34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (2024)

The top stops along the way from Syracuse to Springfield (with short detours) are Norman Rockwell Museum, Saratoga Race Course, and Clark Art Institute. Other popular stops include New York State Museum, Howe Caverns, and Yankee Candle Village.

1

Lapland Lake Nordic Vacation Center

Ski resort

Outdoor Activities

Resort hotel

Cross-country Ski Areas

Cozy cottages in a Nordic-inspired resort offering cross-country skiing, forested trails & 2 cafes.

Truly wonderful and exactly as advertised on their website. Friendly, helpful staff, well groomed and lovely trails for all levels, and nice refueling options. We had a XC ski lesson from Richard, who was calm and knowledgeable - highly recommend! We rented equipment and it was an easy process and in great condition. It’s magical and peaceful on the property. All visitors were respectful. I cannot recommend this place enough!

Kateryna C — Google review

Wonderful facility with great staff. Conditions were absolutely perfect over Presidents' Day weekend. The trails are well laid out and marked and there are great trails for all skill levels. The Kids Club lesson and Reindeer Rally games were a hit with our girls (ages 10 and 7). Highly recommend a visit to Lapland Lake for cross-country skiing!

Natalie H — Google review

I felt like I spent the day in a brochure...everything was perfect! Trails were expertly groomed, every staff member was polite and helpful, and COVID protocols were enough to make me feel safe without being onerous. I took a lesson with an experienced instructor who competes internationally. She knew how to adapt for my ability and experience. I needed to get new ski boots and the salesperson in the shop was equally knowledgeable and truly helpful. I can't wait to go back!

Julia F — Google review

We did not stay there, so I could not rate the rooms. We snuck in for a quick snowshoeing loop. Great little spot, seems like the cross-country skiing trails are well maintained. They've been in business for a long time for a reason, looks like they know what they're doing. We will definitely be back.

John F — Google review

LOVE THIS PLACE! The Tupas (cabins) have just enough amenities to make things easy yet do not overdo it so prices stay affordable. The staff are friendly and attentive. The trails are great, well groomed, and well marked. The lake view is incredible! We’ve only been on the weekends and it is never too crowded. Just not enough good things to say!

Nikele R — Google review

Lapland Lake is a gem for cross-country skiing! Perfectly groomed trails for skate and classic styles, trails for all ability levels, and surroundings that include a lovely forest plus a lake make this a stunning location. Separate nearby trails for snowshoeing keep the ski trails pristine. The cozy lodge and fully stocked ski shop (and even a heated waxing room) create a relaxing destination, no matter the weather.

Deborah C — Google review

Snow chasers paradise! Plenty of snow when everywhere south has none. Honest snow reports, great lodge, and easy-on easy-off trails. There is no cell service at Lapland, so be sure to load your playlists at the lodge which has an excellent public wifi network. Nice little shop with the things you might have forgotten and things you didn’t know you needed! I didn’t try the cafe upstairs, but it exists. They sell beer.Trails were perfectly groomed and wide. Minimum 10-ft with others wider than that. Very few two-way trails and fantastic trail layout for long meanders. Highly recommend Lapland! I shall return!

Josiah S — Google review

Lapland Lake is absolutely wonderful for families, couples, or solo travelers who are looking to have a down-to-earth, comfortable, and fun wilderness vacation.

Yael L — Google review

Went for Cross-country skiing for our first time. We took a a lesson first and the Instructor gave us the skills we needed to hit the trails on our own and successfully traverse the gorgeous well groomed trails to the lake and through the beautiful pine filled forest. The staff was very knowledgeable, kind, and all around wonderful. Had some delicious hot chocolate from the snack bar/restaurant upstairs and sat by a fire pit outside. We had the best day. Cannot wait to go again.

Nancy K — Google review

Great trail system, beautiful wooded environment, well groomed, and very enjoyable, even under sub-par weather/snow conditions we got this weekend. The staff at the lodge are very friendly and helpful, too. I wish we lived closer! :)(I'm not reviewing the rooms, since we just skied on the trails, and didn't stay in the tupas.)

Robert F — Google review

This is a charming, family run cross country ski center, on a beautiful property.I have visited twice.My first time I stayed in a cabin that we absolutely adored. I think it was my favorite cabin ever. Rustic, yet comfy and well designed, I absolutely loved the kitchen space and cooking meals here. This is the cabin that is right across from the ski lodge and a bonus is you get to see the groomer going out and skiers on the trail. You can certainly have a great visit staying off the property too, but the cabins are really special.The cross country ski instructor was really great, he did challenge us to improve our skills and we were really better for it.The ski trails are very well groomed, the whole property is well cared for. I do find the topography here to be slightly better suited to advanced beginners and up especially if conditions are icy.One really special feature is the snowshoe trail. It leads through the woods out to the lake over tiny bridges. It's good to have a trail on snowshoes. I really enjoyed my hike and it let me see some advanced trails I would not get to on skis.My friend participated in a clinic for skate skiing, and thought the instruction was top notch.The lodge has a ski shop, a lounge area with a fireplace, and up the stairs is the cafe area which has a great amount of space and lots of light from big windows. The sell sandwiches and soups and baked goods. I thought the red pepper gouda soup was delicious. You can also bring your own food.I also think this would be a lovely place to visit in summer, especially if you swim at the lake.

Suzanne G — Google review

We visit Lapland Lake every year for a late February ski vacation. There’s nothing like cross country skiing on freshly groomed trails. The grounds are beautiful. The staff are friendly and knowledgeable. There are perfect trails for beginners and advanced skiers alike. I highly, highly recommend booking a trip to Lapland Lake. We’re looking forward to visiting again next year!

Elizabeth W — Google review

Perfect for beginners and or experienced skiers! The trailers are beautiful, the staff is very accommodating. Will be back!

SG D — Google review

What a GREAT weekend adventure! Summer fat-tire biking on the winter XC trails is amazing. Only 5 months ago...full snow, now fabulous grassy trails. And the lake (and kayaking) is so peaceful and beautiful. Thank you.

Ben C — Google review

We had another wonderful stay at Lapland Lake! Probably our 10th stay in the last 13 years. We live 5.5 hours away and can only come once a year and we chose Lapland again. The conditions were perfect. We were there from 1-22-23 to 1-26-23 and it snowed off and on the whole time. We love the little cottages and that you can ski right outside your door. A very unique cross country ski experience. The owners and staff were wonderful as usual! We hope to go back next year.

Coyleh — Google review

Hidden gem! Family owned business personal, friendly service. The cross country trails are amazing, well kept and satisfy all levels of ability from beginner to advanced. Snowshoe trails too. Peaceful location, spectacular scenery and a beautiful lake. Equipment rental on site.

Susan S — Google review

4.8

(276)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (1)

5.0

(148)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (2)

139 Lapland Lake Rd, Northville, NY 12134, USA

(518) 863-4974

2

Howe Caverns

34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (3)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (4)

34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (5)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (6)

Mentioned on

4 lists

$$$$affordable

Nature & Parks

Caverns & Caves

Howe Caverns is an underground wonder featuring unique limestone formations, a lake, and guided tours. The cavern was discovered when Lester Howe noticed cold air blowing up from the ground where his cow stood in a neighbor's pasture. Visitors can easily purchase tickets online for tours and explore the gift shop for souvenirs. It's recommended to dress warmly as it gets chilly down there. The experience is highly recommended for families with kids who love rocks and caves.

Cool spot to visit! Very organized tour in a colorful cave and a fun boat ride included inside and then you walk back out the same way, friendly staff that takes you around. The group size was around 20-30 when I went (a few months ago around the Labor Day break).There's also a secret cave nearby but I didn't have time to go there this time, will have to come back again in the future!Book the tickets online in advance to reserve the time you like, they recommend coming 30 minutes early but we ended up getting here late (from fixing a flat tire on the way) by 10 minutes and they took us to our group to catch us up right away, great experience overall and I'd definitely recommend it to others. You do have to wait a bit when walking around to wait for the group but not too bad.

Rita L — Google review

10/10 would recommend to anyone! The caverns are amazing and the commentary from our tour guide was fantastic. This was the last stop on a mini road trip for us and we were so impressed by the experience. It's beautiful. Our tour was thankfully very small (9 of us) but other tours passing us was very large and the guide said they go up to 36 people per group. We just happened to be lucky, but keep that in mind. We went on a random Wednesday afternoon at 245 pm and was very happy with the small group. If you're anywhere near here, it's worth the stop. Oh, its very cold, bring something warm.

Cyleste P — Google review

We did the tour and stay package. It was definitely a great value. Included in the package was a hotel room, 2 cave tickets, a 1/2 lb of your choice fudge (we got peanut butter chocolate & mint swirl. They were both good, but liked peanut butter chocolate the best). The room was nice, clean, and much larger than I expected. They had a nice fridge. In the room there was a goody bag, with a glass, chip clip and a book on the caves. They have Dish network with a good selection of channels but it took some time to figure out how to work the remote even though they had directions. Finally got it sorted out. We only stayed one night, so we didn't get to use the pool or do the zip line or high ropes. The grounds were beautiful and well taken care of. I would definitely recommend to others and stay again if we are in the area.

Janet — Google review

Buying tickets online was easy and effortless, we got there alittle late due to monsoon rains that day, just made our tour. You can’t bring bags in the tour with you so we choose to do the gift shop after the tour, but we didn’t realize that the gift shop closed early, so when our tour was done the gift shop was closed, that was a huge bummer for my daughter she couldn’t get rocks. I took my 6 year old daughter who loves rocks and caves! She loved it! Definitely wear a jacket and pants, it’s freezing down there. I went here as a kid, and it was time to carry the tradition down to the next generation. Tour guides were informative and nice, our tour was a bit rushed, you couldn’t just stop and admire the cave, you had to look while keep moving. The tour guide stops at important areas but just felt rushed. Most of the attractions around the place were closed, so we didn’t really get the whole effect of the place but would go again in a few years.

Samantha M — Google review

Wow, amazing experience for all the family members, from little ones to seniors.All the great staff were super friendly and professional.The motel was great, super clean, and very comfortable. It has a beautiful pool that you will enjoy after a long day traveling.The tour staff were super professional and knowledgeable.We’ll come back with more friends.

Iesoua S — Google review

We went here as part of a vacation where we were camping near this area.The cave tour was fantastic. It lasted just long enough that the kids remained interested in what was going on the majority of the time, and there were plenty of different things to see in the cave that kept them involved.The short boat ride at the end was also very fun, and broke up the walking portions nicely while providing a different experience.I'd definitely recommend this place to anyone in the area, though you'll want to make sure you're not claustrophobic (though I suppose that should go without saying on any cave tour).

Jonathan C — Google review

I grew up in upstate NY and used to love going here as a child. Just went as an adult and I LOVED it! Our tour guide was fantastic and had a hilarious sense of humor. Made every minute interesting. The caves themselves were so beautiful! Loved all the different colored lights, and especially enjoyed the boat ride. It was breathtaking! Will absolutely visit again.

Sarah O — Google review

Absolutely amazing experience. Worth the drive and would to come back in the summer for the longer tour. Guide was great and the cave was just fantastic.

Andy B — Google review

Having clostraphobia going in a cavern/cave was not my idea. Facing my fears at 60 years old, enjoying life, and new adventures is my goal. "CONNER" our amazing tour guide made this adventure fun, and informative. Great place to go but please, do not touch the rocks or walls.

Leona H — Google review

We had a great experience during our visit touring the caves and the escape room adventure! Johnathan was our cave tour guide who was super nice and very informative. He made the tour interesting and fun. Mike was our Game Master during our escape room experience. Mike was thorough explaining instructions and the need to know information. The puzzles certainly weren’t easy, but Mike gave us the confidence needed to get through the tasks. This was our first escape room experience and would absolutely do it again at Howe Caverns with a different theme!!

Tamarah P — Google review

Our family (kids age 9 and 6) had a great time. Everyone was friendly and helpful, the caves are magnificent, and the motel was clean and nice. There was a freak late-April snowstorm and a snowplow team came early to clear the parking lots and roads. Excellent customer service, would recommend.

Chad W — Google review

Nice above ground facilities! Beautiful underground cave! Wish the Cafe had been open past 4pm when our tour finished. Will need to be able to walk a mile and climb a few sets of stairs for the cave tour. Don't forget a sweatshirt or light jacket for the tour. Great place for families!

C A — Google review

It’s was a fun and cool activity. The tour guide was knowledgeable and funny. It was a fair distance of a walk not too long not too short. One thing that is important to remember for the summer days, is to bring a sweater and long pants because it’s a constant 52 degrees down there year round. If you do forget they have a gift shop that sell warm sweaters and hoodies. Besides that happy exploring 😊.

Robert N — Google review

Had a great visit with my 13y/o granddaughter. Took in the afternoon cave tour and really enjoyed ourselves. Purchased tickets online ahead of time without any difficulty.Trip consists of both a walking tour and a small boat trip on a cavern lake. “Gondola” type pole push and guides hands on the sides of the cavern walls.On-site cafe, candy shop, and gift shop. 3 hours total maximum.

Gary M — Google review

A very fun experience! The caverns are well lit and maintained. The tours are decent sizes, but not overwhelming and the tour guides do great jobs making sure everyone is included. The tour is mainly walking with several sections of stairs, but there is a smaller section where you are seated on small boats. Overall, I think a whole family would have a great time together! There is a pretty large size gift shop in the upper levels of the facilities.

Megan M — Google review

Thank You Tony for guiding us thru the Caverns! We had a wonderful time at Howe Caverns :) He kept us Safe & Secure.Next time, we will have to check out the Secret Caverns.We picked up the package that included Gems Sifting and Sweet Treats!We also stayed the night :)The room was perfect and cozy.Do not skip the Windy Way!!Check out the photos and videos :)

Erin S — Google review

I'm a little claustrophobic so that was interesting especially the last part of the tour where they take you through a very tight maze. Funny thing is it ended up being my favorite part. I also loved when we were on the boat and they turn the lights off in the cave so you could see how dark it is. This was an amazing tour and I want to come back with the rest of my family. Definitely would recommend it to everyone of all ages

Jen H — Google review

Went with family (of 5) all adult but far more better for kids especially. So much fun and very useful information can be absorbed from the tour guides (it is only done through guided tour) we still loved it. *Be mindful of a ton of information to be coming at you* Our guided tour was done by Betsy, and we loved it!!It’s 52° down there so be prepared for a bit chilly weather down there. Also wear sneakers- a bit slippery from all the little dripping water (it’s natural)TICKET MUST BE BOUGHT ONLINE *beforehand* and they’re also open on specific days so don’t drive for over 2hrs or more without online booking! The tour is 1hr and 30min long, and very on time so if you’re not there at least exactly at the reserved time then you WILL miss your reservation. No wait time unless you arrive too early

Humayra A — Google review

I went as a chaperone for a 4th and 5th grade field trip. The caverns were more interesting than I would have expected! The history, geology, and boat ride were all fun and educational. Our tour leader handled our large group of young students very professionally, just the right level of humor and teaching, sprinkled with a low tolerance for noise and interruption in exactly the correct amounts.I would highly recommend a visit for anyone curious to see and learn.

Pete C — Google review

This is a very cool place, at 53f & 75% humidity, I can tell you about the late arrival fee of $25, if you are late 10 minutes, I can confirm that it takes about 4.5 hours to drive from NYC, to the middle of nowhere!The cave itself is a stunning place, Jonathan our tour guide was very strict, didn’t allow us to get out of line, literally! Made the experience maddening at times, he had lots of options to share, and didn’t allow the tour ppl yo ask any question, only talked about the facts he was looking at.. like a robot!I would like to explore and experience the place without a monotone speech..I cannot recommend this place, I just waited for the guided tour to be over with… I have been in other caves, including Crystal caves, and the freedom to explore has made it magical! The place is amazing, the ppl that work there are not…

Eli B — Google review

What a great experience! Definitely recommend getting tickets online. Bring a jacket because it does get chilly. Boat ride was cool! The final part of the tour gets narrow so if you are claustrophobic you may want to reconsider. They also pack you tight into an elevator like sardines. Overall a great tour!

Kris M — Google review

I have fond memories of this place from my childhood. Got to take two of my children to visit, and they enjoyed it too.They've added some different lighting and new twists on some of the stories associated with the cavern. It's worth the drive for the views of beautiful upstate NY, and the cave tour is fun.Get some fudge while you're there and DEFINITELY try the cave Aged cheddar.

Patricia S — Google review

We’ve lived less than 30 miles from Howe Caverns for 40 years and my first visit was this Father’s Day. Really enjoyed the tour and finding out that such an outstanding natural feature is right in our back yard.

Ron D — Google review

Third visit since mid 80s. Went this year to celebrate tenth anniversary with girlfriend. Figured it would be a thrilling experience for her since she's never been in a real subterranean cave. The motel was nice and we had a fun romantic mini getaway, but certain things turned us off...--because the ticket booth worker wanted to leave sooner, we had to rush to drop stuff off at our motel room because the tour was starting 15 minutes earlier. We were shocked by this due to how much we paid for the lantern tour and overnight stay.---the guide rushed through the cave and talked really fast. We couldn't hear him most of the time, as he didn't have a mic on.---- the lanterns themselves were silly and mostly useless in the dark( 2" diameter candle inside a large coffee can). We were so drained from driving in hurricane rain weather that by the time we walked back to the cave entrance using only the lanterns, the dimness was making us sedated.Without an actual lantern( like they offer in the gift shop), you can just about make your way back to the entrance, nevermind appreciate a lantern view of the cave formations and detail.Id buy one of those lanterns or bring your own small high lumens flashlight if you do the Lantern Tour!

Tim B — Google review

Howes Caverns is an amazing place to visit! Our guide, Betsy’s extensive knowledge made it a truly unique experience. The dedication to the preservation of the caverns is evident. Highly recommend!!

Suzzette C — Google review

My boyfriend and I stayed at the motel and took a tour for our anniversary recently. We both haven’t been since we were kids, and had been saying for a while that we should go again. I’m so glad we did. We got a king bed room and it was a lot bigger than we were expecting. It was very clean and the bed was extremely comfy. We also got a little goodie bag in our room! We did the Tour & Stay package which came with a ½ pound of their homemade fudge & one large bag of gem mining rough that we did the next day at home. The cave is the same temperature all year so don’t be worried about going in the winter! We ended up having the last cave tour of the day and were lucky enough to get Betsy as our tour guide. She was very nice and welcoming. During the tour she kept us all laughing and intrigued. You could tell the caverns mean a lot to her throughout the tour and I absolutely love that. Thanks for the wonderful stay, we will definitely be back this summer, hopefully with some friends.

Rebecca G — Google review

Visiting Howe Caverns was an exhilarating adventure that far exceeded my expectations! From the moment I stepped into the subterranean wonderland, I was swept away by the sheer beauty and mystery of the ancient formations. The guided tour was both enlightening and entertaining, providing fascinating insights into the cavern’s geology and history, peppered with intriguing stories that brought the cave to life.The pathways are well-lit and safe, making it easy to navigate through the stunning stalactites and stalagmites that decorate the cavern. The boat ride on the underground lake was a surreal experience—like gliding through another world. The staff at Howe Caverns were incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, enhancing the overall experience with their expertise and enthusiasm.Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a history buff, or simply looking for a unique outing, Howe Caverns offers a spectacular escape into a hidden world of ancient marvels. It’s not just a tour; it’s an adventure that you will remember for a lifetime. Truly, a gem worth exploring!

Erick — Google review

Amazing experience!!! Our tour guide (sadly, we forgot her name. It was Kristina or something similar. "The last guide to give tour before october flooding") was amazing. She was funny and friendly. Staff overall was very good and very informative. We loved the boat ride and little made-up stories about different rocks along the cave. I was hesitant to go through the winding way as I am claustrophobic (mild) , they do warn you to opt through the other way if you are claustrophobic but I took a chance and I am so glad that I did. It was amazing.Light is very dim, and they have different colors and lights throughout the cave, so if you have epilepsy, I would suggest avoiding visiting.They do have cafe and dessert shop. Cafe was closed. Washrooms were moderate clean. The gift shop was okay.We enjoyed our packed home-cooked food outside on benches in parking out with some amazing scenic background.A good experience overall.

SamArt C — Google review

This experience really exceeded my expectations. To start, the facility is beautiful and the staff were very organized and efficient with getting the tour groups going. Our tour guide was so sweet, funny, and knowledgeable and really made the tour even cooler. The caverns were so stunning - the boat ride and the narrow winding bit at the end were my favorite parts.

Jessica S — Google review

素晴らしい。歩いたりボートに乗ったりしながら洞窟の中の景色を楽しみました。ボートが方向転換する時に1〜2秒だけ全ての電気を消してくださり真っ暗闇を体験しました。チケットはオンラインで事前に購入できます。(Translated by Google)wonderful.We enjoyed the scenery inside the cave while walking and riding the boat.When the boat turned, all the lights were turned off for a second or two, so we experienced total darkness.Tickets can be purchased in advance online.

Hidemi — Google review

Such an amazing spot! I really enjoyed the cave tour! It wasn’t too cold. I went end of March with my bf and we absolutely loved it. The tour is over a mile long. We had a great tour guide we explained different stones and various parts of the cave. We also went on a boat where two tour guides managed to lead us on a fantastic ride.The gift shop is cute! I purchased a few crystals and stones. Also magnets for my friends and family.

Gisel C — Google review

I have visited Howe Caverns multiple times over the last 55 years starting with an elementary school field trip. This time the building and the grounds are in the best shape I remember. The cavern itself has not changed much. The pathways are easy to walk on. There are a lot of stairs so you should physically be able to use them. It is cool underground so wearing long pants and a light jacket or sweatshirt are advisable or you will get cold before long. The tour guide was well informed. The tour moves along at a fairly quick pace but I would like to have had a little more time to take it all in. There is a place to eat and the food was good and reasonably priced. Of course there is a gift shop. The tours start at certain times and you should be there a little early. I don't know what happens if you aren't on time.

William M — Google review

I went here on a class trip many years ago (15 years ago). I still think about this place from time to time because of how cool it was. I remember the tour guides being very nice and the place itself was very well-maintained. This is a place that everyone should go to at least once.

Nicole — Google review

Very cool place to see. Hard to hear the tour guide since we had a few small children who were talking non-stop . The narrow, twisty part was a bit unnerving. Definitely worth the trip.

Richard H — Google review

Took my girlfriend for her first time to Howe Caverns about 2 months ago and she loved it! She’s from out of state, and said this is something that they don’t have where she is from. We bought our tickets in advance, got to the caverns and checked right in at the front. We then waited about 20 minutes for our time. Each tour is about an hour and a half, which was the perfect amount of time. The cavern offers so much: cool stalactites, stalagmites, colorful lights, a boat ride, and so much more. I highly recommend Atleast once you visit Howe caverns. Our tour guide was amazing! The whole staff was very friendly and informative with information about the caverns!

PoisonRadiant7 — Google review

What a fun and interesting experience, 15 stories below ground. Our guide, Alex, was very knowledgeable and entertaining as all the staff we came in contact with. The boat ride was magical!

Suzanne M — Google review

Great place with a variety of interesting activities... The illumination was just amazing making each picture taken a piece of art. They also have internal boat rides and section with really narrow passages and amazing formation. Really recommended.

Alexander P — Google review

Truly unique among bucket list experiences, Howe Caverns afford one the opportunity to not only descend into the earth but go back into time over 350 million years. A combination of geology, biology and history, the caverns are a prime example of the natural beauty residing below our planet as well on it. I best enjoy them when I can quietly stroll among them at my own pace, considering their truly ancient age and the fascinating processes that carved and sustain these natural wonders. My one wish is if more personalized/private tours were available at similar rates to the public ones to truly appreciate these magnificent formations.

Mr. T — Google review

Spectacularly beautiful grounds with amazing views of the surrounding mountains. My family toured the caverns and learned about the science of their formation plus the history of their discovery. Very educational, memorable and restful experience.

Kathy Z — Google review

Incredible experience. Had Connor for a tour guide and loved it. Recommend going later in the day to avoid a large crowd for the exploration.Only thing I don't love is the random light colors in the cave, would prefer one static color because I want to see the cave itself not crazy lights.They mentioned spelunking which I'm super interested in, but it's hard to find details on the website probably have to call. That allows going deeper into the cave with no light assistance in a wetsuit

Nicholas T — Google review

It was phenomenal. Beautiful place great tour guides and fun activities for the kids. Would recommend going early because of the gift shift and activities for the kids. Time will fly by.

Christne P — Google review

4.6

(4954)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (7)

4.5

(1082)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (8)

255 Discovery Dr, Howes Cave, NY 12092, USA

(518) 296-8900

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34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (9)

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Secret Caverns

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Nature & Parks

Caverns & Caves

Geologic Formations

Naturally formed caverns with waterfalls 100 ft. below ground, various formations & fossils.

Wonderful cave experience for all ages!!! Bring a rain coat, boots of some sort and a flashlight. While the guide has one and the cave has lights , I found we wanted to see other things and the guide was up ahead or talking to other guests. Phone lights wasn't enough. There is a really epic waterfall at the end of the cave!!!

Corey M — Google review

This was my first cave tour in a long time and it was great! Tour guide was very informational and told the history of the cave. Tour starts with how the cave was "accidently" discovered by two cows in the 1920's. Then you go down over 100 steps into the caves. The cave has colorful lighting to illuminate the best spots in the cave. While the cave doesn't have any really "roomy" spots it does have the 100 foot waterfall at the end, which is one of a kind.Unlike many other places you can see and touch the walls. On my tour they even shut off the lights to see what is like without the lights! Passage way to waterfall can be narrow and wet, but that adds to the authenticity of the tour. If in the area definitely worth seeing. Tour is about an hour long.Gift shop and tour is cash only.

Ryan M — Google review

This place was seriously so much fun! The guides have a great sense of humor and you are allowed to get up close and touch everything! The cavern is beautiful and the waterfall is really cool. The whole place has a charm that makes it very different from other nearby caverns. It is an out and back tour, the guide leads you down and gives the tour on the way down, then on the way back you can go at your own pace and enjoy the caverns on your own. The whole thing takes 45 minutes to an hour, and a new tour starts every hour. This means that your wait time to go in will depend on your arrival time. I'm really glad I decided to give this one a try and definitely recommend it to everyone who is physically able to handle stairs and some tight places (I'm claustrophobic but it didn't bother me at all).

Sarah T — Google review

This place was so cool. My first cave experience. Be prepared it’s a lot of walking. I was kinda broken and I did it. Also, if you are tall like me , WATCH YOUR HEAD! Those rocks don’t give much!

Sean R — Google review

In case of an Asteroid (2021 1h 21m), this is where the Main Character would go. Place is great fun. If you're debating which nearby cavern to go to, make this your number one choice!

Kenneth C — Google review

If I could give more stars I would! Not only was this tour informative, but also VERY interactive! Our guide Matt was the absolute best and we enjoyed EVERY STEP of the way down to the waterfall and back!! Totally recommend and the shop is worth exploring, take lots of pictures, and look for the SIGNS!

Jennifer P — Google review

Secret Caverns affordable family activity. Cash only to pay for tickets and souvenirs. Not a long path, ends at a naturally made 100 foot under ground waterfall. Would recommend wearing a sweatshirt while in the cave and be prepared for your feet to get slightly wet.

Staci P — Google review

A great experience for everyone! First cave experience. Definitely have a high expectation for every cave out there now haha. The tour guide was awesome! Very funny and made it an awesome time. He was very knowledgeable about the cave. Such a cool story about the cave and its history. Definitely recommend this place!!

Madison C — Google review

**4.5 stars**The Secret Caves is a great place to visit for a unique and adventurous experience. The caves are well-maintained and easy to navigate, and the tour guides are very informative and friendly.The cave tour takes about an hour and covers a variety of different formations, including stalagmites, stalactites, columns, and flowstone. The tour guide provides a lot of information about the geology and history of the caves, and they also share some interesting stories and legends.One of the things that I loved most about the Secret Caves is that they are not overly commercialized. The caves are still very natural and untouched, and it feels like you're really exploring a hidden gem.Another thing that I appreciated was that the tour guides were very respectful of the caves and their environment. They made sure that everyone stayed on the marked trails and did not touch any of the formations.Overall, I had a great time at the Secret Caves. It's a great place to visit for a unique and adventurous experience. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun and educational activity.Here are a few specific things that I loved about the Secret Caves:* The caves are well-maintained and easy to navigate.* The tour guides are very informative and friendly.* The caves are not overly commercialized and still feel very natural and untouched.* The tour guides are very respectful of the caves and their environment.**There are a few stairs involved in the tour, so it may not be suitable for people with mobility issues.Overall, I highly recommend the Secret Caves for a unique and adventurous experience.

Terrance L — Google review

$20 cash only! The guys working there are great and have a great sense of humor lol the graffiti art is marvelous too!! The underground waterfall is simply a MUST SEE!

Edelyn C — Google review

Never been in a Cave, so I appreciated the adventurous approach Secret Caverns takes with the tours. Definitely not on rails, but not dangerous either! Overall, the it was an amazing experience: the cave, connecting tunnels, and waterfall was beautiful. The artwork across the place was pretty great, too. Highly recommend a trip, it was a great time. Tips: bring some decent shoes, it's an underground cave. Bring a sweatshirt or coat, it's about 50 degrees (again, it's underground cave). Have fun!

Seth A — Google review

There are a lot of stairs to walk down to get in and back out of the cave. We had two smaller children on our tour. The guide and others in our group were very patient with them being slower, which was fabulous to see. They were very slow at the time that we went, late afternoon. There isn't much to their gift shop. The cave tour wasn't very long. The most impressive part of the tour was the waterfall at the end.

Gwen B — Google review

Do you like “Gravity Falls”? Here it is! So authentic place. Not your boring corporate caves. They have cool stories, we’ve been on a tour alone, my family, and tiny staff girl/story teller who turned on the light. She is brave. There is underground waterfall at the end of the tour. Old school gift shop. Beware: Cash only no atm on premises. Work hours listed might not match. So call and check. No connection by T-mobile.

Jane K — Google review

I've been wanting to check this place out for a while but every time I'm near there I'm with someone who wants to see Howes.. so this time I went alone on a spur of the moment trip. I'm glad I did. WAY BETTER THAN HOWES!! FIRST. I love the art! Very meatpuppet-ish in a way. The shop is cool with a very layed back. SECOND. the random cornball humor around the place is def my style. THIRD. The tour/guide. We had Matt. Can tell he's a pretty chill dude w a good sense of humor. Always a plus. Made the tour that much more enjoyable. FOURTH. There is way more to look at and is an Interactive experience. Feel free to touch the Cavern walls and calcium carbonate forming them. I also like that it's not as open and more of a tighter path. It's not too small for people but more enclosed . There are some awesome higher ceilings and the guide will lTell about them as well. FIFTH. Was the waterfall of course. So cool to see and hear. I definitely enjoyed myself there. I left a little ahead of the tour which was the most amazing thing. To walk the cave in silence is awesome to say the least. I would love to go there and be able to rent out the hr for myself. That would be cool. I highly recommend this spot!!!!

Bubba B — Google review

We had the pleasure of speaking with the owner while waiting for our tour. Great guy with tons of knowledge and experience. The cave is outstanding. Guides are fun to talk to. Much more raw and intimate than many other cave tours. The waterfall at the end is a must see. Great family business worth your time and cash (cash only 👍).

Daniel S — Google review

Secret Caverns was a very cool experience. We've been to another local cave in the area, but Secrets Caverns was able to create a more personal feeling adventure. Our tour guide, Matt, was very knowledgeable and funny, and the pace of the tour was not rushed. I would highly recommend checking out Secret Caverns if you're in the central New York location. My one piece of advice would be to make sure you wear proper footwear because it is a bit wet in areas of the caverns.

Megan M — Google review

Quirky and fun! Matt, our tour guide was knowledgeable and funny. It was so neat to see the underground waterfall. We arrived about 30 minutes before the 1 pm tour.

Bethany G — Google review

2nd time here. Good experience, fairly priced, knowledgeable tour guide, and easy to find. It's cash only and there's no ATM.

Beth G — Google review

Secret Caverns is a more whimsical alternative to Howe Caverns. It's tongue and cheek and wonderful. I came here 3 years ago and when we came back last week we had the same guide and he was just as delightful. If you look at the pictures you will get the vibe, it's great

Maryanne C — Google review

Does the grateful dead own a cave? Their signage would make you think so. Fairly small cave with a pretty cool waterfall at the end. My guide was a mix of witty and sarcastic which kept the tour entertaining instead of the mundane.

Trypp A — Google review

Our guide was knowledgeable and fun! The Secret Caverns are a must-see in New York State (unless you are claustrophobic).

Cathy N — Google review

CASH ONLY. Fun, quirky, one-of-a-kind, multi-generational family business. Tour the natural cave with several underground oddities. Safe, guided 45 minute to an hour tours. Beautiful underground waterfall. The company isn't too strick about things... pretty laid back. :. Nice gift shop/mini museum. Some real treasures in evert direction. Great for kids who can handle walking for a while. Not overly strenuous (~100 stairs). Approximately 45°F tempure. Recommend light jackets, no sandals.

Mark H — Google review

This was a great place to visit. All the employees were very friendly. The cave was great, it was about a 1/4 mile walk to the end waterfall and then 1/4 mile walk back.

Daniel P — Google review

Amazing !! I am so glad I went here on a whim .. the tour guide was fun and whitty .. yes there is larger hoses cavern up the road from them BUT skip it and come here !! Quirky and awesome

Lyanne S — Google review

Tours leave every hour, on the hour. This place is cash only so be prepared! Tour guide was funny and informative. It's a short walk but a lot to see! The waterfall is beautiful!! We will definitely come back

Rebecca H — Google review

I throughly enjoyed my experience here. My tour guide was knowledgeable and fun. I travel alone, and he made it fun.

Doreen R — Google review

Love, love, love this cave. You can actually touch the stalagtights! It was the coolest thing ever. I've been to caves but never aloud to touch anything. On your way there are signs letting you know every half mile that you're getting closer. When you walk in there are all kinds of memorabilia from when it first opened all over the walls. There is also tons of really cool art work everywhere. Outside, in the bathroom, on the ceiling. I enjoyed reading the signs on the walls telling you about how the cave was found and about the mummy. Just little funny stories. When you get down into the cave it's a little chilly and wet but we've been in caves before so we came prepared. The tours are every hour and the tour guide is awesome. Informative but still has fun with it. Lots of steps but going down into a cave is kind of a given. It's a little tight, single file line to walk through but at the end you come to this very tall waterfall. It's so cool to see when you are that far under the ground. The tour guide will take your picture with your phone if asked, we did. After we came back out of the cave we noticed an area where you can take pictures so we did that too. Would recommend to anyone and everyone.

Alyssa W — Google review

4.5

(1015)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (14)

4.0

(190)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (15)

671 Caverns Rd, Howes Cave, NY 12092, USA

(518) 296-8558

4

Adirondack Animal Land

34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (16)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (17)

34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (18)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (19)

Zoo

Zoos & Aquariums

A drive-thru African safari, a petting area & prairie dogs are highlights of this 80-acre zoo.

We stopped here on our last day of vacation and they did not disappoint! The animals were all friendly, came right up to your windows. Very well maintained. Plus the animals are in a such a great natural environment you can tell they are happy!

Victoria A — Google review

I took my kids to visit Adirondak Animal Land on Sunday. We entered with 3 adults and three children. When we entered, although we paid in two different groups, they asked if we had ridden together. we said yes as we had come in my mini van. Due to this, they gave us ONE safari pass.Prior to going into the safari, we went and walked around the inside. There were monkeys, peacocks, kangaroos, turkeys, deer, a bird walk through, mini horses, camels, a single giraffe, multiple got enclosures, emu's, and a few other species. The walk through was small but great for ages 12 and under. It took us a little over an hour to complete. My kids enjoyed it.Once competing the walk through, we headed to drive through the safari. This was my children's favorite part. We wanted to complete it a second time and headed to the ticket office, willing to purchase a ticket to do so. When approaching the person at the desk I was told that despite us having three adults who should have all be able to get drive through tickets if we wanted to do only the drive through again we would need to pay for everyone to enter the park all over again. This was incredibly frustrating and is truly what knocked our experience down. They should have had an option to simply buy a drive-through only ticket or give our groups that paid separately each a drive-through ticket since we paid as multiple groups.-animal food $4 a cup (clear disposable plastic. We spent $60 on animal food alone, so come prepared)-CASH ONLY-decent amount of baby animals-gift shop reasonably priced-animal enclosures small- Park relatively clean-no outside food for animals

Dakota S — Google review

Me and my two friends went to Adirondack Animal Land and had a great time. I wasn't sure of what to expect. If you buy the animal food cups, when the animals approach, hold on with both hands! My friend dropped it and got covered with the food. Lots of Camels, ostriches, llama, alpacas, deer. Zebras cannot be fed ( not sure why), a couple of very friendly donkeys, some pigs. Just be patient because the animals walk in front of cars, takes time to drive through.

Christy W — Google review

This place is incredible! My wife, son and I came here for a visit and it was a blast. Driving through the grounds and seeing all of the animals is quite the experience. This place is cash only to get in and at the gift shop. $12 per person is a great deal! Check this place out, it’s a lot of fun.

Adam G — Google review

Great experience. Nice enclosures, animals seem happy and well taken care of and full of energy. Would definitely be going back there.

Larry S — Google review

It was quite nice, a little pricy at $48 for a family of 4 in one vehicle with food for the animals extra. Beware the camels at the entrance, they'll gobble up everyone's food before you even get through the gate. Camels, emu's ostriches, guinea fowl, pigs, various deer alpacas and llamas in a short driving course. Very nice for the kids.

Trevor G — Google review

We stopped here on our way to our Air BnB and really were pleasantly surprised! The walking area wasn’t huge but it was a great size for kids. And the animals all seemed happy and well cared for. The best part was the drive through safari. My kids loved having the animals stick their heads in the car, especially the camels and emus. And for a nominal fee you can purchase cups of feed to give to the animals. Just be careful, the camels like to steal cups and the emus can be relentless. There’s also a small gift shop with very reasonable prices and multiple picnic areas. Overall a fun way to pass a few hours.

