Need a creative, historic Hudson River town with charm and culture? Head to Troy, New York! Once a thriving industrial hub, Troy has transformed into a lively city full of Victorian architecture, artisan markets, and a buzzing arts scene. Whether you’re admiring 19th-century facades, browsing local boutiques, or exploring farm-to-table dining, Troy is upstate New York at its best.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Troy is from spring through fall (May to October). Enjoy mild temperatures perfect for walking downtown, riverside festivals, and exploring local parks. The fall foliage along the Hudson River is especially stunning.

How to Get There

  • If you are traveling by car: Troy is located off I-787 and NY-7, about 15 minutes from Albany and 3 hours from New York City or Boston.
  • By Train: The nearest Amtrak station is in Rensselaer (Albany-Rensselaer), about 20 minutes away by car or ride-share.
  • By Air: Albany International Airport (ALB) is 20–25 minutes from Troy with multiple daily flights from major cities.

Where to Stay

  • Best Western Plus Franklin Square Inn – Comfortable and convenient stay right downtown, perfect for walking to restaurants and events.
  • Gardner Farm Inn – Historic and stylish B&B just outside of downtown, with personalized touches and a peaceful setting.
  • Hilton Garden Inn Troy – Modern hotel near RPI with spacious rooms and an on-site restaurant.

Top Attractions

Joe Bruno Stadium

Watch a ballgame and cheer with locals on a fun family day out.

Joe Bruno Stadium

© StefanoT/stock.adobe.com

Joe Bruno Stadium in the city of Troy, New York is the home field of the minor league Tri-City ValleyCats baseball team, which is part of the historic New York-Penn baseball league. Situated on the Hudson Valley Community College campus, the ballpark is located in the middle of the Capital Region of New York’s tri-city area, which is made up of Troy, Schenectady, and Albany, hence the name “Tri-CIty ValleyCats.” Every year, the Joe Bruno Stadium is home to more than thirty baseball games that take place between the month of June and the month of September.

80 Vandenburgh Ave, Troy, NY 12180, Phone: 518-629-2287

Oakwood Cemetery

Walk peaceful grounds and admire historic monuments during a quiet retirement stroll.

Oakwood Cemetery

© Oakwood Cemetery

The Oakwood Cemetery in the northeastern part of the city of Troy is a rural, non-sectarian cemetery that was established back in 1848 as a response to New England’s growing rural cemetery movement. The cemetery consists of about twenty-nine miles of roads, around sixty thousand graves, twenty-four mausolea, a crematorium, a chapel, two residential buildings, and four man-made lakes. It’s also known for its rolling lawns and dense foliage, and was listed in 1984 on the National Register of Historic Places. Oakwood remains as one of the “most well-preserved and distinguished nineteenth-century rural cemeteries” in the state of New York.

50 101st St, Troy, NY 12180, Phone: 518-272-7520

Tri-City ValleyCats

Catch live baseball and enjoy stadium snacks on a lively weekend outing.

Tri-City ValleyCats

© ccestep8/stock.adobe.com

The Tri-City ValleyCats of New York’s Capital District are a staple for the summer months in Troy, New York, providing entertainment for people of all ages who love an old-fashioned, good baseball game, or even those who may not be die-hard fans. Tri-City ValleyCats games offer much more than just a baseball game, including a variety of promotions, entertainment, and attractions. The “Kids Zone” offers an entertaining space for children with its Bouncy Bounce inflatables, Speed Pitch, and other games. There’s also Sunday Funday, post-game base running, and the pre-game catch-and-stretch among several other game day activities.

80 Vandenburgh Ave, Troy, NY 12180, Phone: 518-629-2287

Romantic Activities and Attractions:

Hart Cluett Museum

Explore Troy’s rich history and see elegant period rooms on a cultural trip.

