Troy Albany New York Area
 

Flying into Albany for a quick day trip so my brother can visit RPI. He has already been there once--but we are going back before he makes his final decision on a college. Would appreciate any suggestions for interesting places to see, places to have lunch, etc. His first visit left him feeling that he did not want to attend school here--however, I'm hoping to show him some things that may be of interest to his age group and possibly change his mind. Thanks.

d,
I graduated from RPI over a decade ago...maybe I can help if you have any other questions. I do know that it is hard to get a feel for a college unless you stay there for a weekend & hang out with students. I was lucky enough to be able to do this, and after meeting bunches of very smart yet VERY social people, I knew RPI was the school for me. The weekend thing was a special program for women...I don't know if they have something like this for the guys.

One thing about RPI that stands out is its huge Greek (ie Fraternity) system. When I went there, about 55% of the students were Greek. It was a great thing because it's kind of like having a built-in family at school, and with classes as tough as they are, most people need the support! Being in a Sorority actually helped my grades because there was always someone around who could help me out. Of course, it's great socially, too.

As for interesting places to see...well we always liked to go to "the Gorge" - a rocky river with waterfalls and industrial ruins. It's right near campus...go to the south end of 15th Street, and it's across Congress Street kind of behind the diner and down the hill. It's a very cool place to climb around. Unfortunately a couple people seem to get hurt there every year, so I'm hoping it's not all fenced off.

Other neat things to see are River St (?) in downtown Troy which was revitalized and restored to its former splendor (cobblestone street, historic storefronts), and of course downtown Albany and Saratoga are nice areas to walk around too. And if you take Route 2 out to Vermont and Route 7 back to Troy, it's quite a scenic drive. I'll let you know if I think of anything else!

PS sorry, I can't remember the names of the restaurants we used to go to...you could perhaps ask for a recommendation from someone in the Student Union.

Troy has a number of restaurants & cafes. I'm much older than you folks, so I don't know what else to recommend for things to see/do. Saratoga Springs also has a vibrant downtown. Albany has NYS Museum, Pepsi Arena, Albany Institute of History & Art. Crossgates Mall, and Colonie Center? Thatcher Park SW of Albany?

Also east of Troy you'll find Bennington, Williamstown, Stockbridge with nearby colleges & museums, as well as snow-skiing. Swimming during nice weather at Grafton State Park. Mountain biking, as well as racing & touring clubs.

You'll most likely be wanting a car to get around, but if you need to economize, there is bus service between the airport, RPI, and downtown Troy (requires 1 change). Look at www.cdta.org and find schedules & maps for Bus #70 and "Shuttle Fly". Good Luck.

Suzanne, my wife graduated from RPI in (gulp) 1972 - the first class (of 55 women) that were allowed to live on campus. She still cherishes those memories (even with urinals in the "converted" rest rooms).

D, your brother has to follow his instincts, but RPI is a class act that deserves his full attention. For lunch, go to Platt's Place on Wolf Rd. in Colonie. Great sandwiches and salads. A little bit of New York City close at hand.

Suzanne, rb & Neal--many thanks for the great input. My brother left Troy the first time feeling like it was a very depressed area--he is now leaning towards Villanova. Since he plans to major in chemical engineering I'm encouraging him to take this second trip before he decides (and hope I can show him some things to change his original feelings about the area.) Thanks again!!

Did he check the DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana? Great school!

I've worked in Troy for the past 12 years and also worked in Albany for 5 years. Albany has been growing and improving it's downtown for the past several years. It has lots of wonderful restaurants, museums and plenty to do. Troy is pretty small - only a city of about 40,000 - but it has some beautiful architecture and is really trying to revitalize the downtown. It is safe with very little crime, has the region's best farmers market, there is a pretty big influx of new people from all over the country buying houses in Troy and moving here from much more expensive cities (like NY and San Francisco) because the cost of living is so much lower. A new arts district is being resurrected in Troy, the Hudson River runs the length of the city and is in the beginning stages of redevelopment, one of the largest and oldest community garden programs in the country is based in Troy. Troy may not appear to be very interesting and inviting at first glance. But it really does grow on you. I work with lots of RPI interns and most are amazed at all the wonderful things Troy has to offer once they take the time to leave the campus. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me. Sharon

Neal - you are absolutely correct about how much like NYC service & quality Platts' Place on Wolf Road WAS. That place, that evolved from a little farm-operated icecream stand when Wolf Rd was only a dirt road closed up and sold out ... the location now is a chain Italian - "Buca di Beppo", and what I wouldn't give for a Platts roast beef this minute.

Of the Albany-Schenectady-Troy area, I'd guess Troy to be the most "up & coming" city. The price & availability of the old brownstones is attracting owner-occupant investors. Troy has a growing arts district, and I forgot to mention the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall (which I'm not sure will be called with FNB's aquisition of TSB). Heck, Troy is even become a place that movie makers come to film at. If he will be without a car, bus service from RPI to various locations isn't too bad. You don't mention where "Home" is, but with Southwest Airlines now in Albany, airfare prices have dropped significantly at ALB, and the cost & frequency of visits home should be a factor too in selecting a college.

We're going this week. We arrive in Albany at 9AM and I'm thinking we'll go to RPI for a quick second glimpse--check out the Riverfront area and then drive to Schenectady. From there, we'll head to Saratoga Springs--then back to Albany before catching the flight home that evening. Any suggestions for things to do/see in Schenectady & Saratoga would be most appreciated! Thanks again.

Yikes! Maybe best to skip Schenectady, or you might reinforce his negativity about this area. It's not REALLY that bad, but it's not very appealing either. Check http://www.sayschenectady.org for ideas. Why consider SDY? Union College, Proctors, an old vaudeville-era theater now presenting plays, Broadway, music, etc (proctors.org) as well as the area's biggest movie screen with $2 movies & $0.75 popcorn, soda or candy. The Stockade, 1600/1700 era homes, Schenectady Museum & Planetarium. An Amtrak station good for west-bound trains if you take #70 bus from Troy.

Saratoga, on the other hand, is a beautiful city, the kind of downtown all others in this area would love to be. Try http://www.saratoga.org for some ideas. While I live in Sdy County, you've probably guessed I don't work for the Visitor's Bureau! <g> Enjoy your trip. I like "Little India" and "Putnam Market" in Saratoga Springs.

If you do come thru SDY, take Rt 7 from Troy, then take Rt 5 to Scotia, and Rt 50 up to Saratoga Springs. In Burnt Hills is "Kristels" and "The Old Homestead". You'll pass thru quaint village of Ballston Spa, then pass by Spa State Park and the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, before entering the city. Take I-87 south back to ALB for your flight back. If you skip SDY, then maybe take Rt 7 to US-9 and take that up to Saratoga, passing thru Colonie, HalfMoon, Ballston Lake, Round Lake, Malta, Spa State Park. I like "The Ripe Tomato" at US9 and Rt 9P (on Rt 9 between I-87 exits 12 & 13).

I might be too late, but I agree that your time is better spent going to Saratoga for a day. I love the Ripe Tomato too. You'd leave a better impression. It is a college town too with Skidmore there.