Day 1 - Albany Rural Cemetery

See the full #StaycationAlbany page and activities here

Located just outside of the City of Albany sits the Albany Rural Cemetery. This peaceful location spans over 400 acres, dates back to 1884, and is the final resting place of many historical and famed figures. It’s also a wonderful place to spend an afternoon, the winding paths lending themselves to a tranquil summer stroll with plenty to interest the eye. If you’re looking for somewhere close by to get away from it all, Albany Rural Cemetery certainly does the trick.

HISTORY
The Cemetery was established in 1884, during this time garden or rural cemeteries were becoming more common due to increased population in cities across the country. These types of cemeteries differed from what came previously, representing the changing attitudes towards death and mourning in general. In the rural cemetery, images and symbols inspired hope and offered a degree of respite, the rolling hills and fresh air creating a pastoral oasis for the countries growing city dwellers.

Since it’s consecration the Cemetery has continued to grow and change, but it has kept it’s character and continues to offer the public a pocket of nature to escape to when needed.

THINGS TO DO

• Take a long walk or cycle around the cemetery. Follow the map below, or go wherever your feet take you.

• Snap a photo of the beautiful Dalton Mausoleum, designed by noted architect Marcus T. Reynolds.

• Stop by the 1899 Reynolds House and check out the beautiful architecture, including the ionic columns.

• Search for a grave - maybe even a distant relative….

• Stop by Schuyler Bakery afterwards for a sweet treat!

• Remember to tag us and use the #StaycationAlbany hashtag!

Download a map of the cemetery here >>

Albany Rural Cemetery is open everyday 7am-7pm. For full details visit their website. Be sure to follow them in Facebook and if you’d like to donate to support the cemetery, you can do so through their website.

Dalton Mausoleum

Reynolds House

Albany Rural Cemetery

Day 2 - Empire State Plaza & New York State Capitol

See the full #StaycationAlbany page and activities here

A lot of us see the Plaza, Capitol, and surrounding area on such a a regular basis we might not see it as a ‘destination’ to visit, but why not take this summer staycation as an opportunity to explore it with new eyes!

When my family visited from the UK they has so much fun wandering around downtown by foot taking photos of the impressive architecture (we also paired it with a trip to the NYS Musem which was a welcome respite from the heat) All of the photos here were from that very trip - we’d love to see your pics too!

The History

The Empire State Plaza is arguably the most iconic and recognizable area of Albany architecture. It’s construction began in 1965, taking 11 years to complete and costing in the region of $2 billion. The ambitious construction was spearheaded by Governor Nelson Rockefeller, allegedly as a reaction to an unimpressed Dutch Princess. The resulting complex displaced thousands of people as their homes and businesses were torn down to make way for the striking modernist architecture that you see today (it was also part of the reason Historic Albany Foundation was formed). Overtime is has become a significant piece of the city’s landscape, as well as being a place many Albany locals call their workplace.

The New York State Capitol has a longer history, being completed in 1899 and built in a beautiful Romanesque Revival style. It is the seat of the New York State government and was the most expensive government building at it’s time of construction. It was originally listed as part of a larger Lafayette Park Historic District which includes Elk Street and many of the surrounding buildings.

Things to Do

• Walk to the Plaza and get take a photo of an angle you haven’t seen before

• Discover your favorite piece of outdoor art

• Snap your best photo of The Capitol in all it’s glory!

• Take a close-up of an architectural detail on The Capitol that you haven’t spotted before

• Head to Better Bite for a great sandwich - get it take out and sit in West Capitol Park

• Go on a mini-architecture tour, visiting and taking photographs of the beautiful architecture and buildings nearby:

  > The Beaux-Arts style New York State Education Building (columns…swoon!)

  > Albany City Hall built in 1880

  > The Neoclassical Court of Appeals and the Albany County Supreme Court

  > Walk up Elk Street to the Cathedral of All Saints

Click here for a google map of the mini-tour>>

Download a map of Empire State Plaza here>>

Better Bite is open Mon-Tues 8am-4pm, Weds-Say 8am-8pm, Sun 9am-6pm

The Plaza

Feat. my family as tourists

The NYS Capitol

Snap your best pic of this iconic building

NYS Education Building

See the beauty on your doorstep

Day 3 - Altamont's Museum in the Streets

The Museum in the Streets

See the historic architecture

See the full #StaycationAlbany page and activities here

A scenic 30 minute drive out of Albany will take you to the quaint village of Altamont. Located in Albany County, this village has a long history of being a ‘staycation’ destination - from the late 1890’s it was a busy summer spot to visit by train (learn more about the historic train station here).

