Next time you visit New York City, consider taking a road trip to upstate New York to discover the bounty the Empire State delivers. From the fertile Hudson Valley to the picturesque Catskills Mountains, there’s much to see along the way. With affordable accommodations and an abundance of eateries and activities, Albany makes an ideal homebase for your upstate New York explorations. Located within 30 miles of historic Schenectady and Saratoga Springs of horse racing fame, day trips are a breeze. You can even get to Lake George within an hour. But before you start those day trips, check out all the fun things to do in the city of Albany.