Adirondacks/North Country
Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton and Warren Counties including the cities of Plattsburgh and Glens Falls and the villages of Lake George, Lake Placid and Speculator.
The Adirondacks/North County brings famous artists and regional history and folklore to life. The Hyde Collection, a world renowned museum in Glens Falls, has works from daVinci, El Greco, Degas, Botticelli, Renoir, Cezanne, van Gogh, Picasso and more. The Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake is considered one of America's finest outdoor museums and called, “the best of its kind in the world,” by The New York Times. The Fort William Henry Museum in Lake George Village commemorates events during the French & Indian War from 1754-1763, when the fort commanded the southern end of Lake George. Then there's the history of local folklore –– the famed “Lake George Monster” –– which was admittedly created as a practical joke in 1904. The original monster, fittingly named “Georgie,” is on display at the Clifton F. West Historical Museum in Hague and a replica can be found at the Lake George Historical Museum. Many towns in the Adirondacks/North Country, in fact, have a museum dedicated to their local history.
Capital Region
Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Washington Counties including the cities of Albany, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady and Troy and the towns of Bethlehem, Colonie, Guilderland, Greenwich, Mechanicville and Schoharie.
The Capital Region arts scene is alive, varied and vibrant year round. From an underground arts scene, museums, unique galleries, and a handful of performing arts centers, if you are a lover of the arts, you will love this area. The Albany Institute of History & Art is dedicated to collecting, preserving, interpreting and promoting interest in the history, art and culture of Albany and the upper Hudson Valley region. The New York State Museum in downtown Albany explores the cultural and natural history of New York State and hosts a family fun weekend during the first weekend of every month. There’s also the Schenectady Museum & Suits-Bueche Planetarium, the Children’s Museum of Science and Technology and the Empire State Aerosciences Museum. If you want to see a concert or live performance, the Times Union Center, the Palace Theatre and Proctors host numerous music artists and theatrical shows throughout the year.
Hudson Valley
Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange and Ulster Counties including the cities of Hudson, Kingston, Newburgh and Poughkeepsie and the town of New Paltz.
For art lovers and history buffs, the Hudson Valley is sure to please. The Olana State Historic Site in Hudson is the home and estate of Hudson River School painter Frederic Church, and its 250 acres offer visitors numerous opportunities for tours, family programs and recreational activities. The Martin Van Buren National Historic Site was the home and farm of the eighth president of the United States; it’s also where Van Buren managed two presidential campaigns and entertained politicians and celebrities during the turbulent 1840’s and 1850’s. Time & Space Limited Theater Company was founded in 1973 and moved to Hudson in 1991, where it expanded its role as an avant garde theater company to include becoming a community arts organization, while always keeping theater at its core. The Hudson Valley also features numerous specialty shops offering unique gifts, clothing and antiques created in the Hudson Valley by talented local artisans.
Mohawk Valley
Herkimer, Fulton and Montgomery Counties including the cities of Amsterdam, Gloversville, Herkimer, Johnstown and Little Falls.
Performing arts and visual arts are vital in Fulton County; community theater and civic bands are a presence in the two major cities. There are three permanent art galleries in the county, the Vrooman Gallery, housed in the YWCA of the Adirondack Foothills, the Perrella Gallery at Fulton-Montgomery Community College, as well as the Chamber of Commerce art gallery. Several smaller galleries throughout Fulton County are operated by individual artists who work in various media including metal, oil, watercolors, textiles and wood. Additionally, the Sacandaga Valley Arts Network, an all-volunteer, not-for-profit, cultural development corporation, annually sponsors “Cabin Fever” concerts and "Evenings with the Arts", a series of home-studio visits, slide shows, lectures and field trips. The Arkell Museum and Canajoharie Library features a nationally known collection of 350 paintings and sculpture by American artists, including 21 oils and watercolors by Winslow Homer. The Walter Elwood Museum of the Mohawk Valley in Amsterdam has approximately 25,000 artifacts that fall into four categories: multicultural, Victorian, natural history, and items that relate to Mohawk Valley's colorful industrial past.