Plan a Day Trip to Glens Falls, Just an Hour North of Albany
Glens Falls is a summer hotspot you won't want to miss! Located just under an hour's drive north of Albany, Glens Falls is a destination for the whole family. Between the arts, cuisine, and beautiful scenery, here are some of the can't-miss spots and activities in the area that you'll want to include in your day trip plans.
Attend Summer Festivals Featuring Food, Live Music & the Arts
Between food, the arts, and live music, Glens Falls is the place to be during the summer months! Below are some of our favorite summer happenings you could plan your day trip around, but you can also check out the events calendar to find even more upcoming fun.
Theater fans take note: Adirondack Theatre Festival puts on a series of contemporary shows and musicals at the Charles R. Wood Theater throughout the summer that you won't want to miss. If you're bringing little ones along, ATF usually has a "dinner theater for kids" show that they would love.
On Wednesday evenings (in July and August 2021), come downtown to "take a bite" of what local restaurants have to offer! Vendors sell small plates of their top menu items from 5-7PM, and the plates range from just $1-5 each.
If you want a major taste of the region's arts and culture, plan your day trip to coincide with the Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council's (LARAC) Summer Arts Festival. 15,000 people come to the Glens Falls City Park in the heart of downtown each year to browse the wares of 150 artisans and vendors. At this festival you'll find food, jewelry, fine art, decorations, clothing, and anything else you may imagine, with a backdrop of live entertainment by local musicians and entertainers. The 2021 LARAC Summer Arts Festival is being held in August this year, on August 14 & 15.
Sip & Sample Local Wines
If you have wine lovers in your day trip group, you'll want to schedule a tasting at one of Adirondack Winery's three locations in the region. New this year, the winery is offering tastings at its Queensbury Winemaking Facility, in addition to its Lake George and Bolton Landing tasting rooms.
All tastings include 7 samples of their fruit-infused and traditional varietal wines, and you can add on food items like locally-produced cheeses and chocolates to take your tasting to the next level.
Once you find your favorite wine, be sure to take a bottle (or a few) home with you!
Explore Hotspots of History and Art
History and art are ready to be explored in several spots around the city.
For local history, there's no better place to go than The Chapman Museum, which tells the story of the region through prints, hands-on galleries, and educational programs. Visitors of all ages will love learning more about this area and the people who have lived here for centuries.
If paintings, sculptures, and antique furniture are more to your liking, The Hyde Collection is the place to go. Set in the historic former home of art collectors Louis and Charlotte Hyde, The Hyde Collection features a core collection of works that is comparable to that of museums in major cities. Visit their website for more information about their permanent collection and current exhibitions, and to reserve your tickets.
Just a few doors down from The Hyde Collection, the World Awareness Children's Museum is the perfect destination for families with kids of all ages. This museum is the door to other worlds, where kids can play, interact, storytell, learn, and create crafts of their own.
Relax With Comfortable Dining & Handcrafted Brews
Downtown Glens Falls, especially during the summer months, is filled with charming restaurants and live music.
Located on Glen Street, Davidson Brothers is the perfect, family-friendly place for a night out. Whether it's mac 'n cheese bakes, savory chicken wings, salads or rich soups, nothing on the menu will disappoint. Davidson Brothers is known for their bestselling, traditional ales, which are brewed directly on site.
If you're looking for an upscale date-night dinner, Craft on 9 is the perfect combination of a cozy atmosphere and fine dining. This bistro-style restaurant uses locally sourced ingredients for a fresh and frequently changing menu. A rotating selection of craft brews, wines, and cocktails is always available.
Rent a Bike & Hit the Trails
Looking to get active or try out something new while you're in the area? Bike riding is a great way to stay healthy, and it's easier than ever to do in Glens Falls.
If you're new to biking or don't have one of your own, the new program CDPHP Cycle! offers relatively cheap bike rentals, and there's a hub right at the entrance of the Warren County Bike Trail. This trail stretches from Glens Falls to Lake George, with restaurants and shops along the way. Don't forget to stop for ice cream at Cooper's Cave Ale Company while riding along the bike trail in Glens Falls!
Shop 'Til You Drop
The Glens Falls region has lots of great places to shop for locally made goods, antiques, clothing, and so much more.
Glenwood Manor Antiques in Queensbury, repeatedly voted Best Antique Shop in the region, has room after room of one-of-a-kind finds for your home.
If you're looking for handmade gifts, unique clothing and accessories, and even delicious Adirondack maple syrup, the three floors of the Silo Country Store have it all. In addition to their incredible store, The Silo Restaurant has one of the best breakfasts in the area, along with year-round apple cider donuts!
Add a scenic 20-minute road trip on to your day trip to visit Locust Grove Smokehouse in Argyle, southeast of Glens Falls. This family-run smokehouse and retail country store is another great stop for local food products that you won't find anywhere else.
Make Glens Falls Your Next Day Trip Destination
Whether you're coming for the delicious food, exciting arts scene, or local shops, Glens Falls is the place to be.