Where to Find the Best Cider in the Capital Region

Fall has finally arrived, and with the changing from summer to autumn, the weather is brisk and the colors are gorgeous with the leaves creating a rainbow of orange, yellow, brown, and tan colors. With Halloween come and gone, now it's time to find a few additional outdoor activities for fun for all ages, and a good place to start is at parks in and near Albany. Albany Pine Bush Preserve The Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission is a 3,300-acre environmentally-friendly ecosystem offering a variety of must-see and must-do activities. The landscape features delicate sand dunes and almost 20 miles of distinctive trails for hiking, jogging, biking, and horseback riding. Bring your fishing gear and drop a line or a canoe for a leisurely and relaxing trip. There's also mountain biking, nature study, and cross-country skiing. At the Discovery Center, numerous programs are available from natural history to ecology. The state-of-the-art facility is dedicated to educating visitors to the importance of the preserve and why it's so rare through the use of interactive exhibits and the Discovery Trail. The center has free admission and is open daily. more Washington Park A beautiful park with plenty of walking paths winding through the woods and around the lake, Washington Park features the King Memorial Fountain (The Moses Fountain), circa 1893, which is impressive on many levels. There are recreational activities such as ice skating, tennis, biking, and basketball. The park has events and festivals throughout the year such as the Capital Holiday Lights in the Park for the Christmas holidays, Taste of the Holidays for spirits and food, the Lantern Parade, the annual Tulip Festival in the spring, and more. Schodack Island New York State Park Just 20 minutes away in Schodack Landing, enjoy traversing the eight miles of trails in the 1,052-acre park. Schodack Island is bustling with life, as it is home to the Bird Conservation Area with resident bald eagles, blue herons, and cerulean warblers. Hike along the eastern Hudson shores, which enhances an already beautiful hiking environment. Picnic tables and grills are dispersed throughout the park along with playing fields and boat launches. During the winter, the park is a prime location for ice skating, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Saratoga Spa State Park Like Schodack Island State Park, Saratoga Spa State Park is known as a winter destination for snowshoeing, ice skating, cross-country skiing, and ice hockey. For fall fun, the park has a plethora of activities including a nature trail, certified running courses, biking, golfing, fishing, tennis, recreational programs, museums, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, and the Spa Little Theater. Picnic tables, pavilions, swimming pools, mineral spas, and historic landmarks are all part of this year-round park just 30 minutes from Albany. Whatever time of year you choose to get out and about for some fresh air and recreation, Albany has plenty of activities, events, and entertainment to choose from. Whether it's a day of hiking and biking or ice skating and skiing, there's always something to do at one of these area parks.

