Troy: Music History and Trails Along the Hudson River

Troy combines a long-standing music hall and historic homes with trails and access to the Hudson River. This makes the city appealing to travelers who want to include culture and active experiences in their time here. Depending on your interests, concerts and local history, a bike ride, or public access to the water may take center stage.

Music and History in Troy

The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall is downtown, at the corner of State Street and Second Street. It is a National Historic Landmark and has been in use since it opened in 1875. The historic hall offers a full season of performances. For concerts, use the main entrance on Second Street. Its combination of a specific venue and a long history gives culture enthusiasts a distinctive point of reference for planning their trip.

Tours of the Hart-Cluett House offer a different perspective on the city’s past. They provide insight into life in Troy during the Gilded Age. Tours take place Fridays from 3 to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 2 to 3 p.m. The house was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973. If you are interested in local history, you can pair insight into a particular era with a historic building here.

By Bike and Along the Water

The Uncle Sam Trail is a 7-mile route connecting North Troy and South Troy. Along the way, there are views of the water, car-free sections, and on-road bicycle infrastructure. Three miles of the route make up the Uncle Sam Rail Trail, which follows the former route of the Troy & Boston Railroad. The stated distance and different sections can help you include the route as a cycling experience in your day’s plans. The historic railroad route remains recognizable as a distinct part of the trail.

The Hudson River is also one of Troy’s defining visitor attractions: the city has a waterfront, and the Troy Downtown Marina is on the river in historic Troy, just south of the Federal Lock and Dam. Public access to the water is also available at the Ingalls Avenue Boat Launch in the North-Central neighborhood, likewise just south of the Federal Lock and Dam. It provides access for motorized and non-motorized watercraft. The facility includes a concrete boat ramp, a floating dock, an aluminum dock, and a kayak launch. This allows you to distinguish more precisely between different interests on the water: the river route, a marina, and a boat ramp offer different ways to enjoy your stay.

Architecture, Traditions, and More Experiences

For a different perspective on art and history, Historic Oakwood Cemetery invites you to explore art and architecture and discover the history of New York State. Troy’s Central Lansingburgh Historic District was approved for listing on the National Register of Historic Places on February 27, 2023. Alongside the Hart-Cluett House and the Music Hall, it offers more than one way to get to know Troy through its historic sites.

Seasonal experiences include the Powers Park Concert Series: it is free and open to the public, and takes place on eight Saturdays in July and August at Powers Park, at 110th Street and Second Avenue in North Troy. The Troy Victorian Stroll describes itself as a long-standing community holiday tradition that has been going on for 40 years. During the event, the streets of the historic downtown are transformed into a bygone Victorian era, and visitors stroll through the city in Victorian attire. If you are more interested in sports than music and local history, Troy also has a historic municipal 18-hole golf course.

These experiences offer different points of focus: music and tours, historic architecture, a route between North and South Troy, or access to the Hudson River. As you plan your vacation, you can consider which of these sides of the city you would most like to discover.

For further local research: Averill Park, Castleton-On-Hudson, East Greenbush, Rensselaer.

For the broader travel overview: Rensselaer.