| Local
Attractions
Capital District History | Official Albany Tourist Information
Below are just a few of the Capital District's local attractions and activities. Saratoga Performing Arts Center Museums Baseball Hall of Fame Arts and Entertainment The Egg Performance Center Recreation Other Sites and Attractions
Saratoga Performing Arts Center
For more information visit http://www.nyra.com/saratoga/default.asp
National Baseball Hall of Fame
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
The National Museum of Dance & Hall of Fame is the only museum in
the nation dedicated to American professional dance. Located in the former
Washington Bath House - a spacious 1918 Arts and Crafts-style building
- in the Saratoga Spa State Park, the Museum houses a growing collection
of photographs, videos, artifacts, costumes, biographies and archives
comprising a contemporary and retrospective examination of seminal contributions
to dance. Located in Saratoga Springs approximately 30 minutes from Albany.
Call 518-584-2225 for more information. National Museum of Racing & Hall of Fame Visit the national museum dedicated to thorough bread racing. Across
from the Flat Track in Saratoga Springs. Approximately 30 minutes from
Albany. http://www.racingmuseum.org
Experience a bit of Lake George's Golden Age, at the former teaching
studio of the Metropolitan Opera Diva Marcella Sembrich; pianist, violinist,
teacher, Polish patriot and benefactor. This quaint building is one of
the few open to the public from the "Great and Gracious" period
of northern New York State's history of the early 20th century. The Museum
is filled with memorabilia of an international operatic career spanning
over 50 years, including paintings, sculptures, accolades, personal effects,
music, and autographed photographs of Sembrich contemporaries such as
Mahler, Rachmaninoff, Caruso, Liszt, Brahms and Puccini. For more info
call 518-644-9839 or the office at hilltop cottage 518-644-2492. http://www.operamuseum.org
http://nysparks.state.ny.us/next.html
Adirondack Balloon Flights - Daily at sunrise and a few hours before
sunset. Reservations required. Call 518-793-6342 or visit http://www.adkballoonflights.com
A 72' long wooden touring vessel, the Morgan, is another cruise option. The Morgan offers sightseeing lunch cruises from 12:30-2:00 pm and dinner cruises from 6-9 PM Leaves from the Sagamore's waterfront. Call reservations at 518-644-9400 for more information.
Saddle Up Stables offers a scenic ride through trails overlooking Lake George. Daily 9-5. Off Lake Shore Drive on Rt. 9N in Lake George. Open Mid May through Labor Day. Visit www.ridingstables.com for more information. Bennett Riding Stables offers Trail, adventure, and sunset dinner rides. Route 9N, Lake Luzerne. A short drive from Lake George. Call 518-696-4444 for reservations or visit www.lakegeorgenewyork.com/horses/.
Adirondack River Outfitters - 518-696-5101
Lake George is within an hours drive of Albany and offers a host of activities.
Find out more at
http://www.visitlakegeorge.com.
Local Universities and Higher Education
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The
2004 MA&O Conference will be held in the heart of New York State's Capital
District. Aside from the conference hotel's ideal location and surrounding
shops and restaurants, the Capital District offers a wealth of activities
for all ages. From historic French and Indian War battle sites to fine
arts, entertainment, and historic Saratoga Springs; the Capital District
is sure to please the entire family!
The
cultural life of upstate New York flourishes at Saratoga Performing Arts
Center. Presenting New York City Ballet, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Saratoga
Chamber Music Festival, Freihofer's Jazz Festival, Lake George Opera,
Pre-Performance Talks, Saratoga Wine & Food Festival and special events,
SPAC enchants a diverse and expanding audience. We offer a lush landscape
for strolling, picnicking and visiting with friends; a sheltered Amphitheatre
and intimate Spa Little Theatre; convenient dining and refreshments; and
ample parking. In this 38th season, we welcome loyal friends and families
familiar with SPAC's classical performing arts pleasures, and encourage
newcomers to explore this region's cultural centerpiece. 
Experience
world renowned horse racing at the Saratoga Racetrack. 
