A historic industrial city in upstate New York, known for its 19th-century brownstone architecture and role in the American Industrial Revolution.
Troy, New York, reveals its 19th-century industrial roots through white marble structures like Frear’s Troy Cash Bazaar and the Corinthian Courthouse. Attend free summer concerts by the Hudson River or walk through Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s campus. The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, built in 1875, uses curved walls and a domed ceiling to amplify performances. On the last Friday of each month, downtown streets close for Troy Night Out, where galleries and cafes stay open late. Year-round, the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market sells fruits, vegetables, and baked goods under the Atrium’s glass roof during colder months.
19th-Century Architecture and Music Halls
Downtown Troy displays industrial-era buildings made from marble and steel. The Troy Savings Bank Music Hall opened in 1875 with a domed ceiling and curved walls that improve sound quality during concerts. Frear’s Troy Cash Bazaar, once a department store, uses a steel frame and detailed marble carvings on its facade. High-relief marble sculptures decorate the entrance of the Troy Public Library, which draws inspiration from Venetian design. For a deeper look at regional history, drive to the Troy Historic Village in Michigan to explore an 18th-century schoolhouse and blacksmith shop.
Festivals and Monthly Events
Free concerts take place at Riverfront Park from June to August, with views of the Hudson River during performances. In June, the Troy River Fest fills downtown streets with local crafts, food stalls, and live bands. Every last Friday of the month, Troy Night Out closes roads to cars, letting visitors explore art galleries and pop-up shops until 9 PM. The Peanut Butter Festival in Brundidge, Alabama—a day trip from Troy, New York—features peanut-themed games and farm displays each October. During winter, the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market moves indoors, selling items like maple syrup and pottery inside the Atrium building.
Universities and Technology
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), established in 1824, is central to Troy’s focus on engineering and science. The campus includes EMPAC, a concert hall that hosts digital art installations and experimental music performances. Russell Sage College, a women’s liberal arts school founded in 1916, adds to the city’s academic community. Hudson Valley Community College provides training programs in fields like advanced manufacturing through public workshops. In April 2024, RPI’s arena will hold the ECAC E-Sports Spring Showdown, a competitive gaming event open to spectators.
Parks and Outdoor Spaces
Frear Park has an 18-hole golf course, wooded trails, and a restaurant open seasonally with views of the Taconic Mountains. The Knickerbacker Aquatic Center, closed for upgrades, will reopen in 2024 with larger pools and a new fitness area. Walking paths in Riverfront Park connect to the Hudson Riverway Trail, popular for biking and jogging. In Troy, Michigan, the Dye Mill Compost Facility accepts yard waste for recycling, a detail for visitors interested in sustainability. Note that the Pike Pioneer Museum in Troy, Alabama focuses on Southern history, not New York’s Troy.
Getting Around and Infrastructure Updates
Interstate 87 and the Albany-Rensselaer Amtrak station, 10 minutes east, provide access to Troy. A $2 million grant in 2024 will repair pedestrian bridges crossing the Hudson River. Construction on a roundabout at Adams and Riverside streets began in March 2024 to ease traffic delays. For flights, Albany International Airport serves Troy, New York, while Oakland-Troy Airport in Michigan handles private planes. Mayor Carmella Mantello, elected in 2023, oversees projects like restoring the Oakwood Cemetery gates, built in 1912.
Restaurants and Shopping
Monument Square and River Street include cafes such as Little Peck’s, which serves breakfast sandwiches, and Illium Café, a 1990s-era spot for espresso. Every Saturday, the Troy Waterfront Farmers Market brings together 40 regional farms selling produce and handmade goods. Independent stores downtown sell items like vintage clothing and handcrafted jewelry, differing from the large Somerset Collection mall in Troy, Michigan. A seasonal restaurant at Frear Park’s golf course will open in summer 2024, using ingredients from nearby farms. Several renovated inns downtown occupy historic buildings, though specific chain hotels aren’t listed.
