Capital District NY Summer Activities

If you are looking for fun activities for your family and children in the Capital District NY area, this list hosts and array of indoor and outdoor fun ideas for the kids. Summer in upstate New York is packed with activities! Cure summer boredom with this list of fun activities!

Check back periodically for updates! New ideas will be updated all summer long!

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Gloversville, NY

Adirondack Animal Land is the largest zoo in Upstate New York and the number 1 attraction 6 years in a row. It houses over 500 animal on 80 acres of farm land and includes a petting zoo and African Safari Ride.

3554 State Highway 30, Gloversville, NY 12078

Admission

Adults: $13.75

Children: $10.75 (12 months - 12 years)

Children under 12 months FREE

Capital District Fun Blog

The The Capital District Fun Blog has a great list of places to get wet and cool off in the Capital Region. Check out her blog.

The Albany Fit Places to Stay Cool and Active is another local blogger list of places to get wet this summer.

FREE - Well Sort of...

Kids Bowl Free at www.kidsbowlfree.com. There are several participating bowling alleys in the Capital Region. A family purchases a summer pass for $24.95 and it includes 2 games per person per day for a family of up to 4 adult members. Still a great rate if you are a family that loves to bowl.

FREE!

When it comes to libraries and fun programs, the Capital area has some wonderful options. The libraries offer crafts, story times, movies, computer area for children, games and areas dedicated exclusively to children.

Voted Best Libraries by Times Union Readers

William K Stanford Library located at 629 Albany Shaker Road in Loudonville.

Clifton Park/Halfmoon Public Library 475 Moe Road, Clifton Park, NY 120

Guilderland Public Library 2228 Western Avenue Guilderland, NY 1208

Two others receiving mention

Bethlehem Pubic Library 451 Delaware Ave Delmar, NY 12054

East Greenbush Community Library 10 Community Way / East Greenbush, NY 12061

For a full list of libraries in the area the Upper Hudson Library System is a comprehensive list of 29 independent public libraries.

Admission: FREE

Summer Splash Fun

Take a spin down the waterslide, swim in the pool, relax in the hot tub, float on the lazy river or take your children to the fun indoor water features. The great part is that since it is indoors, you do not need to worry about the weather.

The aquatics center includes a lap pool, leisure pool, splash pad, warm spa, wet conference rooms (for parties!) and swimming lessons. Day passes are available if you are not a member.

Pack a picnic. The Ciccotti Center is located in the Crossings Park grounds. Make it a day and enjoy The Crossings before or after your visit.

East Greenbush

Children can explore at this fun Children's Museum in East Greenbush. There are numerous hands on activities as well as fun creatures such as reptiles and owls to view. There is a planetarium and a new exhibit called Kangaroo Crossing beginning in July. Learn about the great Hudson area in a fun and dynamic way.

Admission:$5 per person ages 2 and up.

Colonie, NY

The Crossings has several miles of paved trails, open fields, board games on loan, an awesome playground and even a maze. The bathroom and snack facilities also make it an easy destination for parents with small children. The Crossings even hosts Thursday night concerts that run from July to August. Also check out the weekend farmers market during the summer for fresh produce and products.

Pack a picnic, load up the bikes and spend a few hours at the Crossings. Take a right out of the park and dead over to Scoops ice cream afterward. The ice cream is great and the kids will have fun watching the cows.

Admission: FREE

Picnics are a great way to spend with the family. Make packing the picnic part of your daily activities. Your kids will love picking out their favorite foods and they will be more prone to stop and eat between activities. I love this picnic basket. It only serves two but replace the plates with paper plates and cups and pack snacks.

Guilderland, NY

Farnsworth Middle School hosts a butterfly station and organic farmers market, Butterfly Station is free and open to the public Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., from July 12 through August 13.

Times Union 2010 Article

WTNY Post 2010

For kids and the young at heart!

Beat the heat and or the rain and and head to the theater with the kids for free movies. There are several places to catch free movies over the summer:

Movie Theaters

Three movie theaters in the Capital District offer free movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 10 am during the summer.

Crossgates Mall Regal Cinemas

Crossgates Mall Regal Cinemas: 1 Crossgates Mall Road Albany, NY

Clifton Park Center 8

Clifton Park Center 8 Is running free movies on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from July 27 - August 25, 2010. Location: 22 Clifton Country Road Clifton Park ,NY 12068

Movieland

Movieland 6: 400 State Street in Schenectady.

Tawasentha Park

Tawasentha park at Route 146 Guilderland, NY 12084 offers free movies on Friday nights at 8pm from July 9 to August 13, 2010

Guilderland Library

The Guilderland Public Library hosts Disney Family Fridays at 7pm every Friday (except Fourth of July weekend) in June and July.

Admission: FREE

Extra tip: Head over to Little Caesars is by Crossgates mall at 1800 Western Ave. Their Crazy Bread is only $1 with a ticket stub and their pizza is only $5!

Latham, NY

Hoffman's Playland has been a fixture in Latham for over 50 years and offers 14 kiddie rides and 5 major rides. There is no admission to enter the park and you can pay as you go which makes it great for a quick stop or a few hours of fun. There is a Subway on property for a healthy lunch and you can walk to the Dairy Freeze next door for ice cream afterward.

