When you visit beautiful Rensselaer County, you have the best of both worlds right outside your door. Nestled on a hillside in the woods, Schaghticoke is only minutes from New York's state capital in Albany, breathtaking Lake George and historic Saratoga.
21 miles from Deer Run, the city of Albany is home to three centuries of architecture, from the newly renovated Million Dollar Staircase in the NYS Capitol to the awe inspiring "Egg" at the Empire State Plaza, where visitors enjoy a panoramic view of the city and the country’s largest public display of modern art. Albany's business districts and neighborhoods flourish with New York’s exciting cultural heritage and the countryside is home to many diverse examples of historic house sites and public spaces including the Pruyn House and the first Shaker Meeting House.
Whatever your interest, the treasures of the arts in Albany are yours to discover. When it comes to touring, Albany has the best of everything. The region contains upscale urban culture and down-home rural attractions, all within short drives along convenient highways. Albany’s proximity to other major cities in the Northeast makes it the perfect place to stop along the way to enjoy its unique attractions and history. Throughout the year, the changing seasons bring wonderful and diverse events for groups of all interest, as well as breath-taking scenery and culinary delights.
If you want to just kick back and relax, or brush up on some American history, Saratoga is also only minutes away. Renowned as a health resort and dubbed the 'Queen of Spas', Saratoga is host to several natural mineral springs and two historic spas. Pivotal battles of the American Revolution were fought in the area and historians consider the Battle of Saratoga the turning point of the Revolutionary War. Saratoga is home to a variety of monuments, museums and battlefields that illustrate the stories of America’s first steps.
At the foothills of the Adirondacks, the area comes alive in the summer with horse racing at the harness and flat tracks. Saratoga boasts the oldest thoroughbred racetrack in the U.S. and draws visitors from around the globe. Downtown, the streets are lined with cozy shops, restaurants and bistros, making it a perfect spot to spend the day. Take a leisurely stroll through the Yaddo Rose Gardens, or drive up North Broadway and see the beautiful Victorian estates.
Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) is the well-known summertime home for the classy New York City Ballet, Philadelphia Orchestra and the Boys Choir of Harlem. A large array of music can be heard at the amphitheatre; ranging from Classical, Opera and Jazz to Rock, Country, and Pop. Every year new artists from a variety of genres arrive to put on a once in a lifetime concert. Other annual events include Saratoga Wine & Food Festival, Saratoga Chamber Music Festival and Freihofer’s Jazz Festival.
