krl48 Loc: NY, PA now SC

Albany, the capital of New York state. Fort Ticonderoga. Lake George.

mwsilvers Loc: Central New Jersey

What everyone else is saying, but it not like it's a a two minute drive off the road. You are not necessarily just going to be able to see something and get off the road for a photo op. You are going to have to plan this out.

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

The OP needs to realize that many of these sights are "off I-81", but are separate destinations of/by themselves, and are worth at least a day each. When we lived in western Mass., we made separate trips to Lake Placid / Lake Saranac, Saratoga, Thousand Islands, and Fort Ticonderoga.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Mostly everything neat is off an interstate, except maybe some mountains and valleys.
I passed a real neat barn one time, at 70mph. I did not stop.

Photocraig

Make that YEARS!

Photocraig

North of Albany there are many wonderful places to photograph. Starting with Ausable Chasm, Glens Falls, The Saratoga entire Horse racing complex, and the Springs and the mineral water (ugghhhh!!!! reaction as a 5 year old). The entire Lake George and Lake Champlain, Ft. Ticonderoga on Rt 9. A cool attraction in The Hudson Valley is the Old Rheinbeck Aerodrome with WWI vintage aircraft and a great show--or used to be.

I suggest a few days study to research the trip. As wonderful as Montreal is, it will be anti climactic if you do this trip right. And while at the St. Laurence, do the 1,000 Islands Boat Tour. My experience is 60 years old, so look it up. Don't miss the best Cheddar Cheese in captivity--sorry Wisconsin and England.

As with everything today, there are more things to see than anyone would imagine. the great news is you can get it all delivered to your screen of choice. Old timers like me, remembering family trips might mention things that no longer exist. Check and re-check. But it is a beautiful drive after you're off the NJ Turnpike.

CAUTION, Judge Janine got clocked (well) in excess of 90 MPH somewhere on I-87!

C

MWojton Loc: Yardley, PA

Thanks Gene. Might check out the gorge.

hpucker99 Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

You don't mention whether you will be taking I-87 on your return leg. If you have time, take the Taconic Parway south. It is east of the Hudson River and travels through the farming villages between Albany and Westchester County.

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

Saratoga Springs or Fort Ticonderoga

LXK0930 Loc: Souh Jersey

Do not miss the Union Church in Pocantico Hills, NY (near Rockefeller estate). It has incredible stained glass windows by Matisse and Chagall.

LXK0930 Loc: Souh Jersey

If you take the Taconic, watch your speed. Those towns thrive on speeding tickets!!

Papa j Loc: Cary NC

Thank you I love the Hudson valley and the Catskills nothing like the Adirondacks, White Face Mt , Danamora the most famous institution in the NY State Correctional System 11 miles from the border

J

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Yes, there is one nice spot near I-87, but I just can't remember where it is.

Actually, there are too many things worth stopping to see, both natural and man-made. Here's a link to over a million other links.

https://www.google.com/search?q=what+to+see+in+the+hudson+valley&rlz=1C1CHBF_enUS716US717&oq=what+to+see+in+the+Hudson+valley&aqs=chrome.0.0l4.6222j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8

Stephan G

Often by taking a parallel route to the major highway can open up many diverse opportunities. As an example, US-11 following up I-81 through Virginia.

Be on the lookout for signage for "tourist traps" as well.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

You have already gotten a lot of response, I did not see Hyde Park mentioned, just north of Poughkeepsie is Hyde Park, think the Roosevelts, Franklin and Eleanor's houses, The Walkway Across the Hudson, same exit from the Thruway is New Paltz, I know someone mentioned the Gunks, great mountains, history just keeps piling up as you head north, above Albany you get Saratoga and Glens Falls, remember the Battle at Saratoga from grimmer school, Glens Falls , Hawkeye's Cave, it's is real, then you get to Lake George, Queen of American Lakes, With Fort William Henry at the south end of the lake, at the north end Ticonderoga, remember the Green Mountain Boys, again grammar school.if I think a bit I bet I can remember more, Ausable Chasm, have fun, personally I'd probably not get north of the border there is so much to see and do, if not enough to shoot add a fishing rod, Bob.

Oh Kingston, one exit above New Paltz, First Capital of New York State, home of the Maritime Museum and the Trolley Museum.