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July 2019: Day Trips Section

All the top day trips in the Capital Region.

Clark Art Institute
225 South Street, Williamstown, MA
413.458.2303; clarkart.edu

Throughout his long career, Pierre‐Auguste Renoir (French, 1841–1919) continually turned to the human figure for artistic inspiration. The body – particularly the nude – was the defining subject of Renoir’s practice, from his days as a student copying the old masters in the Musée du Louvre to the early twentieth century, when his revolutionary style of painting inspired the masters of modernism. In recognition of the centenary of Renoir’s death, the Clark Art Institute presents Renoir: The Body, The Senses. This exhibition is the first major exploration of Renoir’s unceasing interest in the human form, and it reconsiders Renoir as a constantly evolving artist whose style moved from Realism into luminous Impressionism and culminated in the modern classicism of his last decades. Renoir: The Body, The Senses will be on view through September 22, 2019.

Renoir: The Body, The Senses includes seventy paintings, drawings, pastels, and sculptures by the artist as well as works by his predecessors, contemporaries, and followers. An international roster of exceptional loans including Boy with a Cat (1868, Musée d’Orsay), Study. Torso of a Woman in the Sunlight (1875–76, Musée d’Orsay), Seated Bather (c. 1883–1884, Fogg Museum/Harvard Art Museums), and The Bathers (1918–19, Musée d’Orsay), as well as important contributions from the Clark’s renowned collection, survey the breadth of Renoir’s career.

The Clark is located in nearby Williamstown, Massachusetts, and is situated on a 140‐acre campus offering five miles of walking trails and exceptional vistas of meadows and woodlands. Visit clarkart.edu for more information.

Dutch Apple Cruises
141 Broadway, Albany
518.463.0220; dutchapplecruises.com

Climb aboard the Dutch Apple II and enjoy a relaxing cruise on the scenic Hudson River. Our vessel is U.S. Coast Guard inspected and features both enclosed decks complete with heat and air conditioning, and an open‐air deck where passengers can enjoy the refreshing breeze and catch some sun. The Dutch Apple II features comfortable seating and clean restrooms. A full cash bar and light refreshments are available during each cruise. Rain or shine, we’ll provide you with a memorable, entertaining cruise through Albany.

We offer a variety of cruises on the Hudson River, starting with our sightseeing cruise that features onboard narration by a Hudson River historian. This 90‐minute cruise will travel south on the Hudson from Albany to Van Weis Point. Along the journey south, our historian will provide details and point out sights of interest from the area’s fascinating history. (Remember to bring your binoculars for possible bald eagle sightings!) You can also choose our northbound 2 1/2 hour cruise that travels through the Troy Federal lock and back for an enriched take on the history of Troy and Albany.

We also offer lovely dinner cruises with a delicious meal and dancing, fun cruises featuring live music, and sunset cruises. Plan your next event with Dutch Apple Cruises as we are available as a private charter for group events, trips, celebrations, and fundraising cruises. Visit our website for a full list of departure times and details.

Amtrak
Various destinations
800.872.7245; amtrak.com

Riding Amtrak brings you an entire region of day trips! Travel through New York in comfort, not traffic. Enjoy miles of legroom and extra‐wide seats while you explore New York and the region on Amtrak.

Amtrak Adirondack’s 45th‐anniversary sale is going on now. During July and August receive 45% off a companion ticket with the purchase on one adult ticket on The Adirondack. Enjoy nature’s kaleidoscope of colors. Rated a “Top 10 Most Scenic Train Ride in the World,” the Adirondack will help you discover why hikers, leaf‐peepers, and snow‐lovers make annual pilgrimages to Lake Champlain’s shores. Along the way, history comes alive in places like Saratoga Springs and Ticonderoga.

Ride the Empire Service train to New York City. The city that never sleeps invites you to catch a show, walk the High Line’s elevated urban oasis, or stroll the Brooklyn Bridge. Explore Central Park on bike or marvel at the metropolis from the top of the Empire State Building. Catch a ferry to Lady Liberty, and then explore your roots at Ellis Island.

The Ethan Allen travels the Hudson Valley to Saratoga and east to Vermont. There are no worries about road construction, traffic, or weather delays when you’re leisurely enjoying the views of the Hudson River Valley, to the summer bustle of Saratoga Springs and the serenity of Vermont’s farms, villages, and the Green Mountains. The Ethan Allen Express connects you to year‐round outdoor adventures. Go ahead, skip the cab ride, and go for the train. Book your unforgettable excursion on Amtrak today.

