Southern Saratoga County Guidebook
City/town information
Halfmoon was founded in 1788 and is a scenic community with a current population of over 23,000 residents. Halfmoon offers the “best of everything”. We are a growing community with excellent educational institutions, friendly neighborhoods, numerous historical sites, Senior Programs and recreational trails and parks that have many activities for individuals of all ages.
Upscale communities and a thriving business district in Halfmoon are appealing to home buyers and business entrepreneurs alike. Well-maintained roadways, clean neighborhoods and low crime rates also contribute to the town's appeal. Add in Halfmoon's prime location near Clifton Park, and it is no wonder why it is one of the fastest-growing towns in the nation!
Named for the ship Henry Hudson sailed on his inaugural journey down the Hudson River, Halfmoon NY is nestled at the crossroads of two rivers. The Mohawk River establishes Halfmoon's southern town line, also serving as the border between Saratoga County and Albany County to the south. The Hudson River establishes the town's eastern town line, serving as the border between Saratoga County and Rensselaer County to the east.
There are also plenty of shopping, dining and recreational opportunities available in the Town of Halfmoon, as well as nearby in Clifton Park, Saratoga, Albany and other surrounding communities. Plan a visit, and you'll soon discover what makes Halfmoon New York such a popular area!
Interstate 87, the Adirondack Northway, is a six-lane north–south freeway along the western edge of Halfmoon. U.S. Route 9 parallels the interstate farther to the east and crosses into the town from Albany County on the Crescent Bridge. New York State Route 146, an east–west highway, intersects US-9 at the hamlet of Clifton Park. U.S. Route 4 is a north–south highway in the eastern part of the town. New York State Route 236 is a short state highway linking NY-146 to US-9.
Halfmoon
Halfmoon was founded in 1788 and is a scenic community with a current population of over 23,000 residents. Halfmoon offers the “best of everything”. We are a growing community with excellent educational institutions, friendly neighborhoods, numerous historical sites, Senior Programs and recreational trails and parks that have many activities for individuals of all ages.
Upscale communities and a thriving business district in Halfmoon are appealing to home buyers and business entrepreneurs alike. Well-maintained roadways, clean neighborhoods and low crime rates also contribute to the town's appeal. Add in Halfmoon's prime location near Clifton Park, and it is no wonder why it is one of the fastest-growing towns in the nation!
Named for the ship Henry Hudson sailed on his inaugural journey down the Hudson River, Halfmoon NY is nestled at the crossroads of two rivers. The Mohawk River establishes Halfmoon's southern town line, also serving as the border between Saratoga County and Albany County to the south. The Hudson River establishes the town's eastern town line, serving as the border between Saratoga County and Rensselaer County to the east.
There are also plenty of shopping, dining and recreational opportunities available in the Town of Halfmoon, as well as nearby in Clifton Park, Saratoga, Albany and other surrounding communities. Plan a visit, and you'll soon discover what makes Halfmoon New York such a popular area!
Interstate 87, the Adirondack Northway, is a six-lane north–south freeway along the western edge of Halfmoon. U.S. Route 9 parallels the interstate farther to the east and crosses into the town from Albany County on the Crescent Bridge. New York State Route 146, an east–west highway, intersects US-9 at the hamlet of Clifton Park. U.S. Route 4 is a north–south highway in the eastern part of the town. New York State Route 236 is a short state highway linking NY-146 to US-9.
Hiking & Sightseeing
Peebles Island is a nature-lover's treasure. The Perimeter Trail winds through open meadows, a hardwood forest, along cliff tops, and past river rapids in it's two-mile loop. White-tail deer, beaver, skunks, hawks, owls and water fowl can be spotted, especially in the early morning hours.
Numerous trails criss-cross the island and are preferable during the summer months when the park receives a high volume of visitors. Fishing with a permit is allowed, and picnic tables are available along the route.