Family outings for dining are something to look forward to with the many fine family restaurants serving delectable menus in Latham. For your next dining excursion, consider the menus at these local restaurants. El Mariachi For a taste of south of the border, El Mariachi has the menu with a variety of traditional favorites. This is a classic Mexican restaurant with the vibe to match with friendly service, lively atmosphere, colorful decor, and delicious food. Dine indoors or enjoy the festive lighting on the outdoor patio. A few of the authentic favorites served include burritos, tortas, flautas, enchiladas, tostadas, tacos, Mexican style meatballs, Camarones Rancheros, Huevos Rancheros, Pollo San Marco, and much more. The restaurant is open starting at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. more Sake For a taste of the Orient, bring your appetite to Sake to satisfy your taste buds and squelch your hunger pangs. When you want to enjoy a nice dinner with the family in an atmosphere of ambiance and good taste, the Japanese steakhouse aims to please with an extensive menu of appetizers, specialty entrees, hibachi combos, sushi, signature rolls, and assorted beverages. The kid's menu also offers an assortment of tasty dishes including steak, seafood, and chicken designed for children ages 10 and under. Sake opens every day for lunch at 11:30 a.m. and for dinner at 3 p.m. Latham 76 Diner No matter when your hunger pangs set in, there's always something being served at the Latham 76 Diner, which is open 24/7. Whether you're stopping by with the family for American fare such as a juicy burger and fries or enjoying the all-day breakfast offerings, the atmosphere is friendly and inviting. For the adults, you can sip a cocktail or enjoy a glass of wine or a cold beer. For the kids, the dessert menu will tickle their fancy with offerings such as strawberry banana cake, assorted pies, or decadent baklava cheesecake. Bella Napoli Bakery and Café A taste of culinary delights from Italy are served up for breakfast and lunch at Bella Napoli Bakery and Café. The family-friendly cafe offers a variety of delicious breakfast favorites from traditional eggs and bacon to frittatas and egg white sandwiches. Lunch is equally pleasing with fresh bread stacked with pastrami, corned beef, roast beef, and more. Save room for one of the bakery's pastries to satisfy your cravings for something sweet. The café is open Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Karavalli For a dash of spice and sizzle, Karavalli is the place to go for freshly prepared Indian cuisine. Enjoy tandoori, biriyani, Indian breads, vegetarian specialties, and Karavalli specials to please the palate. Using the freshest ingredients available, your family will be transported to a pleasing culinary destination with a selection of tasty delights available on the weekend and weekday lunch buffet beginning at noon, or enjoy a traditional dinner starting at 5:00 p.m. daily. For your next family dining experience, consider one of these Latham restaurants for a traditional and authentic taste of family-friendly cultural favorites.

We can all use a little relaxation now and again. Thankfully, the Albany area has plenty of options to choose from to help you in your relaxation pursuits. Here are some of our favorite spas and treatments in the Capital Region. Spa Mirbeau The list of amenities at Spa Mirbeau is quite long, and the facilities are equally extensive despite being located inside the Crossgates Mall. A day pass will give you access to all of the amenities for $45 during the week or $65 on weekends. This includes a number of yoga and fitness classes, steam rooms, saunas, a meditation pool, a hot spa pool, and more. While you're there, you can also indulge in one of their luxurious treatments, such as a Mirbeau Ritual body exfoliation or a Crushed Cabernet Scrub. Spa Mirbeau has seasonal offerings as well, such as their Mighty Tighty Summer Body Wrap, which includes coconut cream milk, a rich banana mask, and an aloe strawberry cream lotion. They also offer more standard services such as massages, manicures, and facials. more Complexions Spa Complexions has two locations, one in Albany on Wolf Road and one in Saratoga Springs. In both locations, they provide a wide array of beauty and wellness services. These range from standard spa offerings like facials, massages, and hairstyling to non-surgical medical services such as body contouring, skin tightening, and chemical peels. They also have a sauna, steam room, and a relaxation room. You can take advantage of these with a $35 monthly membership fee or along with any service purchase. If you're concerned about the impact on the environment, Complexions is committed to protecting the environment and is the first Gold LEED® certified spa in the country. Roosevelt Baths & Spa A little further away in Saratoga Springs, you can find this gem of a resort, which was first opened in 1935. The Spa has 42 treatment rooms and a full array of spa services to meet your every need. Mineral baths are one of the unique offerings at this location, and these can be booked independently or before any treatment. They use the famed water from Saratoga Springs, which is said to have many healing properties. You can even book a getaway package, which includes accommodations at the Gideon Putnam and a variety of spa services to help you relax even more. Salt Den Located just up the road in Latham, this Himalayan therapeutic wellness center has an ancient salt cave with salt from the Himalayas, which is believed to help with respiratory issues, pain, and skin disorders. They also offer an infrared sauna, red light therapy, and massage. You can even attend one of their Crystal Bowl Sound Meditation events. While this is a little different than your typical spa, sometimes a change of pace can be helpful in your relaxation journey. Albany and the surrounding area have plenty of options for relaxation and rejuvenation if you know where to look. With such a wide array of services and experiences available, you'll want to try them all!