Michael D — Google review

Great family friendly place. They have a walk through and drive through and both are once price and great for the family. We love it!

Leanna S — Google review

Unexceptable enclosures for monkeys, Moscow birds, giraffes, kangaroos and various other common or exotic animals. Not nearly enough space for them to roam and as a zoologist, I can tell they are stressed. The two monkeys in a tiny enclosure with barely any space to climb or roam are attacking each other due to this, the one bit and ripped off the other ones tail. Disgusting conditions, needing to be inspected and investigated in order to change these conditions and improve them. Along with this the speakers that were supposed to play music were broken and constantly having static and screeching noises, that the animals have to endure all the time. None of the animals have enough space when there’s more than enough land unused and large areas of entertainment that are taking up space instead, make the enclosures acceptable for holding life. They live in these conditions 24/7 and it’s inhumane, as a zoologist and someone who is invested in animals well-being I am upset and will try to find ways to make sure this place gets improved. The drive through part was acceptable but regardless the conditions of the animals through the walk-through are unacceptable and disgusting, something needs to be done as soon as possible and I will be reporting to USDA.

Joelle A — Google review

We went through the drive through section and got to feed and see the animals. My grandson loved it but watch the birds the stick their heads in the car and peck at the cup of food. The deer will eat of.your hand. We then went in the zoo area which is very nice with a picnic area. You can feed the caged animals in their pens. Climax is feeding the Giraffe carrots by hand. They bend their long necks over the fence to get a nibble.Great way to spend an afternoon. They start to close up at 3pm section by section and by 4pm it closes. They also have a kiddie ride area.

Frank P — Google review

Terrible experience and owners are rude. We came at 2:30pm on a Monday it was pouring so we decided to come back another day. We asked the man who worked here the hours, last admission entrance etc. He tells us 4 pm. We came back today (Thursday) and arrived at 3:15. The woman who claimed to be an owner or manager told us we cannot come through last admission was at 3. Why wasn’t that information given when we asked on Monday? Well they literally change rules day to day I guess. We literally drove 30 min from where we were staying because my daughter who is two was asking to see the animals. I told her that we don’t need to do the drive through safari and that the walk through area is fine. She refused and wasn’t nice about it. You would think these people would not only give the right information but care about their customers especially the ones with small children and want business!!!!! We were wiling to pay the full fee. My daughter was very upset and cried which was disappointing for me. Moral of the story these people do not deserve anyone’s business. They probably just wanted to close early today and go home. Bad business people and honestly not even worth it.

Kathryn P — Google review

My first time ever there, definitely not wheelchair or walker friendly, but still managed to be able to see everything. Absolutely love the animals. I felt like a little kid going through the drive-through safari. I absolutely loved it!

Len'a D — Google review

Very dated. They need to put some money into the little play houses. They also need something for kids to stand on to look in some of the enclosures. Animals look well cared for and the "safari" part was fun. The kids overall had a good time! That is why they got 4 stars.

Linda G — Google review

Great as always with huge variety of animals lots of fun and they have changed the hay ride over to driving your own vehicle.

Eric K — Google review

It was ok, pre covid was much better with more animals in walking experience portion, but now, we have the safari..safari was fun, but personally, i enjoyed this place better when they have more animals in the walking portion of our visit.....its too pricy for the visit, we'll check back in three years

AriJina L — Google review

What can I say, but that Ithis one one of the most amazing experiences I've had. A must do!

Kateri R — Google review

We absolutely love this place! Bird room and all the adorable animals. The drive-through safari was incredible.

Jenn G — Google review

What a great experience with the animals and the surrounding beauty!!! Every parent should bring there kids here!!! I've never seen so many Happy children!!!The staff is so friendly and the animals steal the show!!! Ten ⭐

David T — Google review

CASH ONLY! $20 per adult for admission and $4 for grain cups. This place was awesome! We got there at just before 10 when they opened and did the walk through first as the drive through part didn’t open until 11. We fed giraffes some grain which was amazing! Do that first! The camel stole my cup of grain right out of my hand but it was so cute. Get extra grain just in case. The drive through was great! The deer were so cute and they loved the grain. Unfortunately they also knocked it out of my hand🤣Get extra grain. There were lots of emus and they were obnoxious and pushy about getting into your car so beware! The drive through part took about 45 minutes. It is self guided. The walk through part is hilly and uneven and would be challenging for anyone with mobility issues. This was a last minute trip for us. We were in Schenectady for The Lion King show at Proctor Theater and it was an easy 45min drive up there.

Hope W — Google review

Love this place, used to go as a kid now I enjoy going at least once a season as an adult. Very enjoyable and relaxing and is never over crowded. Drive through is my favorite and all the animals look very healthy and happy.

Laura J — Google review

I will admit that I was at first a little unsure since it was drive through only & it was a bit pricey at $12 a head and $4 a cup of food, but it was worth it. The animals came right up to your car, the staff was all really friendly and knew how to keep the flow going all the way from the line outside to the line of vehicles inside. It was a great experience for me and my family & I was happy to see them adjust through the pandemic.

Jenna G — Google review

Lots of fun. The drive thru safari was a blast. The kids had a great time feeding the animals from the car windows. The walk through part was a bit dated but the kids (5 & 9) had a wonderful time.

Danielle W — Google review

Kids loved this mini "Safari"The drive through is very nice. Kids loved it

Chaim P — Google review

4.4

(977)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (20)

4.0

(152)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (21)

3554 NY-30, Gloversville, NY 12078, USA

(518) 883-5748

5

Proctors Theatre

Mentioned on

7 lists

Performing arts theater

Concerts & Shows

Live music venue

Movie theater

Proctors Theatre, a historic vaudeville house turned premier performing arts facility in New York's Capital Region, offers top-tier entertainment in its beautifully restored Mainstage and state-of-the-art GE Theatre. Known as the community's living room, this National Register of Historic Places-listed venue hosts Broadway shows, comedy acts, musical productions, and more. With excellent lighting, seating, and acoustics, it provides an ideal setting for theater, art exhibitions, dance performances, and live music events.

I always enjoy this theater. It's easy to get to. Parking on the weekend is free. The seats are comfortable. The women's restroom on the first floor has many stalls, so you're not waiting for long. The shows are always enjoyable and the sound system is very good.

Mary F — Google review

Decided to go to Fandom Fest for the first time. What a great little adventure it turned out to be. From the guest, to the geek garage, Hollywood snapshots, cosplay, artist alley, vendor hall to the exquisite theater that held the panels.I had a fantastic 2 days & will definitely be going back!

Arlene S — Google review

Spot light balcony isn't worth the cost! Couldn't see any of the beautiful details. very disappointed 😞 we came from a distance to major traffic jams with no assistance with directions for patrons. Overcrowded with no organization of merchandise booths, Bathrooms, (were inadequate for the amount of patrons) and exits. Not enough time to use facilities and the staff will lock you out of show. I understand respect for the great and amazing actors. .We needed more time and better organization. We paid a small fortune to NOTsee the stage clearly. Again will not visit here for any entertainment unless it's front row, i would still think twice...

Tammy C — Google review

Always a fantastic place to go to see a play, music events, movie, or small concert, Depending on what the schedule is for events.I took my granddaughter to see Bluey’s Big Play, all the staff were friendly and welcoming, as always it was clean and well kept. There are a few shops in here with some fantastic items in them. It can get crowded in here, but it’s so worth it. Much love for this place

Lynnli B — Google review

Saw Waitress. Good play, funny, well written, beautifully sung and acted. The theater is gorgeous. The volunteers are friendly, courteous and helpful. The seats are a little close together, but all of them seem to have a good view of the stage. Entering and exiting the theater is well managed.

Donna W — Google review

A beautiful theatre that will take one back to the era of great entertainment venues. Proctors offers a variety of plays and shows. Recently attended a concert there and the acoustics were very good.

Carol J — Google review

This is a beautiful, old theater from another era. The architecture inside is beautiful. I went to see Hamilton which was fantastic. The lights and sound were incredible. The theater doesn't have very steep stadium seating, so if someone really tall sits in front of you, it's difficult to see. But, as I said, theater is from anotherera, so the seats and rows are also rather tight. But nothing to complain about. See a fantastic show there and you will be very pleased.

Vincent S — Google review

First and foremost - this building is NOT suitable for its large events! The narrow common areas make it impossible to get out quickly!!!That being said, the remainder of my experience was wonderful! Saw The Lion King with family. The production, displays, props and actors were beyond awesome! Staff here were helpful, polite, and professional. This old theatre is clean, well kept, and beautifully decorated. Parking for the event was close, convenient, and free. Leaving the event is similar to leaving a concert at SPAC, but patience gets you on the outskirts of Schenectady in about 10 minutes. Bravo!

NY T — Google review

What a fantastic show! I went to Proctors with my sister. We both loved the show, we laughed (and cried a little). We canvassed the people around us during intermission and and after the show and everyone loved it as much as we did. It is one of the best shows I’ve seen both here and in Broadway. Definitely worth your while!!!

Cynthia D — Google review

Beautiful theater - architecture, design, lush ambiance, comfy seating. Parking is not overly convenient, but at least it free. Enjoyed the High School Musical Awards show - great job, kids!

Alisa S — Google review

I've seen three shows here, Book of Mormon, Wicked and Cats. All three times I've been impressed with the venue. The cleanliness of the theater, helpful and friendly staff, easy parking. Couldn't recommend this theater enough. Definitely beats going into NYC.

James K — Google review

We went to see pretty woman. Excellent show . Beautiful old theater . Just the right size where you can see the stage without any problem. excellent staff plenty of parking short break drinks and snacks. Then back to an excellent show. We've been to many shows at proctors. We've enjoyed them all. We made the trip over from Vermont. Some traffic when you try to leave the parking area but after that was fine.

Steven — Google review

Sincerely enjoyed seeing Hamilton here. I love the architecture. I do think there could be better signage about where to exit to make it to which street, but I also probably missed a sign or two. Overall, we loved it! This is the 2nd time we went. The first time we sat in the balcony and saw lion king (2016) and loved our view then too!

Molly R — Google review

My family saw The Lion King production. Absolutely wonderful experience. From the set design, costumes, acting, singing, music, to the choreography and storyline, the show was a breathtaking and moving presentation. So we'll done!

Paul B — Google review

I just love this place. We were there this past weekend for the 2nd annual Fandom Fest, we went last year as well. I have also been there for numerous musicals and shows. The staff are always so friendly and helpful. The venue itself is gorgeous, it almost feels out of time. I truly love going there.

Chris J — Google review

I used to go to Proctors Theatre often, having had grown up in Clifton Park. It has been a long time since I have been to the theatre since I moved out of the area. I just saw Ray LaMontagne this past Saturday. The theatre was even more beautiful than I remember. It looks like everything has been meticulously maintained! The acoustics were amazing! I used to always sit front row, center in the balcony, this time we had orchestra seats. It was an amazing evening that brought back some of my very best childhood memories. I will be checking the schedule to see when I can return again!

Kat — Google review

Just had a wonderful experience in-person at the box office. I have a disabled sister who needed some special considerations for an upcoming show. Emily, in the box office, took an incredible amount of time to help me find the right day and proper seating for her. She went above and beyond. Thank you, Emily!

Thomas B — Google review

We had fun watching Annie! Next will be Mean Girls in the summer!!Proctors is a beautiful theatre!

Erin H — Google review

We haven't been to a show in a while. Beetlejuice was excellent!! So fun and funny! Isabella Esler has an amazing voice! Will definitely see it again!!

Kelley K — Google review

Love this theater, it's a beautiful venue. Built in 1926 the style and architecture is incredible.We saw the Simon and Garfunkel Story tonight it was incredible. The vocals were unbelievable the band great. Highly recommend this show if you're a fan of Simon and Garfunkel. Love the Proctors theater

Robert G — Google review

Went to see Chicago the musical. Amazing experience, the staff is so nice and so helpful. The Theatre is stunning, and the show was Amazing.

Jeanine C — Google review

I went to see Shen Yun, I had a great time. The theater was clean and the staff was friendly. We paid $10 for parking.

Alba C — Google review

I love the service. I love the decor. I love the plays and musicals that I go to see here. What I do not love is how cold it is in the balcony. I was very glad that I had my jacket to put across my lap and my friend had a scarf that could double as a blanket. Other than that this place is great!

Ticia M — Google review

Proctors is a beautiful theater. The seats are comfortable. You can not use cash or check at the vendors. Evening and weekend parking is easy.We did not care for the performance that we attended. It is not what my granddaughter and I thought it was going to be.

Cindy H — Google review

Went to Proctors Theater to see Les Miserables. Wonderful performance in a beautiful setting.

David G — Google review

Been here twice and it's been brilliant both times. I loved the shows I saw so freaking much! Thrilled about the convenience and ease of parking, as well as helpfulness of staff and different viewpoints from seating in the Mainstage theater. The bathrooms and some of the halls can feel kind of cramped and could use a bit of updating, but it's really not that big a deal. I saw Lion King as well as Fiddler on the Roof this year and they were so so excellent. Will definitely be back for future shows!

Bre — Google review

Gorgeous stage and movie theatre. Friday I saw Les Miserables, which was fabulous. Over the years I've enjoyed Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, LA Boheme, Magic Flute here. Special thanks to Earlene, who assisted me at the box office! I am hoping that they will start the haunted tours again.

Heidi H — Google review

So much history here. Gorgeous architecture. The ladies room upstairs is beautiful. The box office folks are so helpful. Lots of seating. In the winter there's an indoor farmers market.

Glo P — Google review

I've been coming back to Proctor's for decades; tonight drove home why. Trying to buy tickets for a show in another local city the person who answered the "box office" phone snidely asked me if I thought that there was anyone sitting in the box office selling tickets ... I STOPPED by the box office at Proctor's, picked out my seats, AND saved nearly fifty percent for the same show! So yes, this historic theater is worth five stars! From Beethoven to "Gone With the Wind" to "Phantom of the Opera" to Dancing With the Stars, Proctor's has it all. I can't wait to see "Lord of the Dance" next month. 😉

Edward H — Google review

The play we saw was wonderful, well cast and acted. However, the seating was too tight! I literally sat straight up with my arms wrapped around my purse.

Darlene M — Google review

4.7

(3215)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (22)

5.0

(590)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (23)

432 State St, Schenectady, NY 12305, USA

(518) 346-6204

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6

Rivers Casino & Resort Schenectady

Mentioned on

8 lists

Casino

Casinos & Gambling

Situated alongside the picturesque Mohawk River in Schenectady, the Rivers Casino & Resort offers a vibrant blend of entertainment, gaming, and relaxation. The adjacent Landing Hotel provides spacious rooms with stunning views of Mohawk Harbor for a comfortable retreat. The lively casino features an array of slot machines and table games, including a dedicated High Limit area for serious players. Guests can enjoy dining options and catch major sports games on clean TVs while indulging in the thrilling atmosphere.

I really enjoy Rivers Casino and the atmosphere. Tho I am not a High Roller the penny slots seems to always play good . As you can see The Timber Wolf Deluxe is my game of choice and I always enjoy a Nice cold beer before I start my Session . Again , This casino is Close and Always a great hangout to Relax and get off out the house 🏠 👍.

C J — Google review

Poker only operates from 10am to 2am. Its not a resort. It's in a rundown city. The people who I've met are pretty respectful and not what I expected or was told. Staff is pretty good for the micro casino 8/10 dealers are exceptional 8/10

Josh — Google review

We stopped by the Rivers Casino on an overnight trip to Schenectady. The casino was very nice. We had lots of fun trying the different slot machines, and we watched some people play poker. They have plenty of snack options and meal choices available. 😋

Cat C — Google review

Pizza was delicious, wife and I enjoyed a lot. In the back, Johnny's. We had milkshakes nearby as well. Behind pastry window in the back was the pizza, walk through the tables and you'll find the pizza nook tucked away.

Audi A — Google review

Very clean. Great staff and drinks. The have table games with actual people there which is nice for a change. They check ID by the entrance so you have to be 21 to enter. There's machines for everyone to enjoy and win some cash. There's also multiple bars in there and small restaurants for those who wants to just grab a bite. The restroom are pretty clean also . Go have fun and win that money!

Stephanie L — Google review

I suppose if you want but a casino experience in upstate New York, you could certainly do worse than this, but the building looks garish, and it is an eyesore against the quaint, historic elegance of Schenectady. It is nothing but the most ostentatious, tawdry golden colossus, surrounded by an endless, bleak sea of parking. There's no semblance of harmony or order between the structure and its overall environment. It strikes me as a clumsy edition to a comfortable and welcoming old city. I am giving two stars instead of one, because the casino seems to be rather clean and well-run. Still, I try to avoid the entire casino area when I am in Schenectady, as it seems to betray the basic essence of its environment.

Joshua F — Google review

The room has multiple chairs that are very comfortable for sitting and watching the games. Behind does chairs are a bunch of tables where you can say eat food with a group of people and relax and watch the games. To the right of the TV or the chamber guys who are there to take your bets. To the left of it they're automated machines as well as more behind the tables where you can place your own bets. They are showing all the major sports games and the TVs are pretty clean. Usually smells like degenerate gambling and weed.

Jaikisshun — Google review

Went to see 98° and the staff was unbelievably nice. Did not catch all the names, but everyone was wonderful. Michael and Vern were so friendly helpful and made the VIP experience. The ladies after the show cleaning up the seats were so kind and wonderful. Highly recommend the venue for a show.

Stephanie M — Google review

This casino/resort is gorgeous and seems like brand new. Super clean the lobby, and check-in was a breeze. Rooms we got facing the river with 2 queens are beautiful, spacy and so fresh. Starbucks just opened and is a bonus. Slot machines are plenty and there large variety of table games. We won a good chunk. It's definitely worth a visit!

Nini K — Google review

Great for us older people 55yrs. young great room rates we come from the Jersey shore near atlantic city but you guys are much better keep up the great work. Love pat and mike de pinto

Pat P — Google review

Friendly staff and fun atmosphere. Smaller than most other casino's I've been to but fun none the less. Few different food options basic burgers, wings, pizza, and also an Asian restaurant inside the casino. Went on a Wed night so not too busy but I imagine the weekends it's more lively.

Dallas G — Google review

Good selection of games, wait staff on the gaming floor. All of your free play shows right in the machine you are playing. Nice casual dining choices. Lacks design atmosphere.

Jackie — Google review

It's a scam. Machines are tight. The hig limit room is always empty. Their waitresses never come around. Spent 1800 bucks and dis not get a single bonus. Denied my disabled father a scooter saying they don't do it anymore. 5 min later they gave one to someone else. My father is in wheel hair 24/7 and a veteran. And they treated him like he doesn't matter. And all I've asked for was a apology. Haven't gotten one. Is this the type of place you run? Bad news is that they won't even respond to this. Seems like they don't care. They got their money so why care. Thousands spent there and nothing to show for it. I'd like a response to this. Thanks

David P — Google review

The rooms were clean and comfy and the complex is amazing. Loved the Friday and Saturday night concerts and the sunset views of the river from the patio. Food is a little pricey but there are plenty of options nearby.

Nancy H — Google review

We were getting our car serviced at Mohawk Honda and they offered to take us to River Casino since it was going to be about 4 hours. We didn’t know about River Casino. As long time Atlantic City goers this was a pleasant surprise. Upon getting dropped off we did a walk starting on the Bike Trail along the Mohawk River before entering the Casino.My wife got a player card and played some video poker. I walked around checking out the rest of the casino as she played. It’s a nice looking casino with a few places to eat and lots of machines to play at. We plan to go back and do an overnight trip so we can check out the hotel and other amenities.Overall River Casino has a good vibe and a nice look. It’s well worth a visit if you like casinos.

Bill L — Google review

This casino is super clean and 100% non smoking! They have a few quick bite restaurants and a sit down/take out steakhouse. There is a hotel attached, also very clean.

Jeanine C — Google review

Very small casino located on the harbor in downtown Schenectady. Lots of great bars and restaurants within walking distance. Rivers usually has live bands on the weekends and can be a great time if your winning of course.

Jay D — Google review

The cornhole event was great! Schenectady Rotary Club did a wonderful job in hosting the competition!

Deborah G — Google review

Beautiful! Clean, roomy, modern. What else is there to say. If you are traveling through the area or interested in spending some time at the casino, stay here.The reception staff needs to improve his customer service skills and stop the robotic speech.

Alanna A — Google review

Drove 3 hours from the city to withdraw some cash at the cage from my sports betting,took some slot spins and hit a jackpot!! Everyone was kind and very informative…the African American security needs to be careful touching customers I walked the wrong way accidentally and instead of calling to direct me he grabbed my shoulder I was too much in a good mood to pay it any mind but he needs to keep his hands to himself.

Jahjah 9 — Google review

I came tonight to get food at Mian Chinese restaurant. I was treated poorly and did not get what I ordered. They didn’t solve the problem and I had to call a manager over the one on duty. Don’t expect anything special. I could have had a whole lot better food at a neighborhood take out or food court!! I asked for fried rice and got white rice with soy sauce dumped on it no egg or flavor! Then nothing but pathetic looks on the faces of the American servers and the manager on duty. Stay away unless you want to over pay for substandard service and tasteless food.

Mel S — Google review

Always enjoy a nice visit! Players rewards are great, casino staff helpful (Tina gaming/ rewards attendant on floor one of my favorites) on this day a Great Freebie. Hoping one day I catch a Nice Win one of these days!

Casey K — Google review

Where do i even start ? This casino has gone to shambles im a high stakes player who has been playing since day one . Today you guys over paid what your Pitboss said was 450 not sure how that is even possible . I took your word for it and gave you back 450 but some how was left with 150 less than when i started the hand and i explained that to the Pitt boss he told me he would check the cameras . I went to a diffent game while waiting and you guys called me and said come back we have your 150 so i got up went back and when i got there i was told we are not giving you 150 . Unreal the other Pitboss couldn’t believe it ….. but wait it gets better i than put 25 on red 7 and landed in red 7 which you can see in the picture above your dealer accidentally picked the ball up out of the seven after it stopped than realized what he did dropped the ball it landed in 12 and your Pitt boss told me it was being treated as a floater and i wasn’t being paid out . What an absolute joke you stole 875 +150 from me in my 20 years of going to casinos i have never been treated like this and it will be my final time ever stepping foot in your casino said i been one of your best customers for 7 years… what happened to integrity ?

Nick G — Google review

It was really nice here from March madness and I won 200 with five dollars. It was great there. Kinda cloudy but a little loud lots of lights and everybody wanted to take my money. Lots of strippers, gay man big black guys chasing me with baby oil, they locked me in the janitors closet 10 out of 10 would go again

Patrick S — Google review

Nice casino and lots of fun, the gaming tables are a bit expensive and they didn’t have our favorite Texas Holdem, perhaps on the weekends they have it.

Joe C — Google review

I have been going here since the beginning of this year (2024) and have had a great time so far. The Landing Hotel is clean and the rooms are nice with comfy beds. The staff is very friendly and accommodating and lets me check-in a little early since I have to travel a couple of hours to get there. The casino is a good size with enough machines and table games to have fun for a whole weekend. There are live bands every Friday and Saturday and they are top notch. The rewards add up quickly and you can get food and more with your rewards card. I haven't had a bad experience since I started going. Everybody is in a good mood and the vibes are always positive.

B — Google review

Had a blast. The casino was busy but all the table dealers I dealt with were very pleasant. Had no problem getting drinks at the tables. Our room was very comfortable and spacious overlooking the river. We had dinner at the casino which was delicious and the waitstaff very professional. Thank You Rivers Casino

William H — Google review

Long story, so read throughly.On 11/12/23 I was having my wedding at Rivers Casino. Prior to that I was in search of the appropriate venue that could host, cater, sleep and provide an overall quality experience for 150 guest. Rivers casino/ Landing hotel was able to not only sell me a service, it was a pressure less, no obligation initial meet with so many questions. Fast forward, the sales team not only met me with every bit of detail to expect, the numbers and services they provided us with included efficient and timely responses and highly accurate figures in which I could expect to pay.After the meet and greets and agreements. We provided a list of ideas, a vision in which we were ready to capture on our big day. These folks executed this task flawlessly. From linens and napkins to floor layouts and bar setups. Cocktail hour planning and signature drinks. We had flowers delivered and setup but they assisted in minor adjustments as a courtesy. Rivers has some amazing folks working on their team. Operations team was essential as they helped to coordinate our wedding parties movements, timing, line ups and how we were to execute entrances as well as exits. The constant check ins and follow ups with us was unanimously agreed upon and seen as beneficial.The food service was profound. At our tasting I made some critiques and alterations that the kitchen was very receptive of. When it came to the big day, the dinner came out with every addition and alteration made. It surpassed the standard, and was perfect. We chose Salmon, Steak, Gnocchi with mashed potatoes two ways.The Landing staff for the hotel included desk people all shifts, custodial staff and cleaners. Locked doors, lost keys and plenty of back and forth they were there for us.I can't express enough gratitude to all things perfectly done by these supporting individuals. I highly recommend booking your upcoming wedding.

Arthur ( — Google review

4.0

(6725)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (31)

3.5

(316)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (32)

1 Rush St, Schenectady, NY 12305, USA

(518) 579-8800

7

Saratoga Performing Arts Center

34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (33)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (34)

34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (35)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (36)

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Live music venue

Concerts & Shows

The Saratoga Performing Arts Center is an acclaimed live music venue located in Saratoga Springs, New York. With a capacity of 25,000 people and a wide variety of weekly events, SPAC encourages cultural enrichment for all ages. The hall stage can accommodate both the Philadelphia Orchestra and the New York City Ballet, making it a popular choice for classical concerts. Jazz lovers will appreciate the Hall of Springs Jazz Bar where performers frequently perform.

Good concert venue compared to others. Food and drink prices are typical. Good selection of drinks. Very friendly staff. Renting the lawn chairs is easy and worth it! Easy to get out of the parking lot at the end! Sound system is decent. Relaxed atmosphere.

Michelle C — Google review

We’re so lucky to have grown up here and have such a phenomenal venue to see various artist perform live. We have seen so many top music acts as well as the New York City Ballet and Philadelphia philharmonic.The facility has been upgraded over the years to where now one can purchase super yummy food, wonderful alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages, fantastic coffee, high quality ice cream and pop corn.The lavatories to relieve one Self have been upgraded tremendously as well.And there is a good amount of security to make sure things don’t get crazy like they did years ago.I can not recommend this facility highly enough.

Scott V — Google review

Saw a great show from the first row of the balcony. Fantastic venue for a show…took a walk on the lawn to see what the perspective was from the General Admission seats & large video screens detail the stage(which can still be seen from the lawn area)….packed crowd. Saw the Cold War Kids open up for Tears for Fears & loved it! Definitely recommend this venue, which is connected to a state park with an automobile museum, a pool, golf course, & park.

Evan P — Google review

This was my first visit here and it was well worth it! It took my daughter and I, 4 hours from Allentown, PA. We had tickets to an amazing concert. TX2, AVATAR, ICE NINE KILLS AND IN THIS MOMENT. I would absolutely make the drive again for more concerts.

Jenn R — Google review

Nice venue. We sat near the stage and it was really cool. The sound seemed better up near the lawn, but you can't beat the view and the shade of the seats. It has a nice park with good food vendors and cocktails, and a nice Pavillion with seats for the show

Chris N — Google review

Large venue with quality sound and good seating. The only negative thing to say is regarding lawn seats. You have no view of the stage and need to wait until dark to view monitors. A good selection of beverages that come at a cost. This was the first time I was seated in the balcony row A. I had a full view and loved my latest experience there with the Outlaw Music Festival 🎶

Chris B — Google review

We had so much fun here. This place is beautiful!!!!! Had a few strange encounters walking around the trails and parking lots surrounding the venue, but just be aware of what's happening around you, and you will be fine.The venue is very unique!!! Lawn was extremely over sold!!!!Venue employees here were a major pain as far as getting us all parked Friday night/ Saturday morning for Dead and Co shakedown. Like I said for other venues. You can't claim you didn't know we were coming. BIG THANK YOU to the local pd for telling the Live Nation employee guarding the gate at 2am to f-off, and let us all in.Once we all got in, it was an absolutely awesome few days. Thank you for having us all.

Jessi S — Google review

I have attended dozens and dozens of shows here, as I am lucky enough to call this place my "home venue", only about a half hour away.After traveling to see concerts at many other places around the country, I can say this may be the nicest one I have ever seen (I know Red Rocks will be amazing, but that one is still on the bucket list).SPAC, as it is called by locals, is only a 5 minute drive from downtown Saratoga Springs. Parking averages from $10-20 at their lot across the street, which is connected by a pedestrian bridge.After passing through security and ticket check, you end up at a bridge that looks out onto the water and trees in the state park that SPAC sits in. Yes, that's right, SPAC is in the midst of a gorgeous state park! (Feel free to come early and explore the grounds before a show.)The venue was also renovated in the last few years and is better than ever, with brand new concession stands and restrooms (so clean at the concert we were at this weekend and stocked too!).In addition to concession stands, there are usually a few food trucks, giving it a fair like feel (although with concert venue pricing). You almost don't mind paying $6 for water. Also, you can bring in a reusable water bottle and fill it for free at water stations.The lawn has a few different sections. The area closest to the amphitheater can become quite packed, sometimes making it tricky to navigate out to the restrooms and back again. We often opt to sit at the back, as there is a nice screen in the restroom area and plenty of room for blankets and lawn chairs on a huge grassy stretch. Depending on the band, lawn seats can run around $45, a steal for a fun night out that leaves money to spend instead on t shirts, food, and drinks.This local gem is a must visit for anyone who loves checking out beautiful new concert venues. Just be warned, track season runs from mid July to Labor Day and it gets busy in Saratoga, so plan ahead if you need a hotel room.

Jackie A — Google review

Great venue... highly impressed with our seats in section 11. DMB never disappoints either.. The parking situation was well managed and despite the thousands of vehicles present, the flow of traffic was efficient and well run. Lots of employees and attendants available to help guide and direct patrons. Can't wait to go back!

Jennifer T — Google review

Would absolutely come back here for a concert. Everything from security, to vendors, to ushers were like a well oiled machine. We sat in seats near stage but I could see how even the lawn was excellent seats. They have little seating areas away from the crowds. The drink options were fun and shareable. My favorite part was that the womens bathroom never had more than a few minute wait as they had an attendant calling out open stall numbers and handing out paper towels for hand drying. I've never been to a venue where the bathroom was not torture for women. So much to do in the area that was fun to do you could come up a few days before or stay after the concert.

Lynnette P — Google review

Absolutely lovely place to spend time in for a concert… acoustics are sound! Overwhelmingly good vibes for this Band however over sold lawn tickets made it impossible to feel upfront… thx god for White Boards! Lol

Massage Y — Google review

SPAC is the greatest venue to see and hear live music. Set in Saratoga State Park, the views and trees and landscape is beautiful. I have probably seen over 50 concerts over the past 50 years, ranging from the philharmonic to the nyc ballet to rock bands including Sting, Steely Dan, The Doobie Brothers, Train, Govt Mule, The Black Keys, Imagine Dragons and many many more. The Lawn Pass is the best ticket around, and once in a while, I splurge for an indoor ticket. Looking forward to Guns and Roses Sept 1, 2023.

Raphi S — Google review

SPAC is a phenomenal place to watch any concert. Great venue with solid accommodations. Definitely gives you a feeling of a very intimate experience.

F. G — Google review

I love being outside for the concerts. The only complaint is that I bought nachos, a large drink, and chicken tenders (that weren't even dine all the way), and it came up to 60 bucks. Next time I'm bringing my own food. But other than that, everything was amazing

Gin D — Google review

Went down for the Phish flood show. It was amazing. Showed up Friday and was raining non-stop until the show. Had general admission tickets, everything was just super wet but it is what it is. Had an amazing time on the yard. Good people everywhere.Saturday night got there early and made a direct path to general admission down by the fence. Had a super amazing spot right in the corner. Staff was super friendly. Waiting staff wanted to sell you drinks and whatever else you needed.The staff that worked there were amazing too. Watching them deal with the people was funny at times. The old ladies were so nice and friendly. Can't wait for another show.

Tommy P — Google review

Wonderful experience at the Saratoga Jazz Festival. The venue is easy to locate and park. Very organized ticket window and entry process. Beautiful place to enjoy music outdoors or under the roof…

Hannah H — Google review

It was a great concert venue! Love the open space! Seats were comfortable, and ushers were helpful. Staff at concession stands were friendly and helpful as well. Security was a bit of a pain, because I was told that my small purse was too big to bring in. But later on, I saw people with bigger bags and purses on the premises. Parking was a mess. I little more help with visual aid to show where people need to go depending on what parking permit they have would be helpful. I wasted quite a bit of time waiting in line when I didn't need to be. But overall, the evening was spectacular, and a great venue for performances!

Akiko U — Google review

Beautiful place. All the staff was absolutely wonderful. Highly reccomend this venue for a concert. I was there to see Niall Horan, but I would go back to this place for any concert just to be in the atmosphere. 10/10. Will 100% be back at some point in the future. I had traveled from PA and it was WELL worth it.

Hunter K — Google review

Traveled almost 5 hours to see Tyler Childers here. Very nice venue but it is huge and I had no idea it was that big at all. You cannot see the stage if you have lawn tickets and don't get there early enough. Very expensive $17 for a beverage.

Justine M — Google review

Beautiful venue, great sound, only downside is the obstruction of view but it’s because of the upper pavilion. Design flaw, but makes up for it in sound and ambiance. Truly beautiful place and have shared many good times with friends here.

Gregory M — Google review

Really fantastic concert venue. Sound is great, which is what you would expect for an amphitheatre. Staff is very welcoming and nice. They serve liquid death as water, which is always a plus. Lots of food options too. SPAC is a great venue that should emulated more across North America!

Jake M — Google review

VIP parking, bathroom and club were great! Seats were amazing in the BOX. Good show by all 3 performers!

Sheila V — Google review

Really cool venue, beautiful scenery and great food options. No shot of seeing the stage if you're on the lawn and not near the front so that was kind of a bummer but lesson learned for next time, still a great place for a show!

Drew A — Google review

The venue, crowd, and staff were very lovely. Had lawn seats both nights. The view of the stage was a bit obstructed in certain areas, best spot would possibly be middle of the lawn areas. Bringing your own lawn seats was allowed. Parking was nice as well easy in and out. Bring a grill some food and just hang out for a bit before the show. Would go back again. (Traveled from Illinois)

Amber Y — Google review

Its an old and extensive place. I love the park itself and all of the fun little twists and turns of the trails and entrances to the venue. Doesn't matter where were parked we can never find our proper parking area to the car. It's our own fault, trust me 😆. The lawn is pretty bad in rainy weather with the mud slide and weird rubber mating up closer. Bridges to the balcony is weird stuff. But I love it. Phish X2. (7/4/13 & 8/26/23.

Michael B — Google review

Went to the sold out Hozier concert. It was mad house. All of the staff were extremely friendly and accommodating. Stub hub had mismanaged tickets stating there was only one when we had purchased two. They wasted no time in straightening it out. Even with the 30,000 people there!

Samantha S — Google review

Had a great time at the Dave Matthews Band show! Cashless venue, so bring a card. And bring patience because it's insane here, but fun!

L G — Google review

Great night at SPAC for the Doobie Brothers and Steve Winwood concert. Parking was easy. We were seated in the shed sheets. Remember to share electronic tickets if you step out to use the restroom- they won’t let you back to your seat without a ticket!

Louise L — Google review

Good times. Unique and beautiful grounds. If you enjoy the artist greatly, spring for inside seats. Grounds, morphed greatly over the years. Can rent chairs. Clean bathrooms and extra porta-johns. Fun food options. Lots of choices. Some vendor tents will keep you occupied in the early hours. Very open. Screens could definitely be bigger. Lawn can be steep. If wet, drainage could use a little help so watch out for puddles. Could use some gravel fill. Either leave early or pay for premier parking. Or cool out waiting to get out.

K M — Google review

Nice, clean venue with great sound. I'd give it 5 stars, but the lawn is a little steep. It felt like I was standing on a roof while enjoying the show. Other than that, it was a good time. There's plenty of bathrooms and vending throughout the venue, and good selections for foods and drinks.

Keegan's W — Google review

Went there for the Dead and Company concert on June 18th 2023. The place was beautiful. Was not what I was expecting for a concert venue. It was set in a state park and was like a giant college campus with buildings and open grass areas. Very nice. Then the actual concert venue is inside the park. And it seemed very new like it was upgraded. So. We had VIP tickets and that gave us access to the VIP entrance and lounge & parking. But we walked around the whole area and saw everything. Nice woodsy setting. Streams along trails that go from parking area to parking area. Lounge was great had never been in a VIP lounge before and it was great. 65$ for 2 drinks though, so be prepared. But nice bathrooms etc. That’s what wife was happy about. So we made our way to the seats they were VIP box seats so we had a waitress(which blew my mind) and was like 20 rows from the stage. But they seemed to not enforce the no one in the isles like other venues I’ve been to in the past. People were just pushing forward in the isles which I’m sure they weren’t even supposed to be in the area. And our box had like 6/8 seats in it but people kept coming in and just standing there causing us to be cramped and awkward. Usually in the past the security is tight on that stuff and just seemed to be overlooked for some reason. Seemed like they had over sold the concert cause the lawn area was jammed with loads of people glad I wasn’t on the lawn. But was a great experience and beautiful place.

Judd0112 — Google review

I love seeing concerts at SPAC and their Summer line up rarely disappoints! No need to buy tickets inside the Amphitheater, the lawn is totally sufficient for both sound and viewing. Food and beverage offerings are great, but be aware that they are very pricey (typical so of any entertainment venue). Restrooms are available and clean. Also this is a cashless facility, even for parking, so make sure you have your debit or credit card with you. Enjoy!

