Has our latest Instagram theme week left you with a bad case of wanderlust? Take advantage of the last weeks of beautiful September weather in NY and head to one of these local adventure spots, all within an hour and a half of Siena.
1. Peebles Island State Park – 15 minutes
For such a short drive from Siena, this is a great getaway spot for a short, easy walk around the island. There’s a ton of nice picnic spots and scenic views of the river nearby.
2. Cohoes Falls – 15 minutes
If you’re not in the mood for a hike, no worries! This cool waterfall is a short drive from Siena, and is right off the side of the road! The nearby area also has really cool old industrial buildings.
3. Thacher Park – 30 minutes
If you go to Siena and haven’t taken a weekend trip to Thacher yet, what are you doing?! A classic Albany hiking spot, Thacher is worth the trip for some beautiful views and a fun hike to a waterfall.
4. Christman Sanctuary – 35 minutes
This is a super sweet, lesser-known hiking spot near Siena. There are several easy trails that loop around the area, one of them leading to a nice waterfall with a small pool.
5. Bash Bish Falls – 1 hour
My personal favorite place on Earth, I couldn’t leave out Bash Bish! This waterfall is actually in Western Massachussetts, but the drive there from Siena is relatively easy and super beautiful. The hike is steep but short, and the falls are worth it. Words can’t describe how beautiful this place is, especially during the fall!
6. Lake George – 1 hour
A very popular local tourist spot, Lake George is a must-visit when you’re at Siena. There are so many gorgeous places in Lake George to go hiking, I couldn’t just pick one! Some of my favorites are Pilot Knob (pictured), Sleeping Beauty and Prospect mountains, and Shelving Rock Falls.
7. Vroman’s Nose – 55 minutes
Also a very popular local hiking spot, Vroman’s nose offers a great view and a nice, mid-difficulty hike. You have to go out on the cliff’s edge for a picture, of course!
8. Kaaterskill Falls – 1 hour 10 minutes
Kaaterskill is a super famous waterfall, boasting the biggest two-tiered falls in New York State. The walk to the falls can be steep and slippery, so take caution, but the falls offer a wonderful view. Nearby, North-South Lake also offers some great hiking paths with gorgeous Catskill views!
9. Hadley Mountain Firetower – 1 hour 10 minutes
Hadley Mountain Trailhead ends with a super cool firetower for the ultimate view!
10. Minnewaska State Park – 1 hour 30 minutes
Even though Minnewaska is a little bit of a hike, it’s totally worth the trip. Save an entire day to adventure here, because there are endless trails and things to do. There’s an amazing overlook as well as a beautiful waterfall to check out!