Does anyone here live in Upstate NY/VT area? Question-

[d-man's mom]

I want to drive from NJ to Montreal via rte 87. Because I'll be leaving after work, I'd like to split the drive up and stay overnight somewhere along the way. Do you have any suggestions for a decent clean (and inexpensive) hotel along that route somewhere north of Albany?

Thanks!!

 

[DMRick]

I want to drive from NJ to Montreal via rte 87. Because I'll be leaving after work, I'd like to split the drive up and stay overnight somewhere along the way. Do you have any suggestions for a decent clean (and inexpensive) hotel along that route somewhere north of Albany?

Thanks!!

How inexpensive? Howard Johnsons near exit 3 or 4 (wolf rd) is a bargain with an entertainment coupon...about $50. That's right at Albany. Exit 9 has several hotels (Clifton Park..just north of Albany, but usually a little higher) which offer AAA and AARP discounts. Warrensburg has a newer hotel..I'd have to look on the chamber page for the hotel..cheaper than Lake George, but prob further than you'd want to go..you'd be venturing into the snow bowl at night. If you give me more info on price/date, what discounts you have, I'll call them direct. Prices are sometimes less direct.

 

[Diana Lyn]

I know there's a Red Roof Inn at Exit 4 that is pretty nice and also cheap, that's where my in-laws like to stay when they visit. Like DMRick said above, Clifton Park is a nice place with several hotels, Hampton Inn, Days Inn, Comfort Suites, but they can be a little more expensive, they are still pretty reasonable though.

I used to make the trip from NJ to Plattsburgh, which is not even an hour from Montreal, frequently when I was in college, and now live in Albany, so if you have any questions about the trip, just let me know!

 

[justcruisin]

There is a nice new Marriott residence inn at exit 15 (Saratoga) of the Northway (I-87). I don't recommend going further north than exit 15 to start looking for a hotel -- they'll become scarce the further north you go.

As others mentioned the Wolf Road are has a lot of chain hotels and restaurants. It's under 2 hours from the toll booth at Harriman to Wolf Road. Then about 4 to Montreal.

 

[ChristyJ]

Exit 13N goes into Saratoga, NY-a beautiful place to visit (also has great restaurants!! ). There's a handful of hotels/motels along the way-do you have an entertainment book (or AAA) to get a reduced rate? There's a Holiday Inn, Marriot-then many motels...worth checking into if you have a few minutes...

If you find one in Saratoga, you can PM me as I can probably give you directions to it & tell you how it is, etc.

Enjoy!!

 

[d-man's mom]

What exit is Warensburg? Is that near Clifton Park? I definitely want to be north of Albany before we stop. And yes, I have AAA.

 

[Diana Lyn]

What exit is Warensburg? Is that near Clifton Park? I definitely want to be north of Albany before we stop. And yes, I have AAA.

Warrensburg is just north of Lake George, Exit 23. There's not much past that until you hit Plattsburgh.

 

[KarenAylwood]

Warrensburg is just north of Lake George, Exit 23. There's not much past that until you hit Plattsburgh.

Time translation is over an hour from Clifton Park

CP is a good place to stay- we've got tons of hotels now. I LOVE Saratoga Springs if you want to go 15-20 min north (exit 13) like ChristyJ posted. They might be a bit more expensive than Clifton Park, but like most places- there's a wide price range in hotel rooms!

If you're just looking for a place to crash, Clifton Park might be a better idea since the hotels are directly off the northway. If you're looking to go to restaurants (other than any chain ever invented) or go shopping in unique stores, stop in Saratoga.

 

[d-man's mom]

Thanks! I'll look into the hotels in Clifton Park.

Btw, what's the "snow bowl"? I've never driven past Albany before so this is unchartered territory for me.

 

[canwegosoon]

Microtel at Latham is nice(listed as Albany airport on their website-about 52 for 2 ). Very close to Highway/gas. There is a new Hampton Inn in Clifton park that is also close to Highway.

 

[johnboywallnut]

if you want cheap place that new if off of exit 7

 

[DMRick]

Exits 22 - 24 of the northway is often closed for a few hours during snow storms. They lay right where conditions are right, to make driving a nightmare.

