BY BRI and TOM LYONS, Glens Falls Living

Have you taken a ride to Schenectady lately? There’s great energy happening in the city, especially in the summer! The patios come alive downtown, the window boxes in the Stockade District overflow with flowers, and the summer breeze flows through the open doors and windows of shops and galleries. Here are some favorites from our recent trip, if you’re headed that way!

EAT + DRINK

Arthur’s Market: A must! Recently restored (the building dates back to the 1700s!), Arthur’s was reopened under new ownership last year, and we were so thrilled to finally pay them a visit! We loved the nods to the building’s history throughout, from the exposed brick to the antique counter, as well as a display of old photos of the Market’s evolution through the years.

And the food! We ordered breakfast sandwiches on house-made english muffins along with a ham and asparagus quiche, and we were only a few bites in when we started planning our next trip back. Delicious! Don’t leave without grabbing a few of their cookies for the road – it was tough to pick a winner between the molasses and chocolate chip!

Great Flats Brewing: An awesome atmosphere with garage doors that open to the street, super friendly people, and fantastic beer (two thumbs up from Tom on their IPA!). Can’t wait to head back soon to beat Tom in ping pong 🙂

Malcolm’s: Run, do not walk, to Malcolm’s! While we couldn’t squeeze it into this trip, we’re still talking about our meal there from a previous visit! With a charming interior and friendly atmosphere, this is a top date night pick for sure. Don’t miss the Elote – grilled corn with roasted garlic aioli and pecorino cheese – so, so good. Their menu is fantastic and always changing, so we’re looking forward to trying something new on our next trip. Especially since we just saw they serve brunch as well!

Druthers Brewing Company: For a casual spot overlooking the recently constructed Mohawk Harbor, Druthers is always a win. Their outdoor beer garden is surrounded by hydrangeas and the sights and sounds of boat traffic coming and going on the river below. Their menu is full of classic comfort food, and we enjoyed a couple of their staples: a fried chicken sandwich and wood-fired pizza.

SEE, DO + SHOP

Van Gogh Experience: Art lovers, you won’t want to miss this one! We’ve been hearing rave reviews of the Van Gogh Experience in other spots around the country, so we were thrilled to hear that it had made it’s way to Schenectady this summer and fall. If you’re not familiar, the best way to describe the experience is like stepping into a painting. First, you’ll get to know a little bit about Van Gogh and his work in a more traditional museum exhibit. Next, you’ll step into the immersive experience, which includes two story projections of his work that make you feel like you’re in the painting. And finally, you’ll have a VR experience that will allow you to walk through some of his most famous works. Truly an awesome experience! It only runs through September, so grab your tickets!

Stockade Historic District: The gem of the city, the Stockade Historic District is a favorite of ours and reminds us just a bit of strolls through Charleston or Savannah. The beautiful architecture, the perfectly planted window boxes, the uneven brick walkways, and the streets lined with American flags had us charmed. We loved taking a peek at the plaques on the homes as we walked through, with some homes dating back to the 1700’s. Fun fact: it’s said to have the highest concentration of historic period homes in the country!

Bluebird Home + Gift: Perfectly styled and curated, I knew we were going to be here a while the second we walked in. Bluebird is stocked with the most gorgeous home goods as well as an amazing selection of vintage – including vintage Persian rugs! Yes, please! .

Upstate Kayak Rentals: Did you know there’s a harbor in Schenectady?! Newly constructed as part of a 60 acre master planned community along one mile of the waterfront, it’s the perfect spot for boaters to hop off the Mohawk River to grab a bite to eat and enjoy what Schenectady has to offer. Turns out it’s also the perfect spot to launch a kayak! While we didn’t have time this trip, I always love the option to leave city sidewalks behind and get out on the water. The best of both worlds!

STAY

The Landing Hotel: If you’re looking to extend your trip, this is the place! New in 2017, The Landing is a boutique hotel with views of the river, and it’s located within a short distance of everything the city has to offer.

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Until next time, Schenectady! If you’ve got any other favorites we should add to our list for next trip, we’d love to hear!

P.S. Check out more in our Road Trip series here.

This trip was in partnership with our friends at Discover Schenectady. We were so thrilled at the opportunity to share this charming city with you!