Washington County

Exploring the Arts & Culture of Washington County with Kids!

Updated: July 2025

I remember being invited to a friend’s bonfire a little over 25 years ago. She had told me it was at her parents house in Shushan, NY. I’m not originally from New York, so I had never even heard of that town before. I was living in Schenectady at the time. We didn’t have cell phones or a GPS app back then. She emailed the directions to me, and I printed them out. I remember thinking to myself, “What place is she leading me to?”, I then got in my car and started driving towards Washington County.

This article is presented through a content collaboration with ACE and CapNY.

As I was driving through towns like Greenwich and Salem to get to her house, I started to feel gratitude about the time it was taking to get there. I drove past barns, horses, farm stands, and country stores. Living in busy Cities around the world and in other US States, I hadn’t experienced a nice drive through the country since I was a little girl in Korea. It was such a peaceful and scenic drive. The ride seemed to fly by and before I knew it I had arrived at her house, greeted by other friends who also made their way there too.

As the night went on, we ate lots of great home cooked food, we sang songs around the fire led by an acoustic guitar, we told stories that made us laugh, and we made memories that I still think about today. For many of us that met at SCCC, this was our first time experiencing Shushan hospitality. I remember heading home and thinking how lucky my friend was to live in such a beautiful place. I remember that night like it was yesterday.

Since then we both have had children, and I’ve been able to bring my boys out to Shushan several times to play with her boys. Riding horses, playing in the mud, chasing chickens…. while us moms sit inside and catch up over cups of tea.

My family has since become familiar with many parts of Washington County over the years, and we always find new spots to explore and sites to visit with the kids. I’m so joyful to be able to share about a few places, out of so many wonderful places, to visit in Washington County.

In June of 2021 a lovely little theater in Washington County opened to the public….new in spirit, but not new to Salem, NY. In order to share about this theater’s promising future, we have to take a quick look back at their inspiring past.

While being constructed as the countries First Presbyterian Church in 1774, it was taken by patriot forces and used as a staging area for troops. It was then known as Fort Salem. Lost to fire in 1777, the church was rebuilt by the Presbyterian, adding the chapel in 1882. In 1972 the building was privately purchased, a stage added, and the very first show in the Fort Salem Theater was enjoyed.

The theater sold again in 1979, and again in 2006 with major renovations taking place. In 2020, the Fort Salem Theater sold to the current owners Kyle and Jared West who had relocated to Salem from Dallas, Texas. In June 2021 the theater reopened with a sold-out show, and is still open today for all to enjoy in the many years to come.

Locals and visitors from all over the Region attend shows throughout the year to see well performed plays and great live acts. This well loved theater welcomes the community, neighboring communities, and anyone from outside of Washington County to visit and enjoy the variety of performances here.

If you’re looking for entertainment to enjoy with your family or friends, whether you’re staying in Salem or not…. I recommend taking a peek at the playlist for this venue and buying tickets to one of their shows. It’s a nice drive to Salem, NY on your way to the Fort Salem Theater.

11 East Broadway | Salem, New York 12865
Web: fortsalem.com | IG: @fortsalem

Whether you’re a master of a brush on canvas, or if you’ve never picked up a creative tool before…. Salem Art Works welcomes you and your curiously creative heart. Located in Salem, NY, on 119 acres, artists from around the globe retreat to SAW for stay, community, inspiration, and reflection.

Locals and out of town travelers come to visit this artists retreat center and tour the grounds that are covered with artists workshop buildings & spaces, an artist created tiny home community, and natural gathering spaces. Incredible and larger than life sculptures greet you as soon as you turn off the main road, and escort you all the way through the grounds and up the drive to the top of the hill….where you will find an incredible view and a peace that makes you pause, in silence, as you appreciate the knowing that this unselfish space was created for you and everyone else who visits.

SAW also offers summer camps and workshops for young artists and any one aspiring to be one to learn a trade like welding, pottery, glassblowing or blacksmith. The retreat center has programs where entire families can stay on site and participate in various workshops together or individually. Live music takes place at the highest point on the grounds, overlooking the entire Town of Salem, and all are welcome.

If you’re looking for a unique day trip experience or week long destination vacation, I encourage you to add Salem Art Works to your creative bucket list of places to visit and contact them today to register for one of their workshops. For a full listing of programs and events visit the website.

19 Cary Lane | Salem, New York 12865
Web: salemartworks.org | IG: @salemartworks

A real old fashioned soda fountain isn’t something that you see anymore these days… but a working one too, while sitting at a vintage inspired soda shop bar? You’ll find that Jacko’s Corner in Salem, NY, has that kind of “bubbly fun” for you to experience in their restaurant on Main Street.

It’s already well known by the locals that they have a great menu, but what also makes this spot a great destination spot for out of towner’s is that they have great food AND an awesome concert series featuring talented musicians around the region. Described by Jacko’s as “Cozy vibes, flowing wine & beer at Jacko’s”. You can enjoy a nice meal, good drinks, and great live music with your family, friends or even make it a date night.

They have wonderful artwork created by local artists hung around the restaurant too, and for sale. Many of the pieces share the story of Salem, NY and the community that has embraced and inspired them. Jacko’s supports the community and the creatives within it, and enthusiastically shares about them with all of their guests that visit.

If you’re desiring to go on a day trip…. I recommend exploring Washington County, and setting your GPS to stop at Jacko’s Corner Restaurant for a good meal, soda fountain drink, and don’t forget to take some local artwork home as well.

190 Main Street | Salem, New York 12865
Web: jackoscorner.com | IG: @jackoscorner

Have you ever heard a Sasquatch call out in the wild? Well, if you’re curious about how one might sound, you can hear a variety of individuals share out loud what they think one might sound like.

I attended the very first Sasquatch Festival in Whitehall, NY, back in 2016 with my youngest son who at the time was fascinated by the Sasquatch. A friend who lives in Whitehall messaged me about the new “Sasquatch festival” that was being created by their town. Of course we had to go. Now in their sixth year, this has become a much anticipated annual event.

There are vendor tables around the festival set up who have plaster molds of Sasquatch footprints on display, and photos of Sasquatch sightings. You can even photograph yourself behind a giant Sasquatch cutter, and send it to your friends showing them what you’d look like a giant life sized Sasquatch.

The best part of the event in my opinion, is the Sasquatch calling contest that everyone waits for all year long. There’s an adult contest and even one for the kids to sign up and do their own version of a Sasquatch call. I had never imagined what a Sasquatch sounded like, but now I have about dozens of variations in my mind of what one could sound like. It’s really just a community gathering together and having a lot of fun.

If you’re looking for a family friendly event to take the kids to in Washington County, or if you’re a serious Sasquatch hunter yourself, I recommend marking your calendar and heading to Whitehall, NY for the day for their annual Sasquatch Calling Contest & Festival.

Highlights Include: Over 50 Vendors. Over 10 Bigfoot presentations with experts and research, Live Music, Beer Garden, Bounce House and Face Painting for the kids! Bigfoot Calling contest, delicious food, Bigfoot statue Raffle. Fun for all, rain or shine.

Skenesborough and Riverside Parks | 130 Main Street | Whitehall, New York 12887
Web: Sasquatch Calling Festival

Chickens greet you before you can make it to the front door of the Blind Buck Valley Farmstead House, where you are welcomed in by the Parker family. As soon as you drive up the dirt road leading to the 180 acre farm, you’ll see aged red barns and a big white farm home that invites you to stay. The five bedroom farm house is filled with books and games, and play spaces for children. There’s a spacious living room where adults and friends can gather. Unplugged, so you can enjoy all the memorable moments of the time you spend here.

You can also opt to experience Glamping and stay in a teepee on their teepee campsite.

The Blind Buck Valley Farm offers a beautiful and quiet vacation experience for individual families, couples, groups of friends, wedding parties, and even bridal showers. There are goats and donkeys, and ponies and other farm animals on the grounds that kids and adults can interact with while staying on the farm. There’s a pool in the back of the house, open in the warmer season. There’s lots of ground to walk and explore.