Although the train no longer stops here, Altamont still offers a great deal to those looking for a perfect mix of nature, history, and architecture with plenty of things to do and see both in the village and the surrounding area. If you’re looking for a way to escape the city for the day Altamont is it, and with the Museum in the Streets you can explore the beautiful architecture and history any time you like, and at your own pace.

HISTORY
The settlement of Altamont was established in the 19th Century, growing in prominence in 1896 after the construction of a train station which now houses the free library. People from both Albany and NYC would take a trip on the train to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, enjoying the charm of this rural village and transforming both the economy and architecture.

THE MUSEUM IN THE STREETS - A self-guided walking tour to discover the architecture of Altamont

This walking tour is completely self-guided, with visitors being invited to stroll around the village and learn about the history, buildings, and stories that helped create and define Altamont. Numbered panels display archival photos and descriptions in both English and Spanish, weaving a story to guide your on your visit.

Download the guide here >>

THINGS TO DO

• On the way to Altamont visit the John Schoolcraft House and take a photo of this gorgeously Gothic, gingerbread building

• Walk around and enjoy The Museum in the Streets and the local architecture

• Head 5 minutes up the road to Indian Ladder Farms for take out at the Yellow Rock Cafe, or have a sit down lunch in their Biergarten (and of course some doughnuts!)

• Pick up a few bottles for the evening from Altamont Vineyard and Winery

• Remember to tag your photos #StaycationAlbany - we’d love to see your adventures!

Take a pic of the John Schoolcraft House

Stop by the Altamont Vineyard & Winery

Visit Indian Ladder Farms

Day 4 - Ten Broeck Triangle & Arbor Hill

Ten Broeck Gardens

Nestled towards the bottom of Clinton Avenue, part of the Arbor Hill Historic District, lies Ten Broeck Triangle: a magnificent, neatly packed triangle showcasing a variety of architecture that every local and visitor to Albany should enjoy. Over these seven blocks visitors can enjoy a veritable feast of architecture: Federal to Greek Revival, Neoclassical to Gothic - this historic district has it all. On top of that, it’s home to the famed Ten Broeck Mansion and gardens, and of course the impressive St. Joseph’s Church.

HISTORY
The area’s oldest building (Ten Broeck Mansion) was built in 1797, as a home to Elizabeth (Van Rensselaer) Ten Broeck and her husband Abraham Ten Broeck. As the lumber trade began to boom in the following century thanks to trade from the Erie Canal, wealthy business men chose to build their homes in the area surrounding the mansion, creating the varied streetscape you see today. The ‘triangle’ was recognized as a Historic District in 1979, expanding to include parts of Arbor Hill four years later.

Hall Place

Things to Do

St. Joseph’s Church

• Visit Ten Broeck Mansion and Garden
  Ten Broeck Mansion gardens are truly an oasis in the city - if you haven’t visited before get down there and check it out this weekend! It has a piece of the original Capitol building, a huge variety of plants and flowers, and shady places to sit, read, and watch the world go by. The Mansion is also putting on outdoor architecture and garden lectures every Friday (find out more here)

• Sketch / Photograph St. Joseph’s
  A fabulous example of Neo Gothic architecture in Albany, St. Joseph’s catches the attention of the artist in all of us. Take a photograph or sketch some of the elaborate architectural details from either of the nearby parks that sit on each side of the church.

• Experience the Architecture
  There’s so many beautiful architectural styles you can see from strolling the sidewalks of Ten Broeck and Arbor Hill - including Hall Place’s neoclassical rowhouses, modified in the early 20th century with lacy New Orleans invoking porches (read more details about the architecture here)
  Visit our map detailing some of the architectural highlights of Ten Broeck Triangle & Arbor Hill Historic District here>>

• Have Lunch at The Olde English Pub in their marvelous garden.

  Remember to tag your photos #StaycationAlbany - we’d love to see your adventures!

