Best Day Trips from Albany, NY
Ready to unplug from the daily routine and take a day trip from the state's capital? Upstate New York is full of charming towns, scenic landscapes, and historic spots I explored on my recent four week road trip. This is exactly why I decided to share my favourite things near Albany so that you can use my guide as an inspiration to plan your own road trip. My guide has the ones I recommend, and I think you’ll enjoy them too.
- Lenox, Massachusetts - 50-minute drive from Albany
- Lake George - 55 minutes from Albany
- Catskill Scenic Trail - 1 hour 15 minutes from Albany
- Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks - 2 hours 15 minutes from Albany
- Herkimer Diamond Mines - 1 hour 25 minutes from Albany
- Howe Caverns - 45 minutes from Albany
- Kaaterskill Falls - 55 minutes from Albany
- Shawangunk Mountains - 1 hour 10 minutes from Albany
Lenox, Massachusetts - 50-minute drive from Albany
This is one of the most romantic day-trip destinations in western Massachusetts. We started our road trip here.
We began at The Mount, Edith Wharton’s elegant estate, where manicured gardens and sweeping views set the tone for the day.
My favorite part was strolling the paths behind the house, surrounded by tall trees and mountain air.
Later, we explored downtown Lenox, which had a refined yet cozy charm, with classic New England buildings, small bookstores, galleries, and cafés.
We stopped for lunch at a local spot and shared a warm, comforting dish that felt perfect for the setting—simple, hearty, and deeply satisfying after the morning air.
A hidden highlight on our road trip was ending the afternoon at Tanglewood, even without a concert—just walking the grounds, laying out a blanket, and soaking in the calm of a place so steeped in music and history.
We also picked up bits of local history along the way, learning how Lenox became a retreat for writers, artists, and dreamers, which made the town feel even more intentional and special.
What I loved best:
As evening settled in and the mountains softened into shadow, walking through Lenox felt quietly magical, my favorite highlight.
Lake George - 55 minutes from Albany
This lake sits about an hour north in the Adirondacks and is one of my favorite vacation ideas.
We started the morning early with coffee in the car, which was a brilliant idea because the drive itself felt magical and exciting as the mountains slowly showed up.
Once we arrived near the village, parking was surprisingly affordable and the whole area felt vibrant but still relaxed.
First thing we did was walk along the waterfront, which was honestly one of my favorite experiences and a spectacular way to ease into the day.
The lake water looked unreal, almost dream-like, and we could already tell this was going to be an amazing underrated escape from city life.
After that, we hopped on a boat cruise, which is absolutely the best way to see Lake George and something I highly recommend based on what you see in my photos.
The views from the water were next-level cool, with islands everywhere, and it felt romantic but also fun for families which made it unique.
Once back on land, we grabbed lunch in the village and found a small spot that felt like a local gem with outdoor seating and awesome vibes.
In the afternoon we explored Million Dollar Beach, which was clean, spacious, and one of the most relaxing experiences of the day.
Later on we did a short hike nearby, since Lake George is surrounded by heaps of trails and scenic lookouts that are some of the absolute best in upstate New York.
Before heading back toward Albany, we wandered through local shops which felt joyful and interesting without being too touristy.
Catskill Scenic Trail - 1 hour 15 minutes from Albany
This is such an underrated gem we didn’t expect at all.
The Catskill Scenic Trail is located about an hour southwest of Albany, near towns like Roxbury and Grand Gorge, which made it an easy day trip.
First thing we did was park near the Roxbury trailhead, and right away the peaceful vibe felt like magic.
We started walking slowly, soaking in the spectacular mountain views, old railroad bridges, and vibrant greenery that felt unreal.
This trail is flat and super affordable to enjoy. As we kept going, we noticed how quiet everything was, which made the whole experience feel hidden and unique.
One of my favorite parts was crossing the historic bridges, they looked so cool and unusual, especially in my photos.
Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks - 2 hours 15 minutes from Albany
This felt like a hidden gem we didn't expect. I instantly thought our journey was worth it!
We started the morning early driving north toward the Adirondacks, about two and a half hours from Albany which felt like the perfect weekend getaway.
The Grand Canyon of the Adirondacks is near Keeseville and Ausable Chasm, and even the drive there felt exciting and kind of magical.
Once we parked and walked in, the sound of rushing water already made the experience feel special.
We decided to do the scenic walk first, which was a brilliant idea because the views just kept getting better.
The stone bridges, deep sandstone walls, and powerful Ausable River were absolutely spectacular and very underrated.
We crossed the suspension bridge next, which was my favorite part and also a little scary but very cool.
Looking down into the canyon was an amazing experience and felt like one of the most exciting moments of the day.
Later we slowed things down and explored some of the smaller trails which felt peaceful and romantic in a quiet way.
We brought snacks and just sat listening to the water, which was joyful and relaxing after all the walking.
I loved how affordable this trip was compared to bigger parks, making it one of the absolute best day trips.