Tybush Mountain Alpaca Farm
62 Tybush Lane, Troy
518.892.9372; Find us on Facebook

The Tybush Mountain Alpaca Farm, located in the rolling hills of Brunswick, NY, provides a fun, family‐oriented experience that creates lasting memories. View the peacocks as they fan their magnificent feathers, watch guinea hens playfully chase each other, see the bunnies sleep in their pen as the chickens roam – all while overlooking a beautiful pond.

Then, of course, there is the main event: the llamas and alpacas! Each animal on the farm has its own fun, silly personality that they love to share. There is the llama Jack‐Jack, who stands proud over his alpaca friends and often comes over to guests for a nice pet and a yummy treat. There is also little Skywalker, who will happily stop to say hi and enjoy a good scratch on his neck, and May, who attracts attention with her beautifully patterned white and black fiber. Henry the peacock, loudly calls to let everyone know that he is there, always the center of attention.

The owners of Tybush Farm, John and Elva, will make you feel right at home. The love and dedication they feel for the animals and the beautiful land are evident through the stories they share. Finally, if you are looking for a unique gift, step into the store, where you can purchase lovely items made from alpaca fiber, locally made honey and syrup, and more!

Rivers Casino & Resort
1 Rush Street, Schenectady
518.579.8800; riverscasinoandresort.com

Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady is the Capital Region’s ultimate day trip destination. Recognized as the area’s #1 tourist location, Rivers offers guests world‐class entertainment, exciting gaming experiences, premium dining options, and luxurious riverfront lodging at The Landing Hotel.

Located at the picturesque Mohawk Harbor near the heart of downtown Schenectady, Rivers Casino features 1,150 slots, 67 live table games, and a 16‐table poker room. Guests can bet the ponies on our Capital Off‐Track Betting terminals, and later this summer, Rivers will be opening its new Sportsbook betting lounge.

Rivers Casino is home to five distinct restaurants and bars — among them are Dukes Chophouse offering premium steaks and seafood, Flipt and its all‐American classics, homemade pasta and pizza from Johnny’s To‐Go, and Mian featuring an array of Asian cuisine. The casino also hosts a bakery counter by Schenectady’s premier Italian bakery — Villa Italia.

Rivers Casino also features the lively entertainment lounge and bar Van Slyck’s, free covered parking with valet service, and daily promotions and giveaways.

July through August, Rivers Casino becomes the region’s place to be with its free summer concert series, Harbor Jam, held at the Mohawk Harbor Amphitheater.

The Mohawk Harbor offers access to boat slips, additional dining options, kayak rentals, retail shops, and a 5K bike path and walking trail along the Mohawk River.

Rivers Casino is a short trolley ride away from downtown Schenectady and historic Proctors theatre, which hosts numerous Broadway shows and film festivals throughout the year. (See ad on inside front cover.)

Berkshire Museum
39 South Street, Pittsfield, MA
413.443.7171; berkshiremuseum.org

Experience the genius of the artist and inventor, Leonardo da Vinci; step into the stories behind modern and historical footwear from around the world; discover the intersection of art and particle physics, get up close with fish, reptiles, insects, and amphibians, and more at Berkshire Museum! Located just over the Massachusetts border in downtown Pittsfield, the Berkshire Museum combines art, science, and history to create thought‐provoking experiences for the whole family with interactive exhibitions and programs for all ages. During July and August, our knowledgeable team of educators and docents will bring the Museum’s diverse collections to life seven days a week with special activities including a hands‐on Discovery Tank Program in the Aquarium, museum‐wide scavenger hunts, educational demonstrations, docent tours, and more. Visit berkshiremuseum.org for a complete calendar of events.

This local family favorite is open Monday – Saturday 10 am to 5 pm; Sunday, noon to 5pm; and July 4 noon to 5 pm. Tickets are $13 per adult, $6 per child, and free for children ages 3 and under. Museum members and EBT/SNAP cardholders visit free every day.

Current exhibitions: Leonardo da Vinci: Machines in Motion, on view through September 8, 2019; Amy Myers: The Opera Inside the Atom, Large Scale Drawings 2007‐2008, on view through September 8, 2019; Objects and Their Stories: Shoes, on view through September 29, 2019; The Aquarium and other exhibitions are open daily year‐round. Visit berkshiremuseum.org/exhibitions to learn more.

Putnam County
Visitputnam.org

Day trips to Putnam County offer the bounty of the Hudson Valley. Whether you’re seeking the majestic beauty of the Hudson River, gently rolling hills, quaint villages, or the bucolic tranquility of farm life, Putnam County has it all.

Conveniently located and easily accessible to and from New York City, Putnam offers unexpected year‐round attractions just an hour’s drive north of midtown Manhattan. Are you looking for outdoor recreational activities? Putnam has a range of possibilities – from swimming, hiking, and golf on elite courses in the warmer months, to snowboarding and skiing each winter.

