Are you planning to take a weekend trip with your family or friends and wondering where to go next? Albany, the capital of the state of New York, is an underrated gem. It has a rich history, a vibrant city life, and a great art culture. It is rated as one of the best places to live in. Its location in the heart of northeast US makes it close to many beautiful weekend getaways. Let’s now look at some of the best places for weekend trips from Albany.
Poconos Mountains
The Poconos have been the go-to weekend getaway destination for decades now. Its mild weather and nature make it a great spot for weekend trips from Albany NY. The Poconos Mountains located in northeastern Pennsylvania are beautiful and perfect escapes all year round. The region is known for its beautiful scenery, outdoor activities, and numerous resorts and spas.
1. Distance From Albany and the Fastest Route
The Poconos are located 195 miles away from Albany. The most economical way of reaching the Poconos from Albany is by driving and by bus. The fastest route to reach Poconos from Albany is through I-87 S and I-84. The drive can take about 3 hours.
2. Key Attractions
Bushkill Falls: Some of the must-visits attractions are the Bushkill Falls, which is among the best waterfalls in Pennsylvania, Old Jail Museum, Camelbeach, Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railways, and Hickory Run State Park.
3. Activities
Hiking, skiing, camping, horseback riding and visiting waterparks are some of the popular activities that you can do in the Poconos.
4. Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit the Poconos depends on what activities you want to do. For outdoor activities summer is tremendous and January to February are best for skiing and other winter activities. The Poconos are beautiful around the fall too with some of the most beautiful fall foliage in the country.
Hudson Valley
Hudson Valley is a region that stretches from Westchester to Albany along the Hudson River. It is known for its stunning orchards, rich history, and cultural importance. The Hudson Valley is a leader in practicing the farm-to-table movement. The region is one of the best weekend getaways from Albany NY.
1. Distance From Albany and the Fastest Route
Hudson Valley is located just 58.4 miles away from Albany. If you use the I-87 S route, you can reach Hudson Valley within an hour’s drive from Albany.
2. Key Attractions
Storm King Art Centre: In Hudson Valley, you can visit the Storm King Art Centre, which is an open-air museum and houses one of the largest collections of contemporary outdoor sculptures in the US.
Walkway Over the Hudson: Walking across the Walkway Over the Hudson is a must when visiting Hudson Valley.
Dia Beacon: If you are an Art and culture enthusiast, you should check out Dia Beacon, New York State Museum, Motorcyclepedia Museum, and Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site.
3. Activities
You can do kayaking, boat tours, hiking and scenic bike rides when you visit Hudson Valley for getaways near Albany NY.
4. Best Time to Visit
Spring and autumn are the most popular seasons to visit Hudson Valley. The best time to visit is during the Fall when the foliage is at its peak.
New York City
Any list of weekend getaway near Albany NY will be incomplete without New York on its list. There are a few things that should be experienced in New York like walking through Greenwich Village, over the Brooklyn Bridge, visiting the Grand Central Terminal, and catching a Broadway show. Don’t forget to witness the brilliant skyline of New York, which you can catch from many popular viewpoints or while on a ferry. The city is also a foodie’s paradise with endless options for dining and nightlife.
1. Distance From Albany and the Fastest Route
The city that never sleeps is just a 2.5-hour train ride away from Albany. New York City is just 150 miles away and a drive will take about two and a half hours if you use the I-87 S route.
2. Key Attractions
Statue of Liberty: Visitors can explore world-famous attractions such as the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, and Times Square.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art: New York City is home to several world-renowned museums and art exhibitions like The Metropolitan Museum of Art and American Museum of Natural History.
3. Activities
When you visit New York City, you can enjoy city tours, walking tours, helicopter tours, night tours and museum visits.
4. Best Time to Visit
Both locals and tourists agree that Spring and Fall are the best time to visit New York City as you can experience pleasant weather.
Cooperstown
Cooperstown is a charming village in the state of New York, known for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Otsego Lake. It is situated towards the south of Otsego Lake. Filled with restored architecture and diverse cultural traditions, visitors seemed to carry a nostalgic memory of the place. Some of the popular spots in the town are Brewery Ommegang and Cooperstown Distillery.
1. Distance From Albany and the Fastest Route
Cooperstown is located 75 miles away or an hour and a half drive from Albany. The fastest route to take is I-88 W.
2. Key Attractions
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum: The town is best known for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, and the heroes of baseball wax museum, which has recreated wax figures of Hall of Fame players and Hollywood characters.
Farmers Museum: The Farmers Museum is an attempt to familiarize visitors with 19th-century farming life.
Otsego Lake: You can hang out by Otsego Lake to beat the heat or catch a show at the Opera museum.
Clark Sports Center: Head to Clark Sports Center if you’re in the mood to play some sports or enjoy activities like indoor rock climbing.
3. Activities
At Cooperstown, baseball, hiking, biking, golfing and swimming are the popular activities you can do on your weekend getaway.
4. Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Albany is between mid-June to mid-September with bright clear weather perfect for exploring the town and Otsego lake.
Lenox, MA
Lenox is a tiny town located in the Berkshires region of Massachusetts. It is one of the closest spots for vacation near Albany NY. The town attracts thousands of people for its arts, scenery and activities. In Lenox, there are several parks, hills, and forests which are perfect for walks and hikes, including Kennedy Park, Lenox Mountain, and Laurel Lake.
1. Distance From Albany and the Fastest Route
The quaint town is located just 45 miles away from Albany and can be reached within an hour’s drive if you use I-90 E route. A bus would take 1 hour and 15 mins and cost from $13 to $20.
2. Key Attractions
The Mount: One of the most popular sites in Lenox is The Mount, once the residence of the noted American author Edith Wharton.
Norman Rockwell Museum: Norman Rockwell Museum is an art museum dedicated to Norman Rockwell that has the world’s largest collection of Rockwell Art.
Tom Fiorini Sculpture Yard: Art and culture enthusiasts should visit Tom Fiorini Sculpture Yard, the Berkshire Museum, and Gilded Age Museum.
Tanglewood: Tanglewood is also a must-visit, they host the Festival of Contemporary Music, jazz and there are frequent appearances by James Taylor, John Williams, and the Boston Pops.
3. Activities
Hiking, horseback riding, scenic drives, kayaking and canoeing are some activities that you can enjoy in Lenox, Massachusetts.
4. Best Time to Visit
Lenox is particularly great during the fall, and the best months to visit are from late September to early November.
Conclusion
Albany is a vibrant city and is one of the best places to reside in New York State. It is situated such that it is near to many weekend getaways. It is always a good idea to take a break from your everyday schedule as it is important for your health. The destinations mentioned above are a must-visit for you to enjoy a good weekend getaway, far away from your daily stressors.
As you decide on Albany for your next trip, it is also important to do proper planning to experience a wonderful weekend. So, ensure to plan properly, pack your bags and head out to these exciting weekend getaways from Albany NY.
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FAQs
Q1: How are the weather conditions in the Pocono Mountains for weekend getaways?
The Pocono Mountains have favorable weather throughout the year. You can visit any time of the year and experience a good time.
Q2: Which of the destinations is the oldest wine-making regions in the United States?
Hudson Valley is the oldest wine-making destination in the United States.
Q3: What is Cooperstown famous for?
Cooperstown is famous for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, which aims to preserve the history of the sport and appreciate excellence in the game.
Q4: Where does the Boston Symphony Orchestra perform in summer?
Boston Symphony Orchestra performs at Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts, during summer time.
