If you’re road tripping through New England, you’ll likely have added Stowe, Vermont and the Berkshires in Massachusetts to your itinerary. Both of these are top sights and should not be missed. You could drive directly between the two destinations and it would take about 3 1/2 hours. Or, if you’re willing to add just a little extra driving, you can easily change your route to The Berkshires to Albany to Stowe.
Some Options for Your Drive
I’ll be honest and say that Albany, NY was not my first choice. My original plan was to visit Mount Greylock and do some hiking as I drove from the Berkshires to Vermont. However, the weather didn’t agree with me.
A Nor’easter moved through the day before and dropped a massive downpour. The idea of hiking through what was sure to be a lot of mud didn’t sound appealing. So, it was time for plan B, which I think worked out well. Instead of the Berkshires to Mount Greylock to Stowe, VT, I did the Berkshires to Albany to Stowe, VT.
Albany, New York
Albany is situated about an hour northwest of the Berkshires, although exact distances will vary depending on where in the Berkshires you’re departing from. I was staying in the city of Pittsfield and left my hotel around 9:00am. This gave me enough time to get to Albany without feeling rushed.
My first and main stop was the Empire State Plaza, where I stayed for about two hours. I paid for parking, but if you follow the signs, you’ll likely be able to find a spot to park for free with very little hassle. Just read the signs carefully as it’s not unusual for the signs to say “No Parking Mondays 1pm to 3pm” or some other very specific time. If you don’t want to mess with that, just find a paid lot.
So what do you do for two hours at the Empire State Plaza?
Empire State Museum
The first stop is the New York State Museum. Entry is free, but donations are encouraged and appreciated.
The museum is split into two parts: the first part focusing on the natural history of the area, and the second focusing on history starting around the late 19th century. I breezed through the first half of the museum as natural history isn’t necessarily my thing. I thought the whole museum would be like this and I’d be done way faster than I anticipated.
The second half of the museum had a heavy focus on New York City and its history. It was absolutely fascinating and I think I read every single sign and placard. It took me just over an hour to get through the museum.
Empire State Plaza
After, you can walk across Empire State Plaza and explore the area. You’ll be right across from the New York State Capital Building and you’ll “The Egg”, one of the weirdest looking buildings I’ve ever seen.
Before you leave, don’t forget to take a peak and walk down under the plaza. There’s an entire underground concourse with shops and restaurants. On the day I visited, there was a small crafters fair set up.
Final Notes on Albany
My entire visit to Albany lasted just under two hours. After my visit, I drove from Albany to Stowe, VT, a three and a half hour drive. Once you cross into Vermont, the drive becomes very beautiful with the mountains and forests.
One last word of advice. I was told that I should check out Stewart’s. It’s a local gas station chain, but they are supposed to have good ice cream. I planned to stop on my way out of New York, once I got out of Albany and I inadvertently missed the last one on my drive. Don’t make the same mistake I made!
Mount Greylock
Even though I didn’t stop here, I originally planned to, so I think it’s worth mentioning. A stop here adds approximately 30 extra minutes of driving and can be a a great way to get a small dose of nature.
Mount Greylock is the highest point in Massachusetts and is situated in Mount Greylock State Reservation. To enter, you’ll pay $5 per vehicle ($20 if you have an out of state license plate). Once here, you can stop at the visitor center for some more information and then get out on some of the 70 miles of hiking trails in the area. Since I skipped this on my road trip, I don’t have any information about which trails you should focus on, but I do hope to get back there one day.
The Berkshires to Albany to Stowe
If you plan to do a similar itinerary, your day will likely look something like this:
9:00am – Leave Berkshires
10:00am – Arrive in Albany
12:00pm – Depart Albany
3:30pm – Arrive in Stowe
If you’re coming from Stowe, this works too. Your times will just be a little different.
9:00 – Leave Stowe
12:30 – Arrive Albany
2:30 – Depart Albany
3:30 – Arrive Berkshires
Could You Visit Mount Greylock and Albany?
You absolutely can do both if you choose, but you need plan your time wisely. You’ll spend about 5 and a half hours driving, plus time for stops at Albany and Mount Greylock. It’s possible, but it might be a very long day. It would likely look like:
9:00 am – Leave Berkshires
10:00 am – Arrive Albany
12:00 pm – Depart Albany, NY
12:30 pm – Arrive Mount Greylock
2:30 pm – Depart Mount Greylock
6:00 pm – Arrive Stowe
Final Thoughts
If you have the time, I think adding in a quick stop to Albany between the Berkshires and Stowe, VT is a great option. It gets you out of the car, and it’s a great excuse to spend a few hours in another city. Plus, I have to admit that the Empire State Museum was actually really great.
Continue Your Adventure
Stowe, Vermont: For some inspiration for Stowe, which you’ll visit on either on the way to or from Albany, check out my list of the best things to do in Stowe.
Itineraries: For the perfect road trip through New England, check out this 10 day itinerary.
More in New England: While Albany, New York can offer an interesting stop, there’s plenty more to see in New England. In Maine, visit Portland and take the Mail Boat Cruise or visit picturesque Cape Elizabeth. In Connecticut, visit the historic fishing village of Mystic or one of its many state parks. And in Rhode Island, tour one of the over the top mansions of Newport.