Your favorite hidden gems in the Capital Region (Vol. 2)

Happy Monday, Capital Region! Today, we’re back with Round 2 of your favorite hidden gems in the Capital Region. These suggestions come from the fine folks who filled out our Reader Survey.

This is a great time to announce the winner of our Tacos Diablo giveaway. Congrats to Mel Ward of Troy! Here’s what she had to say: “My partner and I moved here from Philly in late May and are really loving the 518 (the region AND the newsletter!) My family (great grandparents and grandparents) are from Troy and Schenectady, so it's cool to now live in a place that also has familial touchstones, too.”

Thanks for being a subscriber, Mel, and enjoy your $25 gift card to one of our favorite taco joints.

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

Your best hidden gems in the Capital Region (Vol. 2) 🏆️ 

We’ve got another round of your favorite hidden gems. If you missed the first one, go here.

We love this series so much because these recommendations come directly from you, our readers. It feels like we’re learning as much about you as we are about the Capital Region.

Let’s dive in…

Albany Rural Cemetery: Several of you suggested the Albany Rural Cemetery—and we can see why. Founded in 1841, this 467-acre cemetery in Menands is one of the oldest and grandest examples of the garden or rural cemetery movement in America. The grounds are stunning and serene, and an excellent reminder that tomorrow is never guaranteed. This Saturday, the cemetery is hosting its 4th annual Cars & Crypts Car Show, a family-friendly event with guided tours.

Primal Butcher and Delicatessen: Primal calls itself “your local butcher.” They’re really going for that neighborhood feel here. According to the reviews, the quality is top notch—with prices to match. Get there on Mondays, and all chicken breast, 85% ground chuck and steak tips are just $3 a pound. And if you buy 5 pounds or more, you’ll get a $3 per pound discount. Don’t sleep on their sandwiches either—the steak sammy is supposed to be delish. In Albany and Saratoga.

The Aviary: This jewel box of a restaurant at the Kinderhook Knitting Mill got on the map with a rave review from none other than New York Times former food critic Ruth Reichl, who called it “the most exciting restaurant in the Hudson Valley. Swell room, lovely service and fantastic food.” Recently, The Aviary got a new chef, but according to the TU’s dining critic, the Asian-inspired food made with hyper-local ingredients continues to delight.

Christman Sanctuary: This 120-acre preserve in Duanesburg is home to Bozenkill, which features an impressive 30-foot waterfall. It’s a favorite of many local hikers, including Alysha Weisner, who runs an awesome Instagram account dedicated to finding the best hikes, waterfalls and hidden gems across the 518 and beyond. There are two trails (one that’s a 0.7 mile loop and another 1.3 mile loop with some steep sections); good hiking boots are recommended. It’s well worth the effort.

Early in the week, the summer sun shines through to entice midsummer blooms. Expect temps in the low 80s. The humidity will build through midweek and break with thunderstorms on Thursday. Skies remain inconstant on Friday, followed by another weekend of June gloom with a 55% chance of rain on Sunday.

🍽️ Speaking of the TU’s dining critic, Susie Davidson Powell has announced that she is leaving that role behind after some 600 restaurant reviews. In her farewell column, she muses on the mostly positive changes to the Capital Region dining scene, and announced her new venture called The Dishing. [If anyone wants to put a good word in to the TU editors, Phat would fill this opening in a heartbeat!]

🗳️ Early voting has begun to find Albany’s next mayor. The primary election is set for Tuesday, June 24. Get the guide to all of the local races. [News10]

🎸 The lineup for Schenectady’s SummerNight block party on July 11 has been announced. This year, two classic rock tribute bands will headline: Lords of 52nd Street (Billy Joel) and Philadelphia Freedom (Elton John). They will be joined by local performers Local 11 and Sydney Worthley. [Nippertown]

🤖 AI is everywhere, but it’s getting harder to know what’s actually useful and what you can ignore. We use a variety of AI tools every day to produce The 518 newsletter and also create work for clients in our marketing agency, StoryCraft. How many of you would be interested in taking a 2-3 hour course taught by our team, on the most essential AI tools to use in your business or job? 👇️ 

Good bones, great price—your elven cottage awaits on a lovely leafy boulevard in Schenectady. Built in 1910, this 3-bedroom home features old-world charm with original woodwork and spaces designed for gatherings or curling up quietly with a good book of spells. The kitchen has a nifty tin ceiling, and the garage features a new roof to keep your projects (or your Subaru) nice and dry.

The deets: 3 bd, 2 ba, 1680 sf. Asking: $240,000. Days on market: 4. See the full listing here. 

This week’s honorable mention: A seasonal escape on Great Sacandaga Lake for $299K.

Our full weekend roundup publishes every Thursday. Be sure to check your inboxes!

🎙️ Opera Saratoga continues this week with some excellent shows, including “She Loves Me” (a romantic musical); “La Vie Perisienne” (an irreverent French operetta); and “A Mass for Women in Bathrooms” (an edgy new electronic opera).

📣 We Are Revolutionary invites you to join Advocacy Day every Tuesday at the Capitol at 11a to promote bills like Solutions not Suspensions, Youth Justice Innovation Fund & The Family Miranda Rights Act.

🏃‍♂️ On Wednesday, the Healthy Aging Fair in Albany is a great place to learn about healthy habits for seniors.

🎸 This week’s Alive at Five celebrates hip hop and Juneteenth, featuring Lupe Fiasco w/ DJ TGIF & Rhakim Ali.

🎺 Thursday’s Jazz on Jay in Schenectady welcomes the Steve Horowitz Quartet.

🎸 Also Thursday, Against the Grayne headlines Rock the Block in Cohoes.

🖼️ The Albany Institute of History & Art invites you to the Truth In Action Juneteenth Festival, a day of art, activism, and community.

🎙️ On Friday, The Egg welcomes living legend Dionne Warwick, the night before its Last Hurrah Open House.

🕯️Also Friday, the Albany Water Lantern Festival is a celebration of light and community.

🍺 Catch Our Other Brother at Wolf Hollow Brewing Co. on Friday, then get to Woofs At The Wolf (puppy adoptions!) on Sunday.

🌻 The Sanctuary for Independent Media invites you to CCG Community Work & Play Days. Help tend the plants in our garden!

🎵 This Saturday is Make Music Day with free musical performances everywhere. Check out Make Music Albany for events citywide. Troy is also hosting free performances.

🗽 Also Saturday, the New York Writers Institute is taking a field trip to the big city for a literary tour of NYC in celebration of 100 years of The Great Gatsby and The New Yorker.

👨‍🌾 The bagel birdfeeders are back at the Delmar Farmers Market on Saturday. They’re a favorite activity for kids and families.

🏡 Also Saturday, the Center Square Association hosts the 2025 House & Garden Tour and Stoop Stroll.

🚘️ Get to the Saratoga Automobile Museum on Saturday for Cars on Union.

🏳️‍🌈 The Dancing Grain Pride Festival in Gansevoort invites you to come sip, celebrate, and show your Pride! 🍻

GET YOUR EVENT ON THE LIST 🎸

Our rolling deadline is the Saturday before your event!

 💌 GET IN TOUCH!

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