Kathleen N — Google review

Outstanding performance by Mr Horan. Crazy atmosphere, lovely music, and extremely cheerful crowd.25k plus people. People managing the show were very helpful and supportive. Coming back again for sure.

A M — Google review

4.5

(5922)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (38)

4.0

(603)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (39)

108 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA

8

Saratoga Spa State Park

34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (40)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (41)

34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (42)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (43)

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State park

Nature & Parks

Located in the heart of the city, Saratoga Spa State Park is a popular spot for visitors looking for a range of activities and amenities. The park features two golf courses, several mineral springs and pools, hiking trails, and more. In the winter months there are also snowshoeing and ice skating opportunities.

This is a huge tranquil park with something for everyone! This park is easily accessible with plenty of parking. You'll fall in love with the paths and trails that snake through this historic land. Bike rentals, golf, tennis courts , BBQ areas and restrooms will give you plenty to do. The park is also the home of two famous museums, the automobile museum and the museum of ballet.Pro Tip: Do not exceed posted speed limits while in the park.

Rob S — Google review

when you hear you are going tasting and to bring a cup, the last thing you think of is water. We showed up at a large beautiful park. The buildings on this complex look like the old Greek education centers. The buildings are red stone with awesome looking arches that give the illusion that they go on forever. This park has a number of different springs all with different flavors. History says it is believed that the limestone bedrock cracked and allowed the water to come up in different places through different minerals setting up their unique tastes. The Iroquois natives believed that the water had natural healing properties which was later passed down to the European settlers. Most of the water is naturally carbonated but there are at least 2 that are not if you don't like that sort of thing (like me!!!) Walking around it makes you think about how much you take water for granted. I turn on the faucet and water comes out. But that is not the way that it was for people 100 years ago. They had to search for water and know that it was healthy to drink. These special waters with their high mineral contents kill bacteria and make the water safe to drink (let's not talk about the tastes!!!). Wondering from spring to spring is like a thirsty treasure hunt, never knowing what you get until you taste it! This is an adventure that has to be tried at least once. To be on the hunt for that most basic of substances, water.

Richard G — Google review

Beautiful place to come with family, dogs, alone. Trails for running, biking, and walking, places to picnic, gorgeous architecture, celebrate events. There's a creek, mineral spring geyser, just a great way to spend time out in nature.

Theresa J — Google review

What a wonderful day!! Everything is free and interactive!! 13 gorgeous mineral spring spouts you can sample (bring a cup) or take home! Yes, you can come fill up gallons and gallons of this delicious water to bring back to your home and enjoy the water year round.Some of the spigots have natural carbonation, and they are all uniquely flavored. Some are not for the faint of heart 😅Keep in mindTHESE WATERS HAVE LAXATIVE PROPERTIES!!Some will clean you out. Immediately. So be prepared. The good news is that there are plenty of bathrooms around and they are all clean and well kept.Picnic areas are plentiful and the pavilions that are available to rent are numerous! There is even a public pool that you can take a dip in, yep -- for free!Highly, HIGHLY recommend!! I think this might be my favorite state park yet!

Christine S — Google review

Lived here 10 years ago for a little over a year and had no idea what this place really was. While visiting decided to actually walk around and was extremely pleased with the beauty of the park! The paths around are fantastic and offer incredible views, beware the trails can get extremely muddy. The perfect place for quiet reflection and just to enjoy the nature. Very cool to see the different springs and the way the mineral rich waters have changed the landscape. If you've got a free hour or so would recommend it!

Sam B — Google review

Beautiful park in Saratoga. Park offers many different activities. Lots of walking trails and springs to see! Very cool spot to stop at as you make your way up north! Pet friendly, lots of parking, and clean restrooms. Small entry fee but worth it as park and facilities are kept very clean.

Aimee — Google review

Mineral springs tasting is major part of the experience. Taking free tour at environmental center is highly recommended since guide explains what mineral content to expect from each spring. You can get some sort of hiking in Ferndell section of the park with some beautiful views of hemlocks.

Mike Z — Google review

Went to see John Wade, Styx & Foreigner concert. Thousands of people made it an unforgettable experience as everyone was pleasant, polite & friendly. The state was a spectacular job of keeping the grounds gorgeous. Music was fabulous & they even had wait staff for drinks & light food service!

Lisa B — Google review

Came here in the winter. Lots of things to see, specially the water springs. You can plan a whole day to visit here. Its better to park down by Polaris spring then it’s easier to reach to most of the spring without long hike. Spring water taste like lemonade and it’s really good.

Alamin H — Google review

First visit to NY. The reviews looked good so decided to visit. Definitely wasn't disappointed. The park is excellent for walking especially on a bright sunny day in February. Got to visit the spring in the centre of the park. Would highly recommend a visit. I'm sure the park looks even better in the summer but still looks good on a day where there is snow on the ground.

Graham H — Google review

Beautiful park with lawn and pavilion seating. We bought our tickets online and enjoyed it so much we went to a second concert 3 weeks later. Highly recommend pavilion seats as we had thunderstorms at the last concert. Pavilion seating has its own restrooms, food and beverages.

Susan K — Google review

Saratoga Springs Spa Park is a must-visit destination with a rich array of attractions. The park is renowned for its mineral springs, each with unique mineral compositions and health benefits. Springs like the Hathorn Spring and the State Seal Spring offer waters rich in minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and bicarbonate, known for aiding digestion and boosting overall health. The diverse flavors range from pleasantly mild to more robust and slightly salty, offering a distinctive tasting experience.The historic Roosevelt Baths provide a relaxing experience where you can soak in these mineral-rich waters, celebrated for their therapeutic properties. Beyond the springs, the park boasts well-maintained trails perfect for hiking, jogging, and cross-country skiing in winter. The Saratoga Performing Arts Center hosts a variety of concerts and cultural events, adding a vibrant cultural element to your visit.Families will find plenty to enjoy, including the Peerless Pool Complex with its large main pool, kiddie pool, and waterslide, along with numerous picnic areas and playgrounds. Saratoga Springs Spa Park is perfect for relaxation, outdoor activities, and cultural experiences, making it an ideal getaway for visitors of all ages.

Mohammad A — Google review

Such a unique state park and experience, we enjoyed trying the different spring waters and the grounds are beautiful

Ashley A — Google review

We found this stunning grove on a -1 F February day. Trekked to all corners aided by sunshine&daydreams. The park became a living de Chirico painting in grayscale.

Thomas M — Google review

Great park with lots to do. We love the pool and the waterslides. Great place in the summer to cool off!!!

Sean D — Google review

Victoria Pool was great. Get there when it opens as there’s already a line by 10 AM & it can be tricky to get a chair. $8 cash or card. They have a cool book case with options to read if you don’t have anything. A bar with food outside, very convenient. The water is lovely. Gets a little dirty (overstuffed trash, bathrooms) by end of day but altogether a great swim with spring water and easy parking. Would definitely go back!

Megan C — Google review

Surreally beautiful. The spring water bubbling up and out is a wild thing to witness. Some of the springs are natural water completely clean tasting, others infused with natural compounds add flavors of high iron and salt with heavy sulfuric odor. This is a beautiful place protected as a natural park removed from commercial exploitation and rightfully so.

Kevin — Google review

Had my mom's celebration of life at Hawthorn pavilion in the state park.1. Need better directions inside the park getting to the areas. Many people got lost and my sister had 3 wrong turns herself despite having a very complicated map.2. We found the pavilion but people were already setting up for their party and got mad when we said we rented it and our name was on a small piece of paper under the name of the pavilion but multiple people said they didn't "know". There was at the end a few youngungs maybe 20ish maybe younger come thru the pavilion as we were still sitting there and walked over to the BBQ grill which we still had our charcoal and stuff down there. They were in the process of bringing their food to cook down when I was feciously saying yea ok go ahead use our stuff, we rented the place and my best friend ended up getting loud but nice with what I was saying and what everyone else wanted to say and all these kids said was we didn't know so on that note...better signage for paying customers otherwise what's the point in paying?? I mean $150+ for the entire day. We ended up leaving 4 hrs early (we had until dusk..9pm) because of this issue.Overall we had a great time. Bathrooms were right there and a lot of elderly people appreciated this. Only thing with the bathroom is 1 stall was open and the door didn't shut completely so no way if locking it.Plenty of seating. We had about 40ish people and was allowed 75.Would I go again...yes.

Jamie C — Google review

We only seen the exterior and did not went inside. Hall of Springs is a wedding destination. There were spas, golf, automobile museum show casing Bond cars, beautiful trails, children park.

Debasish R — Google review

Such a beautiful park with so much to see and explore, especially in the fall! I highly recommend it to anyone who's looking for a nice place to enjoy a picnic or if you're just looking to go for a scenic walk or hike.

Jason N — Google review

One of the best state park. Unique features like mineral bath and geyser springs. Best outdoor place to spend time with family.

Siva — Google review

Please be respectful of our beautiful girls little memorial.Noelle walked, hiked, and swam at SPAC her entire life.She collapsed and died on her daily walk on April 9, 2024.She was 11 years old .We couldn’t even say the letter “P. ((for park) out loudShe would get so excited.This was Noelle’s most favorite place on earth.Now her spirit can roam the park for eternity.We miss you sweetheart and our hearts are shattered.Love Mom, Dad, Zack, Zoey, JJ, and Ruby.

Blossom G — Google review

This is an amazing space. I have to visit again when I have more time to explore. Looking at the space I tried to imagine all the people here conjugating for a spa. Left me a little puzzled.

Thomas B — Google review

Last night I wanted to Saratoga to see the grateful Dead for the last time. Last year touring it was really crowded. Took us 45 minutes to an hour to get parking and we waited in line over an hour or better. Missed 45 minutes of the first set but once we got inside they put on an excellent show. Really enjoyed myself. Very crowded and think of the sold out 40,000 or better a crowd that size. I think they need to get a little bit more staff and get their act together. Get people through the lines. I don't miss the show after spending a lot of money for the ticket and getting there

Lionel J — Google review

Impressive park with wide range of wellness and recreation opportunities. Don't miss the opportunity to taste the mineral water!

Irene L — Google review

They have some very great taste in water at this park. Filled up to 7 gallon containers to bring back to Niagara Falls. We will definitely be back in this park and we will definitely get some more water.

Matt T — Google review

Took my mom for her first visit, she loved it. We visited the geyser, took a short walk, drove the park, etc. It’s a nice park to enjoy a relaxing visit, get your steps in and take in the scenery.

Deana M — Google review

4.7

(5459)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (46)

4.5

(1028)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (47)

19 Roosevelt Dr, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA

(518) 584-2535

9

Ledge Rock Hill Winery, LLC

Mentioned on

7 lists

Winery

Food & Drink

Vineyard

Wine bar

Ledge Rock Hill Winery, LLC is a family-owned winery that prides itself on creating handcrafted wines using premium grapes and natural ingredients. Their tasting room offers a charming, spacious, and clean environment with both indoor and outdoor seating options. The staff is attentive and welcoming without being pushy, providing honest recommendations. Visitors can enjoy a variety of sweet and dry wines during tastings along with high-quality cheese and crackers.

One of our favorite wineries.. We always visit each time we are in the area.. love the wines and the peaceful surroundings.. Stopped by today on our way home- so glad we did. Paul made our wine tasting an awesome experience.. He is so kind.. He suggested tasting something I never would have tried and I loved it!! Old Vine Zinfandel is a must try!! See you soon 😊🍷

Frank F — Google review

The new tasting room and new owners and wonderful! The wines are all delicious and have unique individual flavors...everyone can find a wine they like at Ledge Rock Hill Winery!

Julianna P — Google review

Had an amazing experience at Ledge Rock Hill Winery! The wines were absolutely delicious, with a great variety to choose from. The staff was super friendly and knowledgeable, making the tasting experience fun and informative. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, perfect for a relaxing afternoon. Loved the beautiful setting and can’t wait to visit again!

Joe T — Google review

Wine tasting 5 selections offered from a variety of sweet and dry wines. $12.00 cost. Paul was very knowledgeable and described each wine. Highly recommend Ledge Rock Hill wines, all have a distinct flavor. Tastings will vary per season, as described by the waitress. Worth the trip when your in the Lake George area. Reasonable prices.

Marie — Google review

Great experience!! Delicious wines! Great atmosphere, and excellent service 👍. I loved all the vintage fishing gear. My wife and I were looking something to do on a rainy Saturday afternoon which happened to be our 10 year anniversary 😉, and this was a winner. We vacation in Lake George at least twice a year and will most definitely return. Thanks for the memories!

Daniel F — Google review

Jenna is amazing. I love the decor. 🏕 The wine is fantastic.Thank you for a great experience.

Michelle M — Google review

Stopped by with our 91 year old mother for a tasting. Between the three of us, all of the wines were tried. Abby was very knowledgeable and had great suggestions. She was attentive to our table, and mother as well! The outdoor space was very comfortable and the inside was great! We will be back!

Barbara W — Google review

Very quaint relaxing place. We were so happy to be able to bring our dogs for the tasting. The outdoor fire and quiet setting is just perfect. Loved the wine, the charcuterie tray and those wonderful chocolates! Would love to have chocolate and wine by mail...Great job!

Deborah L — Google review

We were very disappointed. We just moved to the area and made a special trip to enjoy the advertised live music and outdoor seating. We were completely ignored when we walked in, so we grabbed a menu and looked around. It wasn't very busy so we couldn't figure out why we were ignored, but chose to let it go.We decided we'd buy a bottle of wine and sit outside to listen to the music. We chose our wine, went to the counter and stood there for about ten minutes while everyone around us was being greeted and served. All of the staff made eye contact with us and no one spoke a word to us. Maybe because I didn't want to do a tasting? I know what kinds of wine I enjoy and chose a bottle.Finally, we were addressed and my husband said we'd like the bottle opened and a glass, and she asked if we were staying at the campground. We said no, thinking there was a special or something for the people camping, and then we were very rudely told we couldn't take a bottle outside but we could have a glass poured. "Something about being in the Adirondack Park," is what she said to us. After being ignored for so long, I didn't see how that choice would be enjoyable, so we left. Needless to say, we won't be back.

Michelle P — Google review

Visiting from Michigan and stopped to do a wine tasting, both people were very knowledgeable and super sweet. Every wine we tried had such a unique flavor and they were amazing. Definitely recommend this winery to anyone who is looking for a friendly environment and good wine🍷

Breanna K — Google review

Absolutely awesome unique location and the people were so friendly that it really adds to the experience. Big fan of the wines and very good variety of flavors so there’s something you like no matter what your preference.

Otto — Google review

Had a wonderful experience! The Wine was fantastic and our server Shannon was very knowledgeable. Definitely recommend a visit!

Shawn B — Google review

The Goose and I thoroughly enjoyed our visit to this winery a couple weeks ago. We just happened upon it on our ride into the Adirondacks!! Christy and Viv were fabulous hosts and I fell in love with the white cranberry wine and the chocolate truffle (even though I let it melt first🤣). It was such a beautiful quaint little laidback winery nestled in the trees!! Thank you for such a great experience!! Goose felt right at home😉!!

Anjie W — Google review

Love the atmosphere, very friendly and knowledgeable staff, and enjoyed every wine I tasted. Cranberry blanc was hands down my favorite!

Morgan — Google review

This place was clean, spacious AND charming. It had a woodsy, cabin-like feeling on the inside. We chose the inside for its air conditioning, but they offered outdoor seating as well. The staff was attentive, but not overwhelming. They were not pushy and were honest about their recommendations. We felt welcomed and comfortable while there. We enjoyed a wine tasting, which offered both sweets and dry wines. The cheese and crackers they offered seemed more high end than the typical wine tasting room. We hope they sell the crackers to go next time! They were so good! We plan on returning to Lake George later this summer. Ledge Rock Hill will be our first stop.

Christina F — Google review

Outstanding staff. Location is great, decor was spot on for the Adirondacks. More importantly wines are incredible. Something for everyone. Great family owned business.

Stephen S — Google review

4.8

(87)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (48)

5.0

(72)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (49)

1776 US-9, Lake George, NY 12845, USA

(518) 654-5467

10

Congress Park

Mentioned on

31 lists

Park

Nature & Parks

Congress Park is a vast and landscaped green space in downtown Saratoga Springs, NY. The park features several springs that give the city its name, as well as lush gardens and statuary. It's a great place to take a walk or relax in the sun.

Wonderful park in the center of Saratoga Springs. Has multiple springs and fountains. Nicely landscaped.Plenty of parking around the area. A perfect place to relax or to get away from the busyness of the day.Multiple areas to sit. Plenty of space to run around for the kids or dogs.Very interesting if you’d like history.

Abe H — Google review

Loved this park with my wife and there are lots of ducks around and the grounds and streams are well kept. The circular fountain was very cool with live trout species presented and displayed like Koi.

Garrett K — Google review

Wonderful park to chill at in warmer weather. Various fountains with both fresh and spring water. Beautiful statues, water, pavilions & paths. Great location for some lovely photo backdrops.

Kat F — Google review

A lovely place, very pretty, quiet when I went, and a place I'd love to visit again. We tried out the different spring waters here. I wouldn't recommend it too much, the water at the state park just down the road is what you're looking for. All great nonetheless!

Case M — Google review

This is a wonderful park with many places to sit for a picnic with the family. Statues, Spit and Spat, the Canfield Casino and Museum, and War Memorial are wonderful to experience in any season. You might even luck out and see a play on a warm summer night!

Theresa J — Google review

We visited in spring and the park was incredibly lush, and well kept. There was a unique vibe about it on a Sunday. Kids can feed the ducks, safe spaces to run and there are some of Saratoga’s famous springs surrounding the park.

Dominique W — Google review

Congress Park is always a perfect experience.This evening was extra special because it was my birthday. We had spent the evening at a restaurant in Saratoga springs, and then enjoyed a walk in the park.I love that there are so many things to look at, including beautiful fountains and the amazingly historically preserved carousel.Spencer Trask and his family are basically the founding family for Saratoga. There is a lovely statue dedicated to their prolific giving and generous spirit.As we left the park we saw what looked like a flash mob dancing and singing. What it turned out to be was a proposal! It was an amazing experience that happens quite often in this park. It's a perfect location for those kinds of memories.The weather was perfect so it was an amazing walk in the park and a perfect moon for a perfect ending to a perfect evening with my perfect love of my life.Happy Birthday to me!I'm a very lucky person.

Kevin B — Google review

Great place for a walk in Saratoga. The flowers, trees, and scrubs were beautiful and lush. The variety of art was nicely placed throughout the park and provided interest. There were a lot of ducks with their babies that were fun to watch.

Margaret M — Google review

What a nice park to walk around. Multiple entry points for pedestrians. For a vehicle, i think there is only one way in, at least that is what I found. Parking is really easy. Beautiful during the day, ducks, woodpeckers, present. In the evening is nice also. Felt safe. There is an old casino, Canfield Casino. We would have liked to tour it ourselves, but I think they are guided tours. (at least she made it sound like they were guided tours). There is a carousel that is $1 per person. We had it to ourselves. It was neat. Nice to see people outdoors enjoying the fresh air.

RJ A — Google review

The city of Saratoga Springs planted a Weeping Willow Tree in memory of my dad ( Cecil " The Banjo Man" Myrie )back in October 2015. I'll forever be grateful!!! Congress park was always a crossing point walking through to downtown as kid. So being able to walk through and see that Tree there in the park I grew up with, is such a wonderful feeling. Thank you Saratoga !!!

Joshua M — Google review

Such a beautiful park with rich history, it makes for the perfect early morning walk or afternoon stroll. I definitely recommend taking a rest on one of the many benches in the park so you can relax and take in all the beauty it has to offer!

Jason N — Google review

One Great ParkGushing water everywhereHappy People withChildren and Dogs.Happy Ducks here too.Bring a TurtleBring a FrogLet them go ...hereLet them live here too ?

Thomas N — Google review

Date of visit: Saturday July 8thGorgeous park with a CarouselOur first stop in Saratoga Springs was to the Visitor information centre (across the street from Congress Park), and the lovely ladies there advised us to check out the Park.We checked it out right away.The park is gorgeous, well landscaped, beautiful gated entrance. The park has a lovely walking trail to explore it all. There are a number of sculptures, ponds, and a creek running through it. The main attraction is the Spring water fountains that many tourists come to to try the natural spring water that the city is famous for.There is a carousel within the park that was carved by Marcus Charles Illinois. As avid lovers of carousels, we wanted to take a ride, but the carousel is cash only and we didn’t have any cash on us.Plan to bring cash if you visit so you can ride the carousel.The Italian Gardens at one end are beautiful and have a number of statues.There are bird houses throughout the park.This is a gorgeous first stop when you visit Saratoga, but don’t forget to check out the Saratoga Springs History Museum on property as well. This park would also be a great location to enjoy a picnic lunch.There is parking inside the park – but it is limited and very tightly monitored. If you park in a spot that is not authorized you will get a ticket within minutes of parking.

Rogue T — Google review

Congress Park in Saratoga Springs is a delightful urban oasis that seamlessly blends history, natural beauty, and recreational activities. Strolling through the park's manicured gardens and tree-lined paths is a serene experience, providing a respite from the bustling city. The picturesque lake, adorned with elegant fountains and charming swan boats, adds a touch of whimsy. The park's historic landmarks, such as the Canfield Casino and the War Memorial, lend a sense of grandeur and cultural significance. With ample green spaces for picnics, a delightful carousel, and a charming pavilion, Congress Park offers something for everyone, making it a must-visit destination for locals and tourists alike.

Connor M — Google review

The day we were in Saratoga Springs it rained non stop. Despite the rain we still went to the park to see it. The ducks were amusing. The park is very nice with beautiful vantage points along the path. We did try the water from the 2 fountains. Can’t say I’m a fan of the flavor, but it was interesting to see.

Shannon C — Google review

Great place to sit and rest the legs after walking the main strip in Saratoga Springs. What a happy home for a flock of black ducks! The fountains offer plentiful habitat for these waterfowl, but they seem to enjoy human company more than you would expect. One duck was very interested in my camera! If you’re into close encounters with the avian kind, this is the place to be.

Gavin W — Google review

What a lovely park. Right off Broadway, beautiful and peaceful. Lots of cute baby ducks! I even saw a yellow one zoomin hard in that pond & a couple I met said there are never yellow ones! Lots of mineral water spring fountains to check out, a carousel, benches, etc. Meander over to Caroline street for a drink after :) just lovely at dusk!

Megan C — Google review

So beautiful, even during the winter-I can’t wait to see the plants in bloom!

Kayleigh B — Google review

We went here the other day enjoyed walking around in the history in the park, reading all the signs looking at all the statues

Matt T — Google review

This park is absolutely stunning. The abundance of ducks and ducklings was heart-warming. We were surprised at how friendly some of the people at the park were!It would be really helpful for the placards to be redone. Many of them aren’t readable and I am incredibly interested to know where each of the fountains, or gardens or features came from! ☺️

Kate C — Google review

4.7

(2161)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (50)

4.5

(821)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (51)

25 E Congress St, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA

(518) 587-3550

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11

Saratoga Race Course

34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (59)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (60)

34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (61)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (62)

Mentioned on

+44 other lists

Racecourse

Casinos & Gambling

Saratoga Race Course is a famed horse racing venue that schedules 6 days of racing per week during the summer season. It is renowned for hosting the annual Travers Stakes event. The racecourse welcomes visitors for a period of 7 weeks where they can witness daily races, observe horses warming up, have breakfast at the Track, take a tram ride to Clare Court to see horses exercising and indulge in food from available options.

We've been to Saratoga a handful of times and always have a great time. The people are friendly, the venue is great and the atmosphere is outstanding. We will be back!

Matt M — Google review

Such a great experience, I spend whole two days over there. If you wanna feel real fun you have to bet, I didn’t bet too much, but few dollars just for fun is ok. You can enjoy in the parks, drink and eat so many different types of food. I bought few cool souvenirs so it remains me to this cool place.

Luka V — Google review

This was our second trip to Saratoga. We are on a mission to visit every major racetrack, especially the ones where Chad, Todd, and Brad race. It was a beautiful day and we got autographs and met all the trainers including Chad Brown, Linda Rice, and Jenna Antonucci. We made sure to stop by the Big Red Spring. It was disgusting, I didn't expect it to be carbonated. It tasted like carbonated metal water, RJ said it was "ok". We were told that it's an acquired taste and that it's good luck so down the hatch it went before we placed all our bets! We pretty much broke even at the end of the day so maybe it helped us a little bit, at least we weren't in the negative. Saratoga is our favorite racetrack by far. The grounds are beautiful and they have plenty of drinks and concessions all over the property. It’s always a beautiful day at Saratoga!

Key L — Google review

What a great day here at the track!. After finding parking easily, we got on the grounds and immediately found cold beverages. We walked around for a bit, enjoyed the experience of live music and large screens showing the track everywhere.As we continue to tour around, we found a wide variety of food, a short distance from each other. The bathrooms are clean and well maintained. We decided to sit in the grandstands which were well ventilated. It is easy to bet here. Not only at a terminal but also via the app.This made for a pleasant Sunday fun day!

Mark R — Google review

Saratoga Racetrack is an exciting place to visit. Racing occurs 7 weeks only. You can attend races daily, watch horses warm up, have breakfast at the Track, take a Tram ride to Clare Court to watch horses exercise to name a few activities. Food is available, parking on site for a fee. Downtown area close by. Lots of shops and restaurants. Highly recommend this place.

Nicalena N — Google review

Saratoga is absolutely Gorgeous!!!! The races were, to say the least, EXCITING and FUN, and a wonderful place to vacation with friends and family and try your luck on the horses!!! Delicious restaurants and late night bars! We met some of the nicest people also. Sure bet on a good time for all❤️❤️❤️

Nancy P — Google review

If you don't like gambling don't go here. But even if you do like gambling I would suggest you limit yourself to a few dollars, certainly don't borrow money to bet here. The place is filled with rich people who seem to want to compete with each other in the display of their wealth. The horses seem to be very good and I have heard they race them here.

Krishna S — Google review

History alone is worth the trip! They did a great job hosting the Belmont!! Can't wait for the season!!

John S — Google review

A great way to spend an afternoon. Good food options, live music around the park, can see the horses in a few places. Lots of places to picnic and you can bring a small cooler with you. It's much more than just watching horse races. I made two 5 dollar bets and won the second one! How lucky. Not much for betting and was betting based purely on the horse's name, but got lucky and it made it more fun to watch 'your horse'. The whole park still feels old school and I like that.

Natalie K — Google review

Had a fabulous time! I was a bit disappointed that more people didn't "dress for the races", but it in no way diminished the fun of being there. Everyone was nice and friendly. They even have salads vs all the other fast food options normally available.

Leah H — Google review

We loved the track and the grounds overall, the thing we had issues with was the 3 days in the turf terrace clubhouse. The view was spectacular, but there wasn't any room to move around. The tables were so packed together you were constantly bumping the person behind you when you tried to get up from the table, and if you were on the inside of the table, everyone had to get up and walk into the narrow aisle to let you out. It was like they crammed an extra table in each row of the seating areas. The food was decent, service was okay. Other than the over packed clubhouse, Saratoga is the one of the best tracks we've ever been to.

Ken — Google review

Saratoga is a vibe of its own. The experience is enjoyable and there is something there for everyone from food to shopping to picnic tables! It pays to bring your cooler of water on the family days and your fancy hat on date days! Horses are beautiful, not my form of entertainment to watch animals run for human pleasure, but the crowd and ambiance is the draw!

Kimberly B — Google review

Upstate getaway from hectic NYC. Weekend tickets are higher. Getting general admission tickets should have been enough since it'll be closer to the track anyway. The shade area is full AC and restaurants; it's a great place to wait within 30 minutes for every race.Parking in the area kind of rip off though!

Ade T — Google review

One of the oldest race tracks in the country is imbued with history from the Victorian Grandstand to the mineral spring on the grounds. Will be the site of the Belmont Stakes this year and next.

Irene L — Google review

This is the oldest horse race track in the country/world. I always visit 2 or 3 times a season. I have to drive 3 hours to get there, its a long day trip. The club house is nice if you have a table, great food, but not cheap. I like to sit by the jockey locker room. It can provide more insight into the races. There are new food concessions here. One of the best additions is the Carnigie deli.

Anthony D — Google review

Great experience, I recommend doing this at least once in your life. Concession stands a great. They have so many different types of foods. I recommend reserving a table in advance in case it does rain. At least you're under some cover. The whole experience is awesome and watch the horses trot around as they warm up and you could pretty much go anywhere on the grounds. It's very laid back.

John D — Google review

Summers have always belonged to Saratoga, NY. To host the Belmont Stakes this year while their Racetrack gets beautified was truly something special!The regular Saratoga season starts July 11, 2024. See you all there!

Monica C — Google review

First time back in over 20 years and this track has gotten more beautiful. Love it here! Lots of extra entertainment and vendors. I love NY

Vanessa R — Google review

Saratoga Race Course offers an outstanding luxury experience that sets it apart as a premier destination for horse racing enthusiasts. The atmosphere is electric, filled with the excitement of live betting and the timeless charm of the venue. Each visit feels special, thanks to the meticulous attention to detail and the hospitable environment. Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or a casual spectator, Saratoga Race Course delivers an unforgettable day of entertainment and thrill.

Erick — Google review

Very beautiful, enjoyed the races and walking around the grounds! Food and cocktails were surprisingly good, though a little pricey. Seats in the grand stand were comfortable and worth the additional price

Shelby H — Google review

Awesome location! Beautiful horses and lots of good food and drink. Recommend to make a dinner reservation well in advance if you want a nice place. General admission does not include assigned seats, but you can buy assigned seats for about $50 per person and get them underneath in case it rains.

Margaret B — Google review

The upper trackside reserved section was empty while patrons seemed possessed with their picnic tables and video monitor.Not how I remember racetracks. Definitely a pretty place, not sure of the experience

Sarina M — Google review

Saratoga Race Course is a fun place to spend a couple hours or an entire day. One may picnic on the grounds, enjoy races from the clubhouse grandstand and roam around the area in between races. You may bring in your own food and beverages or purchase them from one of several vendors on site. The best part is seeing the magnificent thoroughbreds and the excitement of the races.

Carol J — Google review

Easy to get in, regardless of time of day. You may have to park extremely far if you’re looking for free parking. Food options are limited to mostly warm food which on a hot day may not be desirable. Otherwise fun to watch horses race and plenty of places to stand.

Daniel V — Google review

A laid back afternoon enjoying the ponies and losing $16 paying for a nice experience.

Kevin M — Google review

I was there on Saturday for the 1st time driving up fron NJ for the tripWhat a superb set up and race track. Enjoyed the full experience,(backing a few winners probaby helps 😀)From seeing the horse run it out in the morning to the races.I would definitely go back and recommend people to visit

Des B — Google review

Going to the horse races in fun. You can get into the stands early and watch the jockeys exercise the horses. We also took a guided tour of the grounds. Very informative. You have to leave around 9 or so then the track officially opens for the day around 10. During this time we went across the street to the racing hall of fame museum. By the time we got finished there the track was open and full of people having a great time.

Gordon M — Google review

This is a fantastic race track to see the thoroughbred horses race at! It has old-fashioned charm with updated amenities! It is one of the oldest! & best horse racing tracks in the country! If you get a chance to go there for the day!, I would strongly suggest that you do so!

Michael W — Google review

I’m not a gambler, placed five $1.00 bets and won $6.65 so you don’t need to be a big spender to have some fun. Great atmosphere, lots or area for a family picnic and bringing your own food and drinks if you want to keep costs down. Grandstand drinks and food were a bit expensive but not out of line for a sports facility. Plenty of great views with a general admission ticket

David F — Google review

a unique place for all horse racing enthusiasts - Saratoga Race Course! where a huge number of horse racing fans and fans of this sport gather every year in early June. A unique event for this quiet town

DESMONT — Google review

4.6

(4846)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (64)

4.5

(1877)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (65)

267 Union Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA

(518) 584-6200

12

Washington Park

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Mentioned on

3 lists

Park

Nature & Parks

Washington Park is a historical park spanning 136 acres and adorned with lakes, sports fields, playgrounds, gardens, and statues. The park features gravel pathways that are accessible to wheelchairs despite some steep hills and uneven surfaces. During the Tulip festival season, shuttle buses are available from the Medical Center parking lot to transport visitors to the park. Vendors showcase their products while live music entertains guests amidst beautiful flowers.

Beautiful park with public restrooms and gravel pathways. Wheelchair friendly with some help for a few steep hills and uneven pathways but generally handicap accessable. We went for the Tulip festival and they had shuttle buses from the Medical Center parking lot, which was perfect. Great venders, live music and of course, beautiful flowers.

Heather D — Google review

Such a gorgeous park! My friend and I stopped in to see the tulips and to walk around after getting off work last week and the gardens were spectacular. I hope to visit earlier next year to see even more in bloom.

Hoosieronthemove — Google review

Beautiful park. I love to visit in the spring, summer and fall seasons. It always nice to walk through, picnic in, or just sit and have some fresh air.

Marum S — Google review

My family loves going to the Tulip Festival for Mother's Day. The display of beautiful flowers is breathtaking. The local bands are great and the food variety is expansive. The only things I dislike is the amount of pot smoke in the air that gives you a contact high, which was bad for those with allergies and for children. That flaw is on the people, not the event.

Ingrid O — Google review

It's Awesome place 😎 if you enjoy with your family 👪 I recommend go there 👍 I love this park ❤️ 😀

Sazzat H — Google review

Really nice park. Clean quiet and there were several vendors selling fruits, honey, clothing, jewelry and other items. The flower arrangement in the center of the park was beautiful.

N G — Google review

Beautiful Park, with a lake and gardens. Great fun for the whole family. Really nice neighborhoods too.

Dionisio M — Google review

My family and I are at Washington Park for the Latin Festival of 2023. Titi very happy we all came together.

Sandra ( — Google review

An Albany gem. Outdoor spaces are always treasures but the park is well kept and lovely. It was very clean and so many things were blooming yesterday...from flowering trees to tulips! If you are seeking the tulips dont wait for Mothers Day weekend they arent going to last...get there now...they are definitely at peak with many early bloomers already gone! The bulbs are on sale the 18th and 19th. 18th is pick your own, 19th is buy bagged. $10.00 a bag/approx. 30 bulbs. The tulip varieties are amazing, the beds well designed and marked so that you can know what you are seeing. We went early day, mid week and while there were a fair number of people, it wasnt over crowded and we easily got our photos. The park has many highlights beyond the blooms but this really is a must see if you like spring flowers.

Ingrid H — Google review

Beautiful historic park. That is, if you can avoid the endless stream of day-drinking trash who disturb the peace with loud music. Thanks dude, I’m sure everyone wants to listen with you!

Andrew G — Google review

Very nice place to walk around and relax. Personally I like the evening walks.

Dulantha W — Google review

Pleasant visuals, scents, sounds…with lamb shawarma and yougurt sauce

Thomas M — Google review

Best time to go is the weekend before Tulip Fest

Kylie R — Google review

It's Washington park. A beautiful outdoor sanctuary among the city of Albany.It hosts many of Albany's events such as tulip fest and the Pride day parade/event. A staple in the community for outdoor enjoyment.With the park playhouse and many places for a picnic how could you not have an enjoyable time.

Nathaniel G — Google review

This is a beautiful park in Albany with lovely walking paths perfect for strollers, a small lake for fishing, and the most beautiful tulip festival on the East Coast. There is also a stage for summer performances, and it hosts the winter holiday lights. Come here anytime of year for a beautiful and relaxing walk.

Petra H — Google review

Such a park is essential to live well and live vibrantly in a city. The autumn leaves, cloaking the park in sparking, kaleidoscopic tones of red and orange, offer a thrilling and vital contrast to the solemn majesty of the slightly decayed brownstones that line the park. Even if you do not spend much time in this park, its existence is essential to the pattern and basic cohesion of the city. This is a storied park, adorned with statues and ancient groves, a place where one can sit in the shade and feel the weight of ages past, not as a burden or responsibility, but as a soft blanket providing relief from the gruff, chaotically vibrating this institute of a strange and uncertain world. Come to this park if you're in Albany and spend a moment being wrapped in its soft, undulating, and bucolic comfort.

Joshua F — Google review

To be a participant in this event of NAMI WALKS, was truly a blessing to me -I met wonderful people, we shared our experiences about ourselves or others regarding Mental Health Conditions, and I didn't meet a stranger.I even got to take photos of the company that provided the tents, chairs, & display tables.I tried Sudanese food, and the folks were so loving, and welcomed me with smiles.

Pebbles S — Google review

It’s my favorite park. I come here very often. It’s natural beauty is fantastic. The trees, the lake, flowers everything looks breathtakingly beautiful in all seasons. I can never get enough of this park.

Tanzina H — Google review

Came here for the annual tulip festival. It was nice, lots of beautiful flowers to enjoy, tons of food vendors, live music, and local artisan vendors galore! I wish there had been some sort of map because we almost missed out on a huge swath of vendors because we didn't know our way around the park. Lots of porta potties but no toilet paper in any of them and paperwork inside indicating they hadn't been cleaned or restocked in over 24 hours during a huge festival - upsetting! I appreciated the city offering free shuttles to and from established parking areas for the festival. I would go again but definitely bring your own toilet paper!

Anthea C — Google review

4.6

(2951)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (70)

4.5

(360)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (71)

35 Willett St, Albany, NY 12210, USA

(518) 992-6152

13

New York State Museum

Mentioned on

28 lists

Museum

Art museum

History museum

Science museum

The New York State Museum is a vast exhibition space that showcases the history and culture of New York. It features collections that highlight the natural and cultural past of the state, including artifacts from the tragic events of 9/11 as well as a beautifully crafted carousel from the 1890s. This museum is an exceptional destination for visitors who wish to learn about New York's fascinating heritage without limitations or restrictions on their curiosity.

