Shopping Near Albany - Want to shop 'til you drop and get outta town too?

No problem. Albany is close to some shopping meccas that also offer a change in scenery

Albany shopping is some of the area's best, but for a day's excursion, it's fun to venture out and explore other areas.

Head north on I-87 to Exit 15. For unique gift stores, bookstores, chapeaus, antiques, and lots of ambience head in to downtown Saratoga Springs. Park your car in one of the many municipal lots, and venture out along the brick-lined sidewalks of Historic Saratoga for great shopping and window browsing. Stop in at one of the many cafes and restaurants that line the streets. Dine alfresco and enjoy the sights and sounds of this lively city that bursts with activity year-round, but especially so during July and August.

Head back to Exit 15 but continue past the I-87 entrances, and you find hundreds of name brand stores clustured in shopping plazas and one large mall. Many are cleverly connected through a warren of small entrances and exits, so while traffic can seem congested on the main road, it is often easy to get from one plaza to the other. Chain restaurants also abound in this area -- this is the place to find many familiar eateries.

Another shopping mecca lies farther north along I-87 at Exit 20, just south of Lake George. The area known as the Factory Outlets of Lake George is a collection of four major shopping centers featuring outlet pricing from many well-known brands such as Polo Ralph Lauren, Harry and David, Tommy Hilfinger, Pfaltzgraff, Levi's, Eddie Bauer and much more. There are over 70 stores clustered in this area. Park your car in one of the many conveniently located parking lots, and then head out for some bargain hunting. For refreshments, visit one of the many restaurants located in the area that range from casual fare to fine dining.

Afterward, head north on Rt. 9 to Lake George Village for some kitschy treasures. Stroll along Canada Street and discover everything from dancing hula girls for the dashboard to fine porcelain collectibles for the sideboard. Love antiques? Continue north on Rt. 9 to Warrensburg, the "Antique Capital of the Adirondacks". During fall foliage season in October, Warrensburg hosts The World's Largest Garage Sale where locals' attic treasures vie with vendors' bargain socks, but during the rest of the year, this historic town is an antique lover's delight.

For more antiques, venture south from Albany to Columbia County and the town of Hudson, NY. Over 65 shops are gathered together in this one area. Whether it is primitives you seek, or an elegant display piece for your dining room, you will lose yourself in the ambience of days gone by.

Explore the shopping opportunities in and around Albany and find your own favorites! If we have overlooked an area you would like to see added here, contact us and we will review your suggestion for possible inclusion.