When you need a break from courses and lab work, New York's Capital Region and the surrounding area has much to offer. In the summer, the New York City Ballet and the Philadelphia Orchestra perform at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center and the Boston Symphony is at Tanglewood. Special events at these sites and at the Pepsi Arena in Albany include concerts with performers such as Luciano Pavarotti, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Sting, Shania Twain and Phish. Or, enjoy thoroughbred horse racing at the nation's oldest track in historic Saratoga Springs.

Like the great outdoors? In the nearby Adirondack and Catskill Mountains you will find an unlimited variety of outdoor activities including hiking, camping, cycling, canoeing, and skiing. Hike the High Peaks of the Adirondacks, check out the world-class downhill skiing or snowboarding at White Face Mountain, or try cross-country skiing, bobsledding or the luge at the Mt. Van Hoevenberg Olympic Sports Complex in Lake Placid. There is also white water rafting in the upper Hudson River in the spring and a spectacular hot air balloon festival in Lake George in the fall. Need to get away for a weekend? New York City, Boston, Montreal, Vermont and Atlantic Ocean beaches are only a few hours away. Albany has an international airport, bus and train services and an extensive public transport system available.

For more information about Albany, please take a look at these sites:
http://www.albany.org
http://www.albany2go.com