What a gem. It's actually quite massive - we were there for a couple of hours and only got to see half. Maybe even less. The 9/11 exhibit is detailed and quite emotional- I couldn't even take any pictures. There are exhibits on various eras that are detailed and well documented. Even if you don't want to read so much, they are wonderfully well put together. You don't have to follow any chronology, but it's set up so that you can if you want to. Really well thought out and lets you really appreciate our state. Note: its free to visit. We did not have to reserve time slots online either. The people at the front desk are super helpful. Outside, there are some wonderful memorials as well, and the space is lovely, you can sit and reflect for a few minutes.

Liseli P — Google review

Brought my children there just as my mother brought me 30+years ago. A few things changed, but several of the exhibits from my childhood were still there. We loved the first people's, ice age, wildlife of NY, etc. Rode on the carousel on the 4th floor too. Not too crowded on a rainy Tuesday in the summer. Finished the trip by going to the Corning Tower observation deck on the 41st floor. Parking was $10, and suggested family donation was also $10.

Mark H — Google review

Very nice museum with many amazing and informative exhibits! I particularly enjoyed the ones relating to Native Americans and their way of life, along with the sobering reality of their 9/11 exhibition. It is technically free to visit, as it is by donation, but I hope everyone who visits gives what they can to keep this place afloat! Five stars all the way, a wonderful way to spend a few hours!

Brady C — Google review

This museum is amazing. Admission is by donation and the space has an amazing array of different displays and wings. There's a large focus on the history of New York, including that of indigenous peoples as well as settlers, and there's a great section on local flora and fauna. The bicycle display was extra fun, as are all of the costumes and period dioramas. There's also a lot of wonderful art. We definitely plan to go back.

Tanith B — Google review

This is a fabulous museum for anyone with a wide variety of interests from history, to geology, to anthropology, and everything New York State! We spent a day here, recently, with a friend visiting from out of state on his first trip to NY. It was enjoyable being able to offer a taste of what it’s like to be a New Yorker and refreshing to be able to have so many interesting exhibits under one roof. The best part? It was free! Here we stood with our wallets in hand as our super helpful host let us know we were good to go and gave us an excellent run down of the exhibits and where each one could be found. The minerals were by far my favorite, but there’s definitely something for everyone here and a gem of a way to spend an afternoon.

Christine P — Google review

I came here this past weekend for the first time. I was shocked that the admission was for free and that they only suggest giving a small donation ($5 for individual and $10 for a couple). This museum is absolutely fantastic. The place is clean, including the bathrooms and the displays are so well maintained. Some of the exhibits were closed as well as the gift shop, but I saw a good amount of displays while I was there. The one exhibit that stood out and really hit close to home since I am from Brooklyn, NY was the World Trade Center exhibit. I don't think anyone can look at those displays and not want to shed a tear about what had happened on 9/11/2001. They have some really interesting pieces, including the original flag that was on top of one of the towers. I also really enjoyed the Birds of New York exhibit. I never realized we have so many feathered friends flying all around us. Overall, this is a great museum for any age and a wonderful look into the history of New York State. I will definitely come back again!

Lisa S — Google review

Such a wonderful museum. I’ve been taking the kids since they were little. The exhibits are great. They even have the kids section and carousel open now. So definitely check it out if you have little ones. I also recommend it as a fun little escape for adults as well to learn more about lots of interesting topics.

Sarah F — Google review

This is an incredible gem that I feel not enough people know about. We spent a few hours wandering the exhibits, but could easily have spent much more. The kids with our group, ranging in age from 4-10, had a great time exploring Sesame Street and the Native American longhouse. Everyone enjoyed the large crystal exhibit - and the merry go round of course!I highly recommend a visit here, especially on a rainy day like when we went.Note: The Museum Cafe that was open before the pandemic is now closed. And literally every food place in the Concourse is closed on Saturday and Sunday. If you don't want a vending machine lunch like we did, plan ahead!

Jackie A — Google review

The New York State Museum is a must see destination when visiting Albany, New York.In March of 2022, I brought myself and my wife for a visit to the museum and we very much enjoyed our time and experience there.The museum features numerous artifacts, both prehistoric and historic, as well as a multitude of exhibits, ranging from but not limited to the “Ancient Life Of New York” Black Capital:Harlem In The 20’s, & The Fire Engine Hall.Both my wife and I enjoyed touring the World Trade Center:Rescue, Recovery & Response exhibit, which showcases the history of the World Trade Center & 09/11 attacks, & The Metropolis Hall exhibit which features a New York City Subway Car, Little Italy Barbershop, and a Sesame Street attraction.If you are interested in learning about the history of New York, and exploring these exhibits, then you should definitely stop by and visit the New York State Museum!!!

Greg H — Google review

I’ve been waiting a while to bring my kids here due to their ages and COVID. Coming here was one of my favorite things to do as a kid. As an adult, I still love it just as much.I loved being able to teach my six year old about the geological history of New York State, and show him the first people known to have inhabited the area. He was most excited for the Mastodon because that was excavated right in our back yard. My four year old’s favorite part was the carousel.It’s a great family activity on a stormy Sunday afternoon. Parking in the lot was free and easy. The suggested family donation is $10, as opposed to the $70 it would have cost for us to go to the MiSci museum in Schenectady. Of course- all museums need yo be sustainable so it’s not really a comparable expense. But if you’re looking for something that is a free activity, this is certainly a great choice.

Kim F — Google review

Great place for the entire family. But make sure you have at least 3 or 4 hours to view everything. The exhibits are fun and informative. Don't forget to ride on the carousel...all free!

James M — Google review

We’ve been here as a family twice now. It’s a free museum with beautiful and thoughtful exhibits. It’s huge inside. Took us a few hours to go all around. And many displays were new few our last visit. They also have clean bathrooms and easily accessible throughout.

Karen C — Google review

Excellent exhibits that are updated throughout the year. We were a group of all ages from middle school to elders. I learned and had fun! Donations are suggested but the museum is free admission for those who can’t afford to donate.

Nika N — Google review

It's a decent museum that's free! If you're in the capitol, it's a must see! I love the wild life exhibits and they also have Sesame Street, an old subway car (including the smell), olde time NY, 9/11, and more!

Kacper J — Google review

Great 100% Recommended. It's free but they advise a little donation. Just bring a sweatshirt in the summer because the A/C is blazing cold.

B — Google review

Wonderful donation based museum. I've been coming here for years. They have really great exhibits in Dutch colonization, native American exhibits including part of a life sized long house, a mastodon and much more. The staff is really great too. I was able to schedule an appointment and look at some of the behind the scenes artifacts. A gem for upstate New York.

Tim W — Google review

The 911 exhibits are very sobering, and include twisted relics from the buildings and even part one of the planes. There is also a damaged fire truck, personal items, etc. There’s some interesting exhibits on all things relating to the city and state of New York. Entry is free, although there is a “suggested” donation of five dollars.

Simon W — Google review

I go to this museum often, love to wander through the many rooms to study the exhibits. My favorite place features gemstones and minerals from the state of New York. The collection is amazing. There is a great room filled with historic 9/11 artifacts (very emotional). I do wish the exhibit covering Safe Haven and the Holocaust still existed. Such an important part of history - never again. I was told this was coming back, but that was a few years ago and I don't believe it is going to happen.Overall, wonderful place, great for all ages.

Theresa J — Google review

We especially love this museum because it shows NY history, and when my kids are studying Native Americans/Indigenous people in school, they get to see the life-size Longhouse in person!We actually stayed here overnight years ago with the Girl Scouts twice, and it was great! Most everything is on the main floor in a horse shoe shape, and there is a carousel on the top floor that runs every 1/2 hour.You could do about 1.5 hours or as much as 3 or 4! There is a Discovery section more geared toward little kids. We went on a Saturday around noon and parked in a lot on the side street of the building (it was free at that time). Stayed about 2 hours, including 2 carousel rides, and the two 10 year olds were happy with that. It is technically free, but donations are suggested, and there are boxes to drop donations just as you go to enter the galleries inside. Maps available at the desk.

Serina B — Google review

A nice museum for anyone interested in New York state from a geological, biological, archaeological and historical perspective. The museum is wheel chair accessible and exhibits are on the first floor (apparently there's a carousel on the fourth floor but was closed for maintenance).

Jake P — Google review

The New York State Museum is a treasure for artistic, historical, and environmental legacies. This museum and research center captivates visitors with its diverse exhibits.On both visits, we reveled in the sheer abundance of artifacts. The museum houses a captivating collection that spans from pre-ice age to modern times. And the cherry on top? Their Ferris wheel! It’s a whimsical touch that adds a dash of fun to the experience.The display of kids’ artwork is heartwarming. It’s beautifully curated, showcasing the talent of young artists from upstate NY schools—including my kids’ art! As a super proud mom, I was truly impressed by how thoughtfully everything was set up. And the best part? It’s free! A place where kids can learn, explore, and have a blast.I absolutely love this place! Whether you’re a history buff, an art enthusiast, or just looking for a family-friendly outing, the New York State Museum delivers.

Digital L — Google review

This free museum was a fun and interesting place to visit as well as very educational. The horse races were canceled because of hurricane Debby(Aug.9th, '24) and this was a great alternative. Must see bird exhibit and Indian history with wigwams, artifacts, 9/11 memorial exhibit, Holocaust photos of the skin and bones survivors for those Holocaust deniers. And many more historical displays. It's a museum for all ages.

Rosalyn G — Google review

Great free entrance museum with event space a Carousel upstairs that runs at 30 min intervals and a kids touch and explore area. Suggested donation is $10 per family and it is well worth it to keep this beauty running. The architecture alone is worth the visit but the exhibits are really well done and engaging too. Parking can be limited but its totally a great few hours.

JH S — Google review

Wow! Quite the museum and lots of fun. We made a pit stop here on a road trip and were really impressed with the exhibits. There’s lots to see - we spent about 2 hours here and could have spent even more time. Our daughter went through the rooms saying “wow” and we did too!

Erin R — Google review

Absolutely stunning!!! All my kids really like inside the museum. They learned a lot. It’s huge and very quiet inside. And if you don’t know IT’S FREE!!!!! no ticket to go inside the museum!!!!!!

ALI — Google review

Excellent museum depicting life in New York, past and present. You need 3-4 hours to do justice to all exhibits. They have antique cars, a carousel, fire engine hall, many neighborhoods in NYC like Harlem, the garment district, an especially touching exhibit on 9-11, birds of NY, etc. And it is all free, but please donate what you can. I plan to come back and spend a whole day here. Look at their website for parking details.

Kala S — Google review

Fantastic museum showing the development of the land which the state of New York inhabits over the last 400 years. Donation based entry, great exhibits and accessible information for all ages

Nick L — Google review

Super beautiful and worth to go! Went to many museums in NYC and first time tried the state museum. Saw so many histories of NYS. Go go go!

Qi W — Google review

Free museum, by donation. Very interesting exhibits, I enjoyed them very much. But my usually controllable claustrophobia kicked in as there are few, if any, indicators of walking directions, or flow of traffic and it's a good hour+ to get through this museum.

Rosemary V — Google review

4.7

(3524)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (72)

4.5

(1119)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (73)

222 Madison Ave, Albany, NY 12230, USA

(518) 474-5877

14

New York State Capitol

34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (74)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (75)

34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (76)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (77)

Mentioned on

22 lists

Historical landmark

Sights & Landmarks

The New York State Capitol is a stunning historical landmark with a renaissance-revival design that serves as the seat of government for the state. The building boasts intricate architectural details both inside and out, including features reminiscent of a French chateau. Free tours are available on weekdays, providing visitors with an opportunity to appreciate the beauty and grandeur of this majestic structure.

This is a beautiful building inside and out. My wife and I went on one of the guided tours (The tour guide Grant was awesome!) and it was a great experience. It’s a beauty to behold!

Dorian F — Google review

I've always been intrigued by the Empire State Plaza, but this time I was able to tour the Capital bldg. It is impressive by size and detail. What a shame the tower was never built. The materials used and grandeur are overwhelming. The artwork very fine. I'm used to seeing portraiture of past Governors in the statehouses across America, but this one has additional paintings from around New York, and they are also beautiful. Sculptures of important and unknown figures, adorn the grand staircase that in itself, is also a work of art and reminds me of underground caverns. The war room artwork on the ceiling, leaves One speechless, as it's scale and beauty are breathtaking! One of the finest!

Peter J — Google review

Amazing building with great history. Definitely recommend you take the free guided tour. It’s very informative and you are free to walk around after the tour. The architecture is spectacular with modern day renovations and originally finished sections. Well worth a visit if you have the time.

David W — Google review

The 5 stars are for the building itself and its architecture, not the politicians inside. Gorgeous building. Almost looks like a gigantic French chateau. Majestic.

Eric H — Google review

Beautiful building and pleasant tour guide, but be prepared for lots of demonstrators chanting and present at several points in the tour. It's democracy at work, but don't expect a quiet, peaceful tour. Directions and signage helping you to park and find the tour meeting point are very poor. My wife and I spent a solid hour walking around and talking to people to ultimately find the tour starting point.

James K — Google review

Must see! The interiors are stunning! The admission is free but with guided tour only. So that’s why I strongly recommend you to make a reservation in advance. The biggest problem is that the tours are weekdays only. But New York State Capitol is worth to take a day off

Julia G — Google review

What an amazing building. It is open to the public from 7am to 7pm every weekday! We took the 2pm tour which was led by Xilu. She was phenomenal!! This is a MUST SEE location.

Jeffrey L — Google review

Architecturally stunning building, I was stunned by the intricate and towering staircases that are housed within. Building is steeped with history and lovingly adorned. Looks like something out of Harry Potter rather than the seat of government for New York. Well worth the visit.

Sarah H — Google review

We didn't even get to go inside, but this is a beautiful building. We visited in October 2021 and had perfect weather. Walk around the building and take in the details of the architecture. I look forward to returning so we can visit the interior.

JeffandTamara F — Google review

Magnificent buildings housing state government offices but there is nothing “official “ about it.Leisurely walk around Empire State Plaza is a wonderful experience. There are fountains and few ugly ducklings floating around in the water.Lawns in front of the building are used by protesters holding demonstrations and public meetings.

Pankaj G — Google review

What an unexpected treasure! A must see… be sure to take one of the tours if you can Monday through Friday at set times. Some parts of the building, you can only see if you’re on a tour. They actually encourage you to look around and touch the carvings. Definitely worth your time.Having just returned from Italy, it makes this building, and all of the elaborate carvings even more impressive.

Melissa C — Google review

GREAT BUILDING, colorful exterior.I LOVE NY in front New York State Capital Building, Albany, NYHave you ever seen the New York State Capital Building Complex and Rotunda? Egg Arena Building?My 1st visit exterior buildings.Waterway large and remuniscent Washington DC Square & monument. But in Albany New York State Capital.Who would have known this complex is So Huge!Great view from New York State Museum 4th floor, floor to ceiling windows of New York State Capital Building.Agency Building 1 - building name, 1 of 4 left facing NYS Capital 12 o'clock - Massive HeightEGG ARENA right & NEW YORK STATE CAPITAL BUILDING in the distance.New York State Museum Ext. Opposite end New York State Capital.NEW YORK STATE CAPITAL BUILDING ext.

REBEKAH M — Google review

One of the best tours I have ever been on. The building is incredible. Carved stone, million dollar stairs, ceilings all beautiful. A must see for anyone visiting albany. It's also free.

Karen S — Google review

The more than beautiful Capitol is really worth a visit! And above all it's free. Just a short security check and you are free to stroll around. There are also guided tours, but we wen by our own with a map we got at the information desk. Don't miss this! The stuff and everyone we met inside was very friendly. Great place to visit!

Manuel G — Google review

The architecture is amazing here. I love that you can wander at you leisure - there is so much history here and great photo ops. The tour guides are so informative. Great time.

Theresa J — Google review

This building is absolutely gorgeous and I'm so appreciative of the State of New York for allowing visitors! We thoroughly enjoyed the guided tour by Elizabeth! She was extremely informative and beautifully animated! I highly recommend one of their free guided tours that takes about an hour!

Denice O — Google review

Awesome building and the free tour was well worth it. Building is quite impressive with the architecture and history of the design. You can walk around at your leisure and take pictures as there are informational signs around you can read for the history but I recommend the free tour they offer as the guide was very knowledgeable and easy to understand. She also made sure to point out highlights that I probably would have missed since there is so much to take in on your own.

Jozef W — Google review

Great experience 👍The tour starts from the ground floor. Just get in the building to find it. I walked a lot but found no sign. So, don't try to find anything but just enter the building and you will find the tour desk.

Charles L — Google review

Amazing experience of a 10am tour. The local government is doing such a good job to maintain this place and give free tours. Deserve to go!

Qi W — Google review

The New York State Capitol is one of the most elaborately constructed buildings in Albany, NY, and the focal point of the state’s government. Taking 32 years to build and the work of 5 architects, including renowned designers Leopold Eidlitz and Henry Hobson Richardson, the NYS Capitols intricate architectural styles is a unique blend of designs that boldly stands out within Albany’s eclectic cityscape.Fact 1: It is said that Richardson used the Hôtel de Ville in Paris, France as inspiration when designing New York’s capital building.The New York State Capitol building is open to the public and free to visit and explore Monday – Friday from 7:00 am to 7:00 pmFun fact 2: The New York State Capitol is only one of ten State Capitol buildings that doesn’t feature a domed roof. Originally the architectural designs included both a domed roof and a tower,However, the building became too heavy during construction and started sliding towards State Street. The Exterior Staircase was created to shift the weight of the building back into place.Fact 3: When construction was halted in 1899, the building costs totaled $25 million. Four New York State Governors became President of the United States.it is said to be the most beautiful state capitol in the country.Parking: street parking is available adjacent to the capital building, on both State Street and Washington Avenue.

Sanjay G — Google review

Thousands of stone cutters from here and Europe sculpted this limestone monolith over decades. The seat of our state’s government resides here in all their infamy&oppression. Free to walk about and explore. Everyone should visit and enlighten themselves.

Thomas M — Google review

The building is historic and beautiful looking and it's really neat to see if on the empire state plaza. Pictures on the inside are stunning , too bad they have the worst hours. How do they not have tours or visiting hours on the weekends? How do people who work 9 to 5 actually see this place? It has to be the least accessible capitol of any of the states.

Tim W — Google review

Very fun capital to tour. My tour guide was amazing and very informative. You are allowed to roam the building following the tour but I either didn't receive instructions on leaving or missed them so I had to wonder for a bit to find my way out. As it is a old building some cool spots on the tour are missed if you are wheelchair bound or would otherwise need to use an elevator over taking stairs

Regan G — Google review

This was an amazing place to visit. There is a lot of history behind this building. I visited this place during the holiday tour. The tour guide was very friendly and informative. The entire build is free to visit for all visitors so I highly recommend visiting.

Erik Z — Google review

I was on tight timberline when I visited Albany, but this is a must-see if you are visiting the NY state capital. Architecture from outside is very impressive. Tours are available if you have time.

Ashish S — Google review

We had the opportunity/honor to visit the New York State Capitol in JUN_FY2024 and it was an amazing experience, a great opportunity to learn more about NY's history and legacy.We did a plant tour aroud since it was closed during the weekend, and for sure it's a remarkable building.Definitely, it'sa place that deserves my respect. It was a privilege.

Robertson S — Google review

Grew up in the next town over but never gave Albany a second thought. Partied here a few times in my late teens before joining the service. I left New York back in 2000 because I was sick of snow. This past December I returned, a bit reluctant but now I'm thankful. There is so much history here, the architecture and the small shops are incredibly intriguing. These are things I would have never recognized or appreciated in my younger years. Somehow I feel we lose our sense of culture in our struggle to survive day to day.

Cecil M — Google review

Stunning! Amazing! I took the complimentary tour and Ann was the host - she did an incredible job. This building far exceeded my expectations of what a Capitol tour would be like. If you are in Albany this is worth your time! If you haven’t been to Albany, you should go and visit and see the Capitol.

Robert — Google review

100% recommend visiting this historic building. I got in early on a Tuesday morning and utilized the audio self tour on their website. It features about 18 stops with great information to play on your phone while you walk around this gorgeous building at your leisure. Wonderful architecture and history. My favorite attraction in the area. Oh, and it's free to visit!

Kevin S — Google review

4.6

(1748)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (78)

4.5

(872)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (79)

State St. and, Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12224, USA

(518) 474-2418

15

USS SLATER

34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (80)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (81)

34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (82)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (83)

Mentioned on

8 lists

Museum

Sights & Landmarks

The USS SLATER is a museum located in the U.S. that offers tours of the last remaining WWII-era destroyer escort ship still afloat in the country. Visitors can explore various areas of the ship including the galley, guns, and quarters. The knowledgeable and informative guides provide insight into what life may have been like during active service on board. Unlike other boat museum ships, visitors are able to sit on and move the ship's guns around for a more interactive experience.

We took my son and his friends here today. Our tour guide, Austin, was very informative and friendly. We bought the 2 year family membership and will be heading back soon.

Erin K — Google review

If you fancy yourself a history buff you must visit this wonderfully restored relic from a harder time. It's hard to imagine what these sailors had to endure, but it's slightly easier when you can put your hands on the same bulkheads and see their sleeping quarters and eating quarters and fighting stations. All that's missing is the smells and the rocking of the open sea. Easy parking right beside the ship. Nice little gift shop. But the tour guides are what add another level of enjoyment.

Martin K — Google review

Finally, I had an opportunity to visit this unique restored destroyer escort in Albany. Excellent tour to experience what it was like for the sailors in World War 2. Amazingly restored with great, knowledgeable tour guides. It's definitely worth the low cost for admission which funds all its operational budget.

Kristopher K — Google review

Highly highly recommended. The guide was very knowledgeable and informative; really gave you a good feel for what life could have been like when the ship was active. Also it's the last ship of it's kind; and unlike other boat museum ships you can actually sit on and move the ships guns around.

Austin C — Google review

Highly recommended! The ship is carefully restored by the VOLUNTEERS (that was the most impressive fact for me). Admission is with guided tour only. And let me say, you are lucky if your guide is Fred. He is very knowledgeable and has a great sense of humour! 👍

Julia G — Google review

amazing visit... staff could not be more accommodating and knowledgeable... loved every minute of the stem to stern... spent over 3 hrs there... museum letters were heart touching... history at its best

Dr E — Google review

Had a very informative tour. Not necessarily a good tour if you have young children. Probably 8 and up. Also a little physically demanding. Not too bad. Tour guide was passionate about what he was teaching and kept it very interesting. I would recommend.

Jeremy K — Google review

Toured the USS Slater with my family on Saturday. Our tour guide Austin, was fantastic. He was very knowledgeable, made the tour enjoyable and fun. You could tell he really enjoyed his job. My family and I learned so much and have now fallen in love with the Slater. Can't wait to go back!

Rilee G — Google review

It is incredible to think that when the volunteers received this ship from the Greek Navy in 1993, the ship was basically a rusted hull of a wreck and those guys were able to rejuvenate it to its 1945 look. I cannot imagine how much work and how much effort it took to locate spare parts and then restore the ship into top shape. I was told this was the only DE destroyer left. Very knowledgeable tour guide and very nice ship with a lot of historical artifacts.

Rolf S — Google review

Wasn't expecting the stem to stern tour to be what it was. This tour made me appreciate what our veterans had to endure during war and their life style on board. Literally exploring the USS Slater from top to bottom and purchased the engine room tour. This was an amazing experience and highly recommended to be on one's bucket list.

Patricia L — Google review

The USS Slater is one of the most interesting museums in upstate New York . The USS Slater is the last of all 563 destroyer escort ships from WW2. It is moored in the Hudson River in the Port of Albany. The ship is 306 feet long and weighs over 1,200lbs. The ship last saw service for the Greek Navy in 1991.A countless number of volunteer hours went into restoring the ship, and today most of the people who give and help maintain the ship are also volunteers. A video at the beginning of the tour goes over the historic legacy of the ship. The tour showcases the kitchen, sleeping quarters, engine room, ship's weapons, and officer’s quarters. The shower facilities and 60 second shower are a memorable part of the tour. The living conditions for the sailors on the ship must have been difficult. It is amazing to think they lived on this ship during the midst of WW2. You are allowed to not only see, but touch a few of these historic places on the tour.At the end of the tour there is a nice gift shop with reasonably priced items. Downtown, Albany is located right nearby. A must see for anyone who loves history. Thank you to all the volunteers who put so much time into making this a great place to visit!

Ryan M — Google review

What a neat historical boat. This is a destroyer escort from W.W. II. We took the extended tour, and it was so worth it. A retired Navy veteran led us through the tour. Bob served on one of these and gave us the absolutely BEST tour. At the end of the regular tour another guide joined us to show us the engines and the artifacts that have been donated by former Navy veterans. There were so many amazing artifacts. 👏 If you like history and are in Albany, stop by and check it out. We loved it.

Joe C — Google review

The 1 hour tour was amazing! Really welcoming tour guides!

Kaustubh S — Google review

This is a great museum and historical vessel for all ages to learn about. The 2 hours guided tour by Dennis our tour guide was phenomenal. We learned a lot about the ship and its history. Many things were donated by the family of the original crew. Our family really enjoyed it. It was a wonderful day. It was not crowded but this was a weekday trip. Unsure about weekend. If you have trouble going up and down the narrow stairs and hallways, this tour is not for you. Enjoy!!!

Vinh T — Google review

When we first got into the store to check in, the staff was extremely kind and helpful. Our guide, Charles, was amazing and made the tour even more enjoyable. This whole experience was really once in a lifetime because you get to hear stories of WW2 and the history of the ship you are standing on. It is truly an honor to be there and be able to touch/interact with some of the objects used in WW2.The tours are inexpensive and highly educational. You get to see what the soldiers really went through.All in all, just book a tour, it's worth it!

Brandi B — Google review

We had a nice tour and learned a lot about what this ship was used for when in commission. Amazing how much stuff was on this ship and hard to imagine it in actual action… from the 1945 to 1993. Now it has been totally restored and they offer tours. Well worth the visit to walk through a slice of history….

Custom C — Google review

We stopped here on our way home from Lake George and it was a great experience! Our tour guide, Carl, was very informative but still fun. He had the kids pretend to do different things on the ship and encouraged a more interactive experience. Ship tours are not my thing at all, but I enjoyed it and was shocked to see that we'd been on the ship for 90 minutes when I checked my watch. I'd recommend for anyone with a passing interest in ships or history.

Allison P — Google review

Art and Liam where amazing guides we booked the stem to stern tour (2 hours)! We enjoyed all the stories they both had about the ship and it's crew. Art has been a tour guide for 27 years and his enthusiasm is through the roof,he truly loves his work. Liam was only 2 weeks into his training but he was very knowledgeable about the ship so when we return we hope to see Art and Liam again for another stem to stern with a large group...

Rob R — Google review

Went this summer. An amazing visit. The volunteers are doing tremendous work keeping her seaworthy and looking as original as possible.The displays and components are the best I've seen. My friend and I went to 20 separate musuem ships and Slater rated number 1 on our favorites.The guide was very friendly and informative. Wish I remembered his name.Just visit. You won't be disappointed.

Rich L — Google review

The USS Slater is a Cannon class Destroyer Escort museum ship in Albany NY. The USS Slater is a one of a kind hands on learning experience as it is the only Destroyer Escort in the United States in its original wartime configuration. The Slater was launched on February 20th 1944 and commissioned on May 1944, being built in Tampa Florida. The main purpose of the USS Slater and other Destroyer Escorts during WWII was guarding and protecting supply convoys. On October 3rd, 1944, Slater reported for convoy duty in Brooklyn, NY. By the end of the war in Europe, Slater escorted five concord to the United Kingdom. Liverpool England (Oct 17-20 1944), Milfordhaven Wales (Oct 21 1944), Glasgow Scotland (Dec 14-19 1944), Cardiff Wales (Jan 22 1945), Cardiff Wales (March 10-14 1945), Cardiff Wales (April 28 - May 4 1945). In June 1945, the Slater headed for the Pacific Theatre joining Task Unit 33.2.4. For the remainder of 1945, Slater was engaged in support operations before being placed in the reserve fleet in 1947 and being transferred to Greek service in 1951. Finally in 1991, the ship was donated to the Destroyer Escort Sailors Association and returned to New York in 1993. The Slater has had a permanent home in Albany NY since 1997.

Dakota — Google review

Wow! Who knew this great maritime museum ship was docked in Albany? We were visiting Howe Caverns (great place...check it out) and looking for something to do nearby after leaving Howe Caverns enroute to our way home in Brooklyn. Did a Google search and the USS Slater came up. Turns out the Slater is the only remaining WWII Destroyer Escort still afloat. Amazing stuff. I was always intrigued by the Battle of Leyte Gulf and the heroic actions of the USS Samuel B. Roberts (Google the battle and be awe stuck by the unfolding events). The Roberts was also a Destroyer Escort so it was a dream come true to be on the same type ship and get a feel for what type vessel was going against superior Japanese forces that included Heavy Cruisers and Battleships.There is a short video before the tour begins that gives some basic info about the Roberts. The tour itself is extensive lasting about an hour. There is also the option of a longer 2 hour tour if you have the time. Our guide was fantastic. Funny and informative. Went through numerous areas of the ship and nothing was rushed. The ship itself was in amazing shape. A testament to the people who are caring for it. All volunteers. The tour was also hands on since you get the opportunity to experience things crew members did. We were given Naval gun shells to get a feel for what a strain it would have been to bring up ammunition in the heat of battle. Got to go on one of the gun mounts and use the traversing mechanism with my grandson. Nice touches included the ability to get in a crew members sleeping hammock, which rocks about likes there's no tomorrow even though the ship is stationary. Can't imagine it on the high seas. Really gives you an idea that this would be no fun. Another great thing was the placement of materials i.e. food utensils, maps, original crew member personal belongings, etc. that gave a real feel for authenticity.The Slater checks all the boxes. Important naval history presented in a fun way. Easy to get to. Free parking on site. Beyond reasonable entry fee. In depth and informative tour. You're not rushed during the tour. Authentic restoration. Nice little souvenir shop that stocks a well curated selection of naval history books.There is one bad thing about the Slater though. Oh no! Oh yes! What is the bad thing? No government support. How can this be! I'm at a loss what to call this. A travesty? An insult? A disregard for history? Over 500 built during WWII and there's not a ton of them left. This is the last one that is afloat. There is another, the USS Stewart, but it is a different class and is not afloat. Beyond shocking for a vessel that saw action in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters. We signed up for a membership even though we don't live in the Albany area and more than likely will not make use of the benefits provided by membership. The important thing to us was to funnel a contribution. Please consider doing the same. A heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers involved in persevering an important and irreplaceable part of naval history.

Mimi T — Google review

This was a very enjoyable experience. Our tour guide name was Dennis. He was very informative not a boring moment. We toured the entire ship from top to bottom. This is the last destroyer escort that is still on the water. A beautiful well-maintained ship. It belongs to the destroyer ships that have saved many lives.

Stevie — Google review

Enjoyed walking around this wonderful ship with my tour guide. My guide was very knowledgeable of this beautiful piece American history, and being a former Navy Reservist made it all the more meaningful. I would highly to anyone who is considering touring this ship to be a part of the 5% that that take the "Stem to Stern" tour, as well, the 1% to visit the "Flying Bridge".

Robert E — Google review

We had such a great time touring the ship with Alan. He went above and beyond explaining all the history of the ship. My grandfather was on a ship just like this one and it was so neat to learn so much. Everyone on staff was so friendly. John brought out a uniform from my grandfather’s ship and we were loved seeing all the artifacts in the museum. Highly recommend the stern to stern tour.

Becky K — Google review

One of the best museums I’ve been to. The tour guides were amazing and informative overall highly recommend. Also it’s free for active duty military with ID

H K — Google review

An absolute must activity to visit in Albany or even if you're passing by via I87. You will not regret the stop over and the superb historical guided tour of this 'tin can' destroyed from World War 2.The folks are all volunteering to keep this place open, functional, accessible, maintained and a pleasurable experience. John did an incredible job with his presentation and the whole tour was absolutely fascinating.The USS Slater is a very affordable tour and has free parking on site. I highly recommend the 2 hour guided tour or the 1 hour if you're pressed for time.Please donate whatever you can to the cause for future generations.

Ananya G — Google review

My interest in touring the USS Slater was that my Dad served on a Destroyer Escort during WWII. The tour turned out to be a much better experience than I anticipated. My main goal was to gain some idea of what it was like for my father to have lived on board a "Tin Can". I was able to achieve that goal and more. Fred was our guide and he did a GREAT job. It's really nice to meet someone who loves what they do. I would recommend touring the USS Slater to anyone who has an interest in WWII warships.

99fstblk — Google review

Never been however, I pass by many times.Not sure if we have to pay to see the battleship or making a reservation eather. If so, no way Jose. It is just me. It's not my thing. However, if war memorabilia means something for you, come and check it out. It is never crowded. Although, there isn't parking spaces in the attraction, there are plenty of parkings close by, you only have to walk a little to get there. The area is safe and as I told you before not too crowded. There are other attractions around to check them out as well. The Dutch Apple Cruising, The Jennings Landing, Corning Preserve. Also, The Albany Rowing Center, which offer rowing classes during Summer time. Also, the new Skyway. All this facilities are located at the bike trail along the Hudson River Waterfront. You can't miss it. A short walking distance from one attraction to another. All this facilities are family oriented. So, there is something to see for everyone. Living your problems, angers and bad antisocial attitudes will be a plus.Relax and enjoy yourself.

Ramon L — Google review

Tom was an amazing tour guide! We learned a lot and got to sit on the 40mm gun. I highly recommend visiting.

Marcie L — Google review

We went on a Thursday afternoon and were able to buy tickets and get on a tour right away. The tour was interesting and informative. Our tour guide was great. The tour had about 6 inquisitive children and our tour guide answered their questions and pointed out things they would find interesting.

Peggie Y — Google review

This is the last WWII era destroyer escort left floating in America. It was very interesting and the tour guide was knowledgeable and funny. And patient. I get a little carried away sometimes when nerdy stuff comes about. This was so cool. Take the expensive tour, it's worth it.

Christopher M — Google review

4.9

(967)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (84)

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141 Broadway, Albany, NY 12202, USA

(518) 431-1943

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16

Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort

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Ski resort

Outdoor Activities

Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort is a perfect choice for outdoor enthusiasts, offering ski-in/ski-out accommodations and over 40 ski trails for winter sports lovers. During the summer, visitors can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, and other outdoor adventures. The resort also features informal suites with kitchenettes and living rooms, as well as on-site dining options. Additionally, guests can find essential pantry items at The Country Store nearby.

Love this place. Great atmosphere and good place to learn how to ride. This is the first mountain I’ve been to and it great that they have a bunny hill, lower mountain and upper mountain. In one night I was able to learn how to go down the bunny hill and progress to the lower and upper mountain. I also did the twilight pass which made it a cheaper option, and had less people around for me to run into.

Gregory R — Google review

Visited Jiminy Peak ski resort and had a fantastic time! The mountain had a great variety of runs and the views were absolutely stunning. The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful, making the experience even more enjoyable. The lodge was cozy and inviting, with plenty of amenities to make our stay comfortable. Highly recommended for a winter getaway!

Stanley C — Google review

This property felt very safe, easy to find, and had plenty parking available. The check in process was very quick and easy. Our room was extremely clean and equipped with plenty towels, pillows, etc. The bed was very comfortable. The wall were pretty thin so you could hear almost almost everything happening in the hallway, kids running, talking, etc. My only complaint was it was a little difficult to find our room, the way finding could have been better. But overall great stay and I would recommend!

Sarah J — Google review

We stayed at the Country Inn (main lodge). We attended a church function over a long weekend (Friday - Tuesday). The resort is located near beautiful mountains and natural waterways.The staff were friendly, accommodating for my elderly mother and professional. The resort is family friendly. The staff made sure we had everything we needed and made suggestions to ensure our stay was comfortable and enjoyable.The food served during our stay was delicious. The kitchen staff (Kim) assisted with carrying my mother's plate, which was very kind of her to offer.The room was spacious, nicely decorated and furnished. I had a king sized bed, sleeper sofa, double vanity sinks and kitchenette.This was our first time in Massachusetts and at the resort. The staff left a positive impression on us. We'd definitely stay again at this resort.I highly recommend this resort to any one wanting a relaxing and beautiful weekend getaway!

Tracey W — Google review

Went to the resort for the day to ski. First had a 90 minute skiing lesson at the Bunny Hill with Ian who was a great instructor. He was encouraging, patient and great at explaining the subtleties of skiing. I felt far more comfortable with the skis by the end of the lesson. The bunny hill was great for me to improve a bit at skiing and I had a fantastic time. I hope I will be able to come back soon.

Adiel B — Google review

BUYER BEWARE, We booked tickets for the Aerial park and my eleven year old daughter got overwhelmed after 15 minutes, so she came down. When she wanted to try it again all the workers were too lazy and could not be bothered to re-harness her. A park is supposed to be a happy place for kids to have a good time, and not even one of the employees could find room in their heart to be nice to a young kid. We paid for a 2 hour slot and got 15 minutes. So, just know there are no good Samaritans among the employees at the Aerial park .Warn your kids!

Leah L — Google review

The bike park is one of the most underrated in New England. Great lift access with the high-speed 6 pack, and no line. The trails are incredibly fun and offer a great selection of varied terrain. Provides a unique experience with none of the annoyances of the typical bike park. The fact a day ticket is only 34$ is just another bonus.

Maxx P — Google review

The resort is nice and inexpensive, but the room conditions are good. But the beds are Horrible! The mattresses are old worn out and well used. Not comfortable, uneven, worn out! But the rooms are nice and the views are decent. The service is great and the people too. The adventure park is a blast for the whole family. A lot of things to do, but after 5pm the bar closes, and the restaurant on the third floor is only open during winter. Christensen's tavern I believe closes at either 5:00 or 6:00 p.m. The country store on property is nice but expensive. Jiminiys website says hot breakfast included. But it's not included with your room stay. It's premade breakfast and other options at the country store for extra. But overall a family-friendly budget-friendly vacation option. I do recommend this place especially if you have children. Or just want a beautiful view in a quiet area.

