Amsterdam
Around Amsterdam
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Town and around · New York · 49k people
Amsterdam
Locals say Mohawk Valley · “Carpet City”, “The Rug City”
Where the Mohawk meets the past and future.
Mohawk RedRiver Gold
Welcome to the Mohawk Valley, where the Erie Canal winds through small towns and the Mohawk River keeps things green. Whether you're here for a Mohawks game, a cider donut, or just to watch the leaves turn, you'll find a friendly wave from the porch.
Clubs for Amsterdam
No clubs for Amsterdam yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Amsterdam. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Amsterdam. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Riverlink Park Amsterdam's riverside park with a pedestrian bridge over the Mohawk.
- Erie Canal Locks Historic locks and the Canalway Trail, including Lock 11.
- Mohawk River The river that defines the valley, great for fishing and boating.
- Historic Carpet Mills Remnants of Amsterdam's 'Carpet City' past, now repurposed.
- Schoharie Crossing State Historic Site Preserved section of the original Erie Canal in nearby Fultonville.
- Outdoors Walk or bike the Erie Canalway Trail
- Outdoors Kayak or canoe on the Mohawk River
- With kids Catch an Amsterdam Mohawks game
- With kids Visit the Montgomery County Fair
- Evenings Attend a Riverlink Park summer concert
- Evenings Cheer at a Mohawks night game
- Locals love Small-town diners
- Locals love Cider donut orchards
Through the year
- Amsterdam Mohawks home games Summer Collegiate summer baseball at Shuttleworth Park.
- Montgomery County Fair Late summer Classic county fair with livestock, rides, and local food.
- Mohawk Valley Garlic and Herb Festival Fall A celebration of local garlic, herbs, and crafts in Canajoharie.
- Riverlink Park Summer Concert Series Summer Free outdoor concerts along the Mohawk River.
Cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers. Best time to be out is late spring through early fall. Best: late spring through early fall
Talk like a local
- “The Canal”
- The Erie Canal and its towpath.
- “Carpet City”
- Old nickname for Amsterdam, referring to its carpet industry.
- “Up the line”
- Heading towards Albany or Utica along the river.
Getaways
- Gloversville Visit the historic glove district and nearby Adirondack foothills.
- Albany State capital with museums, the Empire State Plaza, and riverfront.
- Glens Falls Small city with a lively downtown and close to Lake George.
- Bennington Vermont town with the Bennington Battle Monument and local arts.
Local flavour
Teams
- Amsterdam Mohawks Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League
Also rooting for New York Yankees (MLB), Buffalo Bills (NFL), New York Knicks (NBA), New York Rangers (NHL), Albany Devils (AHL, historic)
Eat and drink
- Chicken riggies A spicy pasta dish popular across the Mohawk Valley, though more associated with Utica, it's a regional staple.
- Stewart's Shops A local chain of convenience stores and ice cream shops, beloved for its maple walnut and seasonal flavors.
- Cider donuts From local orchards like Bowman Orchards, a fall favorite in the area.
Where people go
- Erie Canal locks The historic canal and its locks are central to the region's identity, offering trails and history.
- Mohawk River The river runs through the valley, providing recreation and scenic views.
- Historic carpet mills Old industrial buildings, many repurposed, echo the city's manufacturing past.
- Small-town diners Classic diners and family restaurants are gathering spots in the valley's villages.
Heritage and traditions
The Mohawk Valley takes pride in its industrial heritage as the 'Carpet City' and its role in the Erie Canal, all set against a scenic river valley with a strong sense of small-town community.
This time of year in Amsterdam
- Apple picking and cider donuts September-October Fall tradition at local orchards.
Say it like a local: “pop” — A carbonated soft drink
Festivals
- Canajoharie Winter Carnival February February event with ice sculptures, sleigh rides, and community games.
- Fort Plain Olde Tyme Days August August celebration with crafts, food, and historical reenactments.