If you’re a foodie, you’ll be thrilled at how our innovative chefs transform fresh, local ingredients into superb artisanal dining offerings. Arts lovers will delight in Putnam’s numerous festivals, theaters, galleries, museums, and music venues. And if you’re a history buff, you’ll find significant historical sites and well‐preserved, elegant 19th‐century estates.

Children will always find something fun to do, with countless educational programs and the annual Putnam County Fair.

So, come join us! Explore some of the hidden gems of the Hudson Valley by spending a day in Putnam County, where there’s something for everyone, no matter what you may be looking for.

Saranac Lake
Regional Office of Sustainable Tourism
518.523.2445; roostadk.com

Travel a bit north to spend the day flying through the trails in Saranac Lake. The six million–acre wilderness of the Adirondacks provides ample opportunity for day trips with Saranac Lake as your perfect destination.

You’ll find two major mountain biking trail networks—Dewey Mountain and Mt. Pisgah. Dewey Mountain is known for its extreme range, from easy and flat to technical and steep, where stunning views of the Saranac Chain of Lakes await. Mt. Pisgah is a fun, flowy ride also with stunning views that overlook Saranac River, the McKenzie Range, and Whiteface Mountain. For beginners, check out our local bike shops to get you started on your adventure. Mountain biking is a great way to see and experience the wild and vast Adirondack landscape.

If biking is not your thing, try hiking, paddling, or just sightseeing. Scenic wilderness is everywhere in the Adirondacks, and Saranac Lake is filled with opportunities for adventure. For a short scenic day‐hike, try Mt. Baker, located right on the outskirts of downtown. Or, paddle the Saranac Chain of Lakes. Look for wildlife along your journey and breathe the fresh mountain air.

At the end of one adventure, you will arrive at another…to a downtown bustling with live music, art, and innovative restaurants. Saranac Lake is still alive with its rich, eclectic history that brought people from all over the world to our mountain village. Come see why Saranac Lake is the decidedly different mountain village with the most. (See ad on page 3).

The Adirondack Experience
9097 State Route 30, Blue Mountain Lake
518.352.7311; theadkx.org

We are the storytellers for life in the Adirondacks, past and present.

Explore the magic and allure of this great region all within 121 acres of open‐air campus overlooking Blue Mountain Lake. Step into a guide boat, break up a log jam, set off a charge in a mine shaft, or hike to the new ADKX Boathouse to paddle or row a vintage boat. Walk through beautiful galleries and enjoy interactive exhibits featuring unique Adirondack artifacts. Share an unforgettable day at an extraordinary place.

Re‐imagine YOUR museum experience.

NEW THIS SEASON:

ADKX BOATHOUSE: Follow our easy •••‐mile hiking trail to the newly constructed Adirondack‐style boathouse — home to a fleet of vintage wooden craft including classic guide boats and canoes. Or, simply enjoy a picnic lunch at the boathouse along the shores of this “gem in the wilderness.”

CURIOUS CREATURES, An Adirondack Collection of Taxidermy: Explore the curious role of stuffed animals and taxidermy oddities in this 100‐piece exhibit from several private Adirondack collections as well as the museum’s holdings. Cabinets of curiosities, unique mounted creatures, a deer hoof inkwell, and tableaux of animals engaged in human activities are part of this extraordinary exhibit on display for one season only.

PRIVATE VIEWS, Collecting the Adirondacks: Explore 19th‐century Adirondack landscape paintings from private collections as well as a selection of the museum’s works.

Angry Orchard
2241 Albany Post Road, Walden
1.888.845.3311; angryorchard.com

See where our cider makers craft innovative new ciders – many of which are available only at our cidery – and sample three delicious Angry Orchard varieties in our tasting room with your complimentary flight.

There is no admission fee to visit the Innovation Cider House. Come explore the Orchard and taste a wide variety of ciders, from our flagship Crisp Apple to small batch exclusives available only at the Cider House! For a more in‐depth experience, try one of our amazing tours. Check out our website for a complete list of details and options.

TREEHOUSE TOURS: Includes cider education and a guided tasting in our one‐of‐a‐kind Treehouse Tasting Room, which was designed for us by Animal Planet’s Tree House Masters!

BARREL ROOM TOURS: Get a behind‐the‐scenes look at how cider is made, a tour around the cider cellar and an in‐depth tasting of our limited release ciders.

BARRELY AWAKE TOUR: Kick start your day with an early tasting. We wake the crew up for our first tour of the day on Saturdays and Sundays at 11AM!

After your tour, relax in our Cider Garden, a stunning outdoor space designed for lounging by the fireplace and sampling a variety of ciders.

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