Page 25 - AAA Every Day – AAA Hudson Valley – March/April 2021

Get Active!
Choose from these great options for active recreation in this area:
• HikeatPeeblesIslandStatePark
We recommend the perimeter trail, a 1.84-mile loop around the island with excellent views. Several connector trails cut through the island interior, if you want a shorter hike.
• PaddletheErieCanal
www.upstatekayakrentals.com
Launch your kayak, canoe or standup paddleboard at Peebles Island State Park or from the boat ramp near the Waterford Harbor Visitor Center. Rentals are available at Upstate Kayak Rentals at the Waterford Boat Ramp and the parking area on Flight Lock Road, just past Lock E6.
• CycletheErieCanalwayTrail/EmpireStateTrail
www.empiretrail.ny.gov
Explore More
New York State Museum, Library, and Archives
222 Madison Avenue, Albany 518-474-5877 www.nysm.nysed.gov
Discover science, history, education and art exhibits of state, national, and international importance at the Museum. The Archives and Library hold an extensive collection of maps, engineering records, journals and other documents related to the Erie Canal.
Best Bet Dining Options
The Capital Region has lots of dining options and excellent microbreweries. You’ll find a variety of choices in Waterford, Cohoes, Troy and Albany. Or enjoy a picnic at Peebles Island, Cohoes Falls or Waterford Harbor. If you are exploring on a Saturday, consider adding the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market to your trip. Open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., the open-air market hosts more than 80 growers, bakers, chefs and artisans. On Sundays, the Waterford Harbor Farmers Market is open from 9 a.m.
to 1 p.m., June through October on the waterfront at the Waterford Harbor Visitor Center.
TOURISM INFORMATION www.albany.org www.iloveny.com
Find other canal adventures from the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor: www.eriecanalway.org www.nycanalmap.com
There are several excellent off-road cycling options in this area. All are out and back, so you can go as many miles as you like. Detailed maps are available online. Suggested routes:
• Start the Corning Preserve in Albany, which marked the eastern end of the Erie Canal during the 1800s, and cycle along the Hudson River to Watervliet and back; 9 miles round trip.
• Begin at Colonie Town Park on Schermerhorn Road and cycle west to Lyons Park/River Road in Niskayuna; 15 miles round trip.
• Start at Lyons Park in Niskayuna and go west to Schenectady; 20 miles round trip with a stop at Lock E7 along the way.
• Start at Peeble Island State Park and cycle south along the Hudson River to Green Island and return; 5 miles round trip.
MAR/APR 2021 I 25
TRAVELER’S GUIDE
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