The Adirondack Museum
Open Memorial Day weekend to mid-October, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Twenty-two indoor and outdoor exhibit areas tell the story of how people lived, worked, traveled and played in the Adirondacks from the early 1800s. Family activities include a toy boat workshop, rowing on the pond and children’s activities, Blue Mountain Lake. Phone: 352-7311. Website: www.adkmuseum.org.
Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center
Features the Henry Hudson Planetarium. Open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 25 Quackenbush Square, Corner of Broadway and Clinton Avenue, Albany. Phone: 434-0405.
Albany Institute of History and Art
Open Wednesday to Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. Exhibits (including the famous Albany mummies) and programming for all ages. Adults $7; seniors and students $5; children, ages 6-12 $3; and children ages 5 and younger free. Corner of Washington Avenue and Dove Street, Albany. Phone: 463-4478. Website: www.albanyinstitute.org.
Albany Pine Bush Preserve Discovery Center
Provides interactive exhibits and activities that explore the preserve’s geologic and cultural significance, located at 195 New Karner Road. Open year round, Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission. Phone: 456-0655. Website: www.albanypinebush.org.
American Museum of Fire Fighting
Featuring exhibits and interactive activities for children. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adults: $5, children: $2 (age 5 and older), family: $10 (2 adults and 2 children), and children under age 5: Free, 125 Harry Howard St., Hudson. Phone: 822-1875. Website: www.fasnyfiremuseum.com.
The Arts Center
Rotating exhibitions and classes. Open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noon-4 p.m. Sunday. Free. Arts Center of the Capital Region, 265 River St., Troy, Phone: 273-0552. Website: www.artscenteronline.org.
The Children’s Museum
An interactive space for elementary aged children and younger. Located at 69 Caroline St., Saratoga Springs, Phone: 584-5540. Website: www.childrensmuseumatsaratoga.org.
Children’s Museum of Science & Technology (CMOST)
Located in the Rensselaer Tech Park, off Route 4, in North Greenbush. Open Thursday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $5 per person 2 and up, www.cmost.org. Phone: 235-2120, ext. 207.
Emma Treadwell Thacher Nature Center
Trails and nature center that offers year-round educational programs for school groups, youth organizations, clubs and the general public. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., 87 Nature Center Way, Voorheesville. Phone: 872-0800. Website: nysparks.com/environment/nature-centers/8/details.aspx.
Empire State Aeroscience Museum
Regular museum hours, Sunday and Wednesday, noon to 4 p.m.; Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and tours by appointment. Cost is $8 per adult, $6 per senior/military, $5 per child ages 6-16, and free for those younger than 6 accompanied by an adult; $5 per family on the first Sunday of each month. Schenectady County Airport, Route 50, Glenville, Phone: 377-2191, E-mail: [email protected]. Website: www.esam.org.
Five Rivers Environmental Education Center
Nature center featuring 450 acres of fields, forests and wetlands. Visitor Center is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar. Phone: 475-0291. Website: www.dec.ny.gov/education/1835.html.
The Hyde Collection
Art museum in a historic house complex. From June 1 through Dec. 31, the museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and from noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $8, $6 for seniors (60+), $4 for students, and free for children 12 and under, 161 Warren St., Glens Falls. Phone: 792-1761. Website: hydecollection.org.
Irish American Heritage Museum
Showcases contributions of the Irish people and their culture in America. Open Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., closed Monday and Tuesday, 370 Broadway, Albany. Phone: 427-1916. Website: www.irishamericanheritagemuseum.org.
Landis Arboretum
Landis Arboretum, 174 Lape Road, Esperance. Free parking; no admission. Suggested donation: $5/person; $15/family. The grounds are open daily from dawn until dusk. Office hours 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and also by appointment, Phone: 875-6935. Website: www.landisarboretum.org.
Mabee Farm Historic Site
Open May through the end of October, Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and by appointment year round. The George E. Franchere Education Center (FEC) is open year round. Tours of the FEC alone or the Historic Farm are $5 for adults, $4 for children 13 to 17. Tours of both FEC and the farm during the same day is $8, free for SCHS members and children under 12, 1080-1100 Main Street (Route 5S) Rotterdam Junction, Phone: 887-5073. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: mabeefarm.org.
miSci (museum of innovation and science)
All new exhibits, planetarium shows. Open Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday, noon-5 p.m. Children (3-12): $6.50, seniors (65+): $8, adults: $9.50. Add $5 for planetarium. Nott Terrace Heights, Schenectady, Phone: 382-7890. Website: www.miSci.org.
