We are flying into Albany N.Y. from May 15-18. We like beautiful drives, nature, interestingly beautiful cities, relaxation, and progressive attitudes. Where do you suggest that we go?

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Progressive attitudes??? Hmmm...

Cooperstown is an hour and a half from Albany. The drive is beautiful, and Cooperstown is a visual delight; a 19th century town frozen in time, with a basedball museum and hall of fame thrown in for good measure.

Saratoga Springs is an hour's drive north, with more history and scenic beauty (the revolutionary war battlefield is as picturesque as it is insightful).

Williamstown and Bennington are an hour's drive east. They fairly well defines 'progressive attitudes' and are scenic to boot.

Albania, alas, is a city of limited charm (I have the right to say that as I once lived there). It is best used as a launching pad for visits elsewhere in the region.

Adding to Neal's excellent list are the Berkshires in nearby Masschusetts (south a the aforementioned Williamstown and Bennington), a beautiful scenic area.

Thank you gentlemen. I will give your suggestions great consideration. Tim

Alas, you want to stay in Albany, yet for some strange reason people are sending you to places hours away. Here, from someone who actually lives here.
One, Lark St. is a must. In addition to 'progressive attitudes' just about every notable restaurant in this city is there. You can go from vegetarian to elegant to Mexican (Bomber's Burritos is a legend!) On Central Ave and Lark St. there are Clayton's (Caribbean), Gandhi (Indian) and Mamoun's falafel, an unassuming place from the outside but a jewel inside. For any type of show you might want to see, the Pepsi Arena and the Egg downtown, offer many. For a beautiful city, downtown Albany has great historic buildings-even City Hall! and the Capitol. Saratoga is kind of a drive but very beautiful. Be prepared to see breathtaking mountains and trees along the way. There are also some great lakes/rivers in the area. Racing has not started yet, but a new gaming facility has just opened there in Saratoga springs. If you haven't booked your hotel I have two recommendations: CrestHill Suites is pretty much away from the hustle and bustle, yet 2 mins from the mall, and has all the amenities of home. (Don't worry, it's only 10 mins from downtown) The downtown swank hotel-Crowne Plaza is a great place also, right in the middle of everything. Hope this helps!

If you like beautiful, long drives I suggest Lake Placid. It's about a 2 1/2 hr drive (depending on how fast you drive, you can make it in 2 hrs.) but well worth it. Maybe because I live there but I still revel in the beauty everyday. Good restaurants, quaint Main St. for shopping and walking, Olympic sites, John Brown's Farm, etc.

Saratoga, Lake George, the Berkshires. You really need to leave Albany to find those things you are looking for...

About 20-30 mins south of Albany in Voorheesville is John Boyd Thacher State Park (aka Thacher Park). There is a gorgeous hiking trail there - the Indian Ladder Trail - which is way up high, hidden below some cliffs, with beautiful views of the surrounding forests and the city of Albany in the distance. Not a bad place for a picnic, either.

About 30 mins from Albany is Kinderhook. Birthplace and burial place of Martin van Buren. (home is there - open in summer).

Also nearby is Hudson - many antique shops.