There’s a large hill near the house, that tempted the inner child in me to climb up it and roll down it. I resisted during my visit, but the next time I come to this wonderful family friendly farm, I may have to let the kid in me run free.

If you’re looking for a getaway destination that is a hidden gem, less then 45 minutes from Saratoga Springs, NY, I recommend adding the Blind Buck Family Farmstead to your Salem, NY vacation stay list.

116 Riley Hill Road | Salem, New York 12865
Web: bbvfarmstead.com | IG: @blindbuckvalley_farmstead

4 Must-Experience Wheelchair Accessible Outdoor Activities in CapNY

Updated: July 2025

There are countless outdoor activities to partake in during CapNY’s spring and summer months. 10 state parks. Countless trails & opportunity. It’s important for us that CapNY has outdoor experiences that are accessible to EVERYONE across our community.

In this article, we’ll cover FOUR must-experience wheelchair outdoor activities that you should add to your to-do list on an upcoming weekend. Check it out!

Albany County
Located at 56 Game Farm Road, Delmar

Five Rivers is a natural wonder of CapNY, with over 450 acres of fields, forests, and wetlands. It offers accessible programming for children, adults, and groups. Here you’ll find their upcoming programs and events. Whether you’re looking for guided or solo exploration, with over ten miles of trails for exploration, Five Rivers “fosters discovery, spiritual refreshment and physical fitness through wholesome outdoor recreation.”

Accessible Features:

All amenities of the Visitor Center, Comfort Station, picnic area, Woodlot Trail and Nature’s Backyard Trail are wheelchair accessible, as are several hard-surfaced interior routes. Sign interpreters are available upon request for education programs. Braille, large print and audio format interpretive guides are available upon request, as well as wheelchairs, walkers and a scooter.

Columbia County
Location:
Here’s the map with the different loops and trailheads!
-To enter at the Beaver Byway: 4079 County Rd 9, East Chatham, NY
-To enter at the Lake Loop: 451 Gale Hill Road, East Chatham, NY (use this entrance for kayaking access)
-If you are planning to use the Gale Hill Road entrance please use 398 Gale Hill Road when entering in GPS. The 451 is the official 911 road number, but some GPS systems lead elsewhere.

Hand Hollo w includes about 3 miles of trails, most of it being pure forest. Explorers can admire an open meadow and kayak or fish in Meizinger Lake, which includes an accessible kayak launch. You have a great chance of catching a peek at a beaver and/or great blue heron if you observe closely. Sprinkled with spring wildflowers, it makes for a beautiful spot for meditating, gazing, and photos.

Accessible Features:

The parking area and fishing pier on Spiegelberg Lake are both accessible. Click here for more.

Greene County
Location: 70 Catskill View Cir, Saugerties, NY 12477

This forest, of almost 8,000 acres, is a popular destination due to the iconic Kaaterskill Falls, which can be enjoyed by all…from Laurel-House Road parking area, it’s 0.3 miles to the observation platform overlooking the falls.

Despite misconception, there’s more than hiking trails to be explored here. There’s accessible camping, horseback riding, and more.

Accessible Features:

General information on accessible recreation includes links to other locations with accessible recreation opportunities and information on permits for motorized access. Kaaterskill Wild Forest features several horse trails with accessible horse-mounting platforms at various trailheads. Additionally, the Escarpment Trail leads to an accessible trailside campsite.

Washington County
Location: Ferguson Road & Calhoun Lane Washington County Rte. 49, Ferguson Road, East Greenwich, NY, 12834

Wildlife management, wildlife habitat management, and wildlife-dependent recreation all encompass the purpose of Carters Pond area. Hiking, hunting, fishing, birding, and animal viewing are all popular activities there.

If hiking is calling your name, check out the mile long Interpretive Nature trail. In 2012, staff and volunteers made half of the loop into a fully accessible trail. “The trail offers an opportunity to learn more about nature and examine the relationship between wildlife, habitat, soils, and climate. There are many species of trees, plants, fungi, and ferns to identify along the path in both upland and wetland habitat communities.”

Accessible Features:

A wheelchair accessible half-mile loop trail and path to an elevated viewing platform exists within the nature trail described above. The accessible loop trail goes through several habitat areas, providing views of wooded wetlands, upland forest, and the large marshy pond. The trail has a hardened stone dust surface and includes a boardwalk, several foot bridges, and ample passing spaces. It is connected to a designated accessible parking area. There is no privy at this location.

A shorter trail leads from the accessible parking area up a very slight grade to a point where it meets a wooden boardwalk with railings. The level board walk extends out toward the pond as the surrounding ground slopes fairly steeply down to the water’s edge. The short board walk ends at a small deck with railings that allows room for a wheelchair to turn around. The viewing platform at the end of the boardwalk provides a pleasant bird’s eye view of the pond.

Now get outside & explore! Tag us in your pics @gocapny on all platforms!

#disability accessible ada hikes trails upstatenewyork upstateny waterfalls wheelchair

Charming CapNY Towns on the Outskirts

Updated: July 2025

Centuries before automobiles emerged as the singular mode of transport, the Industrial Revolution exploded upward from its epicenter of Manhattan, through the waterways that carve the landscape of Upstate New York.

As a result of this rapid expansion, mill towns popped up along the creeks and streams that branch from the Hudson River.

Unlike many of the city centers in CapNY, the charming small towns in this story haven’t been bulldozed for strip malls and high rises. Instead, they maintain the architecture and ambiance of the time in which they were founded. Lucky for us, they’re all just a short automobile ride away! So if you’ve ever had the urge to play out your Schitt’s Creek fantasy, or if you’re someone for whom ‘antique’ is a verb, plan your next day trip to one of these charming small towns!

Surprisingly, the town I hadn’t heard of before was the one with the most going on! Greenwich has some of the most beautiful historic homes in the Capital Region. Plus, there’s a bustling main street with restaurants, cafes, antique shops and craft stores.

Formerly known as Whipple City, the town grew up around a cotton mill and continued to flourish until the mid 19th century. Be sure to take a stroll through the surrounding neighborhoods to see some of the best examples of 18th and 19th century architecture that Upstate New York has to offer.

There’s great food and drink in Greenwich, too. Argyle Brewing offers tasting flights and food trucks. Nearby, Elsassers 111 offers Flammkuchen (German-style flatbread pizza). The Country Peddler offers Christmas tchotchkes and fresh fudge year-round. And don’t miss Wallie’s, a Greenwich institution since 1929, serving patrons for almost a century in the heart of this beautiful village.

Your Greenwich Itinerary:

Certainly the swankiest of the bunch, Kinderhook has drawn Michelin-star chefs, restaurateurs, and other impressive proprietors from New York City and Hudson in recent months. And, this small town was home to the nation’s eighth president, Martin Van Buren; you can still visit his estate house, Lindenwald, which is now a museum in his honor.

The food and architecture is awesome in Kinderhook. First, pop into the Saisonnier (French for farmhand) to enjoy some fresh beer and a delicious charcuterie board. Then, cross the town square to take a look at the Knitting Mill, a renovated 1860’s knitting factory home to businesses including Morningbird and OK Pantry. Down the street, Meghan Calcagno brings her family’s 150-year old bagel recipe from Brooklyn to Kinderhook with Broad St. Bagel Co. They’ve recently expanded to the spot next door with Focaccia Bakery, where they offer Old World Italian bread and pizza.

Your Kinderhook Itinerary:

The little village sits almost on the border of Vermont, just a hop, skip and a jump away from Bennington. The gazebo at the center of town is the spitting image of the one in Stars Hollow (the fictitious Connecticut town that serves as the backdrop for Gilmore Girls). Thankfully for us, the rest of the architecture in town follows suit.

Artists Norman Rockwell and Grandma Moses both lived in the area; their paintings are exhibited in museums around the world as examples of American Folk Art from Upstate New York and Vermont.

In more recent times, Brown’s Brewing brought fame to the area once more when they renovated a mill on the Walloomsac River. The beautiful spot now houses a brewery and full restaurant, drawing tourists from all over New York State. The Potter Hill Barn, a ‘primitive gift store’, is another classic Capital Region staple, operating for more than 25 years.