Hart Cluett Museum

© Hart Cluett Museum

The Hart Cluett Museum is a white marble house among the many nineteenth-century townhouses within the downtown Historic District of Troy. The building has been carefully cared for since it was originally built back in the year 1827. The Hart Cluett Museum today acts as a history museum from a cultural and architectural significance to life in America. While its contemporaries in New York City have been destroyed, the historic Hart Cluett House continues to exemplify the shift in Troy, New York from a commercial to an industrial economic base, offering a look at more than 125 years of private use.

57 2nd St, Troy, NY 12180, Phone: 518-272-7232

EMPAC - Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center

Experience immersive performances and discover cutting-edge art in a bold fall setting.

EMPAC - Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center

© EMPAC - Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center

EMPAC - Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center is located at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and is a place where technology, sciences, and art comes together under one roof. Four excellent venues enable researchers, artists, and audiences to inquire, experience, develop, and experiment with the constantly changing relationship between the world around them, technology, and their senses. The Experimental Media and Performing Arts Center runs an artist-in-residence program and hosts numerous performances and screenings throughout the year that both visitors and locals alike can attend. The center is also home to Evelyn’s Cafe, open daily for lunch and before events.

110 8th Street, Troy, NY 12180, Phone: 518-276-3921

Troy Savings Bank Music Hall

Admire ornate architecture and enjoy perfect acoustics on a magical romantic night.

Troy Savings Bank Music Hall

© Troy Savings Bank Music Hall

Operating as a music hall since 1875, the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall is a must-visit National Historic Landmark while visiting Troy, New York. The structure of the music hall was first built in 1823 when it served as the Troy Savings Bank. Famous across the world for having impeccably and incredible acoustics, the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall has played host to iconic artists and musical legends from all over the world. Among the many to have graced the hall’s stage include Yo-Yo Ma, Ella Fitzgerald, and Vladimir Horowitz, as well as contemporary greats like India Arie, Trey Anastasio, and Boz Scaggs. Lovers of music and connoisseurs of sound ought to come to visit the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall if they haven’t done so yet, as it is the key to experiencing the acoustics that causes this music hall to stand alongside the best in the world.

30 Second Street, Troy, New York 12180, Phone: 518-273-0038

Houston Field House

Watch college hockey and feel the crowd's energy during a thrilling winter game.

Houston Field House

© .shock/stock.adobe.com

The Houston Field House at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a multi-use arena and the third oldest college hockey rink in the United States after the Hobey Baker Memorial Rink at Princeton University and the Matthews Arena at Northeastern University. The Houston Field House is also the second oldest hockey arena within the ECAC Hockey League, right after Princeton University’s hockey rink. On the Field House’s western wall are the banners honoring the championship wins for the AWCHA, ECAC, and the NCAA, while the “America’s Pep Band” is positioned along the eastern wall during hockey games.

1900 Peoples Ave, Troy, NY 12180, Phone: 518-276-6262

If you are traveling with kids:

Burden Iron Works Museum

Discover Troy’s industrial past and explore engineering marvels on a cheap educational visit.

Burden Iron Works Museum

© Hudson Mohawk Industrial Gateway

The Burden Iron Works Museum along the Wynantskill Creek and the Hudson River in the city of Troy was once an industrial and iron works complex. It formerly housed the Burden Water Wheel, which was the most powerful “vertical water wheel” in the history of the industry. It’s a widely believed story the the inventor of the “Ferris Wheel,” George Washington Gale Ferris, Jr., had occasionally observed the water wheel during his time as a student at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

1 E Industrial Pkwy, Troy, NY 12180, Phone: 518-274-5267

Prospect Park

Go walking under leafy trees and relax by the water in spring.

Prospect Park

© Prospect Park

The city-owned and maintained Prospect Park in Troy, New York is one of the city’s three major parks. Consisting of around eighty acres once owned by the Warren Family and deeded to the city in 1902, the park is open to the public every year from the beginning of April through the beginning of November. Prospect Park consists of numerous recreational areas and facilities, including nature trails, a picnic pavilion, spray pool, comfort station, a soccer field, a softball field, playgrounds, two basketball courts, four handball courts, and fourteen tennis courts. Visitors can find eight parking areas around the park.

