5 Things to Love About Living in Amsterdam NY

March 11, 2022 · 3 min read

Amsterdam, NY is the perfect city for history and outdoor recreation enthusiasts. Many historical sites have been redeveloped, but some have been preserved. For outdoor enthusiasts, there are parks and a museum highlighting the hunting and trapping prevalent in Amsterdam's past.

The Walter Elwood Museum in Amsterdam

Walter Elwood was a teacher with a passion for preserving cultural history from places he visited around the world. When he died in the 1950s, he requested that his collection remain in Amsterdam. The current 25,000 artifacts include Carpet City History, a Vintage Children's Toy Room, a Military Room, and an American Locomotive Company History Exhibit.

The museum is located at 100 Church Street in one of the former carpet manufacturing company buildings. It offers interactive displays, traveling exhibits, classes, and lecturers. The collection includes scrapbooks that document its history. The museum is open from Monday through Friday from 10 am to 3 pm.

Green Hill Cemetery

The Green Hill Cemetery was originally located west of Bridge Street between Main Street and the Mohawk River, but development has decimated that site. The cemetery was moved to the hill on Market and Prospect Streets. It was filled to capacity by 1857, so a 14-acre site was purchased on the north side of Amsterdam. It has winding roads and beautiful landscaping. Benedict Arnold is among the historic figures buried there.

The Amsterdam Riverfront

The Mohawk River runs through Amsterdam, creating the beautiful Riverlink Park in the downtown area. The MVGO bridge crossing the river creates a scenic view, especially when the sun is setting. You can enjoy concerts, festivals, fireworks, shopping, and food vendors at the park. Fresh drinking water, electrical outlets, and a boat dock are available.

There are a children's playground and walking and biking trails. You can also rent a party tent that includes catering for special occasions.

The Wildlife Sports and Wildlife Educational Museum

For hunters and trappers, the Wildlife Sports and Wildlife Educational Museum provides full-size mounts of buffalo, mountain lions, bears, wolves, birds, and fish. Children can have a safe, close-up view of these animals On the wall, there are over 160 mounted deer heads.

Plotter Kill Preserve

In nearby Schenectady, you can visit the Plotter Kill Preserve located at 3985 Mariaville Road. The preserve offers a variety of walking and biking trails ranging from easy to challenging. No printed maps are available, so it's a good idea to photograph the posted maps. The moderately-challenging 5.40-mile loop trail is near Rotterdam Junction and takes 2-hours and 45-minutes to complete.

The preserve features a beautiful gorge, three waterfalls, conifer and hardwood trees, and over 600 other plants. Wildlife includes chipmunks, amphibians, garter snakes, a variety of birds, and other animals. It is open year-round, but March through November is the best period to visit.

Whether you're a history or outdoor enthusiast or a metropolitan shopper, you'll love living in Amsterdam. If you're shopping for a new Ford vehicle, visit Brown's Ford, located at 4419 State Highway 30 in Amsterdam, or call us at 518-770-1224.

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May 19, 2023 in Amsterdam things to do

4 Summer Activities Near Amsterdam, NY

It's going to be another great year full of summer activities in Amsterdam, NY. Here are some of the upcoming community events we're looking forward to. 1. Independence Day Festival The community will be celebrating Independence Day on the evening of Monday, July 3rd from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Activities will be taking place at Riverlink Park at 1 Front St. There will be live music offered by The Albany Symphony alongside food trucks and fireworks. more You'll love driving to the waterfront with the moonroof open in your 2023 Ford Explorer XLT to join the celebrations. The annual festival is promising to be another great one this year and is now sponsored by DANVANN. 2. Movies in the Park Free movie nights will be taking place in Veterans Park on Locust Ave this summer in July and August. In July, they will be on Wednesday nights at 8:30 pm. In August, they will be on Tuesday nights at 8:30 pm. All movie nights will be family-friendly, and you are welcome to bring blankets, chairs, and snacks while you watch. Movie nights begin July 12th with The Minions: Rise of Gru and continue on July 26th with The Ice Age Adventures of Buck Wild. On August 1st the movie will be PAW Patrol and August 15th will be the final night with The Avengers. 3. National Night Out On Tuesday, August 1st from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm, the city will again participate in the nationwide Night Out event. This year, Amsterdam will see vendors, free activities for kids, and police demos at Veterans Memorial Park on Locust Ave. There will also be food and music. The pool will be open until 8:00 pm for this event with free entry for all attendees. This will also be the night PAW Patrol plays in the park. The movie is also free and takes place at 8:30 pm after the other activities for the Night Out event. National Night Out focuses on building community and camaraderie to promote safety in Amsterdam. The event this year is sponsored by Berkshire Farm. 4. Alice's Wildly Wonderful Wicked Market This is a summer market event full of small unique vendors. The themed marketplace is decorated in celebration of Alice in Wonderland. You can expect to see people in costumes and you will want to be wary of the Queen of Hearts. Many of the vendors here will be selling unique steampunk items and you can expect to find a lot of home decor and artwork. This market is taking place at Higher Grounds at 2 Ann Street. It's happening on Saturday, July 15th from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Tickets to get inside the market cost $15. There's nothing quite like driving around on a beautiful summer day here in New York. The only thing that could make it better is driving in a new vehicle. Visit Brown's Ford of Amsterdam now to see our new cars. Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

