Nearby & noteworthy
Things to Do
From the hill in our own backyard to the parks, markets, and farm stands a short drive away. Looking for dates instead? See Events & Calendar.
Farms, farm stands & markets
Fresh and local — the stands up the road, the farms working our own town (u-pick berries, CSA shares, grass-fed meat, sweet corn, maple, and Christmas trees), and the markets a short drive away. Seasonal hours shift, so call ahead.
Calhoun’s Farmstand
On Grange Road, under two miles from the hamlet — the closest fresh produce to Speigletown.
📍 441 Grange Road, Troy, NY
☎️ 518-233-7856
Engel’s Acres
Family farm and produce market on Brunswick Road.
📍 445 Brunswick Road, Troy, NY
☎️ 518-874-1350
Petuske’s Produce
Produce market across the river in Waterford.
📍 Waterford, NY
☎️ 518-371-5709
Engelke Farm
A family farm on Garfield Road in Troy — spring bedding plants, pick-your-own fruits and vegetables in season, and a farm stand, plus a zip line for family visits. Check ahead.
📍 463 Garfield Road, Troy, NY 12180
☎️ 518-478-4939
Liberty Ridge Farm
U-pick blueberries, local produce, a bakery, kettle corn, sunflowers, pumpkins, and a country store — open June through October. Check the website for hours.
📍 29 Bevis Road, Schaghticoke, NY 12154
☎️ 518-664-1515
Denison Farm
Organic vegetables sold through CSA shares — buy a share and get farm-fresh produce all season. Call ahead.
📍 333 Buttermilk Falls Road, Schaghticoke, NY 12154
☎️ 518-664-2510
Remington’s Harvest
Sweet corn, vegetables, and pumpkins in Melrose, in season.
📍 353 Melrose-Valley Falls Road, Melrose, NY 12121
☎️ 518-817-6996
Unc Brock — The Farmer’s Feed Bunk
Farm store with baked goods and home-cooked meals to go, plus beef, pork, poultry, eggs, and dairy. Call ahead.
📍 549 Doty Hill Road, Schaghticoke, NY 12154
☎️ 518-859-3741
RuBen Hill Farm
Vegetables, pork, and eggs, seasonally. Call ahead.
📍 1620 Route 67, Schaghticoke, NY 12154
☎️ 518-951-5475
Wertman Farm & Greenhouses
Bedding plants, vegetables, window boxes, and hanging baskets in Melrose — a spring stop, typically May to mid-June.
📍 311 Pinewood Road, Melrose, NY 12121
☎️ 518-235-9546
Gibson Family Farms
Regenerative meats — grass-fed and finished beef and lamb, pasture- and woodland-raised heritage pork.
📍 103 Holbritter Road, Valley Falls, NY 12185
☎️ 518-369-5895
Graceful Acres at Otter Creek Farm
Pastured eggs, 100% grass-fed beef, and pastured pork and chicken, with an online farm store. By appointment.
📍 189 Otter Creek Road, Johnsonville, NY 12094
☎️ 518-753-2301
Longlesson Farm
Grass-fed Angus beef, pasture-raised chickens and pigs — and daylilies. Call ahead.
📍 444 Goosen Regan Road, Buskirk, NY 12028
☎️ 518-779-6388
Morin’s Tree Farm
Christmas trees and wreaths, Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve. Call ahead.
📍 635 Groveside Road, Buskirk, NY 12028
☎️ 518-275-8501
Wildthings Rescue Nursery
Native nursery plants, seasonally, sun-up to sun-down — call ahead.
📍 209 Brundige Road, Valley Falls, NY 12185
☎️ 518-441-9823
Indian Ladder Farms
A classic Capital Region destination orchard at the foot of the Helderbergs — pick-your-own apples, a farm store and bakery, and a cidery, brewery, and biergarten. A drive southwest to Altamont (Albany County); check the website for seasonal hours.
📍 342 Altamont Road, Altamont, NY 12009
☎️ 518-765-2956
Troy Waterfront Farmers Market
The big one — dozens of regional farms, bakers, and makers every Saturday from 9 AM in downtown Troy: outdoors around Monument Square in the warm months, indoors in winter.
📍 Monument Square, Troy, NY
☎️ 518-708-4216
Waterford Harbor Farmers Market
Sunday-morning market on the Erie Canal harbor promenade — local farms, bakeries, and craft vendors with live entertainment. Sundays 9 AM–1 PM, June through October.
📍 1 Tugboat Alley, Waterford, NY 12188
☎️ 518-665-8344
Capital District Regional Market
The regional wholesale and farmers market in Menands, south along the Hudson.
📍 Menands, NY
☎️ 518-465-1023
Village of Schaghticoke Farmers Market
A friendly village market on the grounds of the Hoosac Valley Farmers Exchange — local produce and vendors. Fridays 4–6:30 PM, June through October.
📍 520 Madigan Road, Schaghticoke, NY 12154
Halfmoon Farmers’ Market
Across the Hudson in Saratoga County — Wednesday afternoons, outdoors at Abele Park (June–September) and indoors at Halfmoon Town Hall the rest of the year. Roughly 3–6 PM in summer and 2–5 PM in the colder months; check the town’s recreation page.
📍 2 Town Plaza, Halfmoon, NY 12065
☎️ 518-371-7410
Farm listings drawn from the Rensselaer County Tourism Farm Fresh Product Guide and local knowledge. Spot a change? Tell us.
Places to go
Rice Mountain
The hill that rises behind Speigletown, named for the Rice family. Historically described as the closest, most accessible hill climb to Troy — a long-standing local landmark.
Hudson River shoreline
The Hudson forms the western edge of the area, separating Rensselaer and Saratoga counties — fishing, paddling, and river views a short drive west.
Peebles Island State Park
Riverside trails at the confluence of the Mohawk and Hudson in Waterford — walking, birding, and history.
Learn more →Downtown Troy
The Troy Waterfront Farmers Market, restaurants, riverfront, and 19th-century architecture just south along Route 40.
Learn more →Grafton Lakes State Park
Swimming beach, hiking and biking trails, and fishing lakes east of Troy.
Learn more →Schaghticoke Fairgrounds
Home of the Schaghticoke Fair each Labor Day weekend — a Rensselaer County tradition.
Learn more →Got a favorite spot?
Tell us where you send visitors — a trail, a diner, a swimming hole, an annual event. We'll add it to the list.