{"id":31288,"date":"2012-08-20T09:12:51","date_gmt":"2012-08-20T13:12:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/?p=31288"},"modified":"2025-09-01T21:37:31","modified_gmt":"2025-09-02T01:37:31","slug":"things-to-do-in-washington-county-ny","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/31288\/things-to-do-in-washington-county-ny\/","title":{"rendered":"Things to Do in Washington County, NY"},"content":{"rendered":"

Take the time to venture an hour north of Albany to Washington County and you\u2019ll be duly rewarded\u2013in sedative country vistas, historical architecture, a thriving arts scene and outdoor adventures fueled by farm-fresh treats. Stretching 80 miles long and 22,000 cows wide, the county\u2019s too much to conquer in one weekend. Get your toes wet with a trip down the Battenkill and around Cambridge, Salem, Greenwich and Granville.<\/p>\n

Things to Do<\/strong><\/h2>\n

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2.<\/strong> Make an appointment to tour the studio of impressionist George Van Hook, whose plein air <\/em>paintings include a series of striking fly-fishing landscapes (518-677-5106); and Leslie Parke<\/a>, whose paintings, including older series of boxing paintings, landscapes and appropriated (Giotto, Matisse, etc.) works and more current still life abstracts (think close ups of flattened cans and recycled bottles) spans the entire top floor of a converted factory. Parke is the driving force behind the Curiosity Forum<\/a>, a series of intimate talks with authors and artists \u201cto inspire the mind and ignite the creative spirit.\u201d If studio hopping from factory to farmhouse is your idea of an ideal weekend, time your visit to the Open Studios Tour<\/a>, featuring upwards of 15 Washington County artists.<\/p>\n

3.<\/strong> Just north of Cambridge, more arts and crafts await in Salem<\/strong>. See art on the lawn, in barns and in the making at Salem Art Works. Interns and artists-in-residence set up camp in tents, RVs and a communal house in this dairy farm-turned-non-profit art center and sculpture park. Relax (it\u2019s that kind of place) and wander for free; or learn a new skill at one of SAW\u2019s summer workshops. The artists\u2019 haven plays hosts to public events, like SAWFest, an annual outdoor music festival featuring regional bands, food, drink and free camping. Nearby, Sue Clary and her husband sell an impressive collection of antiques in their backyard barn and the entire first floor of their home, McCartee\u2019s Barn.<\/p>\n

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5.<\/strong> A valley of storybook farm country tucked between the Taconic and Adirondack Mountains, Washington County is best discovered outdoors. Consider Battenkill Valley Outdoors<\/a> your one-stop adventure shop. The friendly company, based at the entryway to the Battenkill State Forest, will customize your day based on your land-and-water whims (though be warned: tubes and rafts often sell out, so you may want to book ahead). A picturesque tubing trip might take you down a section of the 59.4-mile Battenkill River, from Vermont and under a covered bridge back into New York. The ride is generally calm, but start early and\/or in Vermont for your best shot at a tranquil float. On weekend afternoons, much of the river tends to fill with islands of tubes, some carrying families, others carrying rowdier parties and coolers of beer.<\/p>\n

If lazy river cruising isn\u2019t your style, hop into one of BVO\u2019s kayaks or canoes. The company is happy to meet you at a picnic spot to trade boat for bike, a popular activity<\/a> around these parts. If you don\u2019t have your own bike in tow, you can rent one for just $15 a day. Bike through Salem\u2019s historical covered bridges and cool off with a few dips in the \u2019Kill: the river bends and deepens around The Georgi<\/a>, an art museum (make an appointment to visit during the summer) and nine-acre park; kids big and small enjoy an adrenaline rush leaping from a rope swing by the Eagleville Covered Bridge<\/a>. Walk without fear in the Shushan Covered Bridge, now a museum dedicated to period machinery. The adjacent one room schoolhouse is also open to the public (both museums are free).<\/p>\n

Where to Eat (& Drink)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

1.<\/strong> Buy a cone\u2013or quart\u00ad\u2013of Battenkill Valley Creamery<\/a>\u2019s fantastic homemade ice cream at their farm-side ice cream shop in Salem. While you\u2019re there, grab a bottle of their famously creamy chocolate milk from the honor system refrigerator.<\/p>\n

2.<\/strong> Blink and you\u2019ll miss the center of Shushan, where locals rely on grocery and deli Yushak\u2019s Supermarket for tasty sandwiches and local veggie medleys. Enjoy your picnic lunch with a view of the river around the corner at The Georgi.<\/p>\n

\"dish

4.<\/strong> In the clearing by Hubbard Hall, a weekly farmers market pops up every Sunday, from 10-2pm. Make your rounds through the small but bountiful market to the tune of live music, fresh produce, locally raised meats, artisan cheeses, local honey, maple products, homemade soaps, and\u00a0gourmet nut and seed butters<\/a>.\u00a0 If you\u2019re pressed for time, make a beeline to Pompanuck Farm\u2019s Round House Bakery, where freshly baked pizza, homemade, organic artisan breads, pastries and cookies (do yourself a favor and get both Sicilian macaroon and the almond cookie) are best washed down with a cup of maple iced tea.<\/p>\n