Meanwhile, young business Iron Coffee Co., has seen a booming clientele since launching their roastery in 2016. And, new favorite Hoosick Provisions is an absolute must-stop for anyone looking for their Rose Apothecary moment. You’ll find local cheeses, homemade pastries and regional produce, set against the backdrop of 19th century exposed brick.

Your Hoosick Falls Itinerary:

Schuylerville is sometimes called America’s most historic village, because the Battle of Saratoga — known as the “Turning Point of the American Revolution” — was fought here. Later, in the 19th century, captains-of-industry arrived, harnessing the Fish Creek and Hudson River that made Shuylerville into a bustling township. Today, this quaint village remains a cultural hub of Upstate New York.

If you want good hikes and views of the waterways, Schuylerville is for you! Stop into Bound by Fate Brewing or The Basin Grill to enjoy a brew or bite on their beautiful patios overlooking the water. Then, get your steps in at Hudson Crossing Park and check out the beautiful Dix Bridge, a pedestrian bridge that crosses the Hudson River into Washington County.

Your Schuylerville Itinerary:

This charming village might be the Barn-Quilt capital of Upstate New York. On the main drag alone there are four businesses exhibiting large quilt-like signage on the outsides of their historic buildings.

As a result of its rural location, Schoharie is home to a number of regionally famous farms & farm stores. As a result, local produce, plants, prepared foods and artisan products abound. One of my favorites is The Carrot Barn, a Capital Region institution offering local produce and products from all over Upstate New York. (Surprise, surprise, the carrot cake is to die for). My family has been going to Wellingtons for years – run by retired couple Carolyn and Frederick. Their 45-acre farm offers landscaped gardens, artisan gifts and collectibles. And, there’s a tea room where Carolyn serves her signature gooey butter cake and island tea.

Stop by consignment shop Generations, which offers — dare I say it — the best selection of antiques that I’ve ever come across outside of the city centers. While you’re there, say hi to Ann, a lifelong Upstate New Yorker with years of stories and Schoharie history!

Your Schoharie Itinerary:

Five CapNY Artisanal Foods You Must Try!

Updated: July 2025

CapNY is every foodie’s dream!

We have an abundance of farm-to-table restaurants, nationally known farms, and incredibly unique food producers. Read on to learn more about five artisanal food makers that have some serious CapNY flare…CAUTION, we recommend reading this after you’ve already had a snack…may cause hunger.

Saratoga Peanut Butter Company is a woman-owned artisanal nut butter business based out of Saratoga Springs, NY. Owner Jessica Arceri mixes all of her butters in small batches without adding palm oils, cane sugars, preservatives, or artificial flavor. Each peanut butter, almond butter, and peanut-almond butter blend contains little to no sodium and are naturally gluten-free.

Twelve butter varieties are available online, and seasonal blends pop up throughout the year. There’s traditional — and delicious! — Plain Jane. If you like a little chocolate, try Chillin Chocolate Peanut Butter for a sweet-and-salty vibe. Want to try peanut butter with a kick? Let Slow Burner Spicy Garlic Peanut Butter ignite your senses. Arceri is most proud of Adirondack Jack. “It is a peanut/almond butter blend with cranberries, flax, cinnamon, and honey. It’s off the charts delicious!”

How — and Why — Saratoga Peanut Butter Co. Began

Arceri started making peanut butter for friends at SUNY Cortland. After the birth of her son Abe, she started experimenting and concocting unique, innovative nut butters at home. “I started the company officially in 2005. I loved peanut butter and healthy foods. At the time, there were very limited all-natural options, and many still added cane sugars and palm oils.”

At first, Arceri’s blends were only sold at local stores and The Saratoga Farmers Market. Now, you can find Saratoga Peanut Butter Co. butters at Capital Region markets of all sizes, from Hannaford and Price Chopper to Indian Ladder Farms.

Top-notch quality and outrageously fun butters are 2 things that make Saratoga Peanut Butter Co. worth the spotlight. The third is the company’s mindfulness about sustainability. “We have minimal waste and reuse cardboard to ship orders,” says Arceri. “We recycle everything and repurpose whenever we can.”

All Vital Eats hot sauce, jerky, “cheezy” dips and salsas are delicious, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and 100% free of artificial preservatives. Offering healthier substitutes for common favorites without giving up taste has been the owners’ mission since Vital Eats started in 2013. Back then, cousins and Vital Eats owners Jude Goldman and Reuben Schwartz were testing recipes in their kitchens and anticipating the rapid growth in demand for plant-based products in CapNY/the Capital Region.

From the beginning, Goldman wanted Vital Eats to be easy to find for all customers, regardless of status or location. “We try to make the products accessible to those who may not be ‘the elite’,” Goldman explains. Now, shoppers can grab Vital Eats from grocery shelves across New York State, at markets, or online.

For Goldman and Schwartz, riding the wave of the “[fill in the blank]-free” food culture leaves sample room for experimentation.

All Vital Eats hot sauce, jerky, “cheezy” dips and salsas are delicious, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and 100% free of artificial preservatives. Offering healthier substitutes for common favorites without giving up taste has been the owners’ mission since Vital Eats started in 2013. Back then, cousins and Vital Eats owners Jude Goldman and Reuben Schwartz were testing recipes in their kitchens and anticipating the rapid growth in demand for plant-based products in CapNY/the Capital Region.

Albany Is an Entrepreneurial Mecca

CapNY/Albany remains one of the best cities for an entrepreneur to explore a cool idea and start a business. Goldman lists CapNY Farmers Markets as a valuable source of information.

“If you’ve got something new and unique and it is something that people want, Albany is a good place to start. Here, you can get immediate feedback at the markets. You’re able to test your product before you take it elsewhere.”

Goldman is happy to help motivated entrepreneurs who want their business to grow. The recent Vital Eats expansion gives young or novice food producers a change to start their business in a license commercial kitchen.

“We recently started producing for small business that may not have the equipment, space, or kitchen to do it themselves.” He hopes the Vital Eats facility located in South Albany brings attention and opportunity to the neighborhood. “We hope to bring jobs to economically depressed areas in Albany.”

The Four Fat Fowl creamery operates within an old schoolhouse in Stephentown, NY. Willy and Shaleena Bridgham and Josie Madison have been making and selling artisan cheese in Rensselaer County since 2013. They introduced their signature St. Stephen soft cheese in 2014, which went on to win medals at the New York State Fair three years in a row. Later, the creamy, the more pungent, rich Camembertha and versitile Inagadda Ricotta joined the product line.

Cheesemaker Willy Bridgham’s undeniable craftsmanship is clear at first taste. He and wife Shaleena opened Four Fat Fowl after Willy spent ample time as an apprentice cheesemaker in Hudson, NY.

“We thought, ‘We can do this!’” Shaleena exclaims, recalling the beginning of their small business journey.

After exceeding expectations and experiencing rapid growth. Four Fat Fowl moved from a renovated pizzeria to its current location on Route 43. They use more than 500 gallons of Jersey cow milk from Dutch Hollow Farm every week. Sourcing local dairy is important to the Four Fat Fowl process. Cutting down on shipping time and distance is essential to the quality and taste of the cheese.

A Commitment to Rensselaer County

Locality isn’t only imperative for freshness, it is the core of Four Fat Fowl culture. Both the name and the location of the creamery are odes to Rensselaer’s history. All three owners are from Stephentown, and their hometown pride oozes like the cheeses they produce. Why did they decided to stay in Stephentown when they moved to a larger facility? Shaleena smiles, “It’s home.”

Though the owners do not agree on their favorites (Willy and Shaleena prefer St. Stephen. Josie loves the Ricotta!) they all share the same sentiments about the importance of teamwork and their community.

“Stephentown has been incredibly supportive,” says Madison. “Some of our best customers live right in town.” They’ve also got wonderful distribution with stores and restaurants, including Tribeca Grill in Manhattan, and Whole Foods locations throughout the region.

Such unwavering loyalty is what makes the Four Fat Fowl team work so well. “We are super lucky to have a fantastic team of amazing employees who have been with us since the beginning.”

