Upstate New York is rich in history and vastly underrated compared to New York City, which is a mere three hours away. The Capital region is home to historic metropolitan areas such as Troy, Saratoga, and Albany. These cities were instrumental in our nation's history, from the revolutionary war to the industrial revolution.
The state Capital of Albany is home to the New York State Museum, which displays the support beams from the Twin Towers that were contorted under the drastic heat and pressure of the attacks on 9/11. The attacks left the whole state in devestation and terror, and the beams are on display to show that we are, metaphorically, as strong as these beams, that were twisted but still strong after such a traumatic event. The museum walks visitors through the history of the state, from its native american roots, to its modern culture. It is not only a great place for adults but on the fourth floor of the museum there is a carousel that is was always the highlight of school field trips. The city also is home of the Tulip Fest, which is hosted annually and celebrates when a tulip was sent to a queen in the Netherlands in 1948. The city is covered with over one hundred thousand tulip bulbs and the festival honors one woman each year to lead community service programs. It is a breath taking event that honors the cities dutch roots.
Saratoga is home of the battlefield which is famous for the turning point of the revolution. The city has much more to offer. The Saratoga racetrack is located near the battlefield and is one of the country's oldest sporting grounds. Around the city of Saratoga Springs, you would see several statues of horses, which were inspired by the race track, that each have a unique and original theme. These statues inspired nearby cities to make similar relative to their region's history.
One city that hopped on this bandwagon, and is close to my heart and home, is Troy. Troy is known for being the home of Uncle Sam. In his honor, the city officials erected miniature Uncle Sam statues around the city. The statues are about the height of a fire hydrant and sport different outfits, from Captain America's spandex to a tuxedo. Troy was also known for being a powerhouse in the textile industry, earning the nickname the Collar City. Each December, the city hosts the victorian stroll which attracts over twenty thousand visitors to see its Victorian architecture. The city also hosts Troy Night Out the last friday of every month. This brings visitors to local galleries to see what the city's artists have to offer. The city has gone through rough patches but it is growing to host some of the brightest and most creative minds the country has to offer that are shaping the city into a beautiful place to live.
The Capital Region is flourishing with historic cites and fun activities for families. It is at the heart of the state and in the center of New England. The capital region has opened up experiences for me that no other region could. You could be standing in the heart of Albany and within a ten minute drive you could be standing in a cow paddock. The history shows that the people in this area are strong enough to handle the greatest disasters. The heart and strength of this region are incomparible. The region has had it's losses but the upstate New Yorkers have proved that anything is possible if you work as a community.
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