65 Prospect Park Road, Troy NY 12180, Phone: 518-235-7761

Must-see if you are a first-time visitor:

  • Troy Waterfront Farmers Market – A year-round market featuring local produce, crafts, music, and food vendors.
  • The Arts Center of the Capital Region – Classes, exhibitions, and public art in the heart of downtown.
  • Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) – Explore the historic campus and tech-focused galleries like EMPAC.
  • Washington Park and Prospect Park – Enjoy green spaces, scenic views, and walking trails in Troy’s oldest public parks.

Where to Eat

  • Peck’s Arcade – Trendy New American dining in an intimate, ever-changing menu setting with craft cocktails.
  • Lucas Confectionery – Cozy wine bar serving small plates in a beautifully restored historic space.
  • Dinosaur Bar-B-Que – Lively outpost of the NY barbecue chain offering smoky classics near the Hudson River.

If you are interested in local events:

  • Rockin’ on the River (Summer) – Free outdoor concert series held weekly along the Hudson Riverfront.
  • Victorian Stroll (December) – Annual holiday celebration with costumed performers, horse-drawn carriages, and festive cheer.
  • Troy River Fest (June) – Celebration of local art, music, food, and community in downtown Troy.

If you are looking for unique day trips within 30 Minutes of Troy, New York:

  • Albany (15–20 min) – Visit the New York State Capitol, Empire State Plaza, and museums in the state’s capital city.
  • Cohoes Falls (20 min) – Witness the powerful waterfall that once helped power the region’s mills and factories.
  • Grafton Lakes State Park (30 min) – Hike, swim, or snowshoe through scenic trails and lake views.
  • Downtown Schenectady (30 min) – Explore Proctors Theatre, the historic Stockade District, and Union College campus.
  • Mechanicville (25 min) – Visit a charming river town with canal history and small-town diners.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • What is Troy, New York known for?
    • Troy is known as the "Home of Uncle Sam" and the "Collar City", reflecting its historical significance in American culture and industry.
  • What attractions does Troy offer for visitors and locals?
    • The city boasts a unique array of things to do, including:
      • Historic sites
      • A vibrant culture and arts scene
      • Exciting events along the Hudson River
      • Outdoor recreation
      • Museums
      • Sports activities
      • Delicious food
  • Are there public events in Troy?
    • Yes! Troy hosts numerous public events throughout the year, bringing together the community and visitors for entertainment and celebration.
  • Where is Uncle Sam buried?
    • The city is home to the burial site of "Uncle Sam", a historical landmark for those interested in American heritage.
  • Is Troy a good destination for all ages?
    • Absolutely! There’s plenty to do in Troy for people of all ages, making it a great place to visit or live.

At a Glance:


Best Time to Visit Places to Stay Tips for Visiting
Spring (March-May) – Mild temperatures and blooming flowers. Courtyard by Marriott Albany Troy/Waterfront – A comfortable stay with river views. Stroll through downtown Troy – Explore historic architecture, art galleries, and local shops.
Summer (June-August) – Warm and ideal for outdoor events. Hilton Garden Inn Troy – A convenient hotel near Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Visit the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market – Enjoy fresh local produce, artisan goods, and live music.
Fall (September-November) – Crisp air, vibrant foliage, and seasonal festivals. Best Western Plus Franklin Square Inn – A well-rated hotel in a prime downtown location. Explore Prospect Park – Take in stunning fall colors and city views.
Winter (December-February) – Cold and festive with holiday events. The Gardner Farm Inn – A charming bed & breakfast with a cozy atmosphere. Experience Troy’s Victorian Stroll – Enjoy holiday lights, music, and performances throughout downtown.

Plan Your Trip


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