This apple orchard is open for the public from August through October to pick apples and other fruit. Owned by the Clarke family, the orchard has been in existence since the early 1800s. Varieties of apples available include Macoun, Cortland, Empire, Fuji and Golden Delicious. Cherries, peaches and pumpkins are also available for picking in season. All fruit is sold by the pound. A picnic area, pond and hayrides are located on-site. Call ahead for information on the picking seasons for different fruit. Cash only.

The Concourse of Empire State Plaza is a small city underneath a city, complete with dining options, shops and a modern art gallery. There are exhibits about the city's many illustrious governors and politicians, and masterpieces by Jackson Pollock. The Concourse connects all of the buildings of the Plaza.

Cheeky Tiki Monkey is a unique bookstore, gift shop and greeting cards store on Albany's Lark Street. On the upper-level of a 19th-century residence is the store, which has something for everyone with a wide variety of items for all occasions. Find pop culture action figures, magnets, Christmas ornaments and more at this one-of-a-kind store.

This family-run business on Lark Street has been around since 1976, selling their freshly roasted coffees and promoting local musicians with Thursday-night live performances. Downstairs is the café where you can get Belgian waffles, pastries, Italian sodas, smoothies, over sized Ruebens and all sorts of coffee drinks that are all homemade. Upstairs is the retail store where you can find the Daily Grind blends as well as all the coffee accessories you might need to make the perfect brew at home. Bring your laptop and hop onto the free Wi-Fi while sipping your drink.

Stella del Mare is located in what used to be the city's Little Italy, which was torn down to make way for the Empire State Plaza corridor and booming Interstate 787 back in the 1960's. This Italian grocery sell as variety of imports such as canned tomatoes, deli meats, cheeses, breakfast treats and imported DeCecco and Barilla pastas that cannot be found at your typical grocery store. Grinders can also be made to order and delicacies like Mortadella, Salame and Prosciutto Crudo are sold by the pound.

One of the nation's handful of L.L. Bean stores, this anchor of the Colonie Center sells a carefully selected cross-section of the thousands of items found online or in the catalog. Pick up a backpack for back-to-school, camp bags, tents, fly fishing poles and bait, footwear, camp meals and your favorite clothes, like River Driver shirts, Chamois shirts, Double L jeans and French sailor shirts.

The Colonie Center over on Central and Wolf Avenues delivers a great shopping experience just outside of Albany. Enjoy shopping at your favorite retailers, such as Bath & Body, Gap, Barnes and Noble, Boscou's, Sephora and Macy's. The big draw here though is the L.L. Bean retail store (the only one in New York) which sells fly fishing supplies, clothes and outdoor gear. The Regal Cinemas have 14 screens (all DTP) to indulge cinematic fancy. Check website for holiday hours.

Dozens of handmade chocolates and other candies are on sale at this family-run business, which has been in operation since 1929 (this particular store has been open since 1972). All miniature chocolates for sale are made from secret family recipes and hand-dipped at the store. Also offered is homemade chocolate bars, fudge and peanut brittle, as well as other candy including diabetic chocolate and various sugar-free products. Gift boxes and baskets are available, or you can create your own.

Widely considered the top golf course in the Catskills as well as one of the highest rated courses in the Northeast, Grossinger Country Club boasts the 6907 yards, 18-hole, par 71 "Big G" course, plus the less intimidating nine-hole, par 36 "Little G". There are also such amenities as a driving range, putting greens, pro shop, PGA staff members, restaurant, club, bar and driving range on-site. Golf lessons are available to all golfers.

This farm and gift store sells a wide range of products related to farming and gardening including garden gloves and tools, birdhouses and bird feeders, and garden antiques. There are also candles, gift baskets and bath products for sale. A greenhouse, a produce stand featuring organic and gourmet foods, gardens, and a pond located on the property round out the fun at this truly pastoral place. The children can keep entertained by petting the cows and horses. Orders can be made on the Web site or via phone for delivery.