Kenneth H — Google review

This is a fun, resort-style mountain that has plenty of variety when it comes to difficulty of trails. There's a 6-person main lift which gets you to the top of mountain pretty quickly which is nice. I mainly stuck to the green and blue trails but the main issue is that at the top of the mountain there are initially very long stretches of completely flat terrain which makes getting to the actual downhill part pretty laborsome especially if you're a snowboarder. Some trails also had extended flat parts midway which meant that snowboarders like myself have to unstrap and skate to where the downhill starts again which I wasn't a particular fan of.

Matt S — Google review

Great mountain with plenty of wide open trails. Perfect for beginners or more experienced riders too. Everyone we encountered was extremely friendly including JP, the instructor who provided lessons. Dan in the repair shop came through when my son's binding broke. And Lisa in reservations helped with some minor lodging hiccups that were quickly resolved. The cabin we stayed in was dated, which is a shame since it could be really great with a little TLC and update. Overall though, excellent communication with the owner/maintenance (not sure who's on the other end of the texts) to get any issues resolved quickly. Looking very forward to returning and highly recommend this mountain.

Joseph G — Google review

I grew up going with friends here to Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort.We all were there to ski. It was so amazing! It is absolutely exhilarating. As a young kid, I felt the freedom of going skiing ⛷️ with friends. A little more than fear going up so high on the lift. I can remember when I would ride the lift with the cute boys, I would try to play it off like I wasn't terrified up there! Lol.I will never forget learning how to go down the more technical slopes than the kiddie ones. Sheesh, I loved the speed of the ride. The gust of wind through my hair while I'm focusing on the ground ahead. Moguls are worth all of it! Whoosh... up in the air I go. Silence fills my ears. Now that is what I enjoy!I found Jiminy Peak to have some nice slopes.Once I made it down to the bottom, I realized that my limbs were practically frozen to death & definitely could use some warming.Jiminy Peaks lodge was always toasty with or without a fire 🔥! 😃😉 So many gorgeous people in ski gear.So sexy!Some of my friends never left the lodge. 😁After I left for college, I found that Jiminy Peak had been an amazing place to learn how to ski.I've enjoyed many different slopes over the years. However, Jiminy will always be my 1st love.

Lynae T — Google review

Not only was the park amazing but every staff member was kind and helpful for us first timers! The alpine slide is amazing and the longest one I've ever been on.

Codey K — Google review

The beautiful scenic views are a Bob Ross painting. The hotel is clean, cozy, quiet. Rocking chairs to take in the views.Dip in their pool, Jacuzzi.Rides were fun, I'm trying the obstacle course next time.Enjoyed my stay.Wish they had food room service.There's restaurants on the property but once closed, either order in or drive far.The peak looks like it could touch the sky.Just wow.

Cocoapie R — Google review

This review is specifically for the activities at the resort. I only give it a 4 star because the prices are no bargain for the “rides”. Each individual activity cost $15/pp or you can get combo packages. It’s not cheap. Last year we took the ski lift up to the top just for the ride and the view. It was very nice. But cost something like $40 for two adults and a child.This year we did the Alpine slide. First, one of the staff members, I think her name was Dorothy, she was SUPER nice! I’m afraid of heights and she talked me through the whole thing. She was so patient that even my 8 y/o had no worries tackling the slide on her own. So we did it! In retrospect, it was perfectly safe and so much fun. (Doesn’t change my fear of heights 😩🤣) worth the cost of admission for that ride.Overall, the area is clean, has some shops and restrooms. There is a snack bar and restaurant, though we didn’t visit those. Lots of free parking and getting there is easy because it’s really well marked. FYI, they also have a country store on site which is a major convenience.

Karen C — Google review

It’s nice. Too expensive for what they offer overall. The adventure park is fun but not enough things to do. It would be better if they operated the scenic lifts during the week.

Morgan R — Google review

We decided last minute to make a trip from Schenectady to ride the Mountain Coasters. I can not say enough about the staff. They were professional, fun and made the experience that much better. Every single employee genuinely seemed happy to be there to make sure guests were having fun!!!!

Amy V — Google review

Great resort in beautiful natural settings for year around indoor and outdoor activities. Although my first time, Bill made sure to provide an excellent service.

Vittorio B — Google review

First time visiting Jiminy. Not sure why we haven’t come here before. We have been Epic pass holders for the last 4 years and just tired of the poor conditions and limited snow making at their east coast properties. Great for families or adults. Plenty of food options and very well maintained.

Jacek W — Google review

This is the place to come and learn. The Jiminy Cricket chair was made, it seems, just to teach beginners how to get on and off a chairlift and get used to riding on a slope. It is small, quaint, and the perfect place for beginners. After years of skiing and snowboarding I wish I would have started off at Jiminy. I would have had a much better experience. Took my teenage son there for the first time and he had a blast. Once you get your bearings they have great terrain for all skill levels. On top of that the lift ticket prices are so reasonable and the General Store is not overpriced. The paninis at the General Store were excellent.

David — Google review

I took a three-hour drive from Queens, New York, to check out this resort for some skiing action. This review is just about the skiing part. When I got there, I noticed how spacious, clean, and well-kept everything was. If you’re into skiing, you can buy a 4-hour or 8-hour lift ticket and rent all the gear you need if you don’t have your own—like helmets, skis, boots, and poles. There’s also a restaurant where you can grab some food, snacks, drinks, and even booze. The staff were really friendly, and the views were amazing from everywhere. But if you’re a newbie to skiing, might wanna skip this spot ’cause the slopes are pretty intense. But for me, it was cool to challenge myself and try something new.

Andrea M — Google review

What a great find. After a long day of driving, this resort was a great place to stay. Wonderful rooms, a great jacuzzi, and polite and helpful staff. If we had the time, I would have stayed longer, as it was such a nice place.

Steven W — Google review

I visit this resort almost every year and each time, it's amazing. It doesn't matter the size of the room or the location on the property... It's always amazing.I travel here for tattoo related business (off-season in October). It's one of the few places that I can hope to see staff over time and make friends. It's a truly lovely place and when it comes to hosting us quirky tattoo artists, this place is soooooo lovely!The events are called Paradise Gatherings and even though this name isn't because of the location, it might as well be for how amazing Jimmy Peak has always been to us.Thank you for a stellar stay! Always!

Amy N — Google review

I love the ample amount of green trails for beginners and the high speed 6-person lift. The lift line is minimal and the staff will try to encourage people to use all available seats on the lift to shorten the line. Staff are friendly and always helpful. The minor blemishes are the small parking lot and not enough chairs in the bag storage/changing area. However, I can overlook all of that because the actual skiing experience (for a beginner at least) is excellent.

Peter H — Google review

It is after 2am and I am so tired from our long drive back from Jiminy Peak however there is a concept in Judaism call Hakoras Hatov which loosely translates as recognizing the good! Before I retire for the night I wish to express my gratitude to Jiminy Peak for a trip of a lifetime!We went as a family for our very first ski trip after sorting through the options we decided on Jiminy and that was a great decision! It felt that EVERYONE on their team is courteous and friendly and I mean EVERYONE! Not one of my children husband or myself had even one ill experience.Everything runs so smoothly and friendly.As it’s our first time skiing we booked lessons for everyone. Everyone learnt the trade and that’s a testament to trainers that want their students to succeed!I watched very young kids to seniors having a marvelous time! It’s truly a one size fits all!There is so much more I want to relate but time for sleep, we all look forward to returning g-d willing for more fun!To be very clear I have left less than a handful reviews in my life which says how full my heart is, THANK YOU!

Chana M — Google review

Amazing customer service.My child snowboarding class was cancelled due to the rain. The receptionist, Coleen helped us to re- schedule another day. She was so patient and helpful. Jiminy peak is so lucky to have Amazing staff like her.Thank you!!!! :)

Ching-yin L — Google review

Great location that's not too far North. They do so much snowmaking to try and make up for the warmer seasons that we've been having in recent years so hats off to management and the snowmaking team. The night skiing is awesome for those who work in the day time.

Jiang L — Google review

We spent a Saturday during President's Day weekend here, and had the best time. The snowy weather really helped, but Jiminy Peak went above and beyond in other ways. First, even though we booked late, they still fit both our children in ski school. Shout out to Malia for the help there, you made our weekend! The ski school instructors, Beth, and Feliza, must have done a great job because our kids were all smiles! They went from not being able to ski with Mom and Dad to skiing down the 180 lift trail easily with us after the lesson! The lodge was clean, food was good, and most of the mountain was open. Mom and Dad enjoyed the greens, blues, and blacks. The ski conditions were typical New England, with clumpy powder on the greens and blues, and some ice on the steeper blacks. Lift lines were fast, especially if you can sneak in the single rider line on the express 6 pack. The 1150' vertical is most in MA and made the runs long enough to truly enjoy. It was an overall magical experience for us Floridians, thank you Jiminy Peak!

Daniel R — Google review

4.4

(1676)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (97)

4.0

(604)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (98)

37 Corey Rd, Hancock, MA 01237, USA

(413) 738-5500

17

Norman Rockwell Museum

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Art museum

Museums

The Norman Rockwell Museum in his hometown showcases a significant assortment of the artist's authentic creations and souvenirs. The renowned illustrator, born in New York City in 1894, made his debut with the Saturday Evening Post by designing its cover page illustration in 1916. Over the course of half a century, Rockwell furnished 321 more covers for the Post magazine, along with illustrations for books, posters and several other publications.

Beautiful property although I didn't walk the grounds because it was windy and cold. The museum was fantastic. Mr. Rockwell's ability to capture the emotions and tell a story with his illustrations is incredible. Well worth the trip.

Jean G — Google review

This is a great museum to get a better understanding and appreciation for Norman Rockwell, who’s classic artwork reflects the best of American culture through the years. The museum includes a lot of original classic paintings by Rockwell including the four freedom paintings. There’s plenty of information about his life and influences as well as relatively unknown works of art by Rockwell displayed. There’s also hundreds of Saturday Evening Post covers from Rockwell throughout the years. Unfortunately his personal studio was closed when I went, but I was able to walk around it and look through the windows. The whole experience was very good and I would totally recommend visiting the Norman Rockwell Museum.

Frenite — Google review

It very much exceeded my expectations. Lots of excellent magazine covers and paintings of all kinds. Rockwell was not by any means an unthinking 20th Century American. He saw the world with a sharp eye. That being said, the museum insists on "contextualizing" some of his works. Why? He painted what he saw. P.s., the magazine cover in which the Saturday Evening Post announced a series of articles by Benito Mussolini was ... interesting. My, what hindsight might say.

Dustin H — Google review

This was our first time visiting and we honestly did not know what to expect. I thought I was somewhat familiar with several of his cover illustrations. We were surprised at just how many covers were familiar.This was an amazing museum really. Not many people used the interactive app that gives you recorded background on the subjects and work but I strongly recommend this. It’s much better than simply reading the plaques. We’ve been to many museums all over the world and cities, we always go for the audio tour. Short of having a human guide this is the most immersive way to optimize your experience. So many people just walk around looking bored after some initial excitement, but take my advice here. And remember to take earbuds along.Also watch the short movie on the lower level to see the tone on Rockwell. I really enjoyed the amazing original covers, imagining a simpler, honest, small town…a kind of naive American culture from the past. I realize this wasn’t necessarily the case, but it’s a nice utopian place to allow your mind to wander to occasionally, even if just for a few hours.As you can tell I highly recommend the museum and appreciate the experience. An excellent Museum overall!

KJ L — Google review

The grounds are beautiful, apple trees and vistas of the mountains.Admission is $25 pp, and does NOT include his studio, that's an additional fee.They were having a special exhibit on Mad Magazine covers. It was really good, worth seeing.They have over 20 paintings by Norman Rockwell.

Natalie S — Google review

Great museum with all the art work very well organized and displayed in a methodical manner. They have 2 floors where the paintings are displayed. There is a documentary that is shown which is also great since it talks abt the life of Norman and his technique. The gift shop has a lot of cool gifts at reasonable prices. When I went the tickets were all sold out online but I was able to secure the tickets nevertheless. There is a walking trail on the grounds of the museum which is very nice.

Novik — Google review

A well-curated and organized museum showcasing works by the American icon of commercial illustration. The museum is located on ample grounds with lots of space to walk. There's plenty of parking as well as charging stations for electric cars.The experience consists of the museum building and a detached building hosting the original Norman Rockwell art studio which is only available via a guided tour.The movie room downstairs showcases hundreds of magazine covers created by Norman Rockwell as well as playing a documentary on the artist which allows you to learn a lot about the story and life of Rockwell.There are bathrooms available both on the ground floor and the lower level.

Arthurious — Google review

An outing that captivated our family of four (a teen and tween included) was a trip to the Norman Rockwell museum in Stockbridge MA. Rockwell lived in this town for the last 25 years of his life and an enormous collection of his works are now housed in this beautiful museum.We didn’t know much about Rockwell except that we delight in one of his paintings that sits on our piano at home, in plate form. I found this plate at a thrift store when we first moved to the US and liked the image of the little girl putting on lipstick. I’ve since learned that this was one of his works from the 20s.Wandering through the gallery of his Saturday Evening Post covers is truly a joyful experience! His ability to paint human expression with such detail is amazing. It is also quite something to ponder on the times that he was painting in - the Great Depression and then World War 2, and to notice how he kept subjects light for the sanity of all. Some of his most famous paintings of this period were The Four Freedoms and these were used to raise a significant contribution towards war bonds. It was wonderful learning more about those from one of the guides who was walking around.We also very much enjoyed the exhibition by artist Nora Krug also on display at the time (April 23) and ended up buying her two books.What an amazing experience and one that will stay with us always. If you have the opportunity to visit I’m sure you will find you feel the same.

Lauren S — Google review

Amazing man and amazing art.He could have gone any direction but chose illustrations.323 Saturday evening post covers.This museum is not overwhelming, but still allows you to see Rockwell's various sides and social commentary.You could go back once a month and still not take in all he had to say.This place is a national treasure.

Stephen G — Google review

A joyful experience. On display are a host of Rockwell paintings and Saturday Evening Post covers. Each piece has an informative plaque with insights into the origin and use of the piece. I enjoyed seeing the process by which he created his paintings and sketches.Also on the grounds is his studio which was relocated from the nearby site of his Stockbridge home. You can almost feel the creative process come alive.Some site photos plus a few of the pieces in the museum are included.

John-Paul M — Google review

There is a great new show at the Norman Rockwell Museum, a MAD Magazine retrospective. It showcases the work the writers and artists from its beginnings in 1952 to the present. There are also several video presentations and an interactive search kiosk.June 8, 2024 through October 27, 2024And there's still a great collection of Rockwell's original illustrations, reprints of all his Saturday Evening Post covers and a short film on his life. You can spend hours in the museum and then enjoy the magnificent setting and even tour Rockwell's last studio. I highly recommend a visit.

Craig R — Google review

A nice museum, with some good informative videos on bits of Norman's. A nice walk around the grounds brings you to the river and his studio. I would recommend if you're in the area and need something to do for an hour or two

Tim H — Google review

A beautiful sunny summer day relaxing enjoying the beautiful artwork of our own American artist, Norman Rockwell. Along with featured artists, the afternoon was fascinating and educational. Lunch on the terrace was perfect! Nestled in the Berkshires, you listen to the songs of birds and the occasional lone whistle of a passing train. I took home a cute souvenir from their well-stocked gift shop. Enjoy!

Patricia C — Google review

I was a fantastic museum of a wonderful person situated on a beautiful site. It had everything you wanted to know about the man and his work as an illustrator of American life as seen in magazines, newspapers and his paintings.See & hear his life as told by one of his son's in a video & guided tours. See how anyone can be manipulated by others to serve an agenda and how an artist begins his work for the greater good through an idea.

Hal — Google review

Wonderful time at this museum, had been wanting to visit for a while. I recognized many of Rockwell's pieces, and was able to see so many that were new to me. Truly enjoyable! Purchased a few item from the gift shop, including a treat for my Sasha. She loved it🐾

Cailin D — Google review

A truly wonderful museum devoted to the work of a great American artist, with galleries available for special traveling exhibits of other renowned artists. It is one of those places where people can come back to over the course of many years to appreciate Norman Rockwell’s prodigious creativity and draw inspiration from it. If you want to better understand a period when America was truly a great nation (not without serious problems, but empowered to tackle them), this is a place for that reflection. PS - If you want to visit Norman Rockwell’s Studio (separate building on the museum grounds) ask specifically for a ticket and hours for the tour. Post-pandemic, ticket required.

Paul N — Google review

What a fascinating spot. Aside from Norman Rockwell's interesting history and retrospective, we enjoyed seeing the work from other artists as well as the Tony Sarg exhibition. I recommend watching the short video downstairs for extra context and history. The gift shop has a nice assortment of home goods, postcards, art prints, puzzles, and more.

Stephy M — Google review

Loved visiting this museum, seeing the works of such a great artist in such a historic time. Grounds are beautiful as well. Start with the video, it highlights so much about his life.

Theresa J — Google review

Visited twice. The number of artworks by Rockwell is not that big, but they are complimented by temporary exhibitions that are well curated. The latest one about MAD magazine illustrations was really great. Recommend.

Yana R — Google review

Great local museum! The woman working in the gift shop was insanely kind and gave me a free bookmark because I mentioned I was buying items to decorate my dorm room with. Would definitely visit again!!

Izzy S — Google review

We loved the MAD Magazine exhibit. Our tour guide was top notch. The buildings and grounds are very beautiful. Love this place.

Katheen A — Google review

If you are in Stockbridge this museum is a must to see. Norman Rockwell paintings and the Mad exhibition was well organized. The premise and the hiking trail was worth exploring. The cafe had a good selection of food and drinks.

Anayda J — Google review

Museum Review:Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, MA on August 9, 2024Summer is almost over and I wanted to take my 3 kids to a great place in the Berkshires. I also wanted to bring my Chinese mother-in-law to see a bit of American culture that has shaped so many ideas and so much culture here. I was curious if I could really convey the meaning of the artist or could the artist communicate cross culturally without language. A couple years ago I read MY LIFE AS AN ILLUSTRATOR by Norman Rockwell and I thoroughly recommend it to any and everyone who is even remotely interested in this artist.We got there about 11:30 with a pass from my local library to get a discount. Upon arrival we drove through the parking lot and starting naming off all the license plates we saw. New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Arkansas, Maryland, Vermont, Canada, Florida... it was crazy. And that is probably just a Friday at the Museum!My oldest and youngest took off on their own and I took my daughter and Chinese mother-in-law into see the most famous paintings. I might have been annoying speaking in Chinese to her but I really wanted her to enjoy the time and not have any issues of comprehension. I used the classic concept of asking her "What do you see?" She observed, then I had to explain, "that stick with a cloth bulge at the end on the floor of the restaurant? That signifies the child is running away." The painting of the child finding a Santa outfit in his dad's dresser drawer was a tougher one to explain. She didn't know that it was an Santa outfit. The FOUR FREEDOMS was something else though. Thankfully I know the word in Chinese for FREEDOM and since my wife particularly likes the FREEDOM OF SPEECH one I didn't want to push my mother-in-law into likely any of them in particular. We went through and I explained each one. She understood. We even got to see the actual jacket worn by the man in the FREEDOM OF SPEECH painting, it was EXACTLY the same one. You could look and then look up at the painting and then look down again and then look up again. It was pretty cool.After this we went downstairs to show her all the Saturday Evening Post covers. She was taken aback by the presidential covers. There was one cover of an old man coming home for Christmas and a child happy to see him but going for his pocket which I assume had some Christmas money in it or some sort of a small gift for the child? I saw this one and adapted it to the Chinese culture and I told her this is like the old grandpa coming home during Chinese New Year and the kids are super happy to see Grandpa, but they immediately go into his pocket to grab his red envelope, his red pocket money or his lucky money. This is a tradition in Chinese culture all about giving Red Envelopes during the New Year. It's fun and the kids love it.After this I kind of lost track of my mother-in-law because she wasn't interested in Mad Magazine but I was. So I went in and started slow. I read many of the full pieces of art and even read them to my kids. I had a few patrons asked me if my kids understood. Well, since I have been reading them Mad Magazine for years, I hope they get it! But I could only go so far and so long. The kids got antsy. Thankfully the brought books so I found them later in the gift shop just hanging out. I got a couple things and wanted to get many more. Thank you Norman Rockwell for putting so many bits of our history onto canvas. Thank you for telling us your life story. Thank you for sharing our country's life story so that our future can see what life was like back then. Thank you to all the people who work there at NRM. It seemed very busy today. When more family members come to visit and when there are more exhibits, I will definitely come back. Now I have to use my 20 new cards and envelopes. When I'm done.... I'll be back!

Clifford L — Google review

We purchased two tickets for the museum and only after trying to enter were told that all the actual exhibits were closed off to the public for an event and that the artist studio was closed as well. So we paid $20 each to see a basement of recreated artwork while the originals were above us. We were told we could enjoy the rest of the open museum by taking the elevator from the basement to the 1st floor. It took us to the gift shop.... We felt the basement exhibits were nice but that it was not right to charge us for full admission without advising us that multiple areas were closed to the public, yet had other people going in and looking around.

Mallory L — Google review

I had a fantastic time visiting this museum on a rainy day in Stockbridge. What a wonderful tribute to the life and work of Norman Rockwell! A must visit attraction if you are in the area!

Mukund S — Google review

A wonderful museum showcasing the life and work of iconic illustrator Norman Rockwell. There are two parallel exhibitions of contemporaneous artists, one of whom is Leo Leoni. There is multimedia, including a short documentary about Rockwell. On grounds are picnic tables overlooking the Berkshires and well-maintained walking trails.

Daniel D — Google review

I've always wanted to go to the Norman Rockwell Museum. Today I finally went. It was a spectacular display of all his work. We even paid a little extra ($10) to go into his art studio. The woman there was so knowledgeable about everything Norman. So happy I finally got to go.

Kim B — Google review

This was a great experience! I loved how close the paintings were. This made it easier to see. I also liked the tour. I would suggest taking this tour because it can help you understand Norman more and why he painted certain images the way he did. Also, the gift shop has great items that I enjoyed and still like today.

Christina — Google review

This was our second visit to the museum. We went to see the MAD magazine retrospective. The parking lot was crowded even though it was 2 hours to closing time. It was clear from the amount of cars & mostly white/grey haired visitors that MAD had made a significant impression on a particular generation although not limited to us.😅.The museum itself is carefully curated and whether there to "see" Norman & his subjects or Alfred "What me, worry" Neumann it's time well spent. The staff are helpful & friendly & it's nice being with others who have similar interests even if we don't know each other personally. There's still a connection.We missed grabbing a snack at the Cafe, which closed at 3p.m. but got our postcard souvenir as well as being able to send postcards to the grandkids, mailed right from the museum. There's a lovely walking trail (with apple trees growing their fruit for fall visitors) as well as NRs studio, which needs reservations to see.After time spent with Rockwell & any "guest" displays, Stockbridge & Great Barrington are close enough for lunch, dinner, drinks or coffee.Enjoy.

Joanna T — Google review

When I drove in, the welcome area was greeting two tour buses - super smooth Saturday entry.Leaf peeping beautiful fall colors; can walk the property to the stream & his studio.I purchased post cards of my favorites & will create a memory wall.

ML D — Google review

Wonderful museum 👏 Absolutely worth visiting 😀 Take a tour of the studio, amazing 👏 Thank you staff!!!

Joe C — Google review

My connection with Norman Rockwell began in childhood, paging through a book of his works and sipping Shirley Temples at "Rockwells" with my family. Recently, I revisited his world at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, Mass. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the experience was as enriching as ever. The museum's scheduling system ensured a safe and intimate visit, allowing me to appreciate Rockwell's artistry up close. His ability to capture everyday moments with profound depth left me in awe. One particular piece, reminiscent of a Saturday Evening Post cover, held a special significance for me. Seeing it in person reaffirmed the power of Rockwell's art to inspire and move me. It was a day filled with serendipity and reflection, reminding me of the enduring impact of art on our lives.Warm regards,Marisa Balletti-Lavoie

Marisa B — Google review

Not cheap ($22 adults) but an incredible museum for lovers of art, realism, Rockwell and US history! Start downstairs with a 12 minute video on his life. Take a moment to look at the hundreds of magazine covers, then move upstairs to view his paintings. The most interesting paintings include the sketches or model pictures to see his process.

Stephan M — Google review

My favourite place to visit. The shows, the history, Norman’s works and the fabulous gift shop are unforgettable.

Olaf S — Google review

4.8

(2750)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (103)

4.5

(2568)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (104)

9 Glendale Rd, Stockbridge, MA 01262, USA

(413) 298-4100

18

Tanglewood

34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (105)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (106)

34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (107)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (108)

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Live music venue

Concerts & Shows

Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, is a must-visit destination for music enthusiasts. The venue offers a magical blend of classical, jazz, and popular music against the backdrop of nature's sounds. Visitors can enjoy gourmet picnics on the rolling lawn while listening to concerts with grand acoustics. Additionally, Lenox is known for its outdoor spaces and as the host town for the Tanglewood Music Festival.

Great musical venue. But you all know that. Love coming. Parking on the west side is usually easier than the main lot. Can get crazy with big stars so stay cool.

Bill D — Google review

Classic concert venue with great sight lines in the shed and a large lawn behind that. The Lawn is quite a scene and lots of fun, but can get a bit wet when it rains. A "must be experienced" place to be.

Arthur R — Google review

Such a beautiful venue. Lots of people around to guide you to whatever you need. Great concerts.

Susan J — Google review

We love coming here at least a couple times each summer. usually for the popular artist series concerts. but sometimes just for the Pops/Symphony. We always love the movie concert nights too. Onsite food options during the concerts have gotten slightly worse in the last year, but they've also gotten substantially more expensive.

J. H — Google review

Love this place!! It's a beautiful place in which to listen to cultural performances like classical music or big names like Yo Yo Ma or James Taylor. I've been to see Yo Yo Ma and Wait Wait Don't Tell me and the experience has been unforgettable for both. I highly recommend making a day of it by arriving at least a couple hours early to get good parking and to enjoy a good picnic on the lawn before the show. There are beautiful views of the Berkshires as you sit on a beautifully manicured lawn enjoying a picnic. It's fun to see what people do, as the "pregame" is a ritual only surpassed, perhaps, by grilling before a football game. It is very Bougie, as can be witnessed by peoples' charcuterie spreads, fancy picnic baskets, wine and even tables set up with table cloth and lit candelabras. They don't offer much in the way of concessions, so I highly recommend bringing a picnic to have the full experience. If there isn't time to picnic then I recommend eating an early dinner beforehand

David M — Google review

I visited Tanglewood for Michael Tilson Thomas conducting Ives and Beethoven. I really enjoyed listening to the concert and watching them perform live Beethoven Symphony no. 9 in D minor.I didn't get a chance to explore Tanglewood, but the campus is so beautiful. I have got some pics of the Berkshires and High Manor. I'd definitely come back for future performances.Also, it is a good idea to arrive early to avoid traffic, and it is easier to find parking.

Derrick A — Google review

Overall, the actual venue is very nice & the sound quality was good (as expected).However, the experience of getting into the venue - incredibly long lines of cars and confusion among staff regarding parking - took a lot away. Being less than a mile from the venue, it was over an hour of sitting in the car waiting to park.Also, although you can bring beverages and food of any kind to the lawn area, the alcohol sold on premises must be consumed within the beer garden. One of the most nonsensical things I've seen in a while.For a venue that's been around a long time, do better.

Jessica T — Google review

Recently, I checked off a bucket list item and attended a concert at Tanglewood. It did not disappoint. The crowds were handled well (and it was crowded!) but it felt intimate as well. The music was sublime. The popcorn and lemonade were great (tho more elaborate food options were available I just didn’t want to brave the lines). Next time I’ll plan ahead and pack a picnic as many other veterans seem to have done. We did have lawn chairs and a blanket tho so all was well. We also took kids so the ability to explore the grounds, play lawn games, and take in the views (omg the views! Bucket list worthy alone) was huge. Overall loved it.

Meredith R — Google review

Such a mystic place! I felt so connected with the music while experiencing the sound of the surrounding nature

Carla D — Google review

Amazing experience! I’d be here every weekend if I lived nearby. It’s our first outdoor classical concert and it went beyond my expectations. The sound transmission was great and the performance were extraordinary. Since it’s during a hot summer day, we picked the stage seats to avoid to stay under the sun. However, it’s unnecessary because there are plenty of tree and shades. Next time, we will bring a picnic table and enjoy a refreshing beverage while enjoying the music.

Summer W — Google review

If you have been to Tanglewood before, you know what a great experience it is. If this is your first time, beware there is one (or two) ways in and the same coming out. Factor extra travel time in...especially for pop acts like James Taylor. You enter on a two-lane country road! They do a great job with traffic with what they have to work with.

Geoff H — Google review

Tanglewood is just a great time - fun for all. I recommend picking a show and go have a great experience. It’s easy to get to, easy to park you car, great traffic control in and out, and clean bathrooms. Bring you own food and drink or order something their. I highly recommend this as a family outing for the kid to expose them to the arts.

Thomas P — Google review

Such a beautiful spot in the world. Old shady trees to sit under. Enjoy your picnic and beverage while waiting for the concert. It was a lovely breezy evening. James Taylor was as wonderful as he's ever been. I've been loving his voice for 55 years. Seeing him again in such a special place as Tanglewood is a memory I'll savor.

Elizabeth H — Google review

Terrific place. In addition to the great music, the property is lovely! Don’t miss touring the house! Don’t be in a rush to get out fast! When the concert is over we wait in our car until the mad rush subsides..

Donna B — Google review

This is my favorite place to see a concert during the Summer. We had lawn seats for Jason Mraz and the Boston Pops and had the best time. We setup a picnic on the grass in an area that we could see the stage. I recommend getting here early because the grounds are just beautiful. We spent two hours just walking around. If you have lawn seats you can bring in food and have a picnic. It makes for a very relaxing night

Brandy — Google review

My only other experience here was a few years ago - 4th of July with James Taylor. It was an absolutely riveting experience but the place was absolutely mobbed (as you could imagine on a holiday that includes fireworks after the concert). So to be able to come here on a Saturday morning to see the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s rehearsal gave a whole different perspective to how beautiful the property and grounds are and to really appreciate the magic of the location during the day. The acoustics were fantastic and the facilities and grounds were super family friendly. Being able to walk around while beautiful music is playing in the background and enjoying the vistas made me appreciate this venue even more than I did the last time I was here. Should be on everyone’s list who appreciates live performances in a serene setting.

Michael C — Google review

Tanglewood Saturday July 20, 2024It's not a summer in Western Massachusetts if you haven't been to Tanglewood. If you've been to Tanglewood this summer, or are planning to go, then you've had or are about to have a complete summer. Yes, the prices have gone up. Yes, it's tough to lug your stuff from the parking lot to the ticket office, then to your spot on the grass and then lug it all back, but what a day. Provided you've looked at the weather and you have good people with you, you'll have a great time. As a matter of fact, if you want to hear a classically perfect piece you can hear in the Berkshires we heard it on Saturday. Beethoven's Piano Concerto Number 3 in C minor, Opus 37. What a piece and as our 16 year old said, "That piano player was famous? You mean I saw a famous person?" Yes, son you did. Emmanuel Ax played the piano part that Beethoven originally did. And we went for the the 10:30am rehearsal. The place was full and there were people everywhere. The cost was a simple $21 and yes, it's higher than it was years ago, but isn't everything nowadays? As I walked in and met my parents who had set up and were there since 9:30am, I came upon a long man I didn't know, on a blanket, laying down, fast asleep with his copy of the NEW YORKER next to him. Classic Tanglewood. He had a rough morning. I'm glad he could unwind.10 Things to Bring to Tanglewood:1.) Your children. They need to experience others telling them to be quiet.2.) 1-2 blankets and a cooler with food, drinks.3.) some bring a table, I'm not there yet but it would have been nice, a short one, square and foldable.4.) Your new wife, husband or partner. I went there 18 years ago after I got married to my wife. Good memories at Tanglewood. Bring your old wife, old husband or old partner too.5.) An open mind. Some pieces are amazing, some are good, some are tough, some are bizarre, but it's the BSO (Boston Symphony Orchestra), so they have practiced, prepared, and performed.6.) Quiet food. Some parts are so quiet and moving and you don't want to be chewing loud food to the annoyance of the people around you.7.) Lawn chairs and a back up few too. The chair is the only way to go at Tanglewood. But bring a couple extra for others to visit and to lend to others.8.) Extra spending money for the gift shop.9.) curiosity. Hopefully you followed number 1 (you brought your kids) so take a walk during one of the pieces. Don't worry, you can hear the music EVERYWHERE, so go exploring and find the sundial, the maze and many other cool things at Tanglewood for the kids.10.) Patience. You aren't there for the performance to wow you or shock you or to watch the whole thing. If you are on the lawn, go ahead and bring the other 9 things I've told you to bring and a book too, and just relax, chill and enjoy the time, the quiet, the classical music and the atmosphere.

Clifford L — Google review

Such a quaint, hidden venue that is beautiful. Relax and enjoy the surroundings before the concert. All the staff is so friendly. Bring your food and drinks as you tailgate beforehand or sit on the lawn. Acoustics inside are very good as well

Mike S — Google review

Always a great event3 years later and it is amazing how great the place is. You meet the nicest of people. It is definitely a bucket listWinter walk. Love this place for winter

Michael L — Google review

Went to Tanglewood to see Roger Daltrey, it was our first time there and we’ve always wanted to see something there. Luckily we got seats inside, I really wouldn’t want to sit on the lawn. The grounds are well kept and has tremendous views. The food was a little pricey but good.

Peter L — Google review

Any visit to Tanglewood is special. It's a calming, well conceived layout that makes attending a concert a joy. Plenty of parking, plenty of restrooms, and incredible sound no matter where you sit, in the shed, or on the lawn.Always make this a priority in your visits to the Berkshires, and if you are a resident, take advantage of this incredible experience right in your own backyard!

Jennifer L — Google review

Can never go wrong with a visit here. most beautifully manicured lawns and grounds. magical place for music experience. pricey, but a must to experience at least once every summer. breathtaking views

Matteo F — Google review

Brandi, Phil, Tim, SistaStrings!! You astounded us...Such a memorable show..Wow. Venue, staff and assistance above and beyond. Can't wait for next year!!

Suzanne C — Google review

Visited Tanglewood for a show and the first time to see Roger Daltrey. It is such a huge, peaceful, calm, and beautiful area. The first thing that struck me was how easy it was to get up to the area- park and get checked in. No traffic, no lines or people rushing and being difficult. The staff was awesome and welcoming. The grounds were spacious and were easy to move around and navigate. The sights were incredible, and im eager to get backntonsee another show.

Jim H — Google review

My first time back to Tanglewood in 40 years.Still a beautiful place to enjoy a concert and picnic on the lawn.I was there to see Jackson Browne .Beautiful weather , good food , great music and 1000's of fellow fans made for the perfect evening.Bonus was that I was there to celebrate my 67th birthday.

Old F — Google review

It is a magnificent venue to enjoy a wide range of artists perform in a gorgeous setting. We opted for a smaller event and we were delighted. It was just lovely to bring a picnic on the lawn and watch the the evening develop with stars above and the gentle sound of a piano recital. We will be back for more as it was our first visit. The support team with parking and guidance at the facilities was fantastic. Our performance was held at the OZAWA HALL and we could not have enjoyed a more perfect evening while the acoustics from the barn were just perfection.

Meg — Google review

Great venue! Parking was free, acoustics are were fantastic, and I already can’t wait to go back.

Stacey F — Google review

Tanglewood is always a great take. I stay under the shed when solo (most frequently) or rarely on the lawn. Sound quality is mostly good, but occasionally spotty. I sometimes wonder if they have live bodies listening to the sound in various spots or they just rely on computerized mixing

Frank L — Google review

4.8

(1525)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (109)

4.5

(1192)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (110)

297 West St, Lenox, MA 01240, USA

(413) 637-5180

19

Clark Art Institute

34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (111)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (112)

34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (113)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (114)

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Art museum

Museums

The Clark Art Institute is a noteworthy small museum showcasing 19th-century American and European paintings, silver, and other art pieces. The museum is located on 140 acres of beautiful land that includes expansive lawns, flower-filled meadows, and rolling hills. The building itself features a stunning triple-tiered reflecting pool design.

Excellent beautifully maintained museum with statues and paintings from the 16 to 19th century. Many hiking trails and a cows pasture with a steep climb to the top of the grazing lands to see the cows. Picnic tables are located near the museum rear exit with beautifully maintained water views and statues. The tables are a perfect spot for friends and family to congregate and have food and great discussions. Reservations are required and masks must be worn indoors. Worth a visit!

Jerry L — Google review

Lovely museum campus with a solid collection. Come if you're looking for a relaxing art experience with some nature involved!The permanent collection is primarily impressionist, with all the usual names you'd expect to see, though there is a bunch of American and British art from similar periods on display as well. The rotating exhibitions have contemporary and modern offerings and are pretty well-curated. Overall the collection and exhibitions aren't too large, so you can spend your time with each piece.Personally what I enjoyed the most was the campus itself. I found the buildings and trails lovely and relaxing to wander around. The main buildings do modern architecture right, with long, sharp lines that complement the rolling hills of the area. You can walk up the hill to a neat sculpture, say hi to the grazing cows, check out the exhibitions in the second building, and loop back to the main building cluster to relax in the shade by the reflecting pools, all within about a mile.

Jonathan C — Google review

amazing museum absolutely loved it. the layout is easy to peruse and not get lost in, really well lit everywhere. and the shoppe is honestly better than any shoppe i’ve seen in any nyc museums, something for literally everyone! their rooftop beehive honey is delicious. can’t wait to come back!

M D — Google review

A gem of an art museum hidden away in the Northern Berkshires. Lovely, wide ranging collection, leaning heavily toward paintings (Renoir, Pissaro), but also sculpture (Remington), drawings on paper, silver (teapots, tureens). The docents are friendly and very helpful. Well worth a visit!

