Head East for 10 Fun & Fantastic Things to Do 90 Minutes or Less From Albany, NY
Looking for fun things to do close to Albany? Itching to explore places you haven't been to? Want to take a quick day trip with family or friends? Albany is not far from the Massachusetts border, and Western Mass is filled with aerial adventure parks, remarkable museums, and more.
Learn About the Berkshires & Native Americans at the Bidwell House Museum
The Bidwell House Museum is a historic house and museum of art in Monterey, about an hour from Albany. The restored 1700s house is filled with antiques from Native Americans and those who lived in the Berkshires centuries ago. Visitors can expect to see a wide collection of authentic pieces, including quilts, needlework, china, baskets, furniture, and more.
The property includes 192 acres of gardens, woods, and trails. The grounds are open to the public year-round for hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. The museum is open, and house tours are typically offered from Memorial Day through October.
Google reviewers highlight how immersive the experience is, giving you a full understanding of the house's history and the antiques.
Inspire a Love of Reading With Your Kids at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
You haven't experienced The Very Hungry Caterpillar like this before! The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, named for the author of the popular kid's book, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting a love of art and reading.
This colorful, eye-catching museum boasts 7,300 illustrations in the permanent collection, three art galleries, an art studio, a theater, and more, including educational programs. The museum also highlights other children's book authors and illustrators. The Eric Carle Museum is in Amherst, about 90 minutes from Albany.
"What a wonderful museum this is," one Google reviewer said. "[It] brings me back to a part of my childhood that I miss dearly."
Explore History, Science, Art & Dr. Seuss at the Springfield Museums
You can visit five museums for one admission price at the Springfield Museums, 90 minutes from Albany! The Springfield Science Museum, the Lyman and Merrie Wood Museum of Springfield History, the George Walter Vincent Smith Art Museum, the Michele and Donald D'Amour Museum of Fine Arts, and the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum, which includes a sculpture garden, all make up the "quadrangle."
All the museums are in close proximity to one another and you can walk from one to the next. Visit live animals and check out dinosaur displays at the science museum; see a massive collection of American, Asian, and European creations at the art museums; and learn about the history of the Connecticut River Valley at the history museum.
Springfield's newest museum, the Amazing World of Dr. Seuss, opened in 2017. The first floor features fun, bright, interactive exhibits, such as a giant marble maze, a Seuss bakery, and a Lorax recycling game. The second floor features items and memorabilia Dr. Seuss himself owned and used.
Whether you check out all five museums or just a few, there is something of interest for all ages.
Embrace All Forms of Art & Music at MASS MoCA
MASS MoCA is one of the largest centers for contemporary visual art and performing arts in the country.
Music, dance, film, photography, painting - they have it all! They're especially known for their large-scale exhibitions, boundary-crossing works of art, and performing arts. They host over 75 performances a year, including the FreshGrass Festival, a massive three-day event that takes place each September.
In addition to the exhibits and performances, the campus has cafes, a restaurant, ice cream, a microbrewery, and an ice skating rink. Come to North Adams, just about an hour away from Albany, to experience all this innovative center offers.
Dive Into a World of Iconic Illustrations & Paintings at the Norman Rockwell Museum
As an ode to his efforts to portray American life in unique depictions, the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge, about 45 minutes from Albany, hosts a collection of Rockwell's most significant works. The museum features everything from his original artwork to his studio, personal memorabilia, and more.
His paintings exude a specific style that is instantly recognizable by many Americans. The Norman Rockwell Museum preserves, studies, and shares with the world the art and life of this hugely popular artist.
Google reviewers of the museum have called it a "must-see" museum and described it as a "spectacular display of all of his work." Whether you are an art enthusiast, a history buff, or just want to see something new, the Norman Rockwell Museum is the destination for you.
Experience a Wide Variety of European and American Art at The Clark Art Institute
Don't miss the opportunity to visit one of the country's well-known art museums. The Clark Art Institute blends art, history, education, and research to create a unique museum experience.
The permanent collection houses paintings, sculptures, European and American decorative arts, photography, and more. It is also a significant center of educational programs and outreach and has an impressive art research library with over 275,000 volumes in over 65 languages.
One highlight of the museum that guests especially love is the collection of 19th-century French paintings. The collection boasts works from celebrated artists like Claude Monet and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Located an hour from Albany in Williamstown, the gorgeous 140-acre property offers a breathtaking experience both inside and out.
Swing High From the Treetops at Ramblewild
If you were a child who loved climbing trees and maybe even had a treehouse, Ramblewild has the ultimate adventure for you! Their tree-to-tree adventure park in Lanesborough is about 45 minutes away from Albany. In addition to the aerial park, they have a low ropes course, 30 miles of walking and hiking trails, and in the winter, they offer snowshoeing.
The treetop park spans 10+ acres and has a ravine with a 200-foot suspension bridge over it. The park's focal point is a wooden platform about 10 feet up from the ground, which is the starting point for its eight aerial obstacle courses.
The adventure park is commended for its kind staff, challenging obstacles, and incredible fun that make the whole experience worth it.
Discover the Fascinating Culture of the Shakers at Hancock Shaker Village
Have you heard of the Shakers? They got their name because of the trembling, whirling, and shaking they engaged in during ecstatic worship services, and they're considered to be one of the most fascinating religious and social movements in American history.
Hancock Shaker Village, about 45 minutes from Albany in Pittsfield, has the largest documented collection of Shaker artifacts available to the public at an original restored Shaker site. The living history museum comprises 20 authentic buildings, a working farm, gardens, and over 20,000 items.
Past visitors rave over being able to step back in time to see what it was like to live in this unique civilization. Experience life like never before at the Hancock Shaker Village.
Coast, Raft, Bike, Zipline & Ski at Berkshire East Mountain Resort
Berkshire East Mountain Resort has dozens of trails for skiing and snowboarding and an entire snowtubing park. They're the first ski area in the world to generate 100% of their power from on-site renewable energy. Although known for their green efforts and incredible skiing terrain on 45 trails, the outdoor fun and adventures continue all year long.
There are ziplines, an aerial adventure park, whitewater rafting, the Thunderbolt Mountain Coaster, the Thunder Mountain Bike Park, and more. Experience some of the longest ziplines on the planet or the mountain coasters' unique braking system that allows riders to control their speed. This four-season resort is in Charlemont, about 90 minutes from Albany.
Whether you're looking to find fun things to do near Albany with your family or a group of friends, Western Massachusetts has something for everyone, from history to art to outdoor attractions. The next time you want to try something new, head east!
For when you're sticking around Albany, check out more ideas for things to do at the link below: