road trip to update new york with small child
 

i need to be in the albany area at the end of october
we are driving from nyc with a 1 1/2 year old and are lookng for places to stop along the way or while we are in the albany- latham area

Walkway Over the Hudson is about half way (exit 18 off the Thruway). You can decide how much walking you want to do with a 1 1/2 year-old, and of course you can bring a stroller. Color should still be pretty good at the end of October, but views are pretty regardless. Just dress warmly. Temp on the bridge usually feels about 10 degrees colder than on land.

Are you looking for kid things or for things you can do with a kid tagging along? There are so many nice towns and sights along that route it's hard to know where to begin - Rhinebeck, Hudson, Hyde Park, Cold Spring, Storm King, Bear Mountain, West Point (some of these are on one side of the river and some on the other side).

Google "Things to do with children in Albany, NY" and you'll find several useful links.

An 18 month old is happy with a cardboard box and a balloon ... Maybe some bubbles....

Color in the Albany/Latham area will NOT be any good at the end of October. One more week then it'll rapidly fall off. Poughkeepsie area maybe another half to 1 week longer.

Here are some toddler friendly things to-do in that area.

Walk along the Erie canal - you can park at Lock 7 in Niskayuna and watch some of the boats pass through the lock. There should be a steady flow of boats as many are on their way from the Great Lakes down south for the winter.

Colonie Town park - very large park w/ large playground.

Hoffman's playland was in Colonie for about 50 years, and was recently moved to Albany. I think they are still open weekends.
http://www.hucksplayland.com/

Albany airport (in Latham) has a parking/viewing area at the end of the runway.

Pumpkin patch/apple picking. There are a few places just up the northway at exit 8 or 8a - I can dig those up if interested.

Indian Ladder farm in Altamont is a great apple picking place with donuts and cider.

Let me chew on it a bit and I can give you other ideas.

Guptil's skating rink is in Latham - but not for a toddler.

Let me know if you need any restaurant ideas in that area.