Feb 10, 2023 in Amsterdam things to do

3 Fun Winter Activities near Amsterdam, NY

Winter in Amsterdam can be a magical time of year. The snow-covered landscape glitters in the sunlight while skating rinks and snow-covered hills offer a chance to experience the winter wonderland in a variety of ways. Here are three fun winter activities within driving distance of Amsterdam, NY that are sure to make your winter season one to remember. Winter Hiking at Thacher Park Hiking in winter is a great way to experience the landscape in a whole new way. The white landscape is transformed into sparkling and breathtaking scenery that you'll never see in summer. With an average of one snowfall per week in winter, the American northeast is one of the best places in the country for winter hikes. more Although the trails are generally well-groomed, you should be prepared for inclement weather and changing conditions. Thacher Park is located at 1 Hales Cave Rd, Voorheesville, and there are approximately 50 miles of trails through the park, making it one of the area's most popular hiking destinations. Snow Tubing at West Mountain Snow tubing is an easy way to have a good time in the snow without having to ski or board. You'll be strapped into a tube and then sent down a hillside that's been covered with snow. West Mountain is only 10 minutes from downtown Amsterdam. They offer snow tubing and tubing with a guide. Snow Tubing is only $7 per hour and they have both regular and special needs tubes available. West Mountain also offers skiing and snowboarding lessons for all ages, as well as snowshoeing, ice skating on a rink, and cross-country skiing on over 20 miles of trails. West Mountain is located at 59 W Mountain Rd, Queensbury. Ice Skating at the Albany County Hockey Facility Amsterdam isn't the only place in the area that offers ice skating opportunities. With an average annual temperature of 20 degrees Fahrenheit, the Capital District is one of the best places in the country to experience ice skating during the winter. There are several public ice rinks in the area, including the Albany County Hockey Facility. The hockey facility is home to its top-notch amateur ice skating program. The ice skating season runs from early December to early April, and there are two public sessions a day that runs Monday to Friday. The ice skating season is truly one of a kind, and it's a great way to spend a winter afternoon. It is located at 830 Albany-Shaker Rd, Loudonville. Winter is a great time to get outside and enjoy nature. With fewer people in the area, you'll have a lot more privacy and a lot less traffic during your winter adventures. The brand-new Ford Bronco Sport is a great car to take on any of these spots. It has plenty of space to store all your gear. Make sure you stop by Brown's Ford of Amsterdam to find a Ford that fits your needs. Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

Feb 03, 2023 in Amsterdam things to do

3 Amazing Local Attractions Near Amsterdam, NY

If you're looking for an adventure on your next day trip, there are plenty of options in Amsterdam, NY. Whether you want something educational or a break from the hustle and bustle of life, we have something for everyone. Check out a few of the local attractions we have in town. Take a day trip near Amsterdam, NY! Wildlife and Sports Museum Looking for a fun way to spend the day with your family? Take a trip to the Wildlife and Sports Museum in your spacious 2022 Expedition. Use the built-in Alexa voice commands to provide directions and Expedition's three rows of seating and expansive cargo area to stow your gear. The Wildlife and Sports Museum is focused on hunting, fishing, and wildlife education. If you're looking for something different, you've found it at this wildlife museum. more The museum features memorabilia that tell the history of hunting, fishing, and trapping from colonial times. The Wildlife and Sports Museum also houses an impressive array of wildlife mounts, including bears, mountain lions, and animals native to New York State, such as white-tail deer. The museum has guided tours through its exhibits and group programs for kids focusing on wildlife preservation or environmental education. Howe Caverns The Howe Caverns are a great place to visit if you're in Amsterdam. The caverns are located just a short drive away and offer visitors a unique opportunity to explore underground caverns formed millions of years ago. The Howe Caverns are home to some of the oldest stalactites ever found in New York State. The Howe Caverns is a fascinating and affordable trip for the family. Visitors will see some incredible geological features and also learn about how these formations came to be. Visitors can tour the caves with a 1.25-mile walk underground, where you can see the stalactites and stalagmites up close. The cave also has a 0.25-mile underground boat ride and 139 stairs. Kirk Douglas Falls Kirk Douglas Falls is a beautiful landmark in Amsterdam. Located in a small urban park, the falls are named after famed Hollywood actor Kirk Douglas. Situated along North Chuctanunda Creek, Kirk Douglas Falls is a fantastic way to experience nature in the middle of the city. The falls are located in Kirk Douglas Park and consist of two waterfalls. These waterfalls are a series of drops, with the uppermost falls being 10-15 ft tall. You can see these drops from the nearby concrete path, but the best site for viewing and taking pictures is the Guy Park Avenue bridge on the park's south side. If you're looking for an exciting day trip near Amsterdam or just want to explore nature in your own backyard, consider taking a trip to any of these local landmarks. Stop by Brown's Ford of Amsterdam and check out our fantastic collection of SUVs, cars, and trucks. We'll gladly set up a test drive and answer any questions you have. Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

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