Plaza Rink Albany Free. No skate rental. There may be better ways to enjoy your tax dollars at work, but we haven't found them come winter afternoons when brittle sunlight casts brooding shadows across the sharply angled monolith that has been described as Nelson Rockefeller's 98-acre priapic legacy in white marble. This Central Avenue joint is the granddaddy of Capital Region pool halls. The legendary Willie Mosconi stroked a few at the grand opening in 1963.
Many patrons bring their own sticks.
The Golden Cue also happens to be alcohol-free. He doesn't want the complications alcohol might add. Thacher Park is the kind of place cross-country skiers dream of, even when snow is months off. The park's challenging hills are only about a half-hour drive from downtown Albany. Park at either Hop Field or Paint Mine area for the best access.