Albany County Itinerary: Family Spring Break Staycation

Spring Break for K-12 students falls April 14 to April 18 this year.

To help you plan a family-friendly spring break staycation or trip to Albany, we’ve rounded up some fun things to do for each day that school’s out!

Monday

Start your week exploring the Pine Bush Preserve.

Visit the Discovery Center offering interactive exhibits focused on the plants and animals that call the Pine Bush their home. The Karner Classroom is currently featuring a special exhibit “The Nature of Texture,” encouraging visitors to use all five senses when exploring the Pine Bush. All visitors can grab take-home activities and bring their learning outdoors! Outside of the Discovery Center, follow the Discovery Trail, a .2 mile path featuring interactive exhibits along the way.

Eager to explore more that the Pine Bush has to offer? Enjoy a picnic at Six Mile Waterworks, a park at the easternmost end of the preserve off of Fuller Road. The park offers plenty of ways for families to explore nature and play outside. Stop and grab something to eat nearby and have a picnic at the park. Food options within a 5-minute drive include Stuyvesant Plaza eateries, restaurants along Wolf Road, and Cider Belly Doughnuts. The park offers a playground, restrooms, and a lake for fishing.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by City of Albany Dept. of Recreation (@albanynyrec)

Palace Theater — CreditRelentless Awareness

During school breaks, the Palace Theatre in downtown Albany hosts free family fun days and movie screenings! On Tuesday, the Palace is showingToy Story. Park at Quackenbush Garage and walk over to the theatre. Lunch options nearby include The Old English Pub, The Skinny Pancake, or the Hollow Bar and Kitchen. After the movie, stop and grab treats from Nocturnal Cookies.

Looking for somewhere to stretch your legs and enjoy the spring day? The Albany Skyway on Broadway connects downtown to Corning Preserve, a riverfront park.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Nocturnal Cookies (@nocturnalcookiesalbany)

Wednesday

Head over to Stuyvesant Plaza and paint your own pottery piece at The Pottery Place. Ready-to-paint pieces include piggy banks and fun figurines. Next, grab lunch at one of the plaza’s eateries, explore the Book House of Stuyvesant Plaza, wander around Ta-Da! a store offering games and toys for the whole family or get some ice cream at Cold Stone Creamery.

Stuyvesant Plaza is also offering April Break Adventures programming for kids all week long!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Pottery Place Albany, NY (@thepotteryplacealbanyny)

Thursday

On Thursday, explore the New York State Museum, with exciting exhibits for all ages. Stop by Discovery Place where little learners can uncover New York’s history with hands-on activities. On the fourth floor, take a ride on the full-sized 1914 carousel. Grab lunch at the Empire State Plaza with eateries including Herbie’s Burgers, Uncommon Grounds, and Honest Weight Food Co-Op Café.

Friday

End your week in Delmar and learn about nature first-hand at Five Rivers Environmental Education Center. Adventure along one of the interpretative trails like the Nature's Accessible Backyard Trail featuring flora and fauna common in your own backyard and outdoor projects you can do at home. Or wander along the Woodlot Trail where you're more than likely to encounter small mammals and songbirds. Stop into the Visitors Center before your trek to learn about the wildlife who call Five Rivers their home.