Bill G — Google review

I didn't come here expecting a lot, this was just a museum on the way to our final destination. I was however quite impressed by the way the Clark seems to frame the nature around it, highlighting it with a multitude of walking paths. The artwork mostly shown here is impressionistic and classical, the contemporary kept outside in the building structure itself. Next time the Clark will be my final destination, it deserves as much.

Liberty U — Google review

Great museum. Always an interesting exhibit and an amazing permanent collection. Their cafe has terrific food and you can eat indoors or outdoors. Beautiful grounds with walking trails.

Phil H — Google review

Plan a trip to visit the Clark Art Institute! It’s in beautiful Williamstown and only about a half mile from Williams College. In addition to the great works of art by the great impressionist painters, the Clark has acres of trails with outdoor works of art along with cow pastures and beautiful areas for picnics and peaceful walks.

Arthur G — Google review

Surprisingly large-city museum in small town Williamstown MA. Permanent displays are comprehensive and include iconic artist masterpieces (e.g. Remington's "The Scout"). Special Rodin exhibition was comprehensive and insightful.Setting is stunning with lots of trails through the property.Cafe is excellent, and tables and chairs are set up to eat outside by the reflecting pools.We'll be back when other exhibits open.

Myles F — Google review

Gorgeous grounds, extensive art collection. Use bloomberg Connects or one of the museum's excellent docents as guides.

Cy — Google review

The Clark has one of the finest collections of art that you will see in any museum. Gallery after gallery has art ranging from the Middle Ages to the 20th Century. Artists like Monet, Degas, Homer, Remington, Casat, and Monet have their great works on display here. The museum has silver works, fine furniture, and sculptures.After viewing some great art The Clark also offers some very nice hiking trails. The hiking trails are free and open to everyone. There are some nice views of The Clark campus and Williamstown from the trials. There are trail maps available online and at the museum if you need them. Don’t miss the outdoor art installations here as well.There is a nice gift shop in the museum. You can eat at Cafe 7 which is also on the campus of the museum. The museum staff was friendly and helpful. Stop by and see some great art, take a scenic hike, and have some nice food. The Clark offers something for everyone. From now until the end of March 2024 The Clark is offering free admission to all guests.

Ryan M — Google review

This has an amazing permanent collection as well as many exhibitions. My 15 and 11 year old were free. The grounds are amazing too. Go in good weather and make a day of it. There was even a tour completely in French. Mary Cassatt, Renoir, Van Gogh, Pisarro, Homer, Remington, Degas just to mention a few.

Lia C — Google review

I had one of the most splendid, memorable days over Spring break at this beautiful museum. I felt totally transported as though I was somewhere in Europe and was reminded of trips to the Louvre and Musee d’Orsay many years ago.I loved the informative write ups next to the paintings that regularly feature more than just the artist and painting title.It was fairly quiet the day I visited and there is a tranquility to each room that makes for a peaceful rich experience.The outdoor areas are also wonderful spaces to sit and enjoy a coffee or snack and admire the incredible energy of the place.

Lauren S — Google review

A collection that competes with any museum, anywhere. Sargent, Renoir, Degas, Matisse, Pisarro, Remington, Homer. Lucky enough to see show of drawings that included a number of Goya’s twisted little pieces. Outstanding.(The building and grounds are great too….)

David C — Google review

Had one of the best tours here. Every piece of art was incredible to the eye and so interesting to learn about. The beauty begins before you enter the museum with the amazing architecture, gorgeous lake and all the trails around the property for strolling. Oh and they have a bike rack outdoors.

Inna B — Google review

Wonderful permanent collection of French expressionists except for Van Gogh. Interesting paintings by Homer and a few others. Exhibitions are hit or miss. Renoir a few years back was a highlight for me. Wonderful contemporary building design with internal courtyard and pool set against a granite wall. Only wish the food in the cafe wasn’t so awful and low quality, leaving a sour taste in one’s mouth. Perhaps the Board should try it and appreciate that it needs a significant upgrade in line with high entrance fees.

Larisa M — Google review

Renoirs galore! Lovely impressionist collection. Don't forget to download the Bloomberg Connects app for verbal commentary of select pieces. Unfortunately, the way to choose which pieces you want commentary upon, is not in any particular order. You might need lots of scrolling to find the piece you're interested in hearing about.

AmyGrace L — Google review

We have been coming here for years and never tire of it. Williamstown is a small college town and The Clark, a private art collection, is unbelievably wonderful. They also have rotating exhibits in addition to the permanent collection, lovely grounds, a great art library, pleasant gift shop and lectures/ concerts.

Karen G — Google review

Love the architecture of the buildings, the layouts of the art, the permanent collection, and the new exhibits! Even the cafe is great! Oh, and if you have an electric car, there's free charging. And then there are the extensive walking trails... Well worth multiple trips. Highly recommended.

Alden C — Google review

Expansive collection, solid architecture - must visit. Plan to spend at least 2 hours here, maybe more if you have time to stroll outside (this museum has trails!).I was impressed by the quality of the collection and by the work that Ando did here. Well thought.Was there on the first weekend of the month and the entry was free to the public (nice touch), also the archive is accessible during this time and was able to see two of the Piranesi on their collection.

Alessandro F — Google review

This was my first time visiting, and other than the high cost of entry, was very enjoyable. I went to see a special exhibition but ended up sticking around to see as much art as I could. There were many famous artests who I won't mention, but if you can think of them, the Clark probably has at least one of their canvases.The main collection was quite impressive, and show how much good taste the OG Clark had when selecting his collection.I'm looking forward to the next exhibit to open so I can have an excuse to go back.

Mr. E — Google review

Quite unique experience visiting Clark Art Institute. Picturesque nature location and trails are combined with outstanding collection of European impressionist painters: Renoir, Monet and others, Rodin’s sculptures. You can spend whole day here (quite decent Cafe 7 with various dining options). Basically, this place in Berkshires far exceeded the expectations before the visit. Note that full-time college students get a free pass.

Mike Z — Google review

4.9

(537)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (115)

5.0

(1449)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (116)

225 South St, Williamstown, MA 01267, USA

(413) 458-2303

20

The Mount, Edith Wharton's Home

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Historical place museum

Museums

The Mount is a turn-of-the-century estate that serves as a museum and cultural center, featuring frequent events. Once the summer home of novelist Edith Wharton, the 42-room mansion boasts various classical influences and stunning French country interiors. The property spans three acres of immaculately manicured gardens with sculptures dotted throughout. It is considered to be an important historic site worth visiting for its architectural significance and connection to American literature.

The Mount was quite an interesting experience. It was great to see the home restored to its original glory. If you have a NARM membership, admission +1 guest is free. Totally worth it in my opinion. Would've given 4.5 stars instead of 5 only because we were told to go another way from a guided group tour when we were also paid guests as well. That part wasn't very accomodating or pleasant; however, the grounds made up for it. Outside there are trails leading to the rose garden and beaver pond. There was even a sculpture garden outside as well. The Mount had a lot of great information in the house and had an awesome gift shop. Apparently this site even does ghost tours, but we did not see any specters during our trip. Definitely bring your camera and have lunch on the terrace if you can (yes, beer and wine are served). Would go back.

Kelli M — Google review

There is entry fee into the featured house and it includes a guided tour. Bring your school id for discount. Adults$20. BUT, if you don't want to spend, here is the great news, the entry is free to the common space in the entire estate. You can still see the house up close from outside and enjoy the garden and many sculptures throughout the estate. Cafe is accessible to all and offers amazing backyard well manicured garden views and the views of the forest we lands. The gardens are mesmerizing and offers insight into the lifestyle of people living in this estate. It was drizzling during our visit and the greeter at the booth kindly offered us the umbrellas. She was very polite and explained us things we can do for free. The hike down to the mountain was about 7 minutes and I believe taking your car down there is allowed. I saw few cars driving down there. You can ask how. Overall, I am coming here again for more history.

Sandip P — Google review

Enjoyed touring the Mount very much.The grounds are wonderful, with pretty gardens. They had a sculpture exhibit when we visited, so lots of interesting sculptures to see along the path.House is very accessible, informative signs and stories about Edith Wharton.We did self-guided tour.Highly recommended!

Warren H — Google review

Just took a trip there today with my mom and sister. I was thoroughly surprised at how interesting the facts about her life were. The way the house is set up has a nice flow to it and amazing attention to detail in the restoration. They have really put so much work into it. The gardens are great.

Kat S — Google review

Wow, we had a dog so only went on the grounds but that was so lovely. And free. Great trails thru big old tended forests. Lovely sculpture tour. Then amazing gardens with lovely lime tree walk. Enjoyed a nice snack on the back patio. I’d come often to hang if I was in the area.

NFN S — Google review

We took the guided tour inside and the garden tour, beautiful grounds, and interesting history of writer Edith Wharton and her ex husband plus the estate restoration process. The sculptures on the grounds change each season, always fun to see outdoor sculptures and compare the $10k ones to the $100k ones to discover the less expensive ones usually impress me more as to artistic view and effort used. None consisted of rotten bananas duct taped to a wall, about half were pretty cool 😎 I didn't post the "pile of cement blocks" sculpture so for that one you'll have to visit...😀 The awning cafe was nice. There's a bookstore and some of Wharton's books are movies.

Chris R — Google review

Charming mansion and gardens are probably one of the most memorable experiences in Berkshires. Gardens are really beautiful in mid-summer and remind some of their European counterparts. There are several trails on the property (red, yellow, blue) with red leading leading to Laurel lake. Beaver pond loop is quite picturesque too.

Mike Z — Google review

Two parking lots. Buy house tour pass or pick up tickets at booth first parking lot. If you buy a pass to house you can also drive to parking lot near house. See photo below. Parking free. Grounds are free to walk in and around. About 40 plus acres. Mansion is open for self guided or guided. $20 adults. $10 student or military. Or Mass library card $10. Mansion can be quick but if you are interested in reading and strolling there is a lot of information. Took about 90 min. Italian garden even in winter is lovely. Stroll from the garden along the lined walk around house. It was 40f cloudy and a good time.

Dan P — Google review

Great place to visit but will lead by saying that once you park, you will easily have a quarter mile walk from the ticket booth to the actual house.When you pull in, the giant white house there is actually the stable house. The real house is down the road behind down to the home.Many sculptures along the way and the house is a great tour. They do have an elevator to get to the upper floors if needed.

Brian K — Google review

Never heard of Ms. EDITH WHARTON until my friend mentioned one of her most famous work " The Age of Innocence ". Her mansion or house is beautiful. I love old country french interiors to which this house was elegantly designed by Edith. The gardens was so nicely manicured. There were several sculptures on the ground that i have seen but wasn't able to take photos but it was really a nice stroll especially underneath the trees.

Rhea T — Google review

Had a really nice time here learning about Edith Wharton's life and viewing her home and gardens. The house is breath taking and the gardens are beautiful. We did the self guided tour in the house. I kind of wish I did the guided tour. I could hear the girl. It was very informative. We did the guided tour of the garden and it was great. We stopped at the bookstore as well. We did not eat at the cafe,. It it's looked great. We had brought lunch so we sat on this outdoor tables. Such a great day. Worth the $20 per person..

Marylene R — Google review

This estate is a pleasant place to explore an historic mansion, enjoy various gardens and forest trails, and learn history. I learned much about Edith Wharton, her interior design ideas, and her efforts during WW1. We arrived on a summer Saturday at 10:00 and we’re glad we got a chance to explore before the crowds arrived.

Shannon C — Google review

Even in late Autumn the gardens at the Mount have a great deal to offer.We opted to take our time and go at our own pace rather than take the guided tour.Do not skip the video in the stable as it offers a great overview of the story of Mrs. Wharton, the building of the mansion, marriage, famous friends and complex affairs.Entering the mansion, displays and story boards offer more detail and color to Mrs. Wharton’s story and enhance the appreciation for this trail blazer and her overall design for the mansion and grounds.We planned a quick visit. We stayed for over two hours - had the weather been warmer we could easily have explored the grounds more.

Kevin D — Google review

Well worth a day trip. Grounds are immaculate and the building has been beautifully restored. Easy access off the turnpike. Walking on the grounds is free and for some this would be enough. The inside tours explaining the history are well done and the price is fair.Nothing is overwhelming. People who do not like spending long periods in stuffy museums would like this. Although it is clearly a gilded age mansion, you can almost see your "summering' here.

Thomas S — Google review

Visiting the Mount is a wonderful experience. Whether you take a guided tour or guide yourself, you'll find the trip here is well worth the drive. The staff are all very friendly and knowledgeable so you shouldn't have a difficult time exploring...and there's lots to explore. Before you even get to the main house, there are several sculptures scattered along the grounds. The house and gardens are very well kept, although there always seems to be some renovations going on. There is a tea house restaurant overlooking the beautifully arranged gardens and pond. There is a book store/gift shop as well. Overall our visit was truly enjoyable.

Bee H — Google review

The Mount is an awesome place to visit. The grounds are large and full of sculptures. The gardens around the mansion are also very stunning. Walking around the outside is free or charge but you do have to pay to enter the mansion itself. It was well worth it.

George F — Google review

An absolutely stunning place. If you're looking for a tranquil, visually inspiring site, this place is for you. You don't have to tour the house itself (which costs around $20) and can visit the beautiful grounds for free. The grounds include a serene walking trail with a story that children can read along the way. The gardens have been kept in pristine shape and you can tell the care that goes into each flower. The site is also dotted with various fascinating sculptures that are guaranteed to pique the interest of both adults and children. Highly recommend!

Raj P — Google review

Beautiful grounds and mansion filled with the history and culture of a wonderful woman author. Was nice to spend a few hours here and learn more about Edith Wharton's life in yesteryear. You can walk the grounds for free, but it is well worth the price to be able to wander around inside - it's an amazing place.

Theresa J — Google review

The Mount was a great experience. I loved the architecture and the classical elements that were thoughtfully incorporated within. My favorite room was the Library. It had books from floor to ceiling and every corner. The rich brown wood tones make for a cozy afternoon read. The gardens were well planned and manicured. It is no wonder that Edith Wharton found so much inspiration for her books. It was all around her.

Ed A — Google review

We booked a tour for the interior of the home with a guide and to learn about Edith Wharton's life. Groups are composed of about 10 people. There is an introductory movie in the barn as you enter the grounds. Once the home tour is complete, the beautiful grounds are very welcoming. The tour guides and people in the gift shop say that The Mount has come a very long way in its restoration process and that the restoration will continue until complete. The Mount is already a peaceful and beautiful place to visit, so we are looking forward to seeing what improvements will be coming next.

Valerie S — Google review

Beautiful building, sculptures, and grounds! Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the Berkshires. Also a great gift shop.

J. S — Google review

Edith Wharton’s Home is definitely worth the stop if you have some time! The home has been beautifully preserved and you’re allowed to walk around the rooms as you learn about her life. You are even allowed to sit on some of the furniture which most historical estates do not allow. I think the access to the rooms allowed a much more interactive experience. The staff were all friendly and willing to explain anything. The whole property is beautiful and allows for many photo opportunities!

Jenna B — Google review

The mansion and gardens are beautiful. I love their annual outdoor sculpture exhibits. Visited 3 years in a row.

Yana R — Google review

For fans of Edith Wharton, visiting the Mount is a transporting experience. Lingering in the rooms she wrote (primarily from bed!), enjoying the spaces she designed and realized with her architect, was beyond lovely. I hope to return when the garden is in its full splendor - Wharton is said to have thought herself to be a better gardener than a writer (imagine!) - but autumn was also a nice time to visit with the turning leaves and expansive grounds. If you have any reading gaps of her work, you can top off the visit with a purchase of her book(s) in their quaint gift shop.

Kristen M — Google review

The grounds alone, with sculptures, vistas and gardens are worth seeing.We took the 1 hour tour of the house which was very interesting.

Natalie S — Google review

Very interesting inside the house. Although the grounds are extensive, the actual garden is pretty small and the statues are spread along the trail. We were a bit disappointed with the statues and garden, and the inside was not really worth the cost of entrance.

John S — Google review

4.8

(1019)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (122)

4.5

(1062)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (123)

2 Plunkett St, Lenox, MA 01240, USA

(413) 551-5111

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21

MASS MoCA

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Art museum

Museums

Performing arts theater

Since its establishment in 1999, MASS MoCA has been showcasing the creations of contemporary artists in North Adams. The museum is situated on a vast 13-acre land that incorporates roughly one-third of the downtown business district. After Sprague Electric Company ceased operating in 1985, nearly $31 million was invested to modernize the site into the largest gallery space in America.

Really cool experience. Contemporary Art gallery contained within an old industrial factory complex. A huge maze of displays. Just when you thought you'd seen everything, you'd find an entry into another section. There's a cafe and gift shop on site. The only downside was parking, which was limited due to the large attendance on the day we went.

Josh P — Google review

This is definitely a whole day kind of event. Don't make the same mistake I did by giving it just a 2 hour window, there's so much to see! And some of the exhibits you need to reserve and hook in advance - highly recommend it. Will definitely make my way back and complete my visit next time.Also super cute to see that there was a private event happening after hours. Definitely a nice setting to hold a fancy party at!

Sarah M — Google review

It was a great day trip down from NH. The museum is huge, with outside exhibits to explore. Tonal Walkway was an interesting experience, and my children enjoyed making art at Kidspace. The only downside was that the cafe kitchen closed at 3 pm, so there was only sweet pastry and coffee available. Other than, everything was great!

Hanna L — Google review

This museum is one of the best in the East Coast. It includes several old buildings, once an electric company and even a shoe factory.Their exhibits include some of today’s most incredible artists and an amazing collection of mixed media, not “just paintings”. I’ve been making a day trip to this museum for the last 15 years and I am blown away every time! They have a great cafe on site, and even the drive up to North Adams is awesome.

Jodi C — Google review

We love Mass MoCA. We go every year with the family and always enjoy the exhibits. The space is large and great for children and adults of all ages. Even our non-art lovers in the family always connect with at least one exhibit.

Leah K — Google review

Such an amazing, inspiring place! I spent 4 hours walking the grounds and exploring the galleries- every time I thought I had seen it all there was more! Really wonderful experience. The cafe is great and super well priced. I had a delicious breakfast bowl for $5. Cannot wait to come back.

Leah — Google review

This is just a magical place! Three hours drive from NYC and it’s totally worth it! I’ll suggest spending the whole day here and go to the Clarke Institute which is just 15 minutes drive away.Here at Mass MoCA, you will find probably the largest collections of James Turrell’s works and special installations. ***There are two specific exhibition of James Turrell required early registration.

Shiuan C — Google review

This is an incredible modern art museum! A friend took me to visit while we were staying nearby. I could spend hours here, we definitely did not leave enough time to enjoy everything! It was also fairly busy, but there was still parking available. I would highly recommend carving out several hours to a half day to enjoy everything. The current exhibits on magic and roller coasters are incredible! Some of the coolest modern art I've seen in a long time.

Sarah M — Google review

Been wanting to visit here for years and I have say it didn't disappoint. It's a world-class museum in a redeveloped factory complex. The old factory halls are the perfect venue for so many of these works. And they configured other more intmate spaces for shows that require it. A good investment of private and public money. Oh, and give yourself a day here if you can. So much to see.

David B — Google review

Really great experience at the museum. We went on the public tour led by Eric and Barbara and it was a fabulous experience. They got us to immerse ourselves in the art and discover for ourselves for the art represented. We were about to cover key highlights of the museum within an hour and it left our group with a great memory.

Royce Y — Google review

Enjoyed my time at MASS MoCA. The experience was great and a must see. The museum is large so I'd recommend going early to try to see everything. We were almost able to see everything however, we got turned around a few times as the map isn't clear and not all the building are connected. The art is amazing, the staff are friendly, and the location is great. We had no issues with parking. We did get a bit hungry and visited their cafe but their kitchen was closed until 6PM and all that was available was cakes, muffins, cookies, beverages, and ice cream. However, we discovered on our way out that there is a restaurant attached in the next building where you can purchase a meal. When we asked the cafe staff about food they did not mention the restaurant which was frustrating because we settled on one of their cakes and a cookie, given that we needed a pick me up. We arrived at 12PM and stood until closing, 6PM. I will definitely be returning in the future. Upon leaving the entrance area seems to transform to a lively court yard with food trucks, beer, wine, music, and seating for people to relax and enjoy themselves.

Cheyenne R — Google review

Unique and thought provoking exhibits that take advantage of this immense historic space. Loved the ‘Tonal Walkway,’ an indoor bridge with a hauntingly compelling auditory experience.We stopped in at the cafe for a snack.Delicious local yogurts and ice cream made on site! And an artmaking class for children.Congratulations on giving vibrant new life by repurposing this Berkshire Landmark!

Laurie C — Google review

Loud Weekend at MASS MoCA is astounding. 2023 was our third year to attend, and, again, it was breathtaking. Two and a half days of music that blows my mind. I don't know how they do it. The Bang on a Can All-Stars must collapse at the end in utter exhaustion (well, to be fair, after the after-party!).MASS MoCA is the perfect venue for this festival. Everyone was very helpful and accommodating, whether they were MAS MoCA staff, Bang on Can peeps, or volunteers. Great partnership, great music, and wonderful feelings that are now housed in my soul. Yes, it is THAT good.

Julie B — Google review

While attending MCLA back 20 yrs ago I never got the chance to visit Mass MoCA (u don't realize what's right in front of u) I brought my 15 yr old there Sunday and we were absolutely floored. Such an enormous space full of amazing installations, a great vibe, and the art and use of space was spectacular. We left in thought and conversation about how to look at things differently. Truly an experience that I will be back for again and again.

Marlana S — Google review

I went with a group of women from my moms church. We used one family pass and one library pass (check your local library). There are many great exhibits, but my favorite was the building itself. It was an old textile printing factory until 1936 when an electronics company moved in and was there until they moved to China in the 1980s. Many of the original architectural details are still there including the leaded glass windows, floors, beams and other unique industrial features.

Jennifer T — Google review

1. If you have a library card you can go there for free.2. There is room on the down floor which needs appointments and it's sooo cool ( can't explain more about it because you've got to see it yourself and also no taking photos is not allowed there)3. Set aside a whole day for it because it's so huge and it doesn't seem so from outside.4. It used to be an old factory and the exhibit is there and the building itself is so cool.5. Be prepared for long walks.6. I haven't uploaded many of the photos see it yourself.

Sepideh Y — Google review

GO, DON’T MISS IT! A massive building that was once an electric plant houses so many diverse and fascinating exhibits and does it masterfully! Kudos to those who bought back this building and curate the installations. Also love the information about the building and North Adams when it was active. The complex also has a cafe and a brewery and a bookstore! SO SO FUN!

Laura M — Google review

This is a converted factory near the downtown area. There are many exhibits, some exploring newer mediums of contemporary art. Parking was good, and there's a place to eat also. This art may not be for everyone, but give it a chance if undecided.

Michael P — Google review

Worth the trip! We had a blast exploring Mass MoCA. We spent day one just hanging around the art outside. Big Bling is impressive to view from any angle. North Adams itself is full of sculpture, galleries, antiques, murals and other street art. So we spent a day just taking that in. Then there’s the museum itself with more impressive outdoor installations scattered throughout the turn of the century industrial complex. We made it through about half the museum in one afternoon but we had small kids in tow who had to go a certain pace but loved every minute of it. Highlights for us and them included Laurie Andersons Sidewalk room, and the hands-on musical exhibit “No experience required” was a huge winner as well as Sol LeWitts entire second floor gallery - wow. I could continue but there is in fact something for everyone here. Cosmic latte was meditative and beautiful and there were more challenging galleries for serious art viewers. But it’s all very accessible. Loved the experience as a whole. The courtyard food options were true to theme and the art vending machine there is a must-see. Worth it in every sense.

Meredith R — Google review

My first time to Mass MoCA and was amazed. We went during the week and bought tickets in advance. The museum is very well maintained and spacious. The buildings all link together so you don't have to worry about stepping back into the cold if you plan to stop by in the winter. So many artists showings, and interactive displays. We'll worth the trip from out if state.

Leslie G — Google review

Huge museum of contemporary art by local and national artists. Excellent and well informed docents. Kind of hard to find your way around, and the maps were not that helpful, but we enjoyed the meandering around. In the courtyard there's an ice cream place, a brewery, and inside there's a decent cafe and cute shop. The building is an old mill building and has its own charm. All in all worth the visit. We were able to score free tickets through the local library. If you have MA residence, you should check to see if you can do the same

Ilyse Z — Google review

Such a fun place to explore! We recently went on a free day on the weekend in the afternoon and it was well attended but not uncomfortably crowded. Sometimes there was a short line (less than 5 minutes) for some of the special exhibits. There was a lot of diversity in the exhibits, so fun for everyone! It is kinda a maze in there but the map and staff were very helpful!

Leigha G — Google review

The exhibit features contemporary art, so I'm not sure if it's good or bad. However, just seeing the inside of the old brick mill is enjoyable. There are cafes and restaurants on the premises, and ample parking space is available.

Katsuyuki K — Google review

absolute banger of a museum every exhibit in here is worth diving into and super intimate at some parts how easy it is to understand and interact with some of these pieces. it’s massive inside and captivates the attention at every turn. the museum shop was one of the most impressive i’ve ever seen. james turrell changed my life

M D — Google review

Some very interesting works of art here. A must see if you have not, plus the drive-in to town is very relaxing and disconnecting from the usual fast paced life.

Mr. L — Google review

Always an awesome time at MASS MoCA! Such an amazing place for adults and kids alike, brilliant art works and spaces to see and experience. We come back every two or three years and our younng kids revel in their time here. So much fun!

Sean Z — Google review

my friends and i had a wonderful visit; the staff within the museum who were standing by the exhibits were very kind and knowledgeable.my favorite collection was by far Joseph Grigely; the way that he tells his story about becoming and living as a Deaf person is absolutely breathtaking. i must say though that the “prayer room” is a close second; it’s a beautifully modern take on spiritualism and acceptance of all.i do wish that things were a little bit more clearly set up for navigation throughout the museum; maybe some signs or something. it was hard trying to reorient ourselves in the beautiful 2nd floor exhibit, lol. it was also a touch disappointing that so much of the 2nd floor is currently not in use; i am happy to support the arts, but it was just a bit upsetting given the regular adult ticket is $25.overall a great experience and i am looking forward to returning soon!

Bridget S — Google review

Such a cool space for contemporary art! Make sure you do your research before visiting so that you know what is open on campus (although staff are happy to help you with that).Also, strong recommendation to stop by the Laurie Anderson and James Turrell spaces to sign up for timeslots to do VR and participatory (limited admission) exhibits!

Michelle K — Google review

Excellent exhibits!!! So many rooms to wander into and explore. Pro tip: most public libraries have free passes available, so please don't let costs stop you from seeing this incredible art!

Rebecca M — Google review

Great museum, love visiting here. Photos are from the interactive Plastic show

Steven D — Google review

Amazing as always. The new grocery store instalation was the best thing I have ever seen here! Highly recommend paying the extra for it! More than worth it!

Kaila P — Google review

Sooo much to see. You can easily spend a full day here, and there were enough kid-friendly activities to entertain my kids (art projects, scavenger hunt, films, etc). Also, there are great restaurants and shops on the same campus, and other great restaurants and shops in walking distance.

Jamie — Google review

4.7

(3961)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (135)

4.5

(977)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (136)

1040 Mass MoCA Way, North Adams, MA 01247, USA

(413) 662-2111

22

White Flower Farm Inc

Warehouse

Sights & Landmarks

Gardens

Farms

I have purchased products from White Flower Farm for many years and have consistently been impressed by their products. I had no gardening experience when I started and used their catalog and website to choose products and have always gotten a lot of compliments on my yard. I have purchased bulbs, perennials, annuals, shrubs, roots, everything-- and it arrives intact, has grown very well and looked beautiful. I get many compliments and look like a gardening pro when I am definitely not. The times their plants have not grown well have been my error. I wanted something that definitely was never going to work, their information was clear about where the flowers would thrive and where they would not, and I ignored them and wanted to try it anyway.Needless to say, white flower farm has given me years of gardening joy and for that I am very grateful.

Elizabeth H — Google review

Love the amaryllis. And the service. I even had the one from last year come back. When the leaves died back I stuck it in the basement for several weeks. I figured it was a long shot but I would give it a try. And it worked. So when I ordered a new one I decided to get two stakes. When the I only one stake was delivered I simply emailed costumer service and they acknowledged the miss pick and got the second stake out the next day.

Dave G — Google review

I've been a customer for years, buying many gifts for others as well as the potted annual collections each year for myself. However, when I called to check on my order, I was very unhappy with the dismissive attitude of the customer service person. Additionally, I'm not happy with the way my questions were addressed. I simply wanted to know when my order would ship since there's a delay in part of my order shipment. It certainly could have been handled in a nicer fashion. It will be my last purchase and I will no longer recommend White Flower Farms to my friends or family.

Effy3 — Google review

I order 6 plants. 3 salvia. 3 fuchsiaReceived an email I was being refunded my money minus 30 dollars for shippingUps sent it back for wrong address which is my correct address. Ups is at my house almost every daySo they re ship the order. Only I get one saliva and one fuchsia plant for $44 dollarsThis is not a good way to do business or keep customers. I have been in business forever and I would make sure my customer is happyVery disappointing that you have bad customer service for a company I thought was supposed to be excellent

Birgitta P — Google review

Great quality and service. Recently ordered paper white bulbs and 2 were duds. Contacted customer service and they immediately offered a full replacement order.

Andrew — Google review

If they can make me a better Gardener, they can make anyone.

Cindy B — Google review

My son ordered a plant and pot for me for Christmas on 12/15/19. It is now 1/14/20 and still no plant. This plant was advertised as ready for Christmas delivery. No communication from White Flower Farm. Only by calling have I gotten any information although no one has been able to say why the plant and pot have not been shipped. I am a long time customer, both in person at the garden and online. This is very disappointing service and will make me think carefully before I use them again.I’m editing this review. White Flower Farm got the plant to me and after apologizing, refunded the cost. I appreciate the change and am glad I will feel comfortable shopping there again

Susan C — Google review

Excellent healthy plants. Excellent packaging. Customer service had quick response time. Reasonable pricing

KB M — Google review

Every year I receive as a gift from a relative a Christmas amarylis from White Flower Farms. They have gorgeous iridescent petals. They are much more spectacular than grocery store ones. I cant begin to describe how delightful they are in the window with dreary winter outside. White Flower Farms sells the rockstars of Amarylis.

Monique D — Google review

4.5

(33)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (137)

4.5

(150)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (138)

30 Irene St, Torrington, CT 06790, USA

(800) 503-9624

23

Zoar Outdoor Adventure Resort

Mentioned on

5 lists

$$$$affordable

Raft trip outfitter

Tours

Adventure sports center

Nestled in Charlemont, Massachusetts, Zoar Outdoor Adventure Resort has been a premier destination for outdoor enthusiasts since 1989. The resort offers a wide range of activities including white water rafting, kayaking clinics, zip line canopy tours, rock climbing classes and more suitable for all skill levels. Guests can enjoy guided adventures such as kayaking and white-water rafting while taking in the scenic beauty of the area. Additionally, visitors can explore the beautiful terrain with mountain trail rides.

Our trip was amazing! Perfect day in the water and we had a blast. Our guide Ross was the best!!!! He was knowledgeable and super funny!!! He ensured a great day. Marissa was amazing too and took great pictures so we could have these memories forever! Best jokes I've heard in along time. Can't wait to go back.

Danielle P — Google review

Beautiful all terrain trail ride up into the mountains.Unfortunately the weather took a ⛈️ dangerous ⚡ turn ⛈️ before we reached the first Zipline.All of the staff was very professional and apologetic for any inconvenience.Safely back at the base, we were given the options of a refund or reschedule.No harm no foul 😎👍I rather enjoyed the buggy ride up and down mountain in the woods. Almost, as much as the Ziplines very next 🌄

Robyn N — Google review

I had a great time white water rafting at Zoar Outdoor! It was well-organized and the guides were experienced and friendly. We had Brian as a guide and he was great! We did the Zoar gap trip this time, I would love to go back and do the dry run rapids next time. We also stayed at the Hawk Mountain lodge which was very convenient. We booked the Deerfield suite which was spacious and clean. The A/C was a portable unit and wasn’t working very well. Other than that, there were no complaints. The staff was professional and helpful and we had a wonderful time!

Olivia C — Google review

We did white water rafting half day. Our guide Steve was AMAZING! His knowledge of the river was incredible and he guided us through all the rapids with expertise! The rest of the crew was also very attentive. We had a great time! Recommended 100%.

Emmanuel H — Google review

Was here for my birthday , did Zip lining with Heather and Liz as our tour guides, so much nature and beautiful sightseeing, the sunset at the Berkshire was to die for and the 11 lines, I’ll definitely go back for the rafting, camping and Zip lining again. Thank you so much

Lydia T — Google review

We experienced the Concord River Rafting and it was incredible! From the moment we checked in, during the trip and guide Andy, to our return. It was my son’s first time and he had a blast - I have rafted before but this was an incredible trip for me as well! Loved how fast we got our pictures too!

Judy B — Google review

Beautiful area and people. Loved our zip line instructors Brian and Liz I think 🤔. Beautiful people are around. Our Rafting guide Hannah was awesome too

Joseph R — Google review

Better than I anticipated! CC and Bailey were awesome instructors. They explained everything so well which eased my nerves, as I really don’t like heights. We trusted them with their expertise . There were two zip lines that were down at the time, and we were offered to go twice on a certain course. We were pretty tired after three hours, and felt like we got a good amount of time in. Definitely recommended!

Anita T — Google review

The first time I rafted was 1994 at Zoar. I brought my son for his first time 30 years later. A total blast. Ethan was awesome! We will be back again!! Thank you for a great day!!

Kelly L — Google review

We went zip lining today for the first time and had the time of our lives. The course is so awesome and the zips are a blast. The guides are incredible. We had Kyle and Viv and they absolutely ramped the experience up to the next level. Such a cool place and such a cool experience. Zoar absolutely rocks!!

Tyler L — Google review

Super fun day on the river! They were very accommodating with our group of 22 people, some as young as 7. Everyone had a great time. Guides were all awesome! Food was good. Pretty easy to stay out of water if you want to but you are getting soaking wet either way. Can’t wait to do it again! Shout out to guide Alex, shown in pic proving the “guide popper” was indeed back in action. He was awesome!

Josh C — Google review

Fantastic experience Ziplining, rappelling through the trees.Megan and Hanna were Very Professional, patient with everyone. Some of us this was our first time.I would definitely do this again!! Highly recommend Zoar Outdoor Adventure Resort!Rafting is next!! Can’t wait till next summer!!

Brinda M — Google review

My two sons and I did the zip line tour with Kylee, Curtis and Zack. All three were great instructors with Kylee in the leader position. We had a lot of fun! I would recommend this to anyone looking for a bit of outdoor adventure! I am afraid of heights but never felt unsafe. Very happy to check this off the bucket list and wouldn’t hesitate to do it again. Thanks to Zoar for a fun and exhilarating experience!

Paula K — Google review

We had a blast. Our guide Randy was excellent. We will definitely go back. The pictures are awesome and well priced. The food was delicious for a picnic lunch.

Anissa B — Google review

We did the Dryway Rafting and all had an awesome time! Emma was amazing - she was so knowledgeable and made everything fun! We can’t wait to go back again! 🥳

Shana M — Google review

super fun!!! Our tour guide Ethan is very nice & patient, explaining details and safety rules. Beautiful river, nice scenes, a relaxing trip!

Maoku L — Google review

Had the most thrilling and fantastic day with the Zoar crew!! Wow! Weather seemed a tad rainy and a wee bit chillier than I’d like, but no problemo!! The location (felt like I was in the Amazon) is just glorious, the crew at Zoar truly fun, kind, and incredibly athletic and professional! Wow! Had the best day! Thank you Zoar, and special shout out to Davis our raft captain!

Yuki C — Google review

I participated in 2 paddling skills workshops, 5 days over 3 different weekends in the last few weeks. The instructors were great! Knowledgeable, skilled and friendly staff, and well thought out curriculum. There’s a well stocked outfitters shop on site too, in case… Well worth it and lots of fun! I learned a lot. I’ll be back for more. Thank You !!

Robert M — Google review

My boys and so just went on our fifth adventure with Zoar. We’ve done two rock climbing trips, two rafting trips, and a zip lining trip over the past ten years. Every trip has been everything we could have hoped for. The guides are always highly skilled and knowledgeable and personable. The trips are meticulously planned and happen so smoothly. Can recommend enough!

Vincent R — Google review

On Sunday June 9, 2024 our entire family, a group of 14 ranging in ages from 10-75 gathered at Zoar Outdoor to celebrate my husband's 75th birthday.Our guides, Bailey, Jen, Kate and Wayne were professional, knowledgeable, patient but best of all so much fun!The afternoon was filled with exhilarating zip lining, breath-taking scenery and lots of laughs.A truly memorable experience was had by all.Thank You.

Chris — Google review

First time on whitewater rafting. Chose the class IV to challenge ourselves and it was a blast!Connor was our guide. We had so much fun on the water. Connor was very knowledgeable of different places along the water and spent time sharing them with us. And he patiently explain the twist and turns in the coming rapid to prepare us well.Very well organized crew and delicious BBQ at the end. The Mac&Cheese was the best I’ve had.

Shikun W — Google review

We had a blast today! Zipline and kayak was super fun, our daughters (age 11) loved it too. The staff was very friendly and attentive. We definitely recommend it!

Rodrigo R — Google review

Zoar outdoor is a nice place for Rafting and other activities. I will be sharing more videos about the rafting when I finish downloading and editing from my GoPro 😬.The staff there are very helpful and caring. The guide was amazing and friendly and we felt like one family.We have done rafting for around 2 hours in the river.Really nice experience 👍

Hani K — Google review

Took a Swift water rescue class and I have to say they were top notch on all basis. Knowledgeable and absolutely professional on all aspects.

