Guide:The Guide To Troy

Welcome to Troy!

This guide is meant to help you get settled into life around RPI and the city of Troy: from finding a pharmacy or grocery store, to getting around without a car, to finding your new favorite restaurant. Whether you're picking up prescriptions, catching the bus downtown, or looking for something to do on a Saturday, you'll find everything here.  Feel free to bookmark this page!

Transportation

Wondering how to get around Troy?

Free CDTA Bus Service

We have public transport in the capital region! Swipe your RPI ID on CDTA buses to ride for free! The main bus you'll use around campus is 87 West to go to Downtown Troy, and 87 East to travel along Hoosick (TIP: this is the bus you'll use to get to Walmart and back!). Download the Transit app, or the CDTA Navigator app, enter the address in "where to," and there will be directions with an ETA. The info on these apps are pretty accurate, and the buses run regularly, so don't worry if you miss one.

Apps:

• Transit: iOS | Android

• CDTA Navigator: iOS | Android

Rensselaer Shuttle

The RPI Shuttle service provides safe transportation around campus from various resident halls to the Union Horseshoe, ECAV, Academy Hall, and Downtown Troy. For Fall 2026, the Shuttle operates Monday–Friday 7 AM – 12:00 AM, Saturdays 9 AM – 12:00 AM, and Sundays 9 AM – 8 PM. To track the shuttles, use Shubble.

The Shuttles are a free service provided for RPI students. Please note that the stop next to the post office in downtown Troy may not be serviced during nights.

Everyday Necessities

Pharmacies

All accessible using the CDTA 87 East Bus

Name	Hours	Address
Walmart	8AM–10PM	760 Hoosick Rd, Troy, NY 12180
Hannafords	9AM–8PM	9 Lord Ave, Troy, NY 12180
Walgreens	8AM–10PM	549 Hoosick St, Troy, NY 12180
Market 32	8AM–7PM	716 Hoosick Rd, Troy, NY 12180

If CVS is needed for insurance reasons, there are CVSs accessible via CDTA buses, however they are farther away and less direct.

Grocery Stores

• Walmart

• Hannafords

• Market 32

• Aldis

Check Hannafords, Market 32, and Aldis for frequent sales on all produce goods! Market 32 does frequent soda and beverage sales.

Hospital and Emergency Services

Facility	Location
Samaritan Hospital and ER	On Burdett and Peoples
Albany Med EmUrgent Care	On Hoosick, near Walmart

RPI Ambulance answers many 911 calls and does not charge students for such services.

Restaurants & Food

Troy boasts many restaurants to choose from, whether you are looking for a casual coffee or a sophisticated Italian dinner! Below are some local favorites for whatever mood you're in:

Budget-Friendly ($10–15): Lime Leaf Thai Bistro, Sabroso Birria Tacos, the Greek House

Grill & Burgers: Brown's, Bootleggers, and Dinosaur BBQ (students recommend making a reservation in advance)

Italian: Lo Porto Ristorante, located on 4th Street, offers the best pasta in Troy, and also makes a great date spot.

Entertainment + Food: Bard and Baker serves both a great sandwich and endless fun, with a selection of over 1000 board games!

Pizza & Pasta: Bacchus Wood Fired has an amazing, melt-in-your-mouth personal pizza, at only $13. Bacchus also has a range of great pasta dishes.

Coffee: The Yellow Corner Bakery or Jacob Alejandro for a quick coffee. Yellow Corner also makes a cozy study spot.

Ice Cream: The Dutch Udder has a large list of rotating unique ice cream flavors, from Hojicha to Banana Oreo to just Vanilla.

Ramen: Kuma Ani offers a good selection, and all of their dishes are under $20.

Bakeries: The Placid Baker and The Flour Bender will both satisfy your sweet cravings. The Placid Baker is catered toward bread and pastries, while the Flour Bender has cookies and cakes.

Mexican: La Capital Tacos or Sabroso Birria Tacos for tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and Mexican bowls. Both are authentic, and all meals are under $20.

Things to Do

Recurring Events

• Farmers Market: Saturdays from 9am to 2pm, Troy hosts one of the largest farmers markets in the United States. The event features local farms, craftsmen, bakeries, restaurants, shops, and live music. It is undoubtedly Troy's signature event, and one of the highlights of the entire Capital Region. It can be found centered on Monument Square, or in the Troy Atrium during the winter. More info at troymarket.org.

• Troy Night Out: On the last Friday of every month except in December, from 5pm to 9pm, Troy hosts a themed night of local businesses.

• Bard & Baker Trivia Nights: Sundays from 6pm to 8pm, the Bard & Baker Board Game Cafe hosts a pub-style trivia on a wide range of subjects. The last Sunday of every month is a themed trivia night, with the theme changing each month. More info at bardandbaker.com/events-calendar.

• Beats on Broadway: Fridays and Saturdays starting 5pm, businesses on Broadway feature outdoor seating, live music, DJs, and food & drink specials. More info at bootleggerstroy.com.

• Troy Victorian Stroll: Annually in early December, Troy hosts a Victorian themed night of food and entertainment, culminating in a tree lighting ceremony. More info at victorianstroll.com.

• Troy Turkey Trot: Annually on Thanksgiving Day