Day trips near Albany, NY
 

Going to visit my brother at RPI and looking for some new things to do. We have been to Albany, Saratoga, Schenectady and other nearby areas. Willing to drive up to 2 hours. I was thinking about Cooperstown?? All suggestions appreciated...thanks.

Why not head east into the Berkshires...Willimastown, Stockbridge and Lenox, MA. It's a pretty drive and lovely countryside. The town of Stockbridge, especially, has some fun shops to explore. Williamstown has a terrific museum--Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute. If you enjoy hiking, Mt. Greylock would be perfect...or you can drive to the top for a multi-state view.

I grew up in that area and my Dad did his undergraduate at RPI. We'd drive over for hockey games in the winter...an easy drive and it'll be a nice getaway from Troy for your brother.

Cooperstown is a great idea. I would also recommend Manchester, Vermont; Lake Placid, NY, Lake George, NY; Old Forge, NY. Have fun! Montreal is about 3 and a 1/2 hours away.

Cooperstown: don't just do BBHOF, see Farmers Museum, Fenimore Gallery; stop at Cherry Valley. Sort of along the way: Cobleskill: Howes Caves, Secret Caverns, Iroquois Museum.

Along Mohawk River: Fort Johnson, Fort Klock, many locks, Herkimer Diamond Mines, Erie Canal History (both in Rome and excellent museum in Syracuse). Oriskany. Follow the Yellow Brick Road (actually a line in the sidewalk) in Chittinango, home of L. Frank Baum, author of "Wizard of Oz". Syracuse Zoo. Syracuse Museum of Science in Armory Square. Fulton Co. Museum in Gloversville. Johnson Hall in Johnstown (it is speculated that had Johnson, Supervisor of Indian Affairs, lived longer we might be British today)

North: Adirondack Museum at Blue Mountain Lake. Saratoga Battlefield. Whitehall (one of 3 cities that claim to be birthplace of US Navy), Fort Ticonderoga.

South: Hurley (home of Woodstock Music Festival), Mt Tremper (world's largest kalaidescope), Kingston (old NY Capital), Poughkeepsie/Hyde Park (FDR Mansion/Home/Library, Vanderbilt Mansion, Culinerary Institute), Cold Springs (antiques), Hudson (antiques, restaurants, Olana.