Anne R — Google review

We did the half-day rafting adventure. My wife was very anxious about participating, but within minutes of starting the trip she was thoroughly enjoying the experience thanks to our AMAZING guide, Tera! She was knowledgeable and confident and had lots of great information to share along the trip. There were 6 of us, Grandparents, Parents, and Teens, so we had our own raft. It was the highlight of our week in the Berkshires. Everyone involved with Zoar was patient, knowledgeable and upbeat! They have an terrific staff. I highly recommend this experience when you are visiting the Berkshires!

Jim P — Google review

We had a blast today! Our raft guide Jasper was awesome! We did so well and none of us got thrown off our raft, despite the higher water level and stronger, faster current. We had a fantastic experience and we'll definitely be back! Thank you!

Tiffany K — Google review

I've been to Zoar twice now and have had amazing experiences each time. The instructors are knowledgeable, patient, and meet students at their level, presenting appropriately challenging skills and maneuvers while providing excellent feedback and guidance for improvement. The river is also beautiful and a great place to learn white water!

Aaron P — Google review

This trip was a birthday present for our grandson who turned 18. It was a blast. We all enjoyed it so much. The guides were the best. Explained everything along the way. Will definitely be coming back. Want to try the white water rafting too!

Fran S — Google review

I recently had an amazing experience with Zoar Outdoors! Over the past two days, my significant other and I went rafting and zip lining, and I couldn't have asked for a better experience. Our rafting guide, Tedd, was incredible - he truly cared about our safety and made sure we had a blast. Nicole, our safety guide, was also fantastic throughout the entire trip. Tedd's sense of humor and ability to make us laugh made the experience even more enjoyable.The zip lining adventure was just as impressive, thanks to our guides Bailey and Wayne. We even got our own private session with them, which was a fantastic perk. Both Bailey and Wayne were knowledgeable, fun, and made us feel at ease. Both such fun people to be around. I would highly recommend Zoar Outdoors to anyone looking for an exciting adventure. It's definitely worth planning a trip around their rafting and zip lining activities - you won't be disappointed!

Arianna M — Google review

A Great time! Myself and my two teens had great time on the zip line adventure! Our Guides, were very informative and relaxed at the same time. It was welcoming atmosphere where we felt safe. The zips start easy and never get hard but end up longer and faster. Great for beginners and experienced zippers alike!

Mike M — Google review

We had such an amazing white water rafting trip on the Deerfield River with Zoar! Our group had wanted to do it for years and finally made it happen. Our guide Isaac was very knowledgeable and friendly and ensured we had a safe and enjoyable experience. It made for a great kick off to our girls weekend. Highly recommend Zoar Outdoor, and a big thank you to Isaac!

Angela P — Google review

Stayed in the Miller Room and want to leave this review to help inform future guests. The bedroom was nice, and the bathroom was across the hall as noted in the room description. However, what was unclear (at least to me), was that this was not a private area/hallway. Had I understood this in advance, I would have likely chosen another room for the privacy aspect. One thing that would have made this more comfortable would be a recommendation to bring slippers/crocs or similar to wear between the bedroom and bathroom, as you are crossing the communal hallway.Some negatives: There were some stains on the bed comforter which was off-putting, but the rest of the bedding seemed fine so we made due. Also a decent number of spiders and ladybugs in the bathroom but considering this is mainly a camping lodge, again not a total dealbreaker. If you were staying here after a few days of hiking or rafting, the indoor amenities would definitely outweigh the small things. This is by no means a luxury b&b, but it is a more than sufficient place to crash after a day on the slopes. The bed was comfy and the shower was hot!Recommendations: A mini fridge in the room would be a really nice feature/helpful. I would've liked to have packed some more perishable foods for ski lunches, or saved some of my leftovers from dinner. But we just planned accordingly. An additional entry mat to prevent tracking into the room would also be nice - especially during winter with so much salt/sand!Positives: THE VIEW!! Absolutely stunning view of the moutain, worth every penny. Also being a literal 1 minute drive away from the Berkshire East parking lot could not have made for an easier ski day! If skiing BE again, I would definitely stay at this lodge (just in a different room), simply because the location was so convenient. Also, a short ride to Shelburne Falls - which has a very cute downtown area and great food options!

Cass W — Google review

I was scared, but am so glad I experienced white water rafting, it was fun, the guides are well trained and like to show guests a good time.

Kriya G — Google review

This was a great experience! It was great to just come in a bathing suit/old sneakers and not have a worry about what to do. The crew was great! Our guide Geeg had awesome energy and made it an amazing trip!We will be back this summer.Best,Jamie

Jamie M — Google review

Even though it ended up being an overcast and slightly rainy day, we had a great time! Our guide Tera was the best!! Since this was our first time rafting, we took the class II with one class III rapid adventure, but next time it'll be the III-IV. Very thankful that we managed to stay ahead of the dam release which if we had started much later could have been a disappointment, but the timing worked out perfect. Another note, this adventure package said that it came with lunch, and we expected very basic sandwiches and maybe a bag of chips, but they definitely over-delivered with great selections and taste! And tasty homemade cookies! Thank you!

Tracy L — Google review

I highly recommend Zoar Outdoors. We have used them twice for family rafting trips and they are terrific. They focus on safety, their guest experience and promoting fun. Our guide Robert was tops he recommended swimming and games on the river. Prepared us for any tricky navigational spots and was just a overall cool guy! We will definitely be back to Zoar Outdoors in the future. Keep up the great work! What a great team you have! Thanks again!

Bruno S — Google review

We went togather as a group of 5 and all if us agreed it was one of the best trips we've ever taken. Zoar Outdoor was very organized and the staff was amazing. Our guide, Steve, knew every inch of the river and explained what we were going to do at each set of rapids . Thanks for the great trip, we'll be back again!

Shawn F — Google review

Your staff was terrific. They made it a fun day for all of us, not just in my boat. I highly recommend this trip for anyone that wants to experience white water rafting without having to travel far from the.city. It was a great afternoon. Our guides Zach, Emma & Steve deserve raises!!

Richard P — Google review

I went with my daughter on this adventure and we had s brilliant time. The weather was great, the guides were very friendly and professional. We loved our guide Zac he was a great manager and guide. We want to go again. We would recommend this trip.

Sophia B — Google review

My daughter and I visited Zoar Outdoor today for ziplining. It was my daughters first time and my second time visiting. We had the best time ever!!!! Thank you to Kyle, Bailey and Aidan for making our trip so much fun. Lots of good laughs 😃 I highly recommend Zoar Outdoor. They are packed full of adventures.

MikeKim E — Google review

Great ziplining with Aiden and Jen today. Very professional, safe, and lots of fun! We took our 13 year old grandson and we all loved it!

Becky M — Google review

4.9

(1561)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (139)

5.0

(554)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (140)

7 Main St, Charlemont, MA 01339, USA

(413) 339-4010

24

Berkshire East Mountain Resort

34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (141)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (142)

34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (143)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (144)

Mentioned on

1 list

Ski resort

Tours

Berkshire East Mountain Resort is a popular destination in Charlemont, offering a wide range of thrilling activities year-round. The resort features the longest zip line in North America and boasts the Warfield Trails, which cover 540 acres and provide over 700 vertical feet of relief for mountain biking enthusiasts. Visitors can expect technical and diverse trails that cater to various skill levels. Additionally, the resort exudes a local charm with welcoming riders, good food, and a laid-back atmosphere at the base.

Amazing little mountain only about 2 hours away from Boston on the Indy Pass. Checked this place out along with their sister resort Catamount while I was in the area. Great skiing and conditions considering the awful winter we've had. They recovered really well from all the rain when I had visited. Good options of trails to check out too. I liked their really long green trail that snakes around the mountain.

Jason D — Google review

1st time skiing here at Berkshire East. Despite the warm winter here in Western Ma the conditions were great. Packed powder, loose granular, and some icy spots. Good vibe, and decent crowds but not overwhelming. The staff were friendly and helpful. The Crazy Horse restaurant and bar was excellent. The cold draft beer and great food. Berkshire East is a hidden gem, while not big in vertical (1180) it's not bad. Good steeps, easy cruisers for beginners, and good intermediate terrain also. This resort is run on 100% green energy. Great for families, teens and seniors. Will be going back when conditions improve.

John C — Google review

I had a great time late season (3/31/23) skiing with my wife. We weren't able to make it for the 30+ inches of snow they got a couple of weeks earlier but still had a great time. The groomers did a fantastic job. The lift attendants and customer service people were friendly and helpful. I loved the easy trails that meandered around each side of the mountain, making for a relaxing and fun warmup. The steeps were also lots of fun, well groomed, some bumps. I will definitely go back.

Michael H — Google review

Great mountain. Skied bigger then I expected. Some nice long green runs off the top. Nice blues and blacks on the face. Enough vareity for all levels. Lifts were great and lines not to bad on weekends. Friendly staff.

Justin T — Google review

It was our first time on this mountain, we commuted from central CT with our 5 year old, and loved it! We only tried out the green trails, but they were nice, long, there was one steeper section on each of the green runs that may be a bit of a challenge to less experienced skiers, but my 5 year old had no issues with it, and she's only in her second season skiing, first season out of ski school and bunny hills.The views are wonderful, the lines to lifts were reasonable (we even got cookies!), ticket prices were a nice surprise, and our 5 year old skied free.The lodge is nice, all in all a positive experience. We'll definitely be back.

K. K — Google review

Great campsite right on the mountain. Some sites uneven as they go up on the mountain. Hot showers. Good bathrooms. Staff is super helpful but leave you alone. Mountain biking is phenomenal for ALL levels. Great fishing nearby. Highly recommend.

Reid S — Google review

We were there for the Ladies All a ride event. We all had the best time. My 12 year old daughter in particular loved the day! Feeling so lucky to be able to visit!!!

Zoe C — Google review

Stopped to quickly ride the mountain coaster on our way home and it was a perfect experience. Lots of Fun. Virtually no wait and the Erica the attendant at the ride was very helpful and professional. Lots of Fun. The mountain coaster is a hidden secret.

Mark D — Google review

Michael and I had a fabulous time! In fact we booked another day for September 1st.Bob and John were fantastic guides. They went over and in details the safety guidelines. They never took short cuts. They were both fun and present during our time. Very personable too. We requested they be on our next adventure. Highly recommend Berkshire East and this mountain. We came from Nashua NH and it was worth it! Spectacular views!Elizabeth and Michael

Elizabeth B — Google review

This place is very good for all ages of skiing! The view is amazing when you are going on the ski lifts and there are a variety of trails to ski on. The tubbing tracks are very fun also! After you are done skiing/snowboarding you can go get a burger at the crazy horse restaurant. There is also more to do than skiing/ snowboarding. In the summer/spring you can do the tree obstacle corse, take a bike ride, or ride the mountain coaster! The possibilities at this place are endless and you could defiantly spend all day here! The trails are always nicely covered, occasionally you may hit an icey spot but overall it’s amazing! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!! (Who ever has said a bad review about this place probably wants their money back or the service was slow, this place is 5/5 stars, I have been skiing here for around 4 years and have had no complaints)

-That - — Google review

Knowledgeable guides made the experience fun and easy. Beautiful time of year to go, so glad we went! We did the Valley jump tour and the hardest part was stepping off the platform. Zips were exciting and landings were smooth. Great day ☺️

Kristina C — Google review

We had a great time at Berkshire East Mountain Resort. We loved riding the Thunderbolt Mountain Coaster. We went to only ride it once and ended up riding it 2x. Do yourself a favor and buy 2 rides per person. The 2nd time was even better. Planning our planning outing. 😌

Sandra D — Google review

First time to Berkshire East. Went there to snow tube ! Enjoyed the day immensely and now want to learn how to ski ! I am already looking forward to going back next year. I Purchased tickets online and it was super easy. We arrived earlier than our reservation and we were offered to enjoy the lodge or start tubing right away. We chose to enjoy the lodge, an IPA and the view of the slope! Tubing was super fun and all the staff was helpful, friendly and fun.

Jennifer Z — Google review

My 16yo son and I thoroughly enjoyed the mountain coaster! We bought the 3 ride pass and had a blast. The wait time was about 15 minutes in line, the ride up the mountain was beautiful and it was fun to watch the mountain bikers tear down the mountain. Once up the top it was pure fun speeding down the mountain, feeling the pull of gravity around turns and the adrenaline rush that accompanies steep drops as you make your way back to the start. The staff was amazing, so friendly and fun! I highly recommend this adventure and will definitely be returning with friends and family! Thank you!

Katie H — Google review

Luke, our MTB instructor was fantastic. Bike fleet was in great shape. Trails were amazing. Don’t miss Gronk! Son got hurt and their medical seemed to be a little lacking. I asked two different people and they didn’t know where nearest ER was. Felt like they should at least have that on speed dial.Update: The medical lead contacted me and even gave me his cell phone number so we could discuss how things could improve. Very nice guy and sounds like they are going to do a bit of staff education before the season picks up.

Trent C — Google review

This place is great. Our whole family and friend groups enjoy the skiing all winter. LL Bean sponsors free smores, the food is good, especially the fries which are crispy. The chairlifts are quick and never much of a wait. The new one they should run at full speed but they don’t. The lighting is great for night skiiing although the mogul and ice can be challenging sometimes weather depending at night. Sometimes there’s a slalom course open and some college kids competing. There’s lots of acreage so space to maneuver. Terrain park is kind of basic but great for kids to learn with a short chairlift. The Mountain View is pretty too. For summer, the adventure park is great, I just returned from the mountain coaster which was more fun than a roller coaster and you control the speed. Better to come early to avoid a line. There’s also great zip lining and it’s not over commercialized. I haven’t done the mountain biking yet but it looks like a mix of challenge. The place feels family run, not sure if it is. There’s also lots of fun things nearby like shelbourne falls village with glacial water holes and flower bridge, there’s crab apple white water rafting near and Yankee candle / Magic wings butterfly so plenty to make a fun day of it if you are just at Berkshire East for half a day.

Jeff S — Google review

Terrific day with the family at Berkshire East We enjoyed the mountain coaster. The Mountain coaster is great for all different levels of our fam. We enjoyed watching the mountain bikers come down the trail and had a nice break with some cocktails. The staff was so pleasant and professional. My daughter lost her hat on the coaster and they offered to go up the mountain and get it. Loved this place and this day!

Lisa F — Google review

First time here. Great spot with legit riding. Wish there were more wood features and drops for regular, non-pro riders...however lots of awesome trails of all types.I've been to quite a few bike parks across the US and the riders here on average are some of the best around.People here were very cool and welcoming. Good food and drink during and after riding. Wish more people hung around after 5pm at the base, many people leave ir head to campsites to unwind.A nice LOCAL feel here and it shows.Definitely will be back.

William B — Google review

I am afraid of heights but our guides Bob and Kai made me feel very comfortable and safe!The views were incredible and breathtaking especially over the canopy which i wish I would've had time to take a picture lol!! We had 3 ppl in our party and a very nice couple in our group and 2 guides so waits were quick which made my first time ziplining even better!! One of the best mother's day/bday presents I've had in a long time!! We will definitely be back but this time we want to try the coaster looks like a blast and maybe even try the white water rafting/ziplines package depends on how adventurous we're feeling when I book!! And will b definitely b requesting Kai and Bob again!! U guys rock!!! Thank you so much for the awesome day!!

Carmen P — Google review

Place is easy to find, plenty of parking. A lot of fun activities and really good food. Minuses are very long lines, bike riders not walking their bikes on the walkways making it dangerous for people walking. Standing in the sun for 40, minutes to get a mountain coaster ride. We bought mountain coaster tickets online. We rode twice in the morning when the lines were good. After lunch it was almost an hour in line, mostly in the sun for a 2, minute ride. Luckily I was able to get a refund for the rides we didn't use. Some little kids were unsupervised on the Treehouse Trail and the one staff there was sitting down on her phone the whole time.

Charlene M — Google review

Really enjoyed skiing at this mountain. Multiple Quad chairs within easy reach of the lodges and easy mobility around the mountain. Long Greens on both sides allow for causal easier skiing when conditions started to get slushy later in the day. Loved the base lodge easy to navigate all 3 lodges. We got to hear some fantastic music in the West lodge and again by the main lodge. LL Bean day so free skiing with a BBQ fundraiser for ski patrol at the peak and free LL Bean Hot Chocolate and Smores at the base. Staff at Berkshire all love the spot and it shows from the awesome guys in the lots the dude I met who runs the ski school, the great lifties and patrolers too. I'll be back. My only ask is that you replace Aquafina bottled water (feed what's left to the snow making machines) and replace it with anything other than Dasani. Thank You.

Jeff S — Google review

We stayed in the Cabin. It was everything we were expecting and more. The cabin was very well stocked. It was the little things, like the lavender toiletries, that made it so special. The grounds were gorgeous. The boys really enjoyed the pool. The condition of the pickleball and basketball courts were a pleasant surprise. And the fact that you had all the equipment to play was just perfect. I would stay here again in a heartbeat!

Peter M — Google review

Yesterday I zip lined on the valley jump tour. IT WAS AWESOME!! our guides Sarah and Matt were amazing …you get 6 zips on this trip . You start small and work your way up to the 2 long valley jumps …Sarah and Matt explained everything and were friendly and funny .I don’t care for heights but you feel very safe . There is some hiking to get to the long jumps but not that bad . I will be back to do it again!!! It’s a feeling of freedom that you can’t explain till you experience it .

Jojo C — Google review

As a person that really likes to go extremely fast, this absolutely meets my expectations. It was super fun when you went super Duper fast around the curves and you felt like you were going to fly out. And I really liked the workers that were getting the carts ready, at the top, and at the bottom when you were getting out. Thank you, Berkshire East for all of your hard work.- From Jen Riders Preppy Daughter🧿🌺🐵

Jen R — Google review

Second year in a row taking the kids during winter break and we look forward to going again next year. My son was 3 last year and by nature a timid child so I was nervous, but I went down first, his dad sent him off after me, and we watched Daddy come down. I was able to help him get off the tube and the attendants at the top didn't send anyone down unless the coast was clear. Staff so friendly, warn ski lodge with the best hot chocolate (but super hot!), and snacks.

Angie O — Google review

We had a great time! The people working there were really nice and helpful and the tubing was safe and enjoyable for all ages.

Judith L — Google review

Wow, wow, wow, wicked good time! Mountain coaster was an awesome experience. The treetop adventure was perfect for my 8 & 4 year olds. It was great to watch all the mountain bikers as well. Nice clean facility. The most friendly staff that were very happy to help and chit chat during wait times on the ride. I’d highly recommend all the activities!

Amanda N — Google review

4.8

(2863)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (145)

5.0

(308)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (146)

66 Thunder Mountain Rd, Charlemont, MA 01339, USA

(413) 339-6618

25

Crab Apple Whitewater Massachusetts

Mentioned on

1 list

Rafting

Tours

Campground

Log cabins

Crab Apple Whitewater Massachusetts is a family-owned company that offers thrilling whitewater rafting adventures on various rivers across three different states. Guests have raved about their experiences, praising the knowledgeable and friendly guides who ensure safety while creating an exciting and personalized trip for everyone. The stunning scenery along the river adds to the overall experience, making it a memorable and enjoyable adventure for both first-timers and experienced rafters alike.

What an amazing day! I totally recommend Crab Apple Whitewater for rafting! We had a huge group of people and the guides kept us all together throughout the trip and we had an epic water fight, played different games along the way and even floated down the river! Love that they are family owned! We also finished the day with a delicious meal and looking at all of our photos! Very personable and great sense of humor which definitely puts you at ease if your a little nervous to begin with!Thank you for some great memories 😊

Lisa W — Google review

Our family had such a spectacular time! This was an absolute highlight of our trip and well worth the visit! Our white water rafting guide ( Courtney) was very knowledgeable and was such a gracious host! We felt so welcomed from our initial call when booking the reservation to actually arriving. It’s a family run business and we really enjoyed meeting them all and the pride they took in their business. We decided yo stay the night and the accommodations were comfortable and very convenient. The rafting itself was so much fun and perfect for all levels. We were also served breakfast and a delicious lunch. The facilities were very comfortable with showers for after rafting and lots of activities on site. All the guides were so friendly and welcoming. We loved getting to chat with many of them! We can’t recommend this experience enough! Looking forward to doing it again!

Eileen B — Google review

I recently went on a rafting adventure with Crab apple, and it was an absolutely incredible experience from start to finish! The staff were professional and knowledgeable. Our guide, Sawyer was not only skilled and experienced but also enthusiastic and friendly, ensuring that everyone in the raft felt comfortable and excited.I highly recommend Crab Apple to anyone looking for an unforgettable rafting experience. Whether you’re a seasoned rafter or a first-timer, you’re guaranteed to have a fantastic time. I can’t wait to come back and do it all over again!

Fei X — Google review

We had an amazing time rafting! Zach was our raft guide for half of our crew and Charlotte was the guide for the other half. Both were so much fun! I have been a few times, but most of our crew were first timers. Now, they want to go back. Zach even carried our boat back. All of the staff were phenomenal and very organized. I definitely recommend this place for rafting.

Amber L — Google review

Awesome trip, frank our guide was awesome we had 8 people on our raft we all followed frank's guidelines and had some great runs frank knows the river well and set us up for the best waves and biggest drops it was awesome the whole staff is very professional at what they do, the meal after our run was also awesome, this is our second trip with crabapple and there will be a third, again thank you Frank for an awesome day. You your family and the crab apple staff are great. Thanks again from the Jolly and Longchamp family

Christopher J — Google review

I have rafted the Kennebec over 20 times. Most recently, for the last 10 years, I have gone with Crab Apple exclusively. The Peabody family makes you feel safe, well attended to, and part of the family. If you want to raft in New England, go with Crab Apple, you won't regret it!

Brian C — Google review

Absolute BLAST!The trip is really fun but that is just half of it. Booking was easy, arriving, checking in, and getting your gear was effortless. The trip was exciting, made better by skilled and friendly guides. After your trip, you get to change into warm clothes and have a tasty meal. Then, everyone, all the boats gets together to review the photos from the day. Fun and funny. You leave excited, tired, and feeling like you've made new friends.I can't recommend this Crab Apple Whitewater enough.

Edward S — Google review

We went White Water Rafting last week and had an amazing time. We thought the day would be crappy because of the rain but it made it more enjoyable and the mists made it more picturesque. Our guide Ethan was awesome!! He was full of knowledge, funny and personable. We had such a great experience and I can’t wait to do it again. Keep up the great work!

Lisah F — Google review

Absolutely AMAZING experience! Our group of 10 did the Monroe Bridge section of the river (class 3/4) with Crab Apple Whitewater this past weekend and it was an experience I will never forget!!! The trip itself was so well run, from the check in all way to our photo slideshow at the end! Everyone was so friendly, helpful and outgoing. You can see how much these guides enjoy working there and their positive energy is contagious!Our guide, Frank, was so awesome!! He led us on a thrilling ride while always feeling safe and in control. We will 100% be requesting him for our next trip. The rest of our group had Zach (Frank’s son!) and had an equally incredible experience with him!This family run business left a lasting impression on all of us - we feel like we truly bonded with them and are already planning our trip for next year! Thank you Frank and everyone at Crab Apple Whitewater!!!!

Jen M — Google review

We had an amazing time and experience on our white water rafting trip yesterday. It was my first time and definitely not my last. Our guide Jeff was awesome. The whole crew were professional, informative and very friendly. I will be recommending this to all my family and friends. Thanks Crabapple for a great day. We will be back!!

Donna L — Google review

Awesome rafting experience on the Deerfield river. Our Guide Jeff was the best guide. We went on class 3 and 4 rapids it was so fun. Then after reviewed pictures and had a great dinner. The staff was friendly and very engaged and interactive with the guests. We will definitely be back

Lisa H — Google review

My second time visiting Crab Apple Whitewater. First time was an amazing whitewater trip, this year a few friends and I went on the Funyaking trip. SO MUCH FUN. Gorgeous day, great location and best of all is the amazing staff. Every single person you encounter is friendly, helpful and invested in you having a great time. Definitely recommend rafting with this great family-owned company!

Donna K — Google review

We had a great trip on the Miller today. Charlotte our guide was outstanding from the minute she jumped on the bus. From start to finish she was very personable and relatable. She took personal interest with everyone on our raft too. She’s definitely a keeper!Lunch was delicious and everything was well organized. Great job to all the Crab Apple employees!The Harper’s (NH)

Amy H — Google review

I’ve been rafting here through my university twice, loved it both times! Everyone is super friendly and our guide Zach was great! Both times my group went in April… the water is cold but everyone got wetsuits and honestly it made the experience a lot more unique and fun!

Audrey J — Google review

BSA Troop 4 Hopkinton, MA had an awesome time on the river. The River guides were super knowledgeable on their craft and the rapids, guided us for safety and teamwork to have the most fun!! Food back at the base was just as amazing on the banks of the river. The support team and admins were super helpful and engaging. We had fantastic time and no doubt be back with some new scouts and I’m sure with some repeats!!

Kul T — Google review

We had an amazing trip down the river! I was a little nervous bringing our 11 year old daughter but she had a blast! Felt completely safe the entire trip. Our teenage son and his friend absolutely loved it! Our guide was awesome! Very knowledgeable and a skilled rafting guide! The scenery coming down the Kennebec was spectacular! It’s like a spiritual experience. Gorgeous waterfalls all along the way. One major perk is once you get down the river you don’t have to take a bus ride back, because Crabapple is right there. The after cookout was top notch too! The food was delicious! Everyone that works there are all helpful, and friendly. It was a family vacation we’ll never forget! Can’t wait to go back! Highly recommend!

Jasper J — Google review

Crab Apple Whitewater truly is a family business that takes care of their guests in a special way. We visit with our Scout Troop every year and Frank, Jen and their team are wonderful river guides, friendly teachers while in the boats, and great lunch companions after the run. Thanks so much to the whole Crab Apple family for taking good care of us!

M F — Google review

First time going to this location and it exceeded my expectations. Matt was an outstanding guide. We learned a lot about rafting, nature, and shared some laughs. We had a total of seven in our group and he treated everyone amazing. I’m sure all the guides are great, but when we come back next time. We will be sure to request Matt.

Adam — Google review

What a wonderful experience! I'm by no means an outdoorsy person, but one must learn to live a little. The trip lead Kevin was so reassuring and fun, that even a wimp like me could face these rapids head on. Highly recommend!

Tyler C — Google review

This was our first time rafting and Zach and the entire staff made this an absolutely outstanding experience! We had so much fun and seeing the smiles on our kids' faces was priceless! We spent the afternoon laughing and just having a total blast. Zach was very knowledgeable and professional while also so friendly, outgoing, and engaging. He was wonderful with the kids and really made the trip feel personalized for us! Everything was well organized and every staff we encountered was super friendly and so helpful. We will absolutely be back and will recommend this family operated business to everyone we know. The home cooked dinner was an excellent touch that exceeded our expectations. We had the best day ever! Thank you for such a great time!!

Trish D — Google review

Went whitewater Rafting on 7/15 and had an amazing experience. The staff was extremely friendly and nice. Big thanks to Jennifer and Frank making sure we were able to go rafting and went above and beyond even though we came super late. Our rafting guide Matt was the coolest and super funny. He was very knowledgeable and had a fantastic sense of humor. If I can give more than 5 stars, I would. Can’t say enough good things about this place, and definitely would do it again!

Cameron L — Google review

Our family had so much fun whitewater rafting! My sister and I did the Monroe Bridge ride with our kids ages 15-20 yrs old - all first time rafters but athletic kids that could handle all the paddling and strategy involved. Frank was our guide and we felt so safe with him as he gave us tons of instructions but at the same time, let us all feel like we were a big part of the journey. We all loved it and I highly recommend this as a family outing since they combine the great meal after rafting and then the slideshow to see all the amazing photos taken of all the rafts in our group. It was a great, “unplugged” day for us all in the beautiful setting. I loved learning all about the Crab Apple family business - you can definitely tell they care about every detail of the experience. Highly recommend!

Amy T — Google review

I can't say enough about Crabapple Whitewater - the rooms are clean and cozy, the grounds are gorgeous and relaxing, the food is fantastic ... but the best part is the staff, seriously the nicest people you'll ever meet it's like hanging out with people you've known forever. The actual raft trip was an absolute blast, we were lucky to go on a dam release day and had bald eagles flying overhead. Courtney was our guide and homegirl knew her stuff. We were joined by 2 members of the staff (Connor and Lilly) to fill our boat and they were just such fun people who had us laughing the whole time while sharing cool info about the river. You can tell they love what they do. I can't wait to go back with my family, best and most laid back easy peasy vacation ever.

Ceilidh H — Google review

We had such an amazing trip with Crab Apple yesterday! Our guides, Frank and Zach, were fantastic! Our group was split between two rafts and they kept us close together throughout the trip. The rapids were intense, the weather was perfect, the water was refreshing, and the food was delicious! What more could you ask for? Between the bull-riding, and surfing the rapids, they really go out of their way to give you a one-of-a-kind experience! We’ll definitely be back again next year!

Danielle F — Google review

Perfect 10/10 experience! Went rafting with my kids and my sisters kids. We did the 15 plus option. Frank our guide and the owner was awesome. So professional, but also very fun! Personalized the experience and made it a great day for all! The rapids were so fun, my teens loved it and it tired them out! The cookout food after was great. Nice options. Beautiful spot. I would not hesitate to go again. Wonderful day with family unplugged and out in nature.

Lorri W — Google review

AN AMAZING DAY! Overall, a great experience for people looking for a challenging activity on a hot summer day. Thank you Zach for being a great guide and great company on the boat!! To start the day, you are greeted with very welcoming guides/workers when you pull into the lot that will confirm your party, provide info, and direct you to a parking spot. The check in process is VERY easy and everyone is very kind. During check in, you will pick out your lunch/dinner option (with many to choose from), rent water shoes if you do not have ones that will stay on, and give your car keys to the front desk for safe keeping. Once at the water, this company does not make you load in your boat which was a major benefit! They were already in the water when we arrived. Being on the water is the star of the show!! Expect to be on the water for a few hours and bring a water bottle with a clasp to hook in the boat if you think you need that. Once you get back to camp, plan on changing into a dry set of clothes and having the perfect dinner after a day on the water. Thank you to all the amazing staff for such a great experience!

Nikayla L — Google review

We went rafting a few weeks ago on the fife brook section. Our guide TJ was awesome. He was funny and knowledgeable and really personable. It was more relaxing than exciting, next year I will go to the higher class rapids. But it was a good amount of time and the food after was delicious while we got to see our pictures. Will definitely be back and ask for TJ again!

Sara B — Google review

2nd time rafting with this team! Incredible people who love what they do and it shows. Best rafting company in the area hands down. Can’t wait to get back here! 10/10 experience. Thank you to Frank and his whole family + staff for an incredible day.

Parker B — Google review

I was nervous to go rafting at first, but Crabapple made the experience from start to finish go so smoothly! Our guide, Kevin, did such an amazing job not only making me feel safe and answering all the questions I could possibly ask (including the technical stuff about how the river was formed!), but he also made sure I had fun and was taking in the entire time. Would definitely recommend to any newcomers!

Tanner G — Google review

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26

Stanley Park

Park

Nature & Parks

Athletic field

Privately-run seasonal park with gardens, playing fields, picnic tables & performances, plus tours.

I wish I had more photos of the park, but Stanley is so gorgeous. Took my senior pictures and had a picnic here — nearly every spot is scenic! Clear paths for walking in the woods are nice. Had a field trip in junior high to the playground area. Tennis courts were great, too. Overall a well kept and enjoyed place by all!

Lynn J — Google review

This place is beautiful and very clean for the amount of animals and people visiting daily. The duck pond was fun with a lot of fish and pathways around. The playground was equally fantastic

Shannon H — Google review

Gorgeous park I’ve went to since I was little. I’ve always seen staff around. Could use a little upkeep with stone paths, but nothing that I say warrants a lower rating.

Maria L — Google review

Wonderful playground. Feeding the geese, ducks, and fish was nice. When the roses bloom soon we will be going again to see them. Love this place since I was a child.

Colleen T — Google review

If you’re thinking of a place to go to, to spend a nice day with your family and enjoy some wildlife and see beautiful sceneries, this is the place to go. It is a very clean place and absolutely incredible. There’s ducks, Chipmunks and a pond full of Koi fish. Not to mention the gardens on top of the hill. There is available picnic area and restrooms. As well as a playground area for kids. 10 out of 10 would recommend.

Alexander M — Google review

Hidden gem. The dogs loved I there and so did we. Hope to go back when it's less humid. When we visited there were 2-3 weddings happening so we didn't wasn't to disrupt them. Great park!

Morgan K — Google review

A beautiful park with plenty of walking trails and beautiful flower gardens. A great place for a picnic and barbecue. Many picnic tables were available for use. Bathrooms were clean and well cared for. A large playground and huge fields for activities make this a great place to take the family.Dogs are welcome on a leash.

Steven J — Google review

Lovely place. However as a dog walkimg enthusiast it can be incredibly annoying to see dog droppings everywhere on the path.Clean up after your dog or at least use a stick to flick that stuff off the trail! Making us look bad out there peope

Daniel B — Google review

All-time favorite park. We have been going here since the 80s. Peaceful place to walk and look at the luscious gardens of green manicured grass and beautiful plants. The buildings and statues are well maintained. Enjoy the walk around the pond and sitting watching the wildlife and fish in the pond, and let's not forget the black squirrels. A must go to enjoy this beautiful park.

DY M — Google review

If you need a peaceful moment or hours. It's the place to go. Beauty around every corner

Angelena M — Google review

Always been my favorite park around since I was a child. There's a playground, picnic tables, cooking areas, public bathrooms, several ponds with all sorts of wildlife can be spotted and as always the famous swans. Great place to do any activity from baseball, basketball, soccer, lacrosse, yoga, etc. Always people around so there's never really any trouble here that I've witnessed, a nice peaceful place to wander.

Nicholas W — Google review

This is one of the most beautiful, well laid out, and well-kept parks I have ever seen. Duck pond/coi pond area is very peaceful and serene, lots of open field for soccer, lacrosse, Frisbee, etc. Awesome playground area with a dynamic range of swings, slides, sand boxes, climbing courses. Great family picnic area. There is plenty of parking and seating. You can spend hours there!

Kyle L — Google review

Great park!! Room for all kinds of activities. They have an amazing playground, big fields, a huge covered sandbox, tennis, handball, picnic area with grills and it's so big! There's bathrooms that are clean. The park itself is clean and kept up with very well. I know we'll be going back.

Derek F — Google review

Awesome park. Very clean. My 13 year old Bugg can't walk much, but was still able to see his favorite geese. I was very pleased since Tobykins was in a stroller, that the pond is handicap and stroller accessible. The park rangers are very nice and pleasant to talk with.

Brenda C — Google review

Follow me on Instagram @quinee_ and enjoy all my content. I uploaded a reel from this place 🥰

Quinee R — Google review

One of the best parks around, with tons to do.There's an excellent playground with equipment, swings, slides, sandbox and seesaws.There's nature trails and plenty of picnic tables.There's beautiful trees, plants, and fields.Rose garden, duck pond, tea house.The list goes on, it's just a nice place to be outside enjoying nature.There are very nice pavilions available for rental too.Be aware there is NO SMOKING anywhere at the park, you can be subject to a fine.There is also no picnicking or dogs allowed in the rose garden.Professional photographers need to buy a pass.Don't feed the ducks/geese/fish bread, only seed and food from the feeder machines (take quarters). Don't try to touch the birds or let your kids touch them. They will bite and it's a preserve specifically for them, so just admire them.

Tal G — Google review

Beautiful Park very lots of neat trails and waterfalls

Tony L — Google review

Definitely a hidden gem in Westfield. Beautiful park to spend the day. You can watch the kids play, grill or go for a nice walk around the park. Don't forget the concerts. Free!!!

Obe D — Google review

Lovely spot to explore. Loads of trails, a lovely pond and playground. Must if you’re in the area.

S D — Google review

Stanley Park is beautiful. I thoroughly enjoyed walking through the rose garden and looking at all the plants. The ponds are wonderful (koi, ducks & geese, frogs & turtles). There are benches throughout to sit and enjoy your surroundings or rest. The bathrooms were clean.

Lynn — Google review

This is my home town and it was so beautiful to see it has not changed. The park is still beautiful and well kept. The garden vibrant with flowers and tree's and the water fountain still beautiful as always. The duck pond was well kept as well and loved it.

Sonia M — Google review

4.8

(1965)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (156)

5.0

(143)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (157)

400 Western Ave #1, Westfield, MA 01086, USA

(413) 568-9312

27

Complexity: A Puzzling Adventure

Mentioned on

1 list

Escape room center

Fun & Games

Room Escape Games

The escape room center, Complexity: A Puzzling Adventure, offers a challenging and well-crafted experience for families and groups. "The Mall" room presents inventive and enjoyable puzzles that can be quite tricky, even with a group of six people. If players find themselves stuck, there are clues available to help them progress. The staff ensures a smooth experience and facilitates a nice discussion after the game. Additionally, they provide the option to take a group photo as a memento of the occasion.

7D2105Didn’t get the game masters name but they were great! They had a distinct sense of humor and made it fun! My husband, brother in law and I did the lost souls pirate room and had a great time working together to solve the mystery and escape! My 3rd escape room, my husband’s 2nd and my brother in law’s 1st!

Hlm143 — Google review

Our crew completed Hunt for the Dead Sea Souls. Interesting room. Some of the puzzles were a bit time consuming but there were some we hadn't seen before. Like any other escape room, I''d recommend good communication.

