture that you will in the Berkshires.

Thanks for the tips JerryFF. Is it the height of the tourist season around then? Will I have problems just showing up at a hotel around that time or is it best to book in advance? Sounds like a lot of ideas and if I find a place I like, I may just decide to stop.

I will be on my own and I'm in my 20's so may feel like doing something a bit more active like visiting a more cosmopolitan city. Does anyone know how far the drive is to Montreal from Albany? Always wanted to go there but this would be a quick trip.

The drive from Albany (CA) to Montreal is 5 days http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif Sidetrips include San Francisco, only about 12 miles away.

Saratoga Springs is a nice little town ~ an hour north of Albany. Also you could head east to the Berkshires in Massachusetts, ~ 40 minutes on Rt. 20. There is a nice (Hancock) Shaker Village ( http://www.hancockshakervillage.org/ ) on the way, also Stockbridge (MA, my hometown), has some interesting sights like the Norman Rockwell Museum ( http://www.nrm.org/ ), if you're into that. Williamstown, aka "Billsville" in northern Berkshire County is home to Williams College and a great Art Museum ( http://www.clarkart.edu/ ).

Cooperstown, the home of the Baseball Hall of Fame ( http://www.baseballhalloffame.org/ ) is about a 90 min. drive southwest of Albany.

The trip will take about 4 hours, and well worth it. There are TONS of places to go in Mtl for your (our) age group, as the night life is incredible. Yes, i'm bragging on my own city, but you'll have a blast.



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regards,
brian

I have to agree, go to Montreal. It's a beautiful city so why not? Just remember to bring your passport! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/wink.gif

If you like the mountains, the Adirondacks are just north of Albany so you could go hiking. If you feel energetic, you could head east on I-90 and go to Boston. I'm sure you could get great deals on hotels using Priceline.

You could also make day trips to
Rheinbeck
Woodstock
etc.
(both not far from Albany)

thats Rhinebeck

[This message has been edited by ljp99 (edited 08-01-2002).]

The Berkshires are beautiful that time of year. Great B&B's. Saratoga and the Lake George area are also nice. However being in your 20's the nightlife leaves a lot to be deired, especially after the summer ends. If your up for it the drive to Montreal is your best bet. You could go to NYC, but Montreal is something a little different with the French influences.

I lived in Albany for almost 4 years. The drive to Montreal takes about 4 hours. The drive to NYC can take 2.5 - 3 hrs depending on traffic.

If I were you, I'd save a trip to NYC for another day, there is simply too much to see in NYC to cram into one day. Montreal is a nice day trip and would be worth it, IMHO. If you know french, then it may be worth it to goto Quebec city as well.

If you are in Albany, I'd highly suggest you try the wings at Scubbers http://www.scubbers.com. They have the best wings I have ever tried! http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif


[This message has been edited by sgopal2 (edited 08-06-2002).]

If you want pretty country north of Albany, stay on the New York side of Lakes George/Champlain. Vermont simply doesn't compare. And it's on the way to Montreal, so you can do both.

Or you could do Cooperstown.

Drive historic U.S. Route 7 between Bennington and Manchester, Vermont, or any segment of Vermont's Route 100.

Stay away from Troy - it's a pit!

Also - if you like baseball, there is a minor league team that plays right near the airport. They used to be affiliated with the Yankees, but I'm not sure if that is still the case.

Cooperstown area, town, BB museum, and local golf course are well worth it. And you can see some of the old Erie canal along the way there.

Lake George is neat -- boat rides, and a good Donald Ross golf course.

Saratoga Springs race track and the horse museum are worth it even if you aren't really into horses.

The drives are cool due to the scenery.

There might still be music and dance at Tanglewood and Jacob's Pillow, in the MA Berkshires.

Sylvia