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Troy
is considered the gateway to the New York Canal System and offers a beautiful waterfront park, dock and marina, a historic downtown that features some of the best 19th century architecture in the country and much more. The best way to get started on your visit to Troy is to stop in the RiverSpark Visitor Center where the helpful staff will advise you of any special events going on in the city, as well as direct you to the many landmarks, cultural attractions, excellent restaurants and shops the city has to offer. The visitor center also has many displays, including an interactive one that tells the story of the Burden Water Wheel, which was the most powerful vertical water wheel in history, and most likely the model for the world's first Ferris Wheel.
Troy's historic downtown is said to have “the mother lode of Tiffany windows,” with block after block of buildings, churches and townhouses that look exactly as they did a century ago. The city has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1986 and has outstanding examples of Queen Anne, Mansard, Beaux Arts, Romanesque, Italianate, Greek Revival and Gothic Revival architecture. Troy takes great pride in maintaining its historic buildings and skilled craftsmen who specialize in restoration work are busy in the city throughout the year. Recently, efforts have been focused on River Street, which is the earliest commercial area in the city, and is now home to an “Antique District.” Many cafes and art galleries are also located in this area. Other highlights in Troy include the 1,200-seat Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, established in 1875, and featuring outstanding frescoes and acoustics that are considered among the world's best. The Beaux-Arts public library and several of the city's churches have outstanding Tiffany windows that are also not to be missed. World renowned artist, Norman Rockwell, was so charmed by the city of Troy that he featured it in some of his paintings and the town has also been used as the setting for movies such as “Ironweed” and “The Bostonians.” Other attractions in Troy include the Children's Museum of Science and Technology, the Arts Center of the Capital Region, the Gasholder Building, the Burden Iron Works Museum and the Poestenkill Gorge Waterfall, which powered mills in the area for more than 300 years.
Troy is also home to dozens of parks that offer hiking and bike paths, picnicking, winter sledding and cross country skiing, golf, boating and many other recreational opportunities. In addition, over 30 miles of riverfront is available in surrounding Rensselaer County, perfect for a day of exploring the New York Canal System and the magnificent Hudson River. Other nearby attractions include Barbersville Falls in Poestenkill, Buttermilk Falls in Schaghticoke, the Hoosick River Gorge and Grafton Lakes State Park. The Troy Farmer's Market takes place every Saturday year round – rain or shine - on River Street during the summer or in the Atrium in downtown Troy during the winter months.
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