\"king

6.<\/strong> The state\u2019s oldest u-pick orchard, Middle Granville<\/strong>\u2019s Hicks Orchards<\/a> first opened their fields to the public in 1905. Today, visitors can still graze the fields for affordable fruit (blueberries and cherries are $2.25\/pound), or go straight to the farm store for cider donuts (as seasonally available) and local farm products. While you\u2019re there, check out the agricultural relics on display upstairs, visit the barnyard and get lost in the corn maze. Nearby, cider donuts play second fiddle to more spirited pleasures at Granville\u2019s Slyboro Ciderhouse<\/a>. If Magners is all you know of (hard) cider, consider Slyboro your first true cider experience. Visit the handsome tasting room (11-5, daily) for a flight of Slyboro\u2019s six nuanced and distinct still, sparkling and ice ciders.<\/p>\n

Where to Stay<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\"rice

2. Salem:<\/strong> Enjoy a warm family atmosphere and green surroundings at the gently priced Bunker Hill Inn<\/a> (from $53). You\u2019ll want to rise early to make time to walk the grounds after breakfast.<\/p>\n

3. Granville:<\/strong> Take in Mickey\u2019s beautiful garden and a relaxing breakfast at Station House B&B<\/a> (from $85). A former railroad station, the four-room B&B is a great place for those venturing to the nearby Adirondacks and Slate Valley Museum.<\/p>\n

\"pompanuck

Getting There<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Washington County is a cyclists\u2019 heaven and Amtrak’s Ethan Allen line has just launched a new initiative to allow bikes on board and help further the cycling movement in the Empire State. (Easily check in with Amtrak’s online operator to make sure the train your taking can accommodate two wheels.)\u00a0 You can either enjoy the scenic train ride along the Hudson and pick up a car at Albany Rensselaer station (Generally $40-77 each way) or drive up<\/a> from the city. For a cheaper option, take the Megabus<\/a> to Albany Rensselaer (prices vary; as low as $3 when booked in advance).<\/p>\n

Photo:\u00a0Diane Cordell<\/a>,\u00a0Adirondack Kayaker, Jaclyn Einis, Leslie Parke, Dish, Pompanuck<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Take the time to venture an hour north of Albany to Washington County and you\u2019ll be duly rewarded\u2013in sedative country vistas, historical architecture, a thriving arts scene and outdoor adventures fueled by farm-fresh treats. Stretching 80 miles long and 22,000 cows wide, the county\u2019s too much to conquer in one weekend. Get your toes wet […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":72,"featured_media":54357,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[325,1508,850,771,831,224,772,759,761,750,817,786,833,854,747,758,753,835,852,838,1089,776,777,851,770,834,855,790,1267,769,821,792,788,743,1057,842,781,843,778,774,845,849,748,316,782,857],"tags":[735,529,40,381,145,713,733,282,734],"class_list":{"0":"post-31288","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-new-york","8":"category-amtrak-getaways","9":"category-antiques-shopping-2","10":"category-apple-picking-food-drink","11":"category-architecture-culture-2","12":"category-arts","13":"category-bakery-food-drink","14":"category-bar-activity-2","15":"category-beer-activity-2","16":"category-bike-2","17":"category-biking-adventure-activity-2","18":"category-boating-adventure-activity-2","19":"category-books-culture-2","20":"category-boutiques-shopping-2","21":"category-bus-2","22":"category-cafe-activity-2","23":"category-car-2","24":"category-classes-culture-2","25":"category-crafts-shopping-2","26":"category-fall-foliage-culture-2","27":"category-farmers-market-shopping-2","28":"category-farms-food-drink","29":"category-fine-dining","30":"category-flea-market-shopping-2","31":"category-food-drink","32":"category-gardens-culture-2","33":"category-health-2","34":"category-hiking-adventure-activity-2","35":"category-hiking-getaways","36":"category-historic-sites-culture","37":"category-horse-racing-sports-2","38":"category-horseback-riding-adventure-activity-2","39":"category-kayaking-adventure-activity-2","40":"category-megabus-getaways","41":"category-museums-culture-2","42":"category-music-culture-2","43":"category-outdoor-dining","44":"category-photography-culture-2","45":"category-picnic-food-drink","46":"category-restaurants-food-drink","47":"category-sculpture-culture-2","48":"category-shopping-2","49":"category-train-2","50":"category-weekend-getaways","51":"category-wine-food-drink","52":"category-yoga-health-2","53":"tag-adirondack-mountains","54":"tag-adventurous-getaway","55":"tag-art","56":"tag-biking","57":"tag-dining","58":"tag-farms","59":"tag-river-rafting","60":"tag-romantic","61":"tag-sustainability"},"acf":[],"mv":{"thumbnail_id":54357,"thumbnail_uri":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/08\/8062860707_1419137469_o-e1474316018461-350x197.jpg"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31288","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/72"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31288"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31288\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/54357"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31288"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31288"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/offmetro.com\/ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31288"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}