This winter was an interesting one, and I tried to squeeze in as much excitement as possible in beautiful Upstate NY!
*Want to see what I did last season? Check out my Fall Activities blog here.
First Adventure: Victorian Stroll in Troy
It was a chilly Sunday morning on December 4, 2022, when I checked into Nighthawks for a routine brunch with friends. We hadn’t exactly planned our route for the Victorian Stroll, but we knew we wanted to hit the town to be part of the festivities. For those that aren’t familiar with the stroll, it’s a holiday tradition in Historic Downtown Troy that welcomes all for a day full of entertainment, shopping, dining, and of course, holiday cheer! This event would mark its 40th year of success and celebration; we wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
After indulging in some incredible (seriously, incredible!) farm-to-table food at Nighthawks, we decided to hit Broadway, a popular street in Troy full of restaurants, bars, and stores. The closer we walked to Monument Square, the more invigorating and electric Troy became. The streets were crowded with people of all ages, the music was booming on every corner, and the storefronts were illuminated with decorations, artwork, and glimmering lights. My friends and I ran into a saxophone playing Santa, who goes by the name of Sax O’ Clause. We loosened up, danced in the streets with fellow patrons, and continued to venture throughout town. We noticed that some local restaurants and buildings had fixed light structures attached to the exterior of their storefront for the first ever Troy Glow. Troy Glow was a temporary, 5-week long public light show put on by The Arts Center of the Capital Region in conjunction with local artists. Its goal was to attract visitors and bring publicity to the artists who designed and installed these fixtures.
My friends and I officially wrapped up the day by returning to Monument Square to watch the inaugural lighting of the city’s Christmas tree in coordination with the illumination of Troy Glow. With activities like face painting, caroling, beer tasting (for those over 21), live music, and more; there’s always something for everyone to enjoy at the Victorian Stroll!
Second Adventure: Polar Plunge in Lake George
I’ve never really been one to declare a “New Year’s Resolution”, but my family has always been big on traditions. One of our rituals is the Polar Plunge in Lake George. This event happens every year on New Year’s Day right on Shepard’s Beach. Hundreds of people gather on the shore with nothing but their swimsuits on and pay to swim in below freezing water. This year I decided to convince my friends, Jordan and Craig, to tag along for the family fun.
After finding decent parking on a nearby side street, we made our way to registration at Duffy’s Tavern. We navigated through the crowded bar where people were filling up on liquid courage and successfully made it to the second floor to sign up. The fee was $10, and the proceeds directly benefitted Springfield Shriners Hospital and the Lake George Volunteer Fire Department. Each of us were given a green wrist band which signified that we were in the second wave. We then made our way down to the gate where we waited until the first wave had finished up. We all rallied together to get ourselves excited for what we were about to embark on.
Finally, the gate opened, and we all mobbed the shore to find dry sand to rest our belongings. We waited patiently until we were given the green light to take the plunge. Crowds of people pushed through into the water, and we followed without hesitation. Some were brazen enough to completely submerge themselves. My group on the other hand… decided against it. Craig, Jordan, and I went neck-deep into the freezing cold water, threw out some high-fives, and then b-lined straight to our dry (but very sandy) clothes. Our teeth were chattering, our toes were tingling, and our skin might’ve had a tint of purple to it. It’s safe to say that this is a new tradition we will continue for many years to come!
Third Adventure: Ice Castles in Lake George
Craig and I decided to travel back up to Lake George to see the Ice Castles in all their glory. Besides, who wouldn’t want to live out their Frozen fantasy? Since January had record-breaking heat, our ticket date was postponed to early February when temperatures finally dropped. We ventured north on February 6, 2023, to bring our fairytale dream to life! At check-in, we signed a few waivers and were given a briefing on the “dos and don’ts” of the property.
Once we set off to see what the Ice Castles were all about, Craig and I were immediately stunned by the sheer magnitude of these structures. It was a beautiful sight – large ice sculptures lit up with different hues of purple, pink, green, and blue; changing colors at the blink of an eye! We made our way through grand caverns and archways adorned with pieces of art sculptures entirely hand-made from ice. We sat on an ice throne fit for ice Kings and Queens, and even tabogganed down an ice slide.
We then made our way to the bar out back, which to our surprise, was inside of an igloo. It matched the chill vibes perfectly and offered both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. We grabbed some hot cocoa and relaxed by one of the many gas-powered fire pits scattered throughout the property. We soaked up the last few minutes of the Ice Castles before venturing back to the “real world.” The pathway back was surprisingly lit up with a mini light show. There were disco balls on trees, flashing lights on logs, shimmering tinsel in bushes, and so much more. It was a magical departure that certainly left its impression on us.
Tip: If you decide to go to the Ice Castles in Lake George next year, please dress accordingly. Check the weather ahead of time, wear gloves, hats, scarves, durable winter boots, and do your best to keep warm! This is a great family-friendly attraction and could even be the perfect spot for a romantic, storybook marriage proposal.
Winter in Upstate New York truly makes some of my favorite memories! Check back next season to see what I’ve been up to in the Spring. Want to build the perfect route for your upcoming road trip? Visit our TripTik site to get started. Planning to stay overnight? Check out AAA Diamond Approved hotels along the way.
