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Community > Southern Saratoga County Hidden Gems

By Amy E. Tucker



Every town has its pièce de résistance:its popular watering hole or hidden gems of interest. Common knowledge to locals, these "hot spots" could be easily missed by out-of-towners who don't know what to look for. CliftonPark.com has stepped up to remove the guess work for you.

We've done the research to free up your time to enjoy these summer festivities and hidden gems in Southern Saratoga County.

Family Fun

Smooth, cool and creamy ice-cream hits the spot on these hot summer afternoons! The Country Drive-In, at 1455 Vischer Ferry Road in Clifton Park, has been serving up home-made ice-cream since 1969. Known as "The Stand" to locals, The Country Drive-In is open daily from spring through fall and serves more than just ice cream Choose from a variety of fried and grilled specialties as well, including their famed mini hotdogs.

Escape to Regal Cinemas at the Clifton Park Center Mall, 22 Clifton Country Road, for the Summer Movie Express (formerly known as the Regal Entertainment Film Festival). This summer favorite has been entertaining audiences since 1991 with $1 movies every Tuesday and Wednesday at 10 a.m. The nine-week movie festival at the Clifton Park theater runs June 26 - August 22, 2012 and features select G-rated and PG-rated films weekly. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, phone the theater at (518) 371-6186 during their regular business hours of noon to midnight daily.

Across the parking lot from the mall sits the Clifton Park Action Park. The popular skateboard park opened in Summer 2005 and is packed with teenagers daily. Open spring through fall, staffed hours of operation vary by season and age. The park features quarter pipes, mini ramps , funboxes and more! Used by skateboarders and inline skaters, the Action Park hosts more than 20 kids on a typical summer afternoon. You can purchase a membership or opt to pay a daily rate to use the park. For more information, contact the Clifton Park office of Parks and Recreation at (518) 371-6667.

"I've learned a few things on my own through trial and error," one young skater explained, "but the older kids are always willing to teach us new tricks, too."

Clifton Park Golf, 1759 Route 9, features something for everyone with its double-deck driving range, 19-hole miniature golf course, batting cages for baseball and softball and Giffy's Snack Shack where you can grab a hot burger, cold ice cream and other summer favorites. During summer hours, Clifton Park Golf is open daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. through October. The park also features golf instruction and a Water Wars game that's a sure splash on a hot day. Call Clifton Park Golf at (518) 371-3112 for more information.

Community Groups such as libraries, museums and local churches and synagogues also offer special summer and year-long activities for children and families. More than 30 places of worship in Clifton Park and neighboring communities provide multiple opportunities to volunteer, engage with the community and participate in learning and recreational activities, including 5K runs and more. Watch the events calendar for upcoming events, or discover places to volunteer your time!

Come One, Come All

If you enjoy the outdoors, Clifton Park boasts several parks bursting with perennial foliage and ample hiking trails. Kinns Road Park is popular with both humans and dogs alike. Open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. features acres of wooded trails boasting scenic beauty, ambiance and plenty of new and interesting smells for our canine friends to explore. A picnic area with tables and grills makes this a perfect spot for an afternoon out with friends, family or Fido.

When it comes to food and dining, Southern Saratoga County knows how to tempt your palate! From all the popular chains to locally owned Italian restaurants and more, Clifton Park has food to satisfy every growling stomach -- and that's just on one street! Venture out a little further, and you'll also find world class dining and amazing comfort foods just minutes away.

Lakeside Farms, at 336 Schauber Road in Ballston Lake, makes some of the best cider donuts on the planet! Fo'Castle Farm Country Store, 166 Kingsley Road in Burnt Hills, has been featured on ABC's Good Morning America for its slice of hometown flavor. While you're there, don't forget a slice (or two) of their amazing home made pies, which can be preordered for pick-up daily. Speaking of desserts, you'll be at a loss for words when you taste the flavors at 16 Handles Frozen Yogurt Shop!

Suburban sprawl throughout Southern Saratoga County has strengthened the pull these home-town establishments have held in local hearts, and served to attract new customers looking for something unique and quaintly unassuming. One such gem is The Jonesville Store at 989 Main Street in Clifton Park. Situated in a 150-year-old historic building, which served as the original General Store of Jonesville, the newly renovated structure features a deli, country store and gourmet meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner created by two talented chefs from the New England Culinary Institute. Unique trademarks of The Jonesville Store are their 13 different omelet offerings, Grab-and-Go Dinners and the dozens of healthful jams, jellies, honeys and products made by local vendors. Everything is made from scratch with the finest ingredients to support the motto: Eat Good Food. Open Tuesday through Sunday with live entertainment on Friday and Saturday evenings, The Jonesville Store combines a rustic charm with a bistro flair that you have to experience to fully appreciate.

Check out Mocha Lisa's Caffé on the North side of Clifton Park Center Mall at 22 Clifton Country Road, for a chic twist to the typical coffee shop. A wide assortment of paninis, garden wraps, desserts and pastries make Mocha Lisa's a popular lunch stop. Also a popular first-date spot, Mocha Lisa's features live entertainment with Jay Kline every Friday at 7:30 p.m. Guests can grab a warm cup of coffee to start their day or change up their routine with a cool, freshly brewed iced tea, smoothie, cream soda or lemonade to go. Mocha Lisa's is living up to their slogan: The Capital District's Meeting Place! For information, or to book catering services or private parties, call (518) 383-5373.

Jen Murphy found Mocha Lisa's a few years ago while out with her boyfriend. "We love little sandwich shops, and they've got a great assortment," said Murphy. "I also love their home-brewed iced teas and will stop in and grab one to go if I don't have time for lunch."

Business owner Wayne T. Beale has amassed the night spot trifecta for Southern Saratoga County with Bentley's Tavern in Parade Ground Village, Malta; The Rusty Nail at 1789 Route 9, Clifton Park; and The Mill Tavern nestled between them at 2121 Route 9, Round Lake. Business- and biker-friendly, these establishments offer free WiFi in addition to great food and entertainment, including bands, karaoke, free billiards night and trivia competitions. Stop by The Mill on Wednesdays for a weekly ride with the No Destination Motorcycle Club. Kick-stands go up at around 6:00 p.m. for a guided ride throughout Southern Saratoga County. Completely remodeled from its original roadhouse state, The Mill recently expanded with additional indoor dining, an outdoor patio, bar, fire pit and bocce ball court!

Finally, for a more cultural spin, check out the Clifton Park Summer Concert Series Offering FREE entertainment on Sundays and Wednesdays from late June through August, the Clifton Commons stage brings you the Capital District's favorite bands as well as musicals, open mic nights, performers and more. Don't worry about the weather because performances are held rain or shine at 7pm. For more information, contact the Clifton Park office of Parks and Recreation at (518) 371-6667.

This slice of life captures a few of our favorite "Hidden Gems" in Southern Saratoga County. Now go out and experience everything this region has to offer!

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