Rolling countryside, apple orchards, peaceful rivers and canals, and lofty mountain ranges surround the charming villages and cities. Four centuries of history are reflected in the area's restored homesteads, mansions, forts, and battlegrounds. The region also features modern skyscrapers, waterfront parks, exciting horse racing and world-class dance, music, and theater. Not by chance have Hollywood filmmakers chosen this unique region as the location for recent movies as diverse as "Age of Innocence" and "The Horse Whisperer."
Surrounded by pastoral landscapes along the Hudson River, New York's state capital, Albany, blends old and new architecture, and you can tour landmark buildings where Tiffany windows, Calder mobiles, and an elaborate modern art collection are just some of the highlights. Visit the 1800s French-chateau-style Capitol building, with its intricately carved "Million Dollar Staircase," the 1642 First Church, the Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site (former home of a Revolutionary War general), and the Empire State Plaza with its observation deck and egg-shaped theater. Plan to see a River Rats professional hockey game or a major star in concert at the new Pepsi Arena. Enjoy lunch, dinner, or hors d'oeuvres on a narrated Dutch Apple River Cruise.
Across the Hudson River, the historic city of Troy, home of Uncle Sam, boasts a revitalized riverfront complete with replica paddlewheel tour boats. Washington County, in the northeast corner of the region, is famed as the home of Grandma Moses, whose paintings were inspired by its pristine rural landscapes.
Nearby Saratoga, with its historic parks and vibrant cultural scene, is renowned for its mineral springs, performing arts center, and horse racing. The Saratoga Equine Sports Center offers year-round harness racing, and the elegant Saratoga Race Course, the oldest race track in the country, has an exciting season that includes the million-dollar Travers Stakes. Saratoga Spa State Park highlights splendid championship golf courses and world-famous mineral baths. The summer season at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center features the Lake George Opera Company, New York City Ballet, the Philadelphia Orchestra, jazz and chamber music festivals, and the biggest stars of the entertainment world. The National Museum of Dance is devoted exclusively to professional American dance. Among the many museums and historic attractions in the region is Saratoga National Historic Park, site of the 1777 Battle of Saratoga, one of the most important in American history.
The Capital-Saratoga region has many beautiful theaters. Proctor's Theater in Schenectady hosts traveling Broadway shows, Troy Savings Bank Music Hall is nationally praised by conductors for its acoustics, and the Capital Repertory Company is Albany's resident theater company. Built in 1874, Cohoes Music Hall is a national landmark, and the New York State Theater Institute in Troy hosts professional and educational performances. The Home Made Theater in Saratoga Spa State Park offers superb dinner theater packages.
