Upstate New York has so much to offer, especially during the changing of seasons. The air is crisp, the leaves are turning, the weather is getting colder, and we’re slowly preparing ourselves for the first snowfall. Winter is coming, but before we get ahead of ourselves, have you conquered fall? With so many wonderful events happening right here in our backyard, I recently ventured out to experience some of them!
First Adventure: Dutch Apple Cruises in Albany
What better way to see the leaves change than on a 3-hour long cruise along the Hudson River? Having only been on the Captain J.P. back in the summer heading into eighth grade, I was looking forward to this voyage. My friend and I made our way up the boat ramp and were greeted by the many friendly faces of the crew. We decided to grab a beverage from the bar and shortly after, set sail on the Hudson. It was the perfect fall day, a tad breezy but thankfully, the sun was still out and shining. Our time on the boat was split between the top deck, the bow, and the middle deck, which was inside. The top deck allowed for us to sit and eat some food while also maintaining great views of the river and trees that lined the coast. After successfully devouring a plate of food, we made our way over to the bow of the boat where we were able to get a perfect panoramic view of the sunset along the horizon. The warm colors projected in the sky along with the vibrant colors of the leaves made for the most breathtaking view. Once the sun fully set and the temperature began to drop, we transitioned inside into the middle deck. We relaxed, mingled with the other patrons of the boat, and waited to dock back home. This cruise was a great excursion from the busy and bustling streets of Albany. The staff was friendly, the drinks and food were reasonably priced, the history of the area was enchanting, and the views were incredible! I cannot wait to return in the Spring.
Second Adventure: Revolution Rail Co. in North Creek
My family and I were thinking of fun activities to do while watching the leaves change; so of course, we asked for some suggestions and sought unique adventures. After raffling off a few ideas and scouring the internet, we came across a company called Revolution Rail Co. This company was founded in 2016 by two friends who wanted to combine their education and passion for nature in a unique and fun way to showcase to their community, in Upstate NY. They designed and built six railbikes (from scratch!) and launched their first bike run in North Creek, NY in 2017. This 7-mile scenic trail happens to be the same one my family and I got to experience; specifically, the North Bridge Run, which has spectacular views of the Hudson and Boreas Rivers. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint. Not only were the vistas breathtaking but, the bike guides who tagged along with us completely elevated our experience. They were hilarious, extremely knowledgeable about the different runs, and were able to answer any questions that were thrown their way. My dad, sister and I shared a lot of laughs, “ooed” and “awed” at the falling leaves, took too many photos to count, and made the best of memories together as a family. We can’t wait to go back in the summertime to try Revolution Rail Co.’s “Rails to River” excursion, a railbike/ tubing trip all in one! (What can we say, we’re a family full of thrill seekers!)
Third Adventure: Chowderfest in Troy
The Downtown Business Improvement District held its 16th annual Chowderfest in the heart of Troy, NY. This free to attend event completely took over Monument Square and its surrounding area and created the most electrifying atmosphere. 19 local restaurants and bars, including Rare Form Brewing, McAddy’s Pub, Bootleggers, Café Euphoria, and 353 Broadway, participated in this annual outing. They prepared copious amounts of chowder and presented it to the masses for the ultimate “chowda” showdown. The side streets of downtown were filled with soup loving humans who weren’t afraid to try even the most eclectic of chowders. There was your classic New England style, buffalo chicken, seafood, and even shrimp scampi chowder! There were also several vegetarian, gluten-free, and vegan options available…a little something for even the most sensitive foodie. The chowder was tasty, the live music was groovy, the drinks were pouring, and the dogs…well, there were plenty in attendance! Need we say more? If you’ve never been to this event, we strongly encourage you to check out the next one. If you do, bundle up! The lines can be long, so be prepared to wait outside for anywhere between 5-30 minutes. But don’t lose sight of the prize; a warm, delicious, 4 oz. sample of incredible chowder… I promise it’s worth the wait. Honorable mention to La Capital Tacos’ Mexican Avocado Chowder which won the title of People’s First Choice.
My transition into the fall season this year was certainly one for the books. I successfully created new memories with the ones most important to me while trying new and unique seasonal things. There are always new experiences to be had and I can’t wait to see what experiences winter has in store for me.