- St. Johnsville Klock Park Summer Concert Series July-August Weekly outdoor concerts in the park during July and August.
- Mohawk Valley Maple Weekend March Sugarhouses open to the public for tours and syrup tasting in March.
Landmarks with a story
- Amsterdam Castle A 19th-century armory turned hotel, a distinctive landmark.
- Walter Elwood Museum Local history museum in Amsterdam with exhibits on the carpet industry and Mohawk Valley life.
- Arkell Museum at Canajoharie Art museum and library with works by American masters and local history.
- Fort Klock An 18th-century farmstead and trading post in St. Johnsville, preserved as a museum.
- Palatine Church A historic German Reformed church in Palatine Bridge, reflecting Palatine heritage.
- Fort Plain Museum Local history museum in Fort Plain with Revolutionary War artifacts.
Food traditions
- Maple syrup season In early spring, sugarhouses across the valley boil sap; locals visit for fresh syrup and sugar-on-snow.
- Lenten fish fries Churches and fire halls host fish fry dinners on Fridays during Lent, a community staple.
- Pancake breakfasts Fire departments and churches often hold all-you-can-eat pancake breakfasts on weekends.
- Dutch and Palatine baked goods Local bakeries offer 'kuchen' (coffee cake) and other German-Dutch pastries from early settlers.
- Farm stand produce Summer and fall bring roadside stands selling sweet corn, tomatoes, and apples.
Music and arts
- Mohawk Valley Choral Society A community chorus performing classical and popular works.
- Amsterdam Community Theatre Local theater group staging plays and musicals.
A little history
- 18th century Palatine German immigration
- 1825 Erie Canal opens, boosting trade and settlement
- Late 19th century Amsterdam becomes 'Carpet City' with major carpet mills
- 1916 Kirk Douglas born in Amsterdam
- Mid-20th century to present Deindustrialization and revitalization of the Mohawk Valley
Rivalries
- Amsterdam Mohawks vs. Glens Falls Golden Eagles Local summer baseball bragging rights.
- Amsterdam vs. Gloversville Friendly rivalry between neighboring valley towns.
- Game day Amsterdam Mohawks summer baseball
- Game day High school football Friday nights
- Outdoors Walk or bike the Erie Canalway Trail
- Outdoors Kayak on the Mohawk River
- With kids Visit the Walter Elwood Museum
- With kids Explore the Canajoharie Gorge
Residents speak with a mild upstate New York accent, often using terms like 'crick' for creek and 'pop' for soda. Dutch and German place names are common, and locals pronounce 'Amsterdam' with a short 'a' as in 'am-ster-dam'.
Only here
- The nickname 'Carpet City' from the 19th-century carpet mill boom.
- Amsterdam Castle, a former armory turned hotel, is a unique landmark.
- The Mohawk Valley is one of the few places where you can still see original Erie Canal locks.
- The annual Maple Weekend lets you visit working sugarhouses.
New here? A few tips
- Winter lasts long—invest in a good coat and learn to love snow.
- The Erie Canalway Trail is perfect for walking and biking; use it to explore the valley.
- Try a local diner for classic comfort food and friendly conversation.
- Visit a sugarhouse in March to see how maple syrup is made.
- Learn the history of the carpet mills—it's the heart of Amsterdam's identity.
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Part of Albany area
Nearby
Every areaGloversvilleNew YorkThe Glove Cities, where craftsmanship meets the mountains.AlbanyNew YorkHistoric capital, modern spirit.Glens FallsNew YorkSmall-town charm at the edge of the wilderness.BenningtonVermontWhere covered bridges cross into the mountains.HudsonNew YorkA river town with a creative soulCatskillsNew YorkHigh peaks, deep valleys, and a warm welcome.UticaNew YorkA friendly valley with a big heart and a great plate of riggies.OneontaNew YorkWhere the hills meet the Hall of Fame
Amsterdam, NY. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.