As we get ready to officially kick off summer next week, it's time to get out and enjoy the best local spots for a meal outdoors.

Whether you prefer an outdoor city setting or waterfront culinary delights, we have a bunch of awesome spots from Albany to Lake George where you can grab a bite outside. That is one of the beauties of lining where we live: for city dwellers, country folk, and everyone in between, there is something for everyone. And if you want to dip your toe into something new or want to just find the most beautiful view for the outdoor meal, there are so many places to try.

Throw in too that many of these also brew their own local craft beer, and you have a list of spots that cannot be beaten for a brew and a meal on a warm spring/summer day or night. I am ready to play hooky and check out some of these destinations right at this very moment!

There are some legendary spots on this list. Kay's in Averill Park, The Mill On Round Lake, Prime In Saratoga Springs, and the Docksider in Lake George, just to name a few. So as you plan that next summer outdoor meal and are looking for a new spot to try, here is the ultimate list of outdoor dining spots from Albany to Lake George.

The Capital Region's 30 Best Outdoor Restaurants

When it comes to having an outdoor cocktail or meal in the 518, these are the best of the best to enjoy the great outdoors this spring and summer.

Gallery Credit: Matty Jeff

LOOK: Here are the 50 best beach towns in America

Every beach town has its share of pluses and minuses, which got us thinking about what makes a beach town the best one to live in. To find out, Stacker consulted data from WalletHub, released June 17, 2020, that compares U.S. beach towns. Ratings are based on six categories: affordability, weather, safety, economy, education and health, and quality of life. The cities ranged in population from 10,000 to 150,000, but they had to have at least one local beach listed on TripAdvisor. Read the full methodology here. From those rankings, we selected the top 50. Readers who live in California and Florida will be unsurprised to learn that many of towns featured here are in one of those two states.

Keep reading to see if your favorite beach town made the cut.

Gallery Credit: Keri Wiginton

LOOK: Stunning vintage photos capture the beauty of America's national parks

Today these parks are located throughout the country in 25 states and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The land encompassing them was either purchased or donated, though much of it had been inhabited by native people for thousands of years before the founding of the United States. These areas are protected and revered as educational resources about the natural world, and as spaces for exploration.

Keep scrolling for 50 vintage photos that show the beauty of America's national parks.

Gallery Credit: Alexander Raeburn

 

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