Before leaving, we stopped at the viewpoints again because it felt like magic seeing the light change.
Herkimer Diamond Mines - 1 hour 25 minutes from Albany
Nestled in the Mohawk Valley of upstate New York, this is one of the most unexpectedly memorable low-key adventures I’ve had.
Stepping onto the rocky fields, we immediately felt the excitement of slowing down and focusing on something simple—searching together for those naturally sparkling quartz crystals hidden in plain sight.
There was something grounding about sitting side by side with our tools, carefully turning stones and sharing little bursts of joy whenever one of us spotted a crystal catching the sunlight.
My favorite part was how unhurried the experience felt. Time seemed to stretch as we talked, laughed, and compared finds, celebrating even the smallest discoveries like they were treasures.
Between digging sessions, we wandered through the surrounding grounds, enjoying the open sky and fresh air that made the whole experience feel both peaceful and playful.
We stopped by the gift shop afterward, admiring polished Herkimer diamonds and learning more about the area’s geology, which made our own finds feel even more special.
A short drive took us to nearby nature spots along the Mohawk River, where we walked hand in hand and let the quiet scenery sink in.
What I loved best:
Ending the day at a cozy local diner nearby, sharing comfort food and spreading our small collection of crystals across the table, reliving our favorite moments and deciding which ones we’d keep as souvenirs of the day.
Howe Caverns - 45 minutes from Albany
We started the morning early and the drive itself already felt like a mini weekend getaway, with rolling hills and farmland setting the mood for an exciting and affordable adventure.
Once we arrived at Howe Caverns, we grabbed our tickets first and walked around the entrance area, which already felt cool and unusual, like stepping into a different world.
The guided tour was the next step and easily one of the most amazing underrated experiences, as we descended deep underground and instantly felt that magic cave air.
Walking through the caverns was my favorite part, with massive rock formations, dripping stalactites, and vibrant lighting that made everything feel like a dream.
Then came the boat ride, which was absolutely the best and most unique part of the experience, floating through an underground river felt romantic and kind of surreal.
Our guide shared interesting stories about the history of Howe Caverns and how it became one of the most spectacular natural attractions near Albany.
After the tour, we explored the gift shop and outdoor areas, which made it a joyful and relaxed family friendly stop without feeling rushed.
We took a short break outside, soaking in the fresh air and realizing this was such an underrated spot that more people should know about for their own road trip.
Kaaterskill Falls - 55 minutes from Albany
Ready for a nature-filled escape? Kaaterskill Falls (my #7 day trip from Albany) was an absolute standout! Tucked into the Catskills, this iconic waterfall gave us a perfect mix of adventure, beauty, and quiet romance that made it one of our favorite New York day trips.
We started on the scenic trail, surrounded by towering trees and the fresh mountain air that instantly slowed our pace and cleared our heads.
As we hiked, each overlook revealed dramatic views of the gorge, building anticipation with the sound of rushing water growing louder at every turn.
Reaching Kaaterskill Falls was breathtaking. The two-tiered cascade thundered down the rock face, mist catching the sunlight and creating a moment that felt both powerful and peaceful.
We lingered near the viewing areas, and just taking it all in—nature putting on a show that didn’t need any embellishment.
After the hike, we explored nearby mountain roads, stopping at a small café where warm drinks and shared bites felt especially earned after the climb.
The drive back through the Catskills was just as memorable, with rolling hills and golden light filtering through the trees, making the whole day feel cinematic.
What I loved best:
I loved standing together at the upper overlook, watching the water pour endlessly below us, my favorite highlight.
Shawangunk Mountains - 1 hour 10 minutes from Albany
One of my favourite day trips from Albany was heading south toward the mountains, about an hour and a half drive and totally worth it for a weekend getaway.
We started early in the morning with coffee in hand, driving past small towns and farmland before those dramatic cliffs suddenly appeared, which already felt like magic.
The Shawangunks felt like a hidden gem tucked near New Paltz, and it honestly surprised me how close this spectacular place was to Albany.
First thing we did was park near Mohonk Preserve and lace up our boots, because hiking here is the best experience if you want those iconic views.
We chose an underrated trail that climbed slowly, and every turn felt exciting as the forests opened up to rocky overlooks.
Reaching the first viewpoint was my favorite moment. After hiking, we relaxed near one of the small lakes, which felt romantic but also perfect for a family picnic.
Later we drove a few minutes to New Paltz for lunch, which was an awesome and affordable break before more exploring.
For me, Shawangunk Mountains are one of my best day trips from Albany.
In the afternoon we wandered around the base of the mountains, discovering cool rock formations and unusual trails that felt very unique, my favorite highlight.
Congratulations for reading through all my Best Day Trips from Albany, NY on a Road Trip. I hope that our experiences inspire you to go on your own road trip to one (or more!) of my favorite USA destinations!
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, we've found that buying the America the Beautiful Pass is cost effective.