Want to dress your next charcuterie or your next cracker with a Four Fat Fowl cheese? Find it here, stop by their store at 473 NY Route 43 or purchase online!

The folks at Muddy Trail Jerky Co. in Washington County are keeping up with the Capital Region’s interest in healthy, small batch foods by offering a vast variety of handmade jerkies, seasonings, pickles, dips, and baking kits. Owners Mary and René Lussier work as a team at their store in Greenwich, NY. They started Muddy Trail in 2015 after Mary’s jerky proved to be a hit amongst family and friends. Now, Muddy Trail is a multi-product seller helping patrons explore a colorful range of spice and flavor at local markets and events.

Muddy Trail Jerky goes fast, so Mary must replenish almost daily. She carefully slices and seasons the Washington County beef to make her flagship product. “We marinate the meat in our own marinades for at least 48 hours. Then, we dehydrate the meat for another four hours.”

Innovation Abounds at Muddy Trail

Locality isn’t only imperative for freshness, it is the core of Four Fat Fowl culture. Both the name and the location of the creamery are odes to Rensselaer’s history. All three owners are from Stephentown, and their hometown pride oozes like the cheeses they produce. Why did they decided to stay in Stephentown when they moved to a larger facility? Shaleena smiles, “It’s home.”

Though the owners do not agree on their favorites (Willy and Shaleena prefer St. Stephen. Josie loves the Ricotta!) they all share the same sentiments about the importance of teamwork and their community.

This time-consuming technique strays away from commercial practice. It is the reason Muddy Trail jerky holds such strong, intense flavor, like the zing of citrus of the Jalapeño Lime Jerky and the northeast style sweetness of their new Maple Rounds.

The Lussiers stay up to date and adopting to trends, including the nation’s latest uptick in home cooking. “Last year, more people started cooking at home,” says René Lussier. For the Lussiers, it was an opportunity for innovation. “People started asking for different mixes, so we made them!”

Muddy Trail offers Everything Bagel seasoning, Sloppy Joe Mix, Maple BBQ mix, and almost everything in between. “We put real pieces of lemon in our Lemon Pepper, and real orange and whole cloves in our mulling spice,” René says, displaying the beauty of the spices through the clear package.

The Muddy Trail Jerky Co. store is across from two CapNY/Capital District staples, 1) The Washington County Fairgrounds; and 2) The Ice Cream Man, creating one of the best food tour triangles in the region. Feel free to stop by the store and meet the owners and browse their offerings, or catch Muddy Trail Jerky at the Troy Farmers Market and upcoming local events!

Shane Avery’s Saratoga-based brewing company Junbucha is popularizing Jun, a close cousin to kombucha. Though the two beverages are both fermented using a SCOBY (Symbiotic Colony of Bacteria and Yeast), Jun is made with green teas and honey, while kombucha is made with black tea and cane sugar. Jun has a lighter, more delicate taste. This helps bring out the traits of the added fruits, flora, or fauna.

Jasmine Junbucha bursts with floral notes of the sweet jasmine flower. The Ginger Yerba Mate Junbucha yields both a warm spicy comfort and an invigorating jolt to the senses. New Pineapple Tumeric combines the succulence of organic pineapple juice with the raw complexity of turmeric. It’s packed with antioxidants. Best yet — it fights inflammation!

Junbucha has natural probiotic qualities, which could improve and maintain gut health. Sometimes, to give Junbucha even more of a boost, Avery creates a specialty batch brewed with adaptogenics, all-natural aids for brain and body function that grow directly from the earth. Adaptogenic mushrooms like Reishi, Chaga, and Cordyceps support the immune system, fight and repair inflammation, sustain energy, and can promote deeper sleep.

Sustainability is at the Heart of Junbucha

Avery’s commitment to sustainability is apparent. “Your footprint matters,” he confidently states. All Junbucha ingredients are ethically sourced from trusted suppliers. They use a solar powered facility. Waste is either composted or recycled. Finally, the fizzy elixir is poured into custom swing-top glass bottles. All Junbucha bottles are recyclable, reusable, and redeemable for cash through the company’s recycling program.

Saratoga’s exuberant history and tight-knit culture make the area an optimal location for a small scale, health-conscious food producer to succeed.

Dr. Sarah Avery, owner of Moon Cycle Seed Co. (and Shane’s wife and business partner), said they started their businesses in Saratoga County because “Saratoga was built on health and wellness, so it only made sense to start here.” She says locals appreciate high-quality, well-crafted products like Junbucha. “An entrepreneur pours their heart into their product. Community members appreciate this.”

It is this special direct relationship between business, brewer, and buyer that fuels Junbucha’s growth and innovation. “It is a beautiful cycle of creating and sharing.”

New, old, and curious shoppers can find 6 refreshing flavors of Junbucha at local farmers markets, restaurants, cafes, and online.

foodindustry foodproduction smallbiz

The Covered Bridges of Washington County

Updated: July 2025

Want a picturesque drive to some of the most charming and photo-friendly spots of CapNY?

Roll down your windows and head out to Washington County, where five covered bridges await you.

Please note that there can be spotty cell phone reception in some of these areas, so download or print maps and directions before you go. Click here for directions on how to do so on Google Maps.

Directions: Go 2 miles south of Salem on NY 22, then left onto Rexleigh Rd. for 1.5 miles to the bridge. GPS: N43° 08.045? W073° 21.369

The southernmost of the covered bridges of Washington County, historic Buskirk Covered Bridge is uniquely located over the Hoosick River between both Washington County and Rensselaer County. Featuring a Howe Truss design, the covered bridge is 152 feet in length and open for vehicular traffic. Built in 1857, this bridge is one of the earliest Howe Truss bridges still standing in New York State.

Directions: The bridge is in Shushan at the intersection of CR 61 and CR 64A. GPS: N43° 05.476? W073° 20.681

Shushan is a hamlet located on the Battenkill River between Salem to the north and the Eldridge Swamp State Forest to the south. Although the community is small, it actually contains two historic covered bridges, located just 2.3 miles away from each other.

The Shushan Covered Bridge is right in the heart of Shushan, and while it isn’t open to vehicular traffic, the Shushan Covered Bridge Association, Inc has converted it into a museum. This 161-foot long bridge features a Town Lattice Truss structure, and it was built by the Stevens Bros. in 1858.

Directions: Located 5.6 miles north-east of Jct. of Rt. 22 on Rt. 313. Then turn left onto Eagleville Rd. to the bridge. GPS: N43° 04.986? W073° 18.775?

The Eagleville Covered Bridge is located 2.3 miles east of the Shushan Covered Bridge. To reach the bridge, follow County Road 61 from Shushan to Eagleville Road. The 101-foot long Eagleville Covered Bridge was built in 1858 by Ephraim W. Clapp, and it is open to vehicular traffic.

Directions: Go 2 miles south of Salem on NY 22, then left onto Rexleigh Rd. for 1.5 miles to the bridge. GPS: N43° 08.045? W073° 21.369?

The Rexleigh Covered Bridge spans the Battenkill River in Salem. Visitors can drive over this covered bridge by following Rexleigh Road, and if you’d like a photo, you can park by the side near the picnic tables.

Built by Reubin Comins and George Wadsworth in 1857, this historic covered bridge features a Howe Truss design and is 107 feet in length. It was prefabricated in Troy, transported to Salem, and then pieced together at the current site. The bridge has been repainted and repaired multiple times over the years, and it is now owned and managed by Washington County. An easy way to reach the bridge is by driving through Salem along NY-22 from the north.

Directions: This bridge is on the grounds of the Slate Valley Museum; click here for directions.

Nestled in the foothills of the eastern Adirondacks, Granville is a small town that has been nicknamed the Colored Slate Capital of the World thanks to its unique red slate quarries. The major role that the slate industry played in the community’s development is celebrated at the Slate Valley Museum. This is where you’ll find the Slate Covered Bridge.

The Slate Covered Bridge is a long pedestrian bridge that crosses over the Mettawee River and connects the museum to Rathbun Avenue. The bridge’s roof is made of slate while the rest of it is a prefabricated steel superstructure. This 120-foot long covered bridge built in 2000 is a local landmark that allows visitors to look up and down the waterway.