Though located within eye-shot of nearby towns, the rapids at the southeast shore drown out the sound of traffic, and three nearby uninhabited islands offer wilderness views to the west. Thus protected, Peebles Island offers nature walks that are both diverse and serene. Peebles Island State Park includes hiking and cross-country ski trails, as well as earthworks dating from the Revolutionary War and a visitors' center detailing the island's industrial history. The park also offers picnic tables with pavilions, river views, and fishing access.
In addition to encompassing the entirety of Peebles Island, the park also includes the Matton Shipyard on neighboring Van Schaick Island in the city of Cohoes.
Headquarters for New York State's Bureau of Historic Sites as well as the Bureau of Historic Preservation Field Services are located within the park.Contained within a converted factory complex on the island known as the Peebles Island Resource Center, the headquarters serve as a home to conservators, archaeologists, historians and others tasked with preserving historic locations within New York.
24 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Peebles Island State Park
1 Delaware AvePeebles Island is a nature-lover's treasure. The Perimeter Trail winds through open meadows, a hardwood forest, along cliff tops, and past river rapids in it's two-mile loop. White-tail deer, beaver, skunks, hawks, owls and water fowl can be spotted, especially in the early morning hours.
Numerous trails criss-cross the island and are preferable during the summer months when the park receives a high volume of visitors. Fishing with a permit is allowed, and picnic tables are available along the route.
Though located within eye-shot of nearby towns, the rapids at the southeast shore drown out the sound of traffic, and three nearby uninhabited islands offer wilderness views to the west. Thus protected, Peebles Island offers nature walks that are both diverse and serene. Peebles Island State Park includes hiking and cross-country ski trails, as well as earthworks dating from the Revolutionary War and a visitors' center detailing the island's industrial history. The park also offers picnic tables with pavilions, river views, and fishing access.
In addition to encompassing the entirety of Peebles Island, the park also includes the Matton Shipyard on neighboring Van Schaick Island in the city of Cohoes.
Headquarters for New York State's Bureau of Historic Sites as well as the Bureau of Historic Preservation Field Services are located within the park.Contained within a converted factory complex on the island known as the Peebles Island Resource Center, the headquarters serve as a home to conservators, archaeologists, historians and others tasked with preserving historic locations within New York.
Beautiful & serene. A short 10 minute drive away- spend a short visit taking in the beauty of these falls, then head into the small city of Cohoes and check out one of the many individually owned restaurants on Remsen street. This small town has worked hard to revitalize itself and they’ve done a great job.
14 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Cohoes Falls
Beautiful & serene. A short 10 minute drive away- spend a short visit taking in the beauty of these falls, then head into the small city of Cohoes and check out one of the many individually owned restaurants on Remsen street. This small town has worked hard to revitalize itself and they’ve done a great job.
Known as the "Queen of the American Lakes," with its 109 miles of shoreline and 300+ islands, Lake George has been a vacation paradise for almost two centuries!
Lake George, New York, USA
Known as the "Queen of the American Lakes," with its 109 miles of shoreline and 300+ islands, Lake George has been a vacation paradise for almost two centuries!
Rent Kayaks and paddle boards and spend the day on the lake.
57 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Kayak Shak
251 Stafford Bridge RdRent Kayaks and paddle boards and spend the day on the lake.
Food scene
A 3 minute drive from us- breakfast, lunch and dinner available all day. Our favorite place for omelettes, waffles and coffee!!!
Halfmoon Diner
231 Grooms RdA 3 minute drive from us- breakfast, lunch and dinner available all day. Our favorite place for omelettes, waffles and coffee!!!
The long anticipated opening of this restaurant occurred on March 9th, 2022. This is a family owned, brand new restaurant that the community has been waiting for. Great seasonal cocktails, nightly specials ranging from comfort food to steak and seafood.
Emma Jayne’s Restaurant
1475 U.S. 9The long anticipated opening of this restaurant occurred on March 9th, 2022. This is a family owned, brand new restaurant that the community has been waiting for. Great seasonal cocktails, nightly specials ranging from comfort food to steak and seafood.