National Museum of Dance
Hands-on permanent exhibit for children, including the Dance Discovery Room, which will teach dance history and practices through responsive activities. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Adults: $6.50, seniors and students: $5, children 12 and under: $3, children under 3: free, South Broadway, Saratoga Springs, Phone: 584-2225, ext. 3001. Website: www.dancemuseum.org.
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame
Equine art, artifacts, memorabilia, film, video, books and historical archives. Open Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Cost is $7 adults, $5 students and senior citizens (55 and older); members and children 5 and under are free, 191 Union Ave., Saratoga Springs. Phone: 584-0400. Website: www.racingmuseum.org.
New York State Military Museum
Disseminates the story, history and records of New York State’s military forces and veterans. Open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free admission, 61 Lake Ave., Saratoga Springs. Phone: 581-5100.
New York State Museum
Programs, exhibitions and tours highlighting the state’s natural and cultural history. Also featuring a Children’s Discovery Place. Open daily, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Madison Avenue, Albany, Phone: 474-5877. Website: www.nysm.nysed.gov.
Popp Butterfly Conservatory
A 3,000-square-foot indoor conservatory herbarium that is home to hundreds of birds, butterflies, tropical plants, tortoises, lizards and frogs. State Highway 7, Oneonta. Open Nov. 1 until Memorial Day weekend, Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; from Memorial Day weekend until Oct. 31, daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Adults $11, children 11 and younger, seniors 65 and older, college students with current ID are $9, and infants 18 months and younger are free. Phone: 607-435-1147. Website: www.poppbutterflyconservatory.com.
Pruyn House
Open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Special events and tours of historic home and grounds are available by appointment for weekend hours, 207 Old Niskayuna Road, Latham. Phone: 783-1435. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: www.pruynhouse.org.
Rensselaer County Historical Society
Connects local history and heritage with contemporary life through a variety of objects and documents. Open Thursday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors, $3 for youths (12-18), 57 Second Street, Troy. Phone: 272-7232. Website: www.rchsonline.org.
Saratoga Automobile Museum
Celebrates the automobile and educates the general public, students and enthusiasts regarding the role of the automobile in the state and the wider world. Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for students 17 and older, $5 for seniors 65 and older and active military, $3.50 for children 6-16, and free for ages 5 and younger. Open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., 110 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs. Phone: 587-1935. Website: saratogaautomuseum.org.
Schuyler Mansion
Open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 1-5 p.m. Cost is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors/students, and $2 for children 5 to 12. Hourly tours of this historic site. Free parking, 32 Catherine St., Albany, Phone: 434-0834.
Shaker Heritage Museum
Historic 1848 Shaker Meeting House on the grounds of Ann Lee Home, Albany-Shaker Road, Colonie. Museum open 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Phone: 456-7890. Website: shakerheritage.org.
Tang Teaching Museum
Promotes active use of the museum by the college community. Open Tuesday through Sunday, noon to 5 p.m., Thursday until 9 p.m. On the Skidmore campus, 815 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs. Phone: 580-8080. Website: tang.skidmore.edu.
Ulysses S. Grant Cottage
Spectacular view of Hudson Valley from Mount McGregor. Open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Cost is $4 for adults, $4 for children 6-18, free for ages 6 and younger, and $4 for seniors (62 and up). Wilton, off exit 16 of the Northway, Phone: 587-8277. Website: www.grantcottage.org.
USS Slater/Destroyer Escort Historical Museum
Moored on the Hudson River in Albany, the USS Slater has undergone an extensive fifteen-year restoration. Open Wednesday-Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors (65+), $5 for children 6-14, and free for children 5 and under, Broadway and Quay Streets, Albany. Phone: 431-1943. Website: www.ussslater.org.
World Awareness Children’s Museum
Open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. Admission is $5 per person, free for ages 3 and younger, military discounts are available, 89 Warren St., Second Floor, Glens Falls. Phone: 783-2773. Website: www.worldchildrensmuseum.org.