Beautiful Buildings

A Wealth of Architectural Styles

Gorgeous Garden to Stroll through

Ten Broeck

A Piece of the Original Capitol

Ten Broeck

Day 5 - The Shaker Heritage Society

the ever-changing herb garden

Tucked away close by to Albany airport sits an extraordinary part of history: the world’s very first Shaker settlement. Established in 1776, the Watervliet Shaker Historic District was once home to 350 members of this Christian sect who were characterized by their ingenuity, hard work, celibacy, and energetic form of worship. Now it is managed and maintained by the equally resolute Shaker Heritage who work tirelessly to keep the story of the Shakers alive, whilst preserving the architecture and grounds for visitors to continue to experience and enjoy.

the shaker Meeting house

History
The Shakers (known more officially as The United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing) were founded in 18th century in England. Believing that Christ would be reborn as a woman, from 1758 they were led by the beloved Mother Ann Lee. After a religious revelation she decided the Christian sect should escape the persecution in their home country and move to the new world. Their very first settlement? Modern day Colonie.

The Shaker believed spiritual ties to be far more important than blood, as such they created their own ‘families’ which lived communally in separate, self-sufficient homes. The families would come together regularly at the Meeting House to worship, sing, and dance - often watched by ‘the world’ (non-shakers) who wanted to know more about this unique group. The Shaker were renowned for their industrious, economical and inventive nature, growing, selling, and canning their own food and seeds, as well as producing their own clothes, tools, and machinery (including the flat broom which is alleged to have been invented at this very site!). The Shaker religion spread across New England and beyond, at one point having between 2000-4000 members in 18 different communities, however at the turn of the 20th Century their population began to decline, leaving only a handful of communities, and later individuals, remaining.

The Shaker Heritage Site in Albany was listed on the National Register in 1973 and is open to the public from March to December, with the organization offering a variety of educational programming, from baskets weaving to foraging for edible plants. For more information visit their website here >>

Ann Lee pond (photo credit all trails)

Things to Do

• Head to the grounds for a self-guided tour: visit the Meeting House, take some photos of the surrounding architecture, stroll around the beautiful herb garden and see some heritage animal breeds.

• Want more information? Take a guided tour by emailing educator@shakerheritage.org

• Hike the Ann Lee Pond & Nature Preserve trail and see what wild nature you can spot

• Visit the Shaker Cemetery to see the final resting place of the Shaker’s spiritual leader, Mother Ann

• Attend the wonderful Harvest Craft Fair (masks required) and pick up some one-of-a-kind goodies from over 50 vendors

• Looking for an events venue? Consider the shabby chic of the Hay Barn or the acoustic wonder that is the Meeting House….

• Hungry? Stop by Mazada for the perfect mix of Afghan cuisine and Mediterranean cuisine

The Shaker Heritage Site is open from dawn till dusk daily

Want more information about the Shaker Heritage Site? Check out our bitesize video series, #ShakerSaturdays >>

See all #StaycationAlbany Ideas here>>

Day 6 - Buckingham Pond

Searching for a spot nearby to enjoy an end-of-summer-stroll this evening? Pop Buckingham Pond and the surrounding neighbourhood on your list. Located just off Western Ave this quiet enclave offers city dwellers a visual feast of mid-century modern buildings to admire, as well as a peaceful city pond to amble around.

The History

The majority of homes in this eclectic neighbourhood are single-family and were built between the years of 1941-1960, so expect to see a lot of the angular details and asymmetry that screams mid-century modern style. The development of this neighbourhood correlates with the economic ‘boom’ that characterized a post-war America. Middle and upper-middle-class families now had more money to spend on housing than ever before. The suburban, contemporary lifestyle that Buckingham Pond area offered tapped directly into that trend.

Albany architects Henry Blatner and Leon Einhorn filled in the gaps between the brick and clapboard clad Colonial Revivals with strikingly modern Prairie and Ranch-style houses, creating the most modern of all the city’s neighbourhoods that you see today!

Things to Do
> Enjoy the short trail around the pond. If you’re feeling energetic this is a favoured spot for local joggers, if you’re feeling more contemplative take a moment to appreciate the flowering foliage.
> Relax on the benches dotted throughout the park, and see if you can spot any of the wildlife that calls this place home.
> Get your mid-century modern on by exploring the residential area nearby. There are some wonderful specimens of style to see; start from the pond and work you way around the calm, tree-lined streets (highlights include Holmes Dale, Colonial, and Milner). Take a moment to admire the cool, sophisticated, fun architecture and unique architecture that this charactetizes this area.

Photo credit- all over albany

Photo credit: Buckingham Pond Conservancy - Home | Facebook