Thank you to New York State Covered Bridge Society for your wonderful information. Visit their site to find covered bridges all across New York.

Bridges washingtoncounty

Discover These Seven Historic Performance Venues in CapNY

There are so many beautifully restored performance venues in CapNY. Steeped in history, they’ve hosted more than a century’s worth of stars. We’ve got the best of 19th century architecture teamed with today’s pop culture — what could be better!

7 Amazing Performance Venues

Join me for this (written) tour of seven amazing historic performance venues. Take a road trip to see each space, and I’ll see you at the shows!

Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, Troy

First on the list of historic performance venues is Troy Savings Bank Music Hall. The Troy Savings Bank renovated its office space into a grand performance venue in 1875, as a token of appreciation to its patrons.

This National Historic Landmark features a 19th-century organ. The instrument was originally installed in the New York mansion of millionaire William Belden. The original theatre design was never intended to accommodate the organ. Legend has it that this modification transformed the hall into the acoustic wonder that it is today.

The hall has hosted world-renowned artists for nearly 150 years. Legends like Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Isaac Stern, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and Vladimir Horowitz have graced the stage. Troy Music Hall hosts the best on today’s contemporary music scene. Joshua Bell, Andrew Bird, Steve Martin, Lyle Lovett, John Prine, and so many others have appeared here. I can’t wait to learn who’s coming when the lights are turned back on!

Its central location in downtown Troy means it’s only a few steps away from great places to eat (Bacchus Wood Fired pizza is across the street).

Proctors Theater, Schenectady

In 1926 F. F. Proctor, the “Dean of Vaudeville,” built Proctors to host famous vaudevillians of the day. The ornate, Italian Baroque style theater features Egyptian design flourishes, and seats over 2,500 attendees. The first public demonstration of television was made here in the 1930s. For this historic test, there was a live orchestra in the pit, and they were led by a conductor who was located in a GE lab across the city.

Proctors has hosted legendary musicians like Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington as well as comedians Bob Hope and Red Skelton. The theater became part of the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Lucky for us, the former vaudeville house continues to bring in top talent across all genres of performing arts and culture.

Before or after the show (and sometimes both), I always make time to stop at Villa Italia Bakery on Broadway. Need more than pastries? Marinos Pizza & Restaurant and Blue Ribbon Restaurant are nearby.

Palace Theater, Albany

Like Proctors, the Palace Theater was originally designed for vaudeville acts. This theatre was designed by John Eberson, the world’s most respected theatre architect of the day. The building’s original décor is in the Austrian Baroque style, and some is still intact. There is an extraordinary brass chandelier in the main lobby. Walls features original murals painted by Hungarian artists Andrew Karoly and Louis Szanto. The plaster beams are painted to resemble carved wood.

After its life as a vaudeville venue, the Palace became Albany’s premier first-run movie house. However, though the theatre underwent a $40 million renovation, it closed in 1969. Almost two decades later, the Palace Performing Arts Center, Inc. became incorporated as a not-for-profit . The board launched extensive renovations that transformed one of Albany’s historic performance venues into the premier entertainment destination it is today.

A visit to Common Roots Brewing for dinner and drinks is a great way to start or end any evening out. Or, if you’re looking for a splurge, try the wonderful Yono’s.

Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs

Caffe Lena is the longest continuously-operating folk music venue in the United States. Founded by Lena Spencer in 1960 in a former wood shop, the stage has helped launch the careers of countless folkies and songwriters, from Bob Dylan to Sawyer Fredericks. Lena’s offers a truly intimate musical experience. It’s one of the few places where you can sit close enough to see the artist’s fingers move on instrument frets, and feel their foot tapping rhythm on the stage.

Recently, the historic building was completely renovated, and has fantastic acoustics and great new seating. The caffe is renowned for its open mic nights, as well as world class acts. This local legend attracts fans (and performers) from all across the northeast.

Options for grabbing a drink or dinner, pre-or-post show, are endless. My personal favorite place is only a few blocks away. The Parting Glass is an Irish tavern with hearty meals and drafts. Try the Tin & Lint where they have a plaque designating the table where Don McLean wrote the lyrics to “American Pie.” (A claim McLean debunks.) It’s a great place to continue celebrating the area’s influence on musicians’ careers.

Hubbard Hall, Cambridge

Susan B. Anthony’s campaign speeches brought her to venues across New York State and the Capital Region. Her tour included the historic opera house known as Hubbard Hall. In 1894, she spoke to a crowded room from the hall’s turn-of-the-century stage.

The theater is ornate, with a Victorian gas chandelier, stenciled walls, and chestnut woodwork. During the 170+ years since its opening, the decor has remained nearly unchanged. Though the hall closed in the 1920s, it reopened as a not-for-profit arts and performance center in the 1970s. Today the Hubbard Hall Center brings theater, music, dance, and visual arts to rural Washington County through performances and educational opportunities. Hubbard Hall is revered as a venue for classically trained singers and instrumentalists across New England.

The resident theatre company has held productions of Shakespearian and other dramatic plays since its founding in 1999. Further, the historic performance venue is home to the Battenkill Chorale, a 100 person choral group.

A trip to Hubbard Hall is also a chance to visit the nearby Argyle Brewing Co. The brewery is a few steps away from Hubbard Hall in the historic train station. The 2,000-square-foot venue seats up to 67 people inside and 56 outside. Live performances and a food truck add to the appeal.

Universal Preservation Hall, Saratoga Springs

Built in 1871, the Universal Preservation Hall first served as a Methodist church. Eventually, the Universal Baptist Church bought the cavernous building (in 1976). Over time, costly repairs caused UPH to be condemned in 2000. Then, a group of concerned Saratoga Springs residents bought the space. UPH became part of the Proctors Collaborative, and together, they completed a massive restoration of the space. The historic performance venue reopened in February 2020 with only 10 days of operation before COVID forced its closure.

The majestic, vaulted ceilings and magnificent stained glass windows place this venue at the top of my list to visit when venues reopen. Depending on the day, some fried chicken or jambalaya at Hattie’s is a great option. My favorite Mexican fare is only a few steps away at Cantina. If I’m in the mood for shrimp tempura or sushi rolls, then it’s Sushi Thai.

Hudson Hall, Hudson

Similarly, a trip to the historic Hudson Hall tops on my bucket list. Built as City Hall for Hudson in 1855, the building included New York State’s oldest opera house. This theater hosted popular cultural, social, and political events of the day.

The theater, abandoned in 1962, sat vacant for 30 years. Local citizens made it their mission to save the building and create a new cultural center. In 2017, Hudson Hall completed a $9.5 million restoration, reopening its doors for community enjoyment. Looking for entertainment in Hudson? You can’t go wrong at The Maker Lounge and Swoon Kitchenbar. They’re excellent!

Katie Navarra is a professional writer based in the Capital Region. She has written for Popular Science, The Motley Fool Blueprint, Western Horseman, Horse & Rider and others. She is also a life and executive career coach who helps clients find clarity and success in and out of the office. Learn more at katienavarra.com.

architecture entertainment historical

8 Can’t Miss Spots in Washington County, NY

Washington County, NY, has natural beauty, family owned farmland, innovative culinary arts, charming Main Streets and creative artists of various disciplines.

Traverse the abundant wilderness and enjoy farm-based food culture. While taking in its languid, neighborly atmosphere. Want to find my favorite 8 can’t-miss spots in Washington County? Read on!

Off the Beaten Path

Largely rural and off the major roadways, Washington County surprises and delights new visitors! The southern part of the county is nestled northeast of Albany and Troy, east of Saratoga Springs and west of Vermont. Hugging the southern Adirondacks to the west, there are views to the Green Mountains. A day of local exploring is sure to leave you planning a return to this Capital Region pocket of wilderness and culture.

Walk into Twins Thai Food and you’ll be greeted by the aroma of fresh garlic, ginger, lemongrass and coconut. Owned and operated by twin sisters, Siriporn and Sirilak, Twins Thai serves family recipes passed down over generations. The county’s only Thai restaurant is set along Route 29 in Greenwich. Look for a sign featuring two elephants raising their trunks in celebration, and you’ll know you’ve arrived.