Whitney S — Google review

We had a great time with The Mall game, which had puzzles challenging enough for our group of 6 to enjoy. Our game master, Kayla, was amazing! She was super helpful and, along with the rest of the team at Complexity, helped me pull off my pregnancy announcement to my brother and SIL so that it went exactly as I pictured. Kayla’s dedication to making our moment and our game memorable was outstanding! I definitely recommend this escape room

Sierra C — Google review

This was our second time doing an escape room but our first time trying out Complexity. Liz was awesome from start to finish. We tries out the mall and made it out. It was definitely a challenging but great experience and we couldn't have done it without the ease and comfortability Liz provided. We will definitely be back. Thanks again!Confirmation code: 5C50F0

Danielle R — Google review

I went with my family. We did "The Mall," which was a challenge, even with 6 people. It was well-crafted and the puzzles were all inventive and fun.There are clues you can choose to receive if you get stuck, which was helpful. The staff made the experience smooth and there was a nice discussion afterwards, plus she took a group photo and sent it to us. Highly recommend this experience.

Joseph D — Google review

We had a fantastic time solving the Dead Sea Souls puzzle and will definitely come back again. Just the right amount of challenge for our group of five. Brittney was excellent and ensured we had an awesome time. 2FFA75

Mona F — Google review

Great place for family fun. First time doing an escape room and had a great time and would highly recommend! Our game master Troy was great! Confirmation code 023592

Paul L — Google review

Our group of 6 had a wonderful time doing the Mall escape room today (C75605). The introduction and the setup was clear and got us off to a great start. We had a lot of early wins that was motivating and the escape room had some unique elements that were fun to puzzle over. There were a couple items with some minor technical issues but the escape room person was attentive and helpful, which avoided us losing much time. We are looking forward to some new escape room options at this location!

Katie F — Google review

Had so much fun with the "Hunt for the dead seas souls" room! Liz was very friendly and helpful and made it a good experience for us all. (confirmation code 8F5912)

Joe K — Google review

Went here for a resident wellness event with my fellow co-residents. We did 2 escape rooms and both were great. Staff was really nice, amiable, and accommodating. We were seasoned puzzlers and still enjoyed both rooms. Would recommend to anyone regardless of experience!

KBL — Google review

We had SOOO much fun escaping from the Blizzard room! We laughed so hard at times we had tears pouring out of our eyes. We had six people ranging in age from 15-73. It’s always so hard to find activities that are fun for multiple generations, but this was a grand slam! Our hostess Kayla was amazing, we definitely plan on going back again! 35FBE6

Kimmy G — Google review

We played "The Blizzard" on Sept 8th and we're helped by Brittney (A50276). We had a great time are very excited to go back and try their other rooms! We have also done a few rooms at their Rocky Hill location which we're also a ton of fun!

Daniel M — Google review

2B802EWe did the Blizzard room. As escape room enthusiasts we were pleasantly surprised to see puzzles that we have not seen before. Brittney explained it was their oldest room but it has held up very well! You can tell the time and dedication they put into keeping the theme throughout the room. We will definitely be back.

Kaitlyn W — Google review

Brittney made a great experience for us from the start and throughout the game (even when we almost lost power!) the thunderstorm outside made the pirates room even spookier and more realistic. We tried an escape room last weekend and it was not as enjoyable as this place, that is for sure. There was enough puzzles and the amount of difficulty was perfect for our team of five, ages ranging from 11 to 34. It was super fun and we will definitely come back for the Mall and blizzard rooms!!!!Confirmation #632C30

Bianca R — Google review

We had such a fabulous time and were treated like gold!! Three generations of 11 players and everyone enjoyed themselves! That was all thanks to Liz, our game master! She was awesome! The rooms were incredibly interesting and the mall was my favorite while my son loved the Pirate ghost room!Our confirmation code was 65CDB0.

Kelly F — Google review

Confirmation code: 5B86E1I took my family to this escape room super last minute and they were so accommodating. We came as a family of 4, 2 teenagers and this was great on building teamwork and learning to communicate with each other. Brittney was our game master, she was probably laughing the entire time watching us, cheering us on and letting us know teamwork makes the dream work. She was great, and helped with dropping hints. They are unlimited but we all have to agree. The different combinations of locks is amazing and challenging itself, who knew there were that many. The escape room we had was a moderate challenge, The Hunt for the Dead Sea Souls and finished just in time with 28 seconds left. We can’t wait to come back and hopefully we are lucky to have Brittney as our game master!

Veronica R — Google review

Absolutely amazing time! Our awesome gamemaster Brittney helped make our time so fun! A few of us had been to this location before and it is always a blast! Not only that, but we got a new record on the room! 35:35 left! Come to the Farmington location and beat our time! Another big thanks to Brittney for making our time so special!Confirmation code: E245F0

Valerie L — Google review

Such a blast! Our party of 11 had a great time thanks to Liz (65CDB0 ) and team! The Mall was our favorite, and without spoilers, I’ll just say that we loved the creativity!

Jessica A — Google review

Our group of 8 did the Hunt for Dead Souls tonight with Liz and we all had so much fun! The clues were challenging but manageable. We felt very accomplished when we solved it! So many little puzzles that were so thoughtfully placed. We had a blast. Thank you!Code: 212A43

Vicky N — Google review

Code: D2651DI did the hunt for the Dead Sea souls escape room. Very fun and challenging, room was very cool looking. Booking was easy and efficient. Troy are escape room manger was very helpful and kind. He offered helpful hints when asked while also allowing us to figure the puzzles out for ourselves. He was also a great story teller. 10/10 experience. Thanks to Troy for helping me and me friend have a great time!

Juliana C — Google review

Liz was great! DEC298. The boys had a great time and look forward to doing another room very soon at one of your locations.

Julie D — Google review

Our “Mall” experience (2DB5CO) was such great fun. Eight of us ages 12 to 69 managed to complete our escape with 6 minutes to spare. Britney was our hostess and provided a few subtle hints when we couldn’t quite get it. A first time for most of us and looking forward to more puzzling adventures.

Deb P — Google review

This escape room was so fun and cleverly built!! The difficulty was on the easier side for my cousins and me as we do escape rooms often, but it was made up for by how beautiful the set design was! Our code is: 3BC5ED and our game master was great!!

Alisha S — Google review

Confirmation Code: 1A1E66I come here with my family friends and always have a great time. The staff are very friendly and are enthusiastic about helping you with hints if you need them. The rooms are incredibly creative and have us wowed after each visit. I recommend the Mall room! Brittney helped us this time, thank you so much!

Julia G — Google review

Our group had an amazing time with the Hunt for the Dead Sea Souls. Josh was a great attendant, had a great sense of humor and would assist when needed. 10/10 would do another room again. Confirmation code: 4D882B

Daniel O — Google review

code: 8D0C3BOur group of 4 had a super fun time in the "Hunt for the Dead Sea Souls" room at the Farmington location! Our host, Troy, was very friendly and helpful! We solved the room with only a couple minutes to spare! We highly recommend Complexity!

Maurice L — Google review

Brit might be the most fabulous gamemaster that ever existed. She made our experience as first time participants truly wonderful. The pirate room was challenging and we are a bit dim but Brit was there to be our shining light and take us to finish line. I am confident that we would still be trapped, looking for lost souls if it weren't for her wisdom and guidance. Thanks again Brit! (6EBCA3)

Sal T — Google review

4.8

(248)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (158)

5.0

(284)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (159)

2 Eastview Dr, Farmington, CT 06032, USA

(203) 626-9078

28

Brignole Vineyards

Vineyard

Food & Drink

Wineries & Vineyards

My first time here and I had such a great time. The venue is beautiful and pleasant for pic taking. The wines and charcuterie board options are tasty; *flights are not available on the weekends*. Awesome vibes!

SM H — Google review

A great place to spend an afternoon. You can bring your own food, but they also had a food truck and cheese plates for purchases. There is a large wine selection and some specialty drinks. The wine I had was pretty good, but I wish I could have tasted a few. Flights are not available on the weekend so I couldn’t try many different ones. Atmosphere is great with plenty of seating inside and out. It’s dog friendly as well.

Holly W — Google review

Love the patio and outside seating. Wines are reasonably priced and they have a wide variety. You can bring your own food and snacks too

Garima G — Google review

We came here during Mother's Day weekend and there was an event going on; many vendors and a few food trucks. The building was lovely with a huge deck overlooking the vineyard. The second floor bar room was spacious and quiet; the first floor was jam packed. The land was pretty with all the grapevines; I don't think I've ever seen a vineyard in person. They had enough space for all the vendors and picnic tables; although they were all taken when we went.I tried their white wine, Sweet George Moscato, and it was delicious. From what I'm seeing, they hosts tons of events; a good way to bring people in. Parking lot was spacious too. There were over 30 varieties of wine to choose from. I look forward to going back and trying out more of their wines!

Kim V — Google review

Overview: Brignole is an elegant winery with beautiful scenery, interiors, and appearance in general.Wines: Brignole has about 18 wines, maybe 8 white, 4 rose, and the rest are red. They have a solid selection and even someone who is picky would be able to find something. I've tried more of the white than red, but you can't really go wrong with what you pick. While they are expensive ($30 a bottle about), they're great. I've never had a bad experience with the wine here and there wasn't one I don't like.Food: While they don't offer actual food, they have charcuterie boards. I'm not sure of the price but whatever it is is worth it, the cheeses are amazing and so is the meat and grapes that come with it. They often have food trucks that vary from day to day which never let down. They offer a delivery menu with a qr code that shows you who delivers there and from there you can order.Tip: In the bathroom do not turn the water to hot, you'll burn yourself!

Momo S — Google review

Beautiful atmosphere and delicious wine! I had the maple apple wine and it was yummy!!

Gina C — Google review

Having a lovely time with my friend's bridal party 🎉. This such beautiful view abd drive and live music 🎵 band all type of drinks. Event first come first serve seats under 20. Beautiful ❤️ day. Highly recommend this place for all types of drinks

Linda H — Google review

My first time sitting outside and actually enjoying the vineyard. It was so enjoyable. I ordered a bottle of a dry rose to share with my girlfriend. The staff there is very well informed about their wines and products. There is basically unlimited seating for any size party. I would highly recommend visiting Brignole Vineyards with your friends.

Marco's R — Google review

Wonderful location! I'm just relaxing since I'm "father of the bride" and can just enjoy my grandkids. Hidden chicken coop was a delight for my little ones. Wandering through the yards revealed a variety of different varieties of grapes 🍇 promising further adventures as the fruit matures.

David D — Google review

I went here for a work function. The architecture and the property is gorgeous. The staff was really nice, and the outdoor area accommodates plenty of people. I'd give a 5 star, but haven't had their wine yet (I had a long drive ahead of me and not enough time to wait it out). Will update once I do!

Madison C — Google review

Perfect place for wine tasting. It was my sister's 1st wine tasting and our 1st time here and we were not disappointed. Views were beautiful but wish it was warmer so we can sit outside, thankfully they have an indoor spacious seating area. Would definitely like to come back.

Yenelsi S — Google review

Came here on Cinco de mayo for the specialty margarita flights. First off, appearance was VERY underwhelming and subpar, the presentation alone was not as expected. However, the “margaritas” were flavorful; Margarita slushie, tropical sangria, spicy strawberry spritz, prickly pear spritz. Strawberry and pear were the best and flavors.The wine tasting (with souvenir glass) was decent, nothing out of the ordinary that stuck out to me. The day was gloomy and raining, so the indoor seating was pretty packed. Just wish the music/live bands would lower the volume just a bit. You could barely hear the servers at the bar, the person sitting next to you, let alone your own thought.Decent game selectionFrankie’s food truck was on rotation, again, not impressed. $24 for a bunch of over fried finger foods. (Mozzarella was cooked out, shrimp were mini, fries were over fried. Chicken strips and the wontons were the best🤷🏼‍♀️)

B C — Google review

My first time at a brewery Vineyard in absolutely amazing experience you can bring your own food to eat inside or there's a food truck it was nice to see kids running around and playing all different walks of life hanging out chit-chatting definitely will return here bar staff was excellent very nice place

Ty K — Google review

Excellent place! Nice atmosphere and the wine is great. Nice vineyard.

Manny A — Google review

This tasting room and vineyard is fabulous. Indoor and outdoor seating with lovely views. Big parking lot. Nice restrooms. Multiple tasting menu options and delightful wines. I suggest the Reserve tasting menu.Note:Do not miss the estate grown marquette

Rosie P — Google review

Came here and got the margarita flight. Then ordered a wine tasting. Margarita Wine slushy was good. Staff was friendly and polite.

Kat S — Google review

We had a wonderful experience at Brignole Vineyards. We live in Virginia and were visiting our son and lovely daughter-in-law. The winery staff was very welcoming and the venue is very relaxing. We enjoyed a variety of the wines from both menus covering reds, whites, and reserves. The wines were of great quality. If you are a serious wine drinker or want to try their other offerings of sangria and slushies, I highly recommend Brignole Vineyards! Thank you Tim, Todd, and Kate!great quality

Loretta K — Google review

Cute winery with ample seating and friendly staff. I ordered the wine flight they have currently for Valentine’s Day. You get to pick four out of the five choices they have. All were delicious and refreshing! Slushy was definitely worth another glass!

Tracy M — Google review

It still feels like a hidden gem in Connecticut! As a wedding vendor, we love the space's elegance and the vineyard's unique look. We highly suggest it for anyone considering a venue wedding or private event. You can't go wrong, and the wine selection is unmatched!

AllStar W — Google review

4.5

(548)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (160)

4.0

(56)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (161)

103 Hartford Ave, East Granby, CT 06026, USA

(860) 653-9463

29

Yankee Candle Village

34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (162)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (163)

34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (164)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (165)

Mentioned on

2 lists

$$$$affordable

Candle store

Yankee Candle is a renowned retail chain that specializes in offering an extensive range of scented candles and related accessories. The flagship store, located in Deerfield, MA, is a must-see attraction and offers a unique experience beyond just shopping. It hosts family-friendly events and activities, featuring a toy store and a beautifully decorated Christmas village that kids will love.

One of my favorite stores to visit! A lot to see than just candles but almost every candle you can smell here! Yankee Candle also has amazing events that we have always enjoyed. I can usually find a coupon too before I go! I always recommend others to visit if you are in the area! :)

Jenny L — Google review

I absolutely love this place. Yes, the candles can be a bit expensive, but they have a wonderful selection. They are everything from Christmas tree ornaments, soup mixes, pasta, wide selection of jelly, sauces, home decor, utensils, and candy. You can make your own candles, which was cool, make a build a bear, fill up a jar or candy, etc. They also have a food court inside. I definitely will come back. Dangerously can spend a lot of money but definitely worth the experience.

C S — Google review

This place blew me away! Snowing indoors! And it was 95 outside! The designer of this place obviously understands the magic of wonder with creativity and curiosity around every corner. The gardens outside were beautiful and the rocking chairs a nice respite with vintage tunes in the air!We grabbed a couple of delicious pizzas for the family and a couple of drafts from the brewery. Great value! I wish we lived closer to come back in the fall.

Kathleen Y — Google review

So massive, so much to see and do!Candles, foods, gifts, homegoods, Christmas & Halloween villages, a huge candy shop, and also a new pub. Beautiful grounds, especially beautiful in Fall and at Christmas.You can easily spend hours here looking at everything. It's awesome. The restaurant has amazing clam chowder and great food too

Christa D — Google review

What an amazing place! My husband and I had a few hours to kill, we stopped here and had great time! They have something for everyone and surprises around every corner! Don’t miss the pizza and Ben and Jerry’s!

Jill M — Google review

The Yankee Candle Village is an extraordinarily delightful venue that is so much more than a candle shop, providing a unique shopping experience with activities for young and old alike.We arrived on a Monday morning around 10 to a sparsely populated store. Upon entering, we were met with an almost overwhelming -- but not unpleasant -- array of exquisite fragrances and colors, the origins of which reside on the shelves housing thousands of candles throughout a couple of rooms.These rooms lead one to the emporium, where, in addition to even more candles, one can actually build their own at the Waxworks section. Spread along the wall are approximately 15-17 cylinders of colorful wax of different scents. The customer can grab an empty glass jar and fill it with a particular wax or a combination of one's choosing. Another section allows one to dip ornaments in wax for holiday occasions.Another unique feature in the emporium is the scent bar, where individuals can create their own combination of select scents and dump them into a small glass container of hot wax. Pay the cashier, go about exploring the store, and, within an hour, your customized candle will be ready to take home.In addition to candles, one can shop for jams, jellies, syrups, honeys, sauces, soup mixes, and other enticing spices and condiments. These would be great items to buy along with kitchen accessories and other items in the home section.The Yankee Candle Village is always in the Christmas spirit. Walking through the Bavarian Village, and one will enter a winter wonderland, with a vast selection of Christmas ornaments, various Christmas village collectibles featuring Disney, Harry Potter, Peanuts, Dr. Seuss, The Munsters, and The Addams Family. A snow machine will blow real snow upon you as you meander through an assortment of artificial trees.Kids will also enjoy the toy store filled with board games, action figures, stuffed animals, and a bunch more. The toy store leads into a candy store, with many types of penny candy, jelly beans, and gummies. One can fill a medium-sized Yankee Candle jar with their choice of assorted candies for $12. There is also an animatronic musical feature for the children featuring the "Candle Mountain Boys," featuring bluegrass-style musicAll that shopping will no doubt build up an appetite. No worries! Outside the village (yet still part of the overall store) is Hillside Pizza, where one can order a personal-size pizza along with a selection of salads, wraps, sides and non-alcoholic beverages. For those looking for something a bit stronger, Powder Hollow Brewery offers their own variety of homemade beer.Looking for dessert? Go back inside the main area and have some freshly made fudge, or some Ben and Jerry's ice cream, with freshly made waffle cones.The landscaping outside the sprawling grounds is alive and vibrant, with plants of all vivid colors, offering a beautiful background for selfies or standalone pictures.As mentioned above, the Yankee Candle Village is not just a candle store, but a memorable experience for the entire family. If you plan to go here just to buy candles, don't be surprised if find yourself leaving a few hours later!

Darren S — Google review

You can spend an entire day at the Yankee Candle. It’s not just about sniffing the candles. You walk in and you’re routed through the store perfectly. The xmas section was my favorite. They actually blow snow at times. There are so many different candles, it’s hard to pick from. And the toys from years ago are heartwarming.

Kathleen A — Google review

Went on a Wednesday in August. Not crowded. Easy to get around and see everything. Purchased 2 candles and had photos added. So cute. The staff who assisted me were very kind. The receivers loved them. I’ve done this before but was shocked the jars were $31 plus extra $5 to add photo. I did get 50% off the second $31 candle. They sell YC at Walmart for $15. Is it a different grade candle? Also purchased Vermont syrup and a specialty ornament. The women who did the personalization did a beautiful job. The Christmas area was lovely but has not changed in years. You can see it’s getting old. Most ornaments are from Old World so they are pricey but overall lovely Christmas area. We got a coffee in the food court in the afternoon. It was horrible. They said it was from early in the morning, apologized and promptly refunded our $. The outside landscaping was beautiful and the plants were so healthy looking. The whole place is pretty. Don’t waste your time in the outlet barn. No deals there.

Cas — Google review

If you have never visited, well, you simply MUST! Easy off and on I-91. My family and I try to get here AT LEAST once per year.A visit to the Yankee Candle Company is a delight to all of your senses! Visually stunning, incredible smells and fragrances, delightful sounds and music, coordinated to the themes in each room, delicious foods to eat there or take home with you, and just so many things to explore with your hands!Whether you stop for 30 minutes ( I personally am not sure how this could EVER happen!), or whether you spend several hours, you and your family will be captivated!One of my favorite rooms is "The Alpine Room" where it actually snows (real snow!) every 4 minutes!Second favorite...the room with all the lighted, animated villages. I could literally spend an hour just in that one room!!There is something here for everyone, from toddlers to teens, young folks to seasoned seniors!Ample parking, abundant rest rooms, handicapped accessibility...honestly, what's not to LOVE?! JUST DO IT!!

Esme W — Google review

What unique and fun idea for a Weekend excursion! Not only can you smell a HUGE variety of candles but you can also make your own!The multi-themed rooms take you on a journey through the factory. Lots of shopping can be done to include satisfying your sweet tooth at their very own candy shop.The kids can see how stuffed animals get made, and take one home with them!

Seth M — Google review

Great place. Very clean. Staff was very friendly. Walking around enjoying candles and seeing all the stuff. Came out with great deals. Love to see it when Santa there. Love the music they was playing. Was dancing and singing . A great way to relax

Ray R — Google review

Free parking, welcoming and helpful staff. Delicious Margarita, Pepperoni, Chicken Bacon Ranch, or cheese pizzas. Wraps, salads, and coke products available. Busier on Fridays and Saturdays. You can make your own candle and fragrance. Candy store, housewares, clothing, Fall and Christmas decorations. Lots of candles, of course! Go if you can, and give yourself a minimum of 3 1/2 hours to look at everything and eat. Don't forget Ben & Jerry's for ice cream, fudge, and coffee!

Lacie J — Google review

It’s the Disneyworld for candles! We had so much fun exploring the different areas and sniffing all the fantastic candles! A very unique experience!

Sarah L — Google review

The main Yankee Candle store located in Deerfield, Massachusetts has been on our bucket list for years and we are happy to announce that as of today we were able to scratch this one off of our list. We arrived at the store about ten minutes after they opened the doors and we able to park right at the door. The store is absolutely amazing. We spent over three hours in the store. And it was GREAT. We had an absolute blast. We ended up purchasing more than we planned but that’s okay. We are already planning another trip next year. We are discussing our strategy about where we are planning on staying to what we plan on purchasing first. We took a lot pictures and videos. We highly recommend visiting this location. Just plan on staying several hours.

Richard M — Google review

Love this store. This store is a 10/10 in my book. Love all the different decorations and the little nooks in the Bavarian village area. Also loved seeing the Harry Potter section with the Nutcrackers. Just LOVE the whole store period. The employees we're very nice. I will definitely be coming back again soon

Danielle D — Google review

It is our every holiday tradition to visit this store and if we have guests we definitely bring them here. We have been going to this store from almost 18years and every time find something new. During holidays you definitely get a feel of holidays! Love all the small things like corns, hand made soaps, maple syrup, honey. Kids have done custom shaped wax murals but this time it was closed so kids did personalized candle jar and it was cool. I love their rose candle. It used to have many more stuff but this time I felt bit reduced on few things, it is still a very fun place. They have small stage where Christmas songs are going on and there is fountain which I love it! Different sections with themed Christmas decors is pretty cool. They have trains, fake snow and what not. Kid love their fudge too, overall must place to visit in any season. Once we went in fall and mums decorations were outstanding!

Pu G — Google review

As usual it was pretty expensive. They also took out the popcorn and apparently the little food court is out now as well. Two things I was looking forward to. That said, still a fun place to go.

Steven J — Google review

We love Yankee Candle and we come here all the time with the kids. And believe me there is WAY more here than just candles. It’s such a fun time to just walk around and get out of the cold. It really is Christmas all year round. There’s a Christmas section where it “snows” every couple minutes. Inside they have fudge, Ben and Jerry’s and roasted nuts like cashews and almonds (so good). You can dip your own candles and make your own candles. Hillside Pizza is attached and it’s the best local pizza. Workers are always friendly!

Taylor B — Google review

This is a nice flagship store of Yankee Candle. Besides great selection of different flavored candle, it has a lot of stuff for kitchen and room decoration. It has a dining hall and a counter for custom candle making. It is a fun place to browse and shop, and family gathering.

C W — Google review

This place was huge and had so much more than candles. It had Halloween and Christmas displays and ornaments, all kinds of specialty foods. You can spend hours getting lost. It's worth a look if you are in the area. Great for killing time too.

Jessica P — Google review

This place is amazing they have everything you need. Fun day trip with the kids lots and lots to see. If you're going to see Santa, call ahead and make an appointment. Make sure you look for the giant candle in the back by making your own candle section. Make sure you pick up some homemade fudge for the ride home.

Larry F — Google review

I love Yankee Candle!!! It was absolutely a beautiful and very awesome experience to go there! All the beautiful Christmas lights, trees, snow, village, and food was just so incredible! Without doubt worth going to! Have a great day and Merry Christmas!🎁🎄🎅⛪️⚓️❄️🙏

Jack C — Google review

Great atmosphere, friendly staff so many selections. Lots of parking and wheelchair accessibility and restrooms. Food, coffee and beverages and ice cream stands. Great place to enjoy with family.

Rosa R — Google review

Great place to visit! Make sure you have an hour plus to spare. Tough in / out.Thanks for having a smashed penny machine!We had a ton of fun! Got our hands dipped!Stephen at the front was extremely helpful!

Scuba S — Google review

4.6

(2103)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (166)

4.5

(884)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (167)

25 Greenfield Rd, South Deerfield, MA 01373, USA

(877) 636-7707

30

Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory

Museum of zoology

Nature & Parks

Garden center

Museum

Conservatory with thousands of butterflies, plus an on-site food court, gift shop & outdoor gardens.

This place always brings a smile to my face!! It is such a peaceful, beautiful, magical place! I love walking through the garden enjoying so many beautiful butterflies flying all around you, while listening to the peaceful music playing. There are several benches available so you can sit and enjoy your visit even more. There's not just butterflies either, if you are observant you'll also notice adorable little quails running around. They also have another bird, other insects, some amphibians and some reptiles to enjoy seeing as well. The gift shop is pretty awesome as well. It's a fantastic place, so worth the trip!

Stacey — Google review

Fun experience. Nothing fancy, but was great to see many different types of butterflies. Exhibits before entering the conservatory had some interesting insects and frogs. We enjoyed the time spent here

Thomas K — Google review

Very amazing butterflies!! We got to pet a tortoise, which was quite a magical experience. We loved taking pictures of all the butterflies and animals. All of the staff were so kind, willing to help, and willing to share new information! Highly recommended for anyone, any age! Extremely reasonable pricing.

Zuzanna H — Google review

I think this place is beautiful.You enter, exit and pay through the gift shop. There are a whole lot of butterfly related things to buy, even things you can purchase for home to hatch and release your own butterfly. Some things not butterfly related, but more gift shop related like mood rings.When you first go through the door, there are several living exhibits inside heated cases, I think I was most intrigued by the tiny little frogs, mostly the frogs that looked like little clumps of moss. 😆They have thousands of butterflies everywhere, tropical trees and flowers, lots of quail scooting around the floor underneath the plants, (they are so cute) and a few very beautiful tiny birds if you look good enough, but you can definitely hear them.$16 per adult, $10 per child.It's informative but could be better, education wise. You literally don't do anything but walk around and look and read.I think it would be nice if some of the staff would just randomly walk around and tell you something educational about anything you were looking at or standing near. Not that they would have to go out of their way, it's not a very big place, but it would just be nice.If the butterflies like you, or the way you smell, you will be visited by many. 🙂

Daniele L — Google review

Really such an amazing place. I have grown up going here and love being there. It definitely seems like they've added on which is very cool! Great to see the lizards, frogs and such added. Plus LOVED these little birds! Really such a great, peaceful, fun place to go. I always enjoy it!

Kali W — Google review

Calm and peaceful. Great for people looking to entertain the family. Opportunities for an educational experience. Perfect for photographers. Price has gone up, but hasn’t everything? A bit out of the way for me but perfectly pairs with a trip to Yankee Candle. Nice little road trip, great scenery. Be prepared when you first walk in for the sheer number of butterflies flying around you; be gentle. I recommend leaving jackets in the car as it is exceptionally warm. Been here half a dozen times; doesn’t disappoint!

J C — Google review

Loved it! Puts a smile on your face. Great aquariums filled with various insects and reptiles. Then the main event, the butterfly zone! Well worth the visit.

Bryan D — Google review

Beautiful place to visit. I enjoyed the insanely cute button quail so much!! The lush rainforest full of incredible butterflies was very magical, and the reptiles and poison frog exhibit was fun to explore.

A T — Google review

Love taking the children here. The variety of lizards, insects, and amphibians that are also on display make this a place for anyone to enjoy. Never disappointed in the butterflies other than when we have to leave.

J C — Google review

Had a wedding here in July. It is a beautiful place and very inexpensive especially for the beauty the facility holds. Kathy was extremely kind and helpful and made me feel like the most important and beautiful bride in the world. The photographer was very nice and made sure to get any and all photos I wanted to get. The only thing that takes a star away is the quality of pictures. Some of them came out blurry and dark. Most of them were great quality or able to be quickly brightened. They do however give you a big album full of the most memorable wedding moments and they make sure to get HUNDREDS of pictures! Some photos from the wedding below! Definitely would recommend. Thank you for making my wedding magical! ❤️

Clayre S — Google review

The Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory is incredibly cool. We paid for entrance through the gift shop so had a chance to see what was there on our way in. They have a great selection of puzzles, butterfly feeders and plenty of fun stuff for kids. Before you walk into the butterfly area, there are about 20 tanks with exotic beattles, chameleons and an amazing collection of frogs. Then on to the butterflies. I didn't expect the sheer quantity...they were everywhere! You can wander through at your leisure and we made quite a few laps. I was thrilled that so many landed on me and one hitched a ride on my husband's head for a while. There were quite a few quails running around calling to each other, along with smaller birds up in the trees. The vegetation is all labeled so you know what you are looking at. We were there on a holiday and they were slammed! We're already planning on coming back on a weekday when it's a little quieter. I could really just sit and watch these beauties for hours and my husband loved them too. It was neat to see people of all ages really enjoying the natural beauty here. Magic Wings is a winner!🦋💙

Leah D — Google review

Great place to spend a few hours on a rainy day! All-ages, family friendly. Only $10-15 dollars to enter. Military discounts available. Beautiful and well-maintained. Lots of benches to sit and enjoy the beauty & the sounds.I highly recommend!

Brittany P — Google review

I LOVE the butterfly conservatory, I have been multiple times and as a resident of the area I love bringing my family and friends when they visit. Not only is it simply beautiful to be around all the butterflies but I love the education and conservation efforts most of all. I recently took home a Luna moth cocoon from the gift shop at my last visit for the first time. The moth emerged yesterday morning and we released it last evening. So cool! I will definitely be coming back to do this again 💚

Mackenzie H — Google review

Magic Wings is an amazing place for anyone and everyone, young and old! I could sit here for hours and just enjoy all it has to offer. Make your plans right now to stop and see what they have to offer (Hint: it's not just butterflies). The price is very reasonable and the service is top notch. What are you waiting for?

Bill N — Google review

This place really is magical!! Well cared for animals, beautiful scenery, and interactive activities for children. My daughter loved it and I know we’ll be returning next time we’re visiting our hometown.

Leigh T — Google review

I came on a rainy Sunday at about 1, and it was fairly busy but certainly not too crowded. I use a wheelchair and found it to be very accessible! There are ramps outside and inside the building, the pathways in the conservatory are sufficiently wide, and while I didn’t use the restroom, I checked it out and was happy to find no heavy door to push open and a large stall with handrails (pictured). The butterflies also seemed to quite enjoy the lotion I put on that morning 😂 I had several land on my head and hand, the first one being not even 30 seconds after we entered! 😆 I came here with my family about 10 years ago, and came again now for a relaxing afternoon activity with my boyfriend 🦋 I highly recommend it as a fairly low cost, relaxing activity accessible to everyone, including disabled people/wheelchair users!

M. E — Google review

My girlfriend and I had a wonderful experience during the butterfly exhibit as well as the insects especially since she doesn’t enjoy bugs. The butterflies were gorgeous to look at and the presence of the observatory was peaceful at times. The only thing that doesn’t give this place five stars is the age gap for students discount 18-22 I’m a college student but they don’t consider me one because I exceed the age gap being 25. I understand I am an adult but that doesn’t change the fact that I’m still a college (student)

TSB G — Google review

This place is AMAZING!! It exceeded my expectations so so much! I loved it there, it totally worth the visit! It’s informative and wholesome. Take your time, seat around and just enjoy your time.

Diana S — Google review

I was nervous after reading some of the 1 star reviews but let me tell you this place was awesome! So magical! I LOVED the "stained glass" butterfly the most! The person I was with had a butterfly on them for at least 6 minutes with several staff seeing and doing nothing. I had 2 different ones land on me and no one rushed over. The staff are walking around continuously if that's what those reviewers meant but that's their job. We had a great time. We bought "painted lady" caterpillars and are watching them grow into butterflies. Coolest place for a great price! We drove almost 2 hours to avoid the pike but it was worth the drive! Also it's right up the street from Yankee Candle, so it definitely worth the trip! Will be returning with more people for sure!

Kelly J — Google review

Excellent. Best one I’ve been too. Was great to see all the other exhibits of reptiles and various bugs. Places is really well designed to accommodate a lot of guests comfortably. Plenty of seating areas. Lots of friendly staff to keep things orderly and clean

Jason M — Google review

Magic wings is a great little spot to take young kids. There is a room full of reptiles, amphibians, lizards, and insects, which is a lot of fun to oggle at. The butterfly conversatory is through a door beyond that, so it makes the kids feel like it's hidden or secret, which is fun. As soon as you enter, you are hit by colors and wings and plants and warmth. It's a really magical place.In addition to the butterflies, there are also toirtoises, quails, koi and a few more lizards. There's tons of plants and flowers to look at too and lots of benches to pause and take in the views.The only drawback and the reason I didn't give magic wings 5 stars is because it is relatively small. We went nice and slow and looked at absolutely everything and still only stayed around an hour (which included our time at the gift shop where my 3 year old couldn't decide what he wanted).

Shane G — Google review

Love going here. Super pretty. Kids both love it. I wish I got a picture of the little ground birds because they are also super cute and love free range in the conservatory.

Anna M — Google review

Walk through a tropical indoor botanical garden with 4000 butterflies and many tropical plants. Children and adults will enjoy seeing all the plants as well as the butterflies. A gift store offers items that will attract butterflies as well as other gifts and books.

Julia H — Google review

This place was great! It was quite busy when we went but everyone was friendly and the butterfly sheet made it easy to figure out which butterfly we were seeing. Definitely recommend going for a nice outing!

Tiffany W — Google review

Had such a lovely time here today. I love seeing butterflies back home in the UK, but there is something extra special about seeing exotic species in a warm greenhouse. The density of butterflies is very high here with lots of benches to sit on in the hope one will land on you. I enjoyed watching the females lay eggs on their preferred leaves. There are finches flying around and quails running across the floor between feeding stations. There are a good number of interesting tanks with various frogs, geckos and insects in a room before the butterfly house. I don't think I've seen such a good collection of extras including at my beloved Slimbridge. Toilets were good, staff were great and the shop was full of cool things. There were a great mix of families and young student age visitors here and we were even allowed to park our RV here overnight as most campgrounds are shut this time of the year.

Chris P — Google review

I read the bad reviews because it's kind of a long drive and a little bit pricey, but I'm a big butterfly fan so I went. Anyway. I have to say that anyone that gives this place a negative review is not there for the butterflies. There's so many butterflies. It's amazing. Butterflies landed on me multiple times and no one said anything to me. I wore a very brightly colored dress which worked and I had so many butterflies land on me. We also saw a hummingbird. I went with my 14-year-old and my 10-year-old and my 4-year-old. Me and my 4-year-old could have stayed there all day long. My 14-year-old and 10-year-old quickly got bored. It's also fairly hot in there. From some of the reviews I was worried that my 4-year-old would get yelled at because he is a little meddlesome but he was his regular self and no one said anything to him. This is an amazing place and I would honestly just like to go there by myself and just sit there all day.

Michelle G — Google review

So magical! Tickets are cheap and you can spend as long as you want there! The butterflies were beautiful and the button quail were so cute. Great place for family fun, especially kids and the elderly.

Wajiha — Google review

Brought the grandkids to see the butterflies, frogs, and small reptiles. They also had small birds and turtles and goldfish in the pond. It was great to see all the different varieties of plants and all the different types of butterflies that were flying and landing on people everyone had a great time, the prices were reasonable. There was food available in the food court, and they had plenty of benches for the older people to sit on along with the kids waiting for the butterflies to land on them. They also had hands-on staff that brought turtles and tortoises out for the people to see them and touch them there was plenty of parking and there’s open from 10 to 5 PM. We stepped out for lunch and were able to come back to enjoy more hands-on experiences with the butterflies. You’re not allowed to touch them, but they can land on you at will.

James G — Google review

Very pleasant staff and helpful.We had a great time looking at the frog lizards and insects trying to find them .Then we moved on to the butterfly habitat . You can walk all around and enjoy them zooming by or sit and take in there beautiful colors 🦋

Joe A — Google review

We were looking for a place to stop to break up a long drive with our daughter and I found this place along our route. It was awesome! Their food court is currently closed, which we knew in advance, so we brought food to eat. They have a completely covered picnic area in the outdoor garden. The main attraction is the butterflies but before you enter that room, there is a room full of different critters - lizards, beetles, frogs, insects, etc. That was very interesting. Then come the butterflies. There are thousands of different varieties/species of butterflies flying all over the rooms. There are benches, a gazebo, a couple of small ponds, so it's easy to spend a long time in the butterfly area. It's hard to put the experience into words, so check it out for yourself! Admission is $16 for adults and $10 for kids 3-17. There's also a gift shop.

Johan S — Google review

Amazing place! Would be 5 stars if there was a small ant exhibit! Other than that I really enjoyed seeing the bugs in the display room and the butterflies were beautiful!

Phonic S — Google review

This place was Amazing! It was our 1st time visiting. There were tons of butterflies! They come and land right on you! Such a beautiful relaxing place.

Tiffany B — Google review

I love Magic Wings! Seeing all the butterflies, animals, and flowers is a great way to spend the day. It's so easy to lose a couple of hours in there checking everything out.My husband and I got married there in 2021. If you're looking for a unique wedding venue, this is it.

Kelly A — Google review

One of our favorite places to visit. Great for all ages to enjoy watching butterflies and learning about insects as well as reptiles, amphibians and some birds. There's also small fish ponds. The little birds running around are so cute (and they eat/cleanup dead butterflies)No outside food or drink. Wear bright colors to attract butterflies, but be mindful not to touch them or step on them.Good for a little over an hour. Cute gift shop too.

Tal G — Google review

4.7

(2912)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (168)

4.5

(424)34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (169)

281 Greenfield Rd, South Deerfield, MA 01373, USA

(413) 665-2805

34 Best Stops Between Syracuse and Springfield (2024)
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