Local family business- great ice cream and ice cream cakes. 5 minutes away!
Hayner's Ice Cream and Country Store
Local family business- great ice cream and ice cream cakes. 5 minutes away!
It's a Beer & Wings Birthday!
There is no better place to spend your birthday than The Rusty Nail! On your actual birthday the next time you’re ready to celebrate- they will treat you to the number of chicken wings = your age. For example, if you turn 31 you’re welcome to 31 of our renowned chicken wings relative to size of party. You can also purchase your choice of a draft beer, soda or our signature festive celebration cocktail that is served in a special birthday cup that is yours to keep. *** great bar, great staff, great food- perfect spot for some pub food and lots of beers on tap. We’ve been going here for years when we are lucky enough to get out!
Rusty Nail Grill and Tavern
It's a Beer & Wings Birthday!
There is no better place to spend your birthday than The Rusty Nail! On your actual birthday the next time you’re ready to celebrate- they will treat you to the number of chicken wings = your age. For example, if you turn 31 you’re welcome to 31 of our renowned chicken wings relative to size of party. You can also purchase your choice of a draft beer, soda or our signature festive celebration cocktail that is served in a special birthday cup that is yours to keep. *** great bar, great staff, great food- perfect spot for some pub food and lots of beers on tap. We’ve been going here for years when we are lucky enough to get out!
Great local candy store. Homemade treats and my go to for chocolate covered strawberries and chocolate covered oreos for special occasions!
Park Avenue Confectionary, LLC & GENERAL STORE
Great local candy store. Homemade treats and my go to for chocolate covered strawberries and chocolate covered oreos for special occasions!
Great ice cream treats and Ice cream cakes. Cider donuts in the fall ! Local produce often for sale as well. Owned by a local family- stop by for a yummy treat.
Hayner's Ice Cream and Country Store
Great ice cream treats and Ice cream cakes. Cider donuts in the fall ! Local produce often for sale as well. Owned by a local family- stop by for a yummy treat.
Delmonico's Italian Steakhouse
Consistently great steak and martini options. Ten minutes away.
Pasta Pane
18 Park AveDelicious offerings for pasta, steak and deserts as well as great drinks.
The Daisy Cohoes
Simple taco eats and great margaritas.
Extensive mexican menu and lunch specials. On the border fajitas featuring steak, chicken and shrimp are a family favorite. Chips and salsa while you wait! Salsa is excellent!
Pancho's
Extensive mexican menu and lunch specials. On the border fajitas featuring steak, chicken and shrimp are a family favorite. Chips and salsa while you wait! Salsa is excellent!
2 minutes away from the our upstate airbnb locations. Fresh produce, local cheeses, muffins, pies, jams. honey and flowers. Stop by for fresh and freshly made!
Petuske's Produce Llc
2 minutes away from the our upstate airbnb locations. Fresh produce, local cheeses, muffins, pies, jams. honey and flowers. Stop by for fresh and freshly made!
Gambling, Adult Fun
It doesn't get any better than Saratoga Summer Fun. People come from all over every summer to bet the ponies, people watch and just be part of the nothing but fun atmosphere. You can't go wrong spending a weekend or just a day visiting the historic Saratoga Racetrack. Open for its 153rd season from July 14th-Sept 6th. Dark days (no racing on Mon & Tues except labor day, Sept 6th for 2021).
Saratoga Race Course is a Thoroughbred horse racing track located on Union Avenue in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States. Opened in 1863, it is often considered to be the oldest major sporting venue of any kind in the country, but is actually the fourth oldest racetrack in the US.
211 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Saratoga racetrack
267 Union AveIt doesn't get any better than Saratoga Summer Fun. People come from all over every summer to bet the ponies, people watch and just be part of the nothing but fun atmosphere. You can't go wrong spending a weekend or just a day visiting the historic Saratoga Racetrack. Open for its 153rd season from July 14th-Sept 6th. Dark days (no racing on Mon & Tues except labor day, Sept 6th for 2021).
Saratoga Race Course is a Thoroughbred horse racing track located on Union Avenue in Saratoga Springs, New York, United States. Opened in 1863, it is often considered to be the oldest major sporting venue of any kind in the country, but is actually the fourth oldest racetrack in the US.
Casino offering slots, poker & table games, plus dining, entertainment & a spa. This is a fun place for a night out if gambling is your thing. They also frequently have poker tournaments and live entertainment.
Rivers Casino @ Harborside Dr
Casino offering slots, poker & table games, plus dining, entertainment & a spa. This is a fun place for a night out if gambling is your thing. They also frequently have poker tournaments and live entertainment.
Family Fun
A drive-thru African safari, a petting area & prairie dogs are highlights of this 80-acre zoo. Always a good time with the kids for a day trip. Lots of shaded walking paths to keep cool; coolers allowed for an inexpensive day trip with the kids. My family loves this place for a summer afternoon of smiles.
41 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Adirondack Animal Land
3554 NY-30A drive-thru African safari, a petting area & prairie dogs are highlights of this 80-acre zoo. Always a good time with the kids for a day trip. Lots of shaded walking paths to keep cool; coolers allowed for an inexpensive day trip with the kids. My family loves this place for a summer afternoon of smiles.
We rediscoverd our love of riding bikes this past year. We took several rides on the Zim Smith trail and discovered something new each time. Popular with residents of Saratoga County who commute under their own power or love to exercise outdoors, the nearly 12-mile Zim Smith Mid-County Trail is considered the backbone of a growing trail system, with connections to major tech companies and hiking trails.
Zim Smith Mid-County Trail
Zim Smith Mid-County TrailWe rediscoverd our love of riding bikes this past year. We took several rides on the Zim Smith trail and discovered something new each time. Popular with residents of Saratoga County who commute under their own power or love to exercise outdoors, the nearly 12-mile Zim Smith Mid-County Trail is considered the backbone of a growing trail system, with connections to major tech companies and hiking trails.
Worlds largest indoor roller skating rink. Main rink with side practice rinks easily accessible. Skate rental available; music plays while you skate the afternoon or evening away.! I grew up going here and have spent some fun days here with my own children. It’s great fun for families :)
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Guptill's Roller Skating Arena
1085 Loudon RdWorlds largest indoor roller skating rink. Main rink with side practice rinks easily accessible. Skate rental available; music plays while you skate the afternoon or evening away.! I grew up going here and have spent some fun days here with my own children. It’s great fun for families :)
Mini golf and ice cream in one stop. 3 minutes away from our location. Some new mini golf features for the 2023 season. A popular favorite with local families and kids!
Pirate's Hideout
175 Guideboard RdMini golf and ice cream in one stop. 3 minutes away from our location. Some new mini golf features for the 2023 season. A popular favorite with local families and kids!
Favorite part is the hands on feeding of the stingrays in stingray bay! Great for young children.
14 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Via Aquarium
93 W Campbell RdFavorite part is the hands on feeding of the stingrays in stingray bay! Great for young children.
The comet- originally located at Coney Island NYC- is my families hands down favorite. Rickety- thrilling- and great family fun. But the new in 2020 Outlaw is as thrilling as they come. Truly terrifying fun!
6 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
The Great Escape & Splashwater Kingdom
1172 U.S. 9The comet- originally located at Coney Island NYC- is my families hands down favorite. Rickety- thrilling- and great family fun. But the new in 2020 Outlaw is as thrilling as they come. Truly terrifying fun!
Walking trails, play ground, veterans memorial, splash pad and beautiful baseball fields. Lucky to have this in our town.
Halfmoon Town Park
162 NY-236Walking trails, play ground, veterans memorial, splash pad and beautiful baseball fields. Lucky to have this in our town.
Something Different...
Indoor Rock Climbing for the experienced or the first timer. 5 minutes from our location. Something out of the ordinary. Great for a couple, a group or a family activity.
The Edge Halfmoon
1544 U.S. 9Indoor Rock Climbing for the experienced or the first timer. 5 minutes from our location. Something out of the ordinary. Great for a couple, a group or a family activity.
Still in operation today for those who come by boat to this area. The Erie Canal in New York is part of the east–west, cross-state route of the New York State Canal System (formerly known as the New York State Barge Canal). It was built to create a navigable water route from New York City and the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes, originally stretching for 363 miles (584 km) from the Hudson River in Albany to Lake Erie in Buffalo. Completed in 1825, it was the second-longest canal in the world (after the Grand Canal in China) and greatly enhanced the development and economy of the cities of New York, including Albany, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, and New York City, as well as the United States.This was in part due to the new ease of transport of salt and other goods, and industries that developed around those.
33 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Erie Canal
Still in operation today for those who come by boat to this area. The Erie Canal in New York is part of the east–west, cross-state route of the New York State Canal System (formerly known as the New York State Barge Canal). It was built to create a navigable water route from New York City and the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes, originally stretching for 363 miles (584 km) from the Hudson River in Albany to Lake Erie in Buffalo. Completed in 1825, it was the second-longest canal in the world (after the Grand Canal in China) and greatly enhanced the development and economy of the cities of New York, including Albany, Syracuse, Rochester, Buffalo, and New York City, as well as the United States.This was in part due to the new ease of transport of salt and other goods, and industries that developed around those.
The Bunker uses the world's foremost golf simulator: TRACKMAN. The TRACKMAN simulator is used by virtually all PGA professionals. Golfers at the Bunker are using the exact same tool that helps propel professional golfers to the top of their game, including Brooks Koepka, Lexi Thompson, and Tiger Woods. 6000 square foot golf simulator business with full service restaurant and bar. Daily happy hour from 4-6. Always hear how much fun people have here!
The Bunker Clifton Park
The Bunker uses the world's foremost golf simulator: TRACKMAN. The TRACKMAN simulator is used by virtually all PGA professionals. Golfers at the Bunker are using the exact same tool that helps propel professional golfers to the top of their game, including Brooks Koepka, Lexi Thompson, and Tiger Woods. 6000 square foot golf simulator business with full service restaurant and bar. Daily happy hour from 4-6. Always hear how much fun people have here!
New 2022 state of the art athletic facility. Hosts many basketball and volleyball tournaments. Also has pickle ball courts, open gym, indoor walking track, work out facilities, conference space and onsite food options.
Impact Athletic Center
New 2022 state of the art athletic facility. Hosts many basketball and volleyball tournaments. Also has pickle ball courts, open gym, indoor walking track, work out facilities, conference space and onsite food options.
Local Breweries
There are many small local breweries. Try some local craft beers and cocktails while seeing the area.
Singlecut North
6 Fairchild SquareBrand new 2022. Features full service restaurant and bar as well as seasonal outdoor dining, outdoor bar with 10 corn hole courts set up for relaxing with family and friends.
Druthers Brewing Company
Brand new 2022. Features full service restaurant and bar as well as seasonal outdoor dining, outdoor bar with 10 corn hole courts set up for relaxing with family and friends.
Unified Beerworks
7 Old Stonebreak RdShmaltz Brewing Company
200 BroadwaySeasonal rotation and new brews always on tap. Seasonal outdoor deck- on the river- enjoy the brew and the view.
29 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Brown's Brewing Company's Troy Taproom
417 River StSeasonal rotation and new brews always on tap. Seasonal outdoor deck- on the river- enjoy the brew and the view.
Galway Rock - Saratoga Sparkling Winery
998 Saratoga RdLocal winery. Great bubbles too!
Frequently have live music. Don’t miss wing wednesday- 2 pints and 20 wings for $22. Amazing wing selection!
Hank Hudson Brewing Company
17 Johnson RdFrequently have live music. Don’t miss wing wednesday- 2 pints and 20 wings for $22. Amazing wing selection!