Itineraries

Arriving on the train from New York, you’ll be coming into the Rensselaer Train Station across the Hudson River from Albany. Pick up your car from the Enterprise Car Rental office right in the station. Start your visit in Albany at the New York State Capitol, also home to the Empire Plaza Art Collection and the New York State Museum. You can also visit the Albany Institute of History and Art before an overnight stay at the Morgan State House Inn.

A second day in Albany will have you exploring more locations that are from the same colonial time period as the Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway. After a Walking Tour of Historic Albany explore the Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site, Ten Broeck Mansion, constructed in 1797, and Historic Chery Hill, another property of one of the area’s most prominent families, that tells the story of five generations who lived in the house. Spend another night at the Morgan State House Inn.

Travel this morning to Cohoes and the Riverspark Cohoes Visitor Center. From there, it’s on to Waterford, settled in 1633 where you can learn more about the quaint village at the Waterford Historical Museum and Cultural Center and right next door, visit Champlain Canal Lock 4, before taking the walking tour of Waterford. From there, visit the Waterford Flight of Locks, Waterford Harbor Visitor Center and Peebles Island State Park, and the 1735Van Schaick House on Van Schaick Island. Continuing on the Byway, you’ll pass Harmony Mills Historic District, Cohoes Falls, the Old Military Crossing Historical Market and Freddie’s Park, before reaching Crescent Park, home to the Crescent Church Hill Historic District. Spend the night at the Oak Cliff Bed and Breakfast.

Today, explore the Byway following Riverview Road. Explore the Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve includes Clute’s Dry Dock, Lock 19 and the Whipple Truss Bridge, Vischer Ferry Historic District, Vischer Ferry General Store, Mohawk Landing Nature Preserve and Riverview Orchards. Reaching Schenectady, tour Union College, the Stockade Historic District, visit the Schenectady Historical Society before spending the night at Glen Sanders Mansion.

Before heading out of the area, visit Mabee Farm Historic Site, the oldest farm in the Mohawk Valley dating from 1705. We wish you safe passage if you are heading out on another New York Scenic Byway or a safe and pleasant journey home.

We recommend starting your journey in Saratoga Springs, with a stop at the Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitors Center. Then tour Saratoga National Historical Park, location of the first defeat of the British Army in the American Revolution, and the Saratoga Springs History Museum. “Take waters” at Saratoga Spa State Park before spending the night at the Inn at Saratoga within walking distance to the Beekman Street Arts District and lots of downtown restaurants.

Travel this morning to Cohoes and the Riverspark Cohoes Visitor Center. From there, it’s on to Waterford, settled in 1633 where you can learn more about the quaint village at the Waterford Historical Museum and Cultural Center and right next door, visit Champlain Canal Lock 4, before taking the walking tour of Waterford. From there, visit the Waterford Flight of Locks, Waterford Harbor Visitor Center and Peebles Island State Park, and the 1735 Van Schaick House on Van Schaick Island. Continuing on the Byway, you’ll pass Harmony Mills Historic District, Cohoes Falls, the Old Military Crossing Historical Market and Freddie’s Park, before reaching Crescent Park, home to the Crescent Church Hill Historic District. Spend the night at the Oak Cliff Bed and Breakfast.

Today, explore the Byway following Riverview Road. Explore the Vischer Ferry Nature and Historic Preserve includes Clute’s Dry Dock, Lock 19 and the Whipple Truss Bridge, Vischer Ferry Historic District, Vischer Ferry General Store, Mohawk Landing Nature Preserve and Riverview Orchards. Reaching Schenectady, tour Union College, the Stockade Historic District, visit the Schenectady Historical Society before spending the night at Glen Sanders Mansion.

Before heading out of the area, visit Mabee Farm Historic Site, the oldest farm in the Mohawk Valley dating from 1705. We wish you safe passage if you are heading out on another New York Scenic Byway or a safe and pleasant journey home.