608 Loudon Road, Route 9

Latham, NY 12110

(518) 785-3842

Altamont, NY

Indian Ladder Farms offers pick your own fruits. During the summer they have strawberries and cherries and in the fall apples amoung other fruits and vegetables. They also have baby animals the children can feed. If you are hungry or would like to try some of their home cooked fare to take home from their cafe/store. During the months of July and August they host the Helderberg Theater festival. This year the festival features The Princess and the Pea, William Shakespears' MacBeth and The Zoo Story. Admission to the farm and Theater festival are free. There is a charge to pick berries based on the quantity.

342 Altamont Rd.

Altamont, NY 12009

(518) 765-2956

Admission: FREE

Cost for fruit picking.

Free

The Mohawk Hudson Bike Trail runs from Albany to Buffalo and there are many wonderful spots along the way to bring out the bikes or walking shoes. Lyons Park in Niskayuna is a great spot to hop on the path. The trail at this point is very flat for a few miles and is easier for younger children on bikes. The path is traffic free except for a few spots where the road crosses and the bikers, runners and walkers on the trail. Bathroom facilities are also at the park. Another great opportunity to pack a picnic and enjoy the day.

Newtonville, NY

The Pruyn House located in 207 Old Niskayuna Road Newtonville, NY 12128 offers concerts Wednesday nights during the summer. They have vendors for food, drinks and ice cream and each concert night features a different theme. Lawn chairs and dancing shoes recommended!

Admission: $5 Adults; Children 12 and Under FREE!

Saratoga Spa State Park has tons to do including bike and hike trails, two pools, concerts and other activities. Peerless Pools has a wonderful zero entry pool that is easy for small ones to use and includes a small kiddie pool with a water feature and a water slide for older children.

Saratoga State Park Information by Yahoo has a full description of activities to do at the park.

Wiki Link on Saratoga Spa State Park

Wyantskill, NY

The town lake in Wyantskill is great for all ages. The sand bottom lake is roped off, big and has other amenities like a playground on property. Pack a picnic blanket and a lunch and spend the day at this local beach.

North Greenbush Town Beach

5 Camp Scully Way

Wynantskill NY 12198

518-283-8807

Admission: $5 per car

A trip to the beach even a town beach can require a lot of items. Blankets, towels, cooler, chairs, sun screen, snacks, toys, cameras can make it awkward to maneuver to the beach and pack up. A popular item is this Wheel Cooler and Beach Chair Cart. Check your local Walmart or other discount store or buy on-line at Amazon.

Saratoga Springs, NY

The Saratoga Children's Museum is a delightful place for children. Situated in an old victorian house the museum is inviting and whimsical from the minute you see it. Inside there are tons of fun things for children to do as they explore the various rooms. Exhibits include: Pet Vet, Lilian Andrw's Attic, Saratoga Trolley (my children's favorite!), Central Market Grocery Store and Fire Truck and Fire House. The Museum also offers fun programs like Tuesdays with Tots, Wiggle & Giggle, Cooking Around the World, Story Art and many more! Don't miss out on this ultra cute and well thought out museum.

Admission: $6 per person (children under 1 free).

Beat the heat with the Guilderland Town Swimming Pool. Town residents can buy season passes.

Rates

Adults - $3.00

Children 5 - 14 years old - $1.00

Children under 5 - Free

Seniors over 60 - Free

Adult Lap Swim - $0.75

Clifton Park, NY

Tiny Tots Tea Room has a great indoor play space for free play and a wonderful cafe for the parents and kids. Moms or dads can drink a gourmet coffee, eat a wrap or taste the other great food. Kids meals are bento style with health plates with thing such as turkey, cheese, grapes, sliced boiled eggs, peas, carrots etc! This is one of my favorite spots!

Admission: $7 first child/$3.50 sibling

6 visit punch cards also available for $35 child/$17.50 sibling.

Look for coupons in The Enjoy the City book too!

Colonie, NY

The Town of Colonie Park and Pool has an Olympic size pool with diving boards, spray pools, bath house and training pool. It is located in the Town of Colonie park that also has on site picnic pavilions, tennis court, playground equipment, boat launch and nature trails making it a great day long destination.

You must be a resident or guest of a resident to use the Town Park and pool.

Pool costs are reasonable and range based on age and residency:

Resident: Free- $2.50

Non-Resident (guest) - $4.00 - $6.00

Family pool passes are also available.

Latham, NY

Tumbling Tykes offers indoor free play time 7 days a week during the summer. This spot is great for small children on rainy or hot days or when mom needs a little more relaxation than the standard park.

Hours:

Monday: 9:00 - 3:00

Tuesday: 12:00 - 5:00

Wednesday: 9:00 - 5:00

Thursday: 12:00 - 5:00

Friday: 9:00 - 3:00

Saturday: 9:00 - 12:00

Sunday: 10:00 - 12:00

FREE!

The Town of Brunswick hosts a free concert series every Tuesday July 6-August 24 at the Brunswick Community Center. Bring your own chairs. Food vendors will be on site as well as a Bouncy Bounce for children.