Clifton park is nice because there is so much shopping, movie, etc. Right at exit nine there are tons of places ot eat, and we stayed with grands at the hotel right there, next to Chili's (someone help me out here) and it had a nice pool and lots to do in the evening. It is more pricey. Wolf road exit (right where you get off the thruway and onto the northway, has lots of hotels, many very reasonably priced too..just a little more congested..so knowing the time would be helpful.

Thanks! I'll look into the hotels in Clifton Park.

Btw, what's the "snow bowl"? I've never driven past Albany before so this is unchartered territory for me.

 

[Diana Lyn]

Right at exit nine there are tons of places ot eat, and we stayed with grands at the hotel right there, next to Chili's (someone help me out here) and it had a nice pool and lots to do in the evening. It is more pricey.

That's a Comfort Suites.

I was in Clifton Park this morning and also noticed there is a Best Western practically in the same parking lot as the Hampton Inn. These are literally on the side of the Northway.

 

[msblrobs]

I have stayed at the Hampton Inn @ exit 9 in Clifton Park and it is very nice. There is also a Fairfield Inn right off exit 11 or 12 in Malta that is brand new. At exit 15, the new Residence Inn or Courtyard are both right off the Northway in Saratoga.

 

[dandelion]

Also at exit 15 (Saratoga) is a Super 8, adjacent to a Golden Corral and across the street from a WalMart. Lots of shopping and restaurants there also.

Nothing at exit 16. Yet.

Exit 17 South Glens Falls has no chain hotels, but the Landmark 1-800-541-3441 is a nice place with an indoor pool and a jacuzzi, if you need to rest your muscles after the long drive. New Dunkin Donuts if you need a hit of coffee.

Exits 18-20, Glens Falls and Queensbury area, several chains including Econo Lodge, Sleep Inn, Ramada, Days Inn, Sleep Inn. The most shopping and restaurants would be at exit 19.

Exits 21 and 22 are the Lake George area, and there are many motels, but some do close for the winter.

As others have said, don't go north of exit 23, only because there is a true dearth of services. Some exits don't even have gas stations.

Unless a storm is happening on the very night you're driving, don't worry about the roads. The state crews do a superb job.

 

[DMRick]

Unless a storm is happening on the very night you're driving, don't worry about the roads. The state crews do a superb job.

I've been caught in it enough when my son when to Plattsburgh (and we often go to a dude ranch in Warrensburgh, and ski) to know you never know when the snow will hit that area. It's a true snow bowl area (like Gloversville, for those that live in that area). That little ski area up there didn't even have snow making (not Gore, the little one). It's a place you really should plan on going through during the day, so you can see if the clouds are starting to act up above Lake George. We'll go through Lake George with sun, and then go around the bend at exit 22, and wham...it's snowing hard and the northway is soon closed til it's over. Add to the fact, it's uphill..better to stop in Clifton Park IMO.

 

[d-man's mom]

So it looks like if we can make it to exit 18-20 we'd be all set for lodging. Thanks! We only need to find an early am breakfast place (like 6am) so that we can hop back on the road. Personally, as long as there's a clean bed and running water, I don't need much else for the hotel- we will be there just long enough to sleep and shower, that's it.

 

[DMRick]

There is a Friendly's at exit 19..and a couple hotels right there. Also..pick up that (green?) book at most thruway reststops or Denny's. Many of the hotels are in there and you can get a last minute reservation pretty reasonable.

 

[dandelion]

At exit 18, if you head east (towards the city of Glens Falls) from I-87 there is a local bagel place and a Dunkin Donuts within a mile or so.

Exit 19 has the Friendlys, a Starbucks and a Burger King, all before the next major intersection. If you do venture just a little further, another Dunkin Donuts and a Brueggers Bagels.

Exit 20, a major outlet shopping area, only has one sit-down restaurant open for breakfast AFAIK.

Again, happy and safe travels.

 

[DMRick]

All this talk of the hotels made us rethink our New Years Eve plans. It's suppose to snow for first night in Saratoga, so we are cancelling, and staying at the Comfort Suites (6 of us, in a room that sleeps six) with my daughter, her hubby and kids, and a second room with a family of three. Nice warm indoor pool, workout room, free breakfast in the morning (with a Belgian waffle and omelet station). Thanks to whoever it was who remembered the name of the place LOL!