Twin Thai began as a roadside food truck located at the juncture of Route 29 and Route 40. After four years of growth, Siriporn and Sirilak moved their business into a building a thousand feet down the road. Their menu boasts an impressive array of fresh curries, nourishing soups and noodle dishes. All meals can be prepared vegetarian for non-meat eaters. Splurge on their mango with sticky rice for dessert. Or stop at The Ice Cream Man, Greenwich’s locally-owned ice cream shop, for its handcrafted flavors to rival Ben & Jerry’s.

Salem Art Works is a non profit arts center and artist community on the grounds of a former Washington County dairy farm. They offer a selection of blacksmithing, ceramics and glass artistry workshops and displays, and you can enjoy an afternoon of leisurely exploring through 119 acre Cary Hill Sculpture Park. The park hosts a rotating collection of works created by regional, national and international artists.

Begin your journey by foot at the center’s base and wind along their trail system. If you’re driving through, take a more direct route and follow the upward earthen road to access the park’s summit. There you’ll find “For Euler” by Mark di Suvero, a sizable tangerine lacquered I-beam sculpture meets decorative tractor tire swing.

From this viewpoint you’ll see New York and Vermont farmland and thick forest. Call the SAW office in advance to arrange for bonfire usage. They supply a generous, stone stacked fire pit. Or walk the quiet woodland trail situated behind you. Above all, SAW is an all season destination. Autumnal colors burst in all their glory in fall. During winter months, go sledding, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on Cary Hill. Pop into Steininger’s in the village of Salem to sample their delectable selection of handcrafted artisanal chocolate.

At either of Argyle Brewing Company’s two Washington County taprooms, guests are met with a down-home atmosphere. ABC, as it’s referred to by townspeople, features a variety of craft beers produced from locally sourced hops and barley. You’ll find classics brews, such as India Pale Ale and Oatmeal Stout, and local favorites like Rough and Ready No. 2, an Irish style Red whose title nods to Greenwich’s firehouse of days past. The company’s flagship Greenwich brewery and tasting room sits on the eastern edge of Main Street. An outdoor courtyard festooned with lights invites evening socializing. Pastoral views of the Battenkill River are right around the corner.

In the village of Cambridge, Argyle Brewing Company reclaimed the former train depot as an indoor tasting room, heated beer garden and live performance space. Handsome original pine paneling creates an intimacy suited to their live concerts. The welcoming staff and natural lighting glow with the quiet reprieve of small town life. Both Greenwich and Cambridge locations also feature on-site food trucks to complement one’s imbibing pleasure. Feel like a stroll after your brew? Head down Broad Street to peruse the colorful windows of Battenkill Books.

Nestled within Washington County’s rolling hills is Willard Mountain. This is a treasured winter resource for winter sport novices and experts alike. Dubbed “New York’s coolest little ski area,” locals will nostalgically tell you Willard is where they first learned how to ski. Willard is a homegrown affair. Staff and guests alike are, in large part, seasonal regulars who appreciate the mountain for its unpretentious nature. The concentrated size allows for a relaxed experience. Plus, Willard offers affordable lift tickets, gear rentals and seasons passes.

With sixteen routes of varied difficulty, skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels can find their slope. Additionally, the mountain hosts a four lane tubing park for folks interested in sitting while they slide. Willard’s circular lodge is centered on a fire pit surrounded by lacquered picnic tables. It’s a perfect place to stretch and warm your toes. Treat yourself to a bite from the snack bar or local brew from the Thirst Aid Room. Explore southern Washington County’s vast agricultural landscape on your way home. During the growing season make a stop at Hand Melon Farm, a popular pick-your-own spot and local market.

Situated deep within Washington County farmland, Hicks is New York state’s oldest u-pick orchard. They boast a generous selection of upstate apple varieties, including Cortland, Honeycrisp and Ruby McIntosh to name a few! Hicks is a beloved stop during all four seasons. The company’s wood cabin farm store is gently lit and punctuated with the aroma of cinnamon sugar. Browse the refrigerators for fresh pressed cider and colorful apples. Through a small window at the far end, you’ll find the orchard’s perennial favorite handmade cider donuts, fresh out of the fryer.

Hicks also crafts award-winning hard cider and apple brandy though their sister company, Slyboro Cider House. The rustic tasting room is next to the farm store. On weekends the orchard offers a series of “reserve your own campfire” packages. Visitors indulge in grilled cheese sandwiches, tomato soup and baked apples warmed directly by the fire’s flames. The Hicks’ also prides themselves on their support of fellow local food entrepreneurs. Pick up Whitehall’s Scribner maple syrup or Granville’s Myer honey. Salem’s Battenkill Valley Creamery dairy products are featured in the fridges. After stocking up at Hicks, visit the Pine Grove Diner in Granville for comfort food served in a family friendly atmosphere.

Northern Washington county serves as a southern gateway to the sprawling Adirondack Park. On the eastern side of Lake George you’ll find one of the area’s most renowned and sublime routes – a seven mile trek up Sleeping Beauty. This geological jewel is a choice destination for solo hikers and bands of adventurous friends. Begin your journey by parking at the easily accessible Hog Town Trailhead. If you and your vehicle are up for more adventurous terrain, forge a bumpy mile and a half down to Darcy Clearing.

Once on foot you’ll traverse a series of switchbacks while walking along granite cliffs and boulders. Marvel at the clear quartz and blue calcite in mossy outcroppings. Key your ears to the trail’s birdcalls. Upon reaching the trail’s summit, feast your eyes on its myriad of illustrious local mountains. To your west is Crane Mountain, look to your east for Pico and Killington. The summit outlook also delivers outstanding views of Lake George itself. Wrap your day in the sun with a fresh draft from Battle Hill Brewing Company, Fort Ann’s resident craft brewery.

Argyle Cheese Farmer Store and Bakery operates as part marketplace, part production facility. Stroll through the rows of fully stocked product coolers. Peer into the back room where tall glass windows reveal the company’s employees in action. Argyle Cheese Farmer procures their fresh milk (no artificial hormones used) from Ideal Dairy Farms, a family-owned farm in nearby Hudson Falls.

Argyle Cheese Farmer Store produces a wide selection of aged cheeses. Their cheeses have memorable names like Grace, Glory and Mrs. Robinson. You will also find familiar classics: traditional whole milk yogurt, buttermilk, and herbed cheese curds. Try the yogurt smoothies flavored with ginger pear, raspberry and vanilla chai. Take home one of Argyle Cheese Farmer’s frozen pizza pies, a handcrafted meal with dough made from the company’s whey. For dessert, pick up a homemade cheesecake laced with fresh blueberry or chocolate chips. While visiting Hudson Falls, drop by Vintage Vibe Boutique, a mother-daughter owned vintage clothing store inspiring self-expression through fashion.

Rio Riera Arbogast is a freelance writer focused on how creative entrepreneurship impacts the Capital Region’s cultural landscape. You can follow them on Instagram and Twitter at @riorawrites.

Culture Farm Land Washington County

Washington County Makers and Doers: CapNY Entrepreneurs

A constellation of small towns sprinkled across a largely rural landscape, Washington County prides itself on its attention to community. Creatives who call this region home draw inspiration from the county’s abundant natural beauty, relaxed pace of life and collaborative spirit.

A Cultural Heartbeat

Washington County makers and doers have a down to earth pride. Together, they’re shaping a distinctive cultural heartbeat. For Washington County creatives, strength lies in amazing folks embracing its infinite possibility.

Location: Salem

Stephinie Miner is a plant caretaker and herbal product maker. Her passion for making safe and natural herbal remedies led to the founding of Sweetbrier Farms five years ago. She envisioned a space for connecting people to the power of plants and wild places.

Her family of six spent two decades traveling with the Coast Guard. Then Miner and her husband Joe decided to lay down roots. Washington County offered everything they wanted: day trip access to nearby cities, abundant nature and quiet tranquility.

Sweetbrier Farms is situated on thirty-five acres of mostly wooded land in Salem. They grow two dozen varieties of medicinal herbs along with a sizable vegetable garden. The small orchard is cultivated through a blend of permaculture and biodynamic practices. Stephinie and Joe are careful to balance their human presence with that of resident wildlife. To do so, they reserve rough pasture during the summer for pollinators and forest animals.

The Sweetbrier catalogue mainstays include herbal tinctures, salves and organic soap featuring plants grown or wild-harvested on their land. The farm also runs a unique apothecary style CSA. Members receive a selection of seasonally curated herbal wellness goods to support their health. Stephinie and Joe are also in the process of constructing a workshop-guest cabin on their property.

Find Stephinie’s Sweetbrier Farm herbal products on her website https://sweetbrierfarms.com/. Look for them locally at the Cambridge Co-op in Cambridge.

Location: Cambridge

David Snider believes in art’s potential for individual and collective transformation. His commitment as Hubbard Hall’s Executive and Artistic Director derives from that foundation. With dual roles, he manages both the operational and creative dimensions of the institution. Snider is motivated by “feeling and seeing how the work affects people’s lives.”

Established in 1878 by Mary and Martin Hubbard, Hubbard Hall is a performance venue and community town square. The building proudly features one of the country’s few remaining operational 19th century vaudeville theaters.

The organization’s mission -– to develop, sustain and promote the cultural life of its rural community –- is evident in their year-round programming. Courses in the arts are available for folks of all ages and skill levels. Students from the high school drama club are coached and nurtured on the historic stage. Artists in residence share work in progress with Cambridge residents. From local emerging talent to renowned professionals such as composer Rupert Holmes and dancer Twyla Tharpe, Hubbard Hall holds space for passionate creatives. Other initiatives include Breaking Bread, a LGBTQIA+ monthly potluck fostering regional relationship building.

After thirteen years of living and working in Washington D.C., David and his family relocated to Cambridge. The town’s close knit social fabric and natural beauty captivated the Snider family. As the largest arts institution in Washington County, Snider knows Hubbard Hall carries both great responsibility and big opportunity. His efforts are a welcome contribution to the creative lifeblood of Washington County.

Location: Cambridge

Ashley McCuin’s artisanal bakery business, Coffee And, provides customers with comforting nourishment. The name, Coffee And, is a phrase from her partner’s grandmother, a short form for “coffee and a treat while chatting with a friend.” Ashley hopes her baked goods can encourage patrons to take a moment for self care and relaxation amidst the daily grind.

Grounded in nostalgic crowd favorites, Coffee And’s repertoire spans from classic to nouveau. Ashley’s Everything Bagel Scones include chunks of cream cheese and everything bagel topping. Kouign amanns – muffin shaped croissants topped with a sugar glaze – sit alongside stellar rye rolls.

Born and raised in Cambridge, Ashley returned to southern Washington County after a handful of years in Burlington, Vermont. She shares, “I know there’s a future here in these small towns. I walk down Main Street and imagine all the possibilities.” Ashley is also a strong advocate for small business. “Shopping local” cultivates a vibrant local economy and quality employment.

You’ll find Ashley’s Coffee And products on Fridays at the Cambridge Food Co-op in Cambridge and Iron Coffee in Hoosic Falls, as well as on Sunday at her farm stand located at the Cambridge Valley Farmers Market in Cambridge.

Location: Greenwich

Devin Bulger founded Comfort Food Community in 2014 to address food scarcity amongst low-income individuals and families in Washington County. Devin spent several years in Colorado engaging in homelessness advocacy work. Upon returning to his rural hometown of Greenwich he recognized an unmet need. Comfort Food Community supports low-income residents in a largely agricultural area with quality nourishment. The organization utilizes a multi-pronged approach in supporting county residents. Comfort Food has local pantries in Greenwich and Cossayuna. The popular community garden space located in the village of Greenwich provides connection and supplements the pantry shelves .

CFC’s food recovery initiative serves as its farm facing arm. In a collaborative effort, staff and employees collect farm fresh produce that would otherwise be composted or fed to animals. The produce is distributed through food pantries and directly to residents through a network of local partners. The community health component, in partnership with Hudson Headwaters Health Network and CDPHP, includes Food Farmacy and Produce Prescription programs. Devin appreciates how his work and personal life positively inform each other in a small town context.

Comfort Food Community is a prime example of how Washington County makers and doers play a role in sharing abundance. Devin’s work affirms for us what can be harvested when a valuable seed is planted in fertile ground.

Location: Coila

Rachel Bauscher’s Esoteric Energy Design blends her love of natural beauty and wearable art. Her residence in the hamlet of Coila is a stone’s throw from the village of Cambridge. The location allows her ample opportunity to collect the organic materials she lovingly incorporates into her work. Rachel might weave a robin feathers from a nearby maple into a pair of jewel-toned leather earrings. A quartz-veined stone from the Battenkill River and forgotten vintage beads from a second hand store find new life in a bracelet merging classic and contemporary.

One of Rachel’s favorite practices is designing custom jewelry. She likens the experience to pulling a tarot card specific to her client. The piece emerges, and the wearer feels a part of a collaborative process.

As a local who left the area and returned eight years ago, Rachel enjoys the generous landscape that Washington County offers her and her family of five. She derives inspiration directly from the elements. Her children have the opportunity to grow alongside the plant and animal life found right outside of their doorstep.

Rio Riera Arbogast is a freelance writer focused on how creative entrepreneurship impacts the Capital Region’s cultural landscape. You can follow them on Instagram and Twitter at @riorawrites.

Creatives entrepreneur Washington County

5 Family-Friendly Skiing and Tubing Centers Across CapNY

Whether you’re a bona fide ski bum or just feeling ski-curious, ski areas offer acres of open air and gorgeous natural scenery, making them some of the most fun family-friendly spaces to spend with energetic kids.

Hunter is an ideal destination for serious skiers and first-timers alike. Pros will love their summit elevation of 3,200 feet, a vertical drop of 1,600 feet and 240 ski-able acres. For newbies, there are easy runs with wide cruising lanes and kid-friendly carpet lifts. Plus, be sure to check out their 1,000-foot tubing hill. It’s one of the biggest in New York, with its own surface lift to carry riders back up the hill.

Where to eat:

Hunter has 4 separate mountain faces with lodge dining throughout the area. At Goldye’s Café in the Learning Center (the on-site headquarters for skiing lessons), you’ll find treats, soups, and a great view. Just outside the base lodge, look for Pika’s Waffle Stop. They serve Belgian Liege Waffles, hot chocolate, and grab-and-go lunch fare. For a hearty Bavarian dinner, head across the street from Hunter Mountain to Jagerberg Beer Hall. They serve big soft pretzels, bratwurst and flammkuchen (flatbread pizza). Select from their German beer menu available for dine-in or take-out by the bottle or the growler.

This family-owned Schenectady ski area has 8 trails across 60 acres, with a 270 foot vertical drop. Located 20 miles northwest of Albany, Maple Ridge holds after-school and weekend ski and snowboard lessons for kids. Equipment is available to rent on a daily or seasonal basis here. Maple Ridge welcomes visitors of all ages. Guests who are under 3 or over 70 ski for free, making a day on the slopes an affordable multi-generational family experience.

Where to eat:

Maple Ridge is more about the slopes than eats, but it’s just a 10-minute drive to the Tops American Grill. There they serve loads of kid-friendly options from chicken tenders to burgers to breakfast-all-day.

Located in the hills of southern Washington County, this mom-and-pop resort calls itself “New York State’s Coolest Little Ski Area.” Lift tickets and lessons at this Greenwich mountain are affordable, plus they welcome young families with kids just learning to ski. They’ll teach any age and encourage starting ski lessons for kids aged 4 – or even as young as 3. Kids will also love the 2-hour tubing sessions! With everything but overnight lodging, Willard Mountain makes a great family day-trip destination. And if your family gets hooked on skiing, they offer great deals on season passes. The options include seasonal rental of ski equipment for kids who tend to grow out of their gear each year.

Where to eat:

Plenty of grab-and-go bites are available at their cafeteria. Settle into a sit-down meal at their wood-paneled lounge Thirst Aid Room. The lounge offers hearty options – poutine, loaded chili, and steak sandwiches with sautéed onions, mushrooms, and American cheese. And check the kids’ menu that includes personal pizzas, cheeseburgers, grilled cheese, chicken fingers and French fries.

Located between Lake George and Saratoga Springs, West Mountain has 31 trails, a snow tubing park, and 126 skiable acres. They accommodate skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels. Lessons and equipment rentals are available for all visitors.

Skiing tends to be an early-bird activity because the sun goes down so early in winter. Yet, West Mountain is known for their lighted trails and night skiing. You’ll keep skiing for hours longer than you could at neighboring mountains.

Where to eat:

At the West Mountain Lodge, the West Express Café takeout window serves to grab and go. The menu goes from breakfast sandwiches, mac and cheese, burgers, to burrito bowls, and soups . The West Mountain Bar & Eatery serves a similar menu and is open for sit-down dining and bar service.

Windham Mountain is a must-visit spot for all ages. Whether you’re a first-timer, an expert skier this Greene County ski mountain and resort offers beginner-to-expert terrain. They feature 12 lifts, and 285 ski-able acres, with 54 trails stretching across 2 peaks. Kids (and adults!) who want an alternative can get their downhill exhilaration at Windham Mountain Adventure Park. The fun includes 6 snow-tubing lanes and a racetrack for mini snowmobiles.

And if you’re just looking to lounge around while your family hits the slopes?

After a long day (week, month) of managing kids on and off the slopes, deep relaxation is in order. Windham’s Alpine Spa offers appointment-only treatments like the Hudson River Stone Massage, relieving sore muscles with warm, smooth river stones. Or try the Deep Heat Muscle Repair treatment, combining massage with steamy towels steep in sage, rosewood, and lavender. Non-skiers can wander the quaint town of Windham, with its sweet little indie book shop, Briars and Brambles Books. Stop at the incredible little French bakery, La Pastisserie Normande, a dreamy winter destination in itself.

Where to eat:

Windham has range of on-mountain dining spots, including the Mountain Express Cafeteria and Seasons Restaurant in their main lodge. The Wheelhouse Mountain Lodge is the spot breathtaking mountaintop views. You’ll find or sandwiches, soups, tacos and beer on the menu. Plus there’s the cozy cabin offering Belgian waffles and hot cider to skiers on the go.

Exploring the less traveled (and less expensive!) Catskills, in and around Greene County. Farms, drive-in movies, kids, food, beer, shopping, home design, and real estate. Brooklyn DoubleWide

family Skiing Tubing

CapNY Daycation: Washington County Farm Tours

One of the best things about CapNY is buying local products, fresh from the farm. So, plan a farm daycation in Washington County! The sites listed below all have fantastic food, AND will have you in breathtaking scenery in no time.

I’ve grouped the farms by proximity, so that you can make multiple stops relatively easily, rather than trying to cover the whole county in one day. Rest assured, you’ll be back for more!

Northern Washington County Farms

County Rte 12, Granville, NY 12832

Visit Tuscany without having to leave New York State on your Washington County farm tours! That’s the vibe at Dancing Ewe Farm. Luisa Somers — a Tuscany native — and her husband Jody have dedicated themselves to the art of cheese-making, salumi and olive oil. Their Sunday lunches and weekend dinners, which feature a curated farm-to-table experience with hand-selected Italian wines, are not-to-be missed. While you cannot currently sit in their beautiful dining room, you can enjoy the experience in an open-air tent. Reservations are required and space is limited, so book now!

18 Hicks Rd, Granville, NY 12832

Cherries and blueberries and apples, oh my! At Hicks Orchard, the oldest U-Pick in New York State, you can load up with fruit, and afterwards, stop by their store and pick up some of their Slyboro Ciders to help wash it all down. My personal favorites are the Montmorency Cherry & La Sainte Terre. If you’re lucky to be there in the Fall, the cider donuts — made fresh on site — are worth the splurge. Trust me. If there’s anything I know, it’s sweets.

4 Charles St, Fort Ann, NY 12827

Not technically a farm, but with so many locally sourced ingredients in the food and beers, I felt like they could sneak onto the list. Start with their Farmers Platter featuring locally made cheeses or their soft pretzel bites with beer cheese. Choose one of their rotating beer selections to go with your order or try a flight and sample a few. For the main course, I recommend trying one of their two burgers served on house-made buns. These may be some of the best burgers I’ve ever had. Seriously. Not a burger fan? Try the Fort Ann Pub Club with turkey on toasted cranberry spent grain bread instead. I’m starting to get hungry… See you there!

Central Washington County Farms

691 County Rte 30, Salem, NY 12865

Two words: Ice cream. Two more words: So delicious. For over a century, Battenkill Creamery has been producing dairy. What started as a family hobby is open to the public today. I must say there is something really special about locally sourced dairy. Makes you remember why you loved milk as a kid. And when you put that dairy into ice cream, well… love. But don’t just stop by for a scoop and a gallon. Battenkill also sells products from many other local purveyors including: cheese from Argyle Cheese Farmer, maple products from Wild Hill Maple and local, free-range eggs from Saunders Farm to name a few.

167 Bunker Hill Road, Cossayuna, NY 12823

Speaking of dairy, I defy you to try Bunker Hill Creamery’s maple milk and not want to chug the entire bottle. It’s ridiculously good and makes that morning cuppa joe a little more delightful. Right now, you can’t tour their creamery. However, you can buy the milk along with farm-raised beef, eggs and other seasonal offerings at their farm stand. Their store is operated on the honor system, so make sure to bring cash. Do yourself a favor and take a moment to appreciate the amazing views from their farm.

1055 County Rte 30, Salem, NY 12865

Now in the hands of the third generation, Gardenworks Farm is a place that has it all. You could spend quite a few hours here. From seasonal produce that you can pick on your own, to a shop full of local artisans’ wares, to an art gallery upstairs full of antique farm equipment, there’s something for everyone. I loved seeing the old equipment and realizing how much work went into farming before technology came along. This is not to say farming today is by any means “easy”. Gardenworks also does flowers arrangements for weddings, which are created from their blooming fields of flowers.

Southern Washington County Farm Tours

11975 NY-40, Schaghticoke, NY 12154

Victory View Vineyard is a family-owned winery producing cold-weather wines that harken back to the rich history of the region. Owned by Mary and Gerry Barnhart, the winery offers outdoor seating on their lush grounds for wine tasting and cheese sampling. If you’re not a wine fan, but want to get out of the house, Victory View has generously opened up their property for picnics. There are guidelines that you’ll need to follow including stopping at the drive-through and not bringing outside alcoholic beverages in. You can get the full rundown on their website. I mean a picnic on a vineyard in picturesque Washington County… doesn’t that just sound glorious?

340 Crescent Ave, Highland, NY 12528

Family fun abounds at Liberty Ridge Farm. There is so much going on at Liberty Ridge that one visit won’t cover it. Blueberry and sunflower picking in the Summer, corn maze in the Fall, pumpkin patches and haunted houses for Halloween… They even have cabins to rent for an afternoon. There you can enjoy a catered event or bring your own food. After you’ve visited and fallen in love with the farm and that special someone, you can even get married at Liberty Ridge. Check out their website to find our more, make reservations and buy tickets to special events.

Washington St, Cambridge, NY 12816

I’m including the Cambridge Valley Farmers Market on my Washington County Farm Tours list, because there are so many great small farms that don’t allow visitors, but still shouldn’t be missed. The CVFM allows you the opportunity to get to experience many of them. The vendors at this market are so diverse that you can go home with kimchi from Sunhee’s Farm (spicy deliciousness), pierogi from Slavonian European Cafe, fresh veggies from Long Days Farm and locally raised meats from Joint Venture Farm, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg with regard to vendors. The market is open on Sundays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Cambridge Central School.

Rachel Dunn is a Marketing & Branding Specialist, one half of CapGirls NY and an avid explorer of New York’s Capital Region.

Brewery Creamery Farm

Category: Washington County

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