5 things we're loving right now in the Capital District

Happy Tuesday, Capital Region! Today, we’re writing to you from Mexico City, where it’s warm and beautiful and so are the people. Don’t get us started on the street food 🌮😋 Maybe we should start a travel newsletter?

While we’re not in the 518 right now, we’re still thinking about all the places we’re loving of late. Check out our list below. And don’t miss our reader poll on the weather 👇️ 

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

5 things we’re loving in the Capital District 🏆️ 

So many things to love about our capital city, so little time. Here’s what’s catching our attention lately:

The New York State Museum: Our beloved museum has been getting a lot of press recently—and it hasn’t been all positive. But whoever is doing the event programming lately deserves some kudos. We’re loving the collabs with Common Roots Albany Outpost for their History & Hops series, and interactive events for kids like the recent Rock & Fossil Fun Fair. Be sure to check out their calendar of events.

La Polleria: This Peruvian fast-casual joint on Albany’s Lark Street is where chickens go to heaven. Our friend and partner, Henry the Tourism Gnome, gave us the inside scoop: You gotta stop in here and try their super juicy and tasty rotisserie birds smothered in Peruvian spices. Take a look at this chicken 😍 Full review in the newsletter coming soon…

Albany Pine Bush Preserve: Week in and week out, there’s something cool happening here. With the weather warming up, this is a great place to bring the kids and tweens for nature walks and science lessons. Most events ask for a $5 donation. Be sure to check their calendar frequently because the best events do sell out.

Dan’s Place Two: There are diners and then there’s Dan’s Place in Albany. This is the epitome of what an old-fashioned diner experience should be. Real people, real food. A family-run joint for decades. Cash only, of course. We always order the same thing: A short stack of blueberry pancakes and the Beat the House breakfast platter. So dam good. Many folks swear by the Emmy-Bull Burger, a half pound of meat and grease.

The Market 32 in Rensselaer Square: It seems weird to rave about a grocery chain, but browsing through this newish Market 32 is just a pleasant experience (but we actually love grocery shopping). We go out of our way to shop here because it’s spacious and clean, the produce is fresh, and there are tons of checkout lanes. Some folks may mourn the old ShopRite, but we wished all Market 32s looked this good.

😎 WEATHER WATCH

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👧 The Littles Play Cafe, a local chain specifically catering to families with young ones, is expanding into Schenectady and Clifton Park. With current locations in Latham and Bethlehem, the cafes offer climbing ropes, mats and other playground equipment to keep kids occupied, while grownups can catch up on work or meet with friends. The TU chats with the owners about their hit concept. [Times Union]

🌆 Our mayoral candidates are divided on Albany’s long-running status as a sanctuary city. Ahead of the June 24 Democratic primary, the candidates are weighing in on an issue that’s getting a lot of attention under the Trump administration. See who’s for and against… [WAMC]

📍Albany County has surpassed Saratoga as the fastest-growing county in upstate New York, according to new Census estimates. While Saratoga had long held the top spot, it now ranks third in population growth. The greater Capital Region grew by nearly 10,000 residents, including small increases in Schoharie and Montgomery counties. We’re now an estimated 1,247,535 strong 💪 

Take a gander at this charming eyebrow Colonial in Cambridge Village, near Saratoga (where the median home price is now $400K). This airy home features hardwood floors throughout, a fully remodeled kitchen with new granite countertops and cabinetry, and two elegantly updated bathrooms. The first-floor bedroom links to the full bath with new washer and dryer. Front and back stairs lead to two additional bedrooms, half bath, and cozy sitting area—all with large windows. Stay warm in winter with a brand-new boiler and enjoy summer in the deep, private backyard with mature plantings and a sturdy shed.

The deets: 3 bd, 2 ba, 1456 sf. Asking: $289,900. Days on market: 4. See the full listing here.

🎟️ WHAT’S HAPPENING

Note: Our full weekend roundup publishes on Thursday! Keep an eye on your inbox.

🎥 In our opinion, no American Gen X or early Millennial was left untouched by the influence of Stephen King’s prolific, introspective horror. Experience Stanley Kubrick’s masterful adaptation of The Shining, followed by the bloody female pain and rage of Carrie—a double feature you’ll never forget (again). Tonight at No Fun, free.

⛳️ More than 10,000 attendees are expected at the 19th annual Adirondack Sports Summer Expo in Saratoga this weekend.

🖼️ “Osi Audu: The Self in African Art” opens at Opalka Gallery, with a reception on Friday featuring music from the Alan Thomson Jazz Trio.

🤣 Hannah Berner, a hot young comic brings new material to the Albany Funny Bone for several showings. Sadly, most are sold out except for the Friday 9:30p showing.

🌽 Proctors raises the curtain on “Shucked,” the Tony Award-winning musical about “an an unlikely hero, a lovable con man and an a-maize-ing battle for the heart & soil of Cob County.”

🎨 Collar City Coterie, a costumed model and artist club, will host Nurture of Nature, a Mother Earth-themed figure drawing event at Towers at the Hudson.

🥪 PrimoHoagies, the sandwich shop from Philly, is hosting a grand opening for its Albany store on Thursday—and giving out free hoagies for the first 100 customers! Starts at 10a.

📚️ Also Thursday, join the NYS Writers Institute and the Historic Albany Foundation for their online book club, talking about “Wedding of the Waters: The Erie Canal” and the “Making of a Great Nation” by Peter L. Bernstein. Free, but registration required.

👉️ On Wednesday, the writers institute hosts TV star and children’s book writer Karyn Parsons at the Alice Moore Black Arts and Cultural Center. Details for both events here.

🕵️‍♂️ Albany’s Gateway Dinner invites you to a Murder Mystery Dinner on Friday. We’re gonna guess it was the cook?

🧙 On Saturday, make potions and terrariums at The Science of Wands & Wizardry, miSci’s magical school featuring hands-on experiences and performances.

🏆️ Also Saturday, Nanny’s Double-Dutch League is putting on its 3rd Annual Sky’s the Limit Tournament at Albany’s Washington Avenue Armory.

🎸 LIVE MUSIC & MORE

GET YOUR EVENT ON THE LIST 🎸

Sundays are the deadline to be included in the coming week’s list!

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Got an awesome business, event or personality we should feature? Let us know! Contact: [email protected]