Come
to the National baseball hall of fame and celebrate America's favorite
pastime. The baseball hall of fame has numerous exhibits and activities
that preserve history, honor excellence, and connect generations.
Enjoy
a part of North American history by visiting the restored Fort William
Henry colonial fortress from the French and Indian War. Open 10 AM to
5 PM. Call 518-668-5471 for more information or visit 
This
exciting museum has been called "the Smithsonian of the Adirondacks"
by the National Geographic Traveler, and "the best of its kind in
the world" by the New York Times. Approximately 20 exhibit building
and live programming tell the story of the Adirondacks from the mid 1800s
to the present. Exciting new Visitor Center with Museum Store, and Lake
View Cafe. Magnificent views and landscaped grounds. Located at Blue Mountain
Lake. Call 518-352-7311 for more information or Visit 
Visit
Fort Ticonderoga, the world-renowned museum and historic fort and site
of major victories in the Seven Years' War and American Revolution. Open
9an-5pm, 7 days. Call 518-585-2821 for more information or visit 
In
New York's Capital Region stands one of the most beguiling structures
of them all. The Egg hovers dramatically at the Empire State Plaza against
a downtown landscape rich in architectural marvels. And in this stunning
oval shape - a masterpiece of construction and design - occur some of
the most inspiring performances in all the Northeast. In fact, the attractions
that grace this performance center fill its spaces in a unique way. 
Home
to the AHL River Rats, NLL Attack, Albany Conquest, and the Siena Saints
MAAC basketball team, the Pepsi Arena continually brings a variety of
exciting events to Albany, New York. Concerts, family shows, ice shows,
motorcross and monster truck events, trade shows, and professional and
college sports are just some of the events that you can enjoy at the Pepsi
Arena. 
Located
only 15 miles from Albany, John Boyd Thacher State Park houses one of
the richest fossil-bearing formations in the world. Even as it safeguards
six miles of limestone cliff-face, rock-strewn slopes, woodland and open
fields, the park provides a marvelous panorama of the Hudson-Mohawk Valleys
and the Adirondack and Green Mountains. The park offers trails for summer
hiking and mountain biking.
Float
on gentle air currents beneath the colorful canopy of a hot air balloon.
Experience magnificent views of the Adirondack Region of New York and
the Green Mountains of Vermont, and the feeling of escape and freedom
that only a balloon ride can give. Join us for a unique and unforgettable
good time.
The
Lake George Steamboat Company offers a variety of cruises on their three
large cruise ships: The Minne-Ha-Ha, an authentic Paddlewheeler; The Mohican;
and the Lake's largest cruise ship, The Lac du Saint Sacrement. Choose
from lunch and dinner cruises, one-hour trips, a 2¼ hr paradise
bay cruise, or a 4½ hr complete tour of the historic and scenic
Lake George. Call 518-668-5777 or 1-800-553-BOAT for more information
or visit 
Take
a trail ride throughout the rolling hills of the Adirondacks or a sunset
dinner ride.
Take
a whitewater rafting trip down the Hudson or Sacandoga Rivers. For more
information contact the following:
Kayak
in scenic Lake George! Kayaking tours are given on different scenic spots
on Lake George as well as other lakes located in the Adirondack Park.
Tours are available varying in length from two hours to a full day. Lunch
can be provided upon request. Prices for tours vary depending on length
of tour, number of guides needed, and transportation required. Kayaks
and all kayak accessories are included in price of tour. Group rates are
available. Call Lake George Kayak Company 518-644-9366. Season Hours:
Thurs-Mon 10am-6pm, Sun 11am-5pm. Closed Tues. Weds.
In
1791, Thomas Jefferson said "Lake George is without comparison, the
most beautiful water I ever saw; formed by a contour of mountains into
a basin... finely interspersed with islands, its water limpid as crystal,
and the mountain sides covered with rich groves... down to the water-edge:
here and there precipices of rock to checker the scene and save it from
monotony." 
Rensselaer
Polytechnic Institute
University
at Albany, State University of New York