The Upstate NY region includes Troy, Albany, Saratoga, Lake George, and a few other places. This region is the happening place. There are fun activities to do all year round and if you're from the area, you know each of these to be true:

1. When someone talks about The Egg, you know it’s not a food, but a huge building for the arts.

In the winter, you'll find everyone ice skating (and falling) in the Empire State Plaza right in front of The Egg.

2. The most exciting time of the season is when the Troy and Albany farmer's markets set up shop.

Don’t forget the fresh-squeezed lemonade and the iced coffee made with COFFEE ice cubes.

3. Summers aren’t complete without going to a show at Park Playhouse in Washington Park.

This season's shows are Ragtime (adults), the Music Man (teens), and The Lion King Jr. (kids).

4. And winters aren’t complete without seeing a show at Proctors Theatre.

This season's shows are Finding Neverland, Pippin (performed by students of The School of the Performing Arts Broadway Camp), and The Color Purple.

5. The Palace Theatre is exactly that – a palace.

The high ceilings as red carpet seats are magically mesmerizing.

6. Coffee shop hopping from Albany to Troy to Saratoga is a pretty common thing.

Just walk down Lark Street in Albany, River Street in Troy, or Broadway in Saratoga, and you'll find an abundance - the tricky part is which one to choose.

7. Stewart's in the go-to for milkshakes and ice cream.

Let’s be honest – no one makes it like Stewart’s does.

8. There is major confusion about the Price Chopper to Market Bistro transformation.

Let’s leave the fanciness to Hannaford.

9. The Tulip Festival is the highlight of every summer.

Complete with an abundance of food trucks and the crowning of the Tulip Queen.

10. Lake George is THE PLACE to be when you need a summer weekend away.

There’s so much to do – camping, shopping at the outlet stores, lounging by the lake… Every upstater knows that summer isn’t complete without at least one trip.

11. Going to the Fourth of July Valleycats game is a county-wide tradition.

The nail-biting game is followed by an amazing fireworks show no one will want to miss. People will ask if you’re going and if you’re not, there better be a good reason.

Upstate NY has its perks and it's downsides, but everyone that lives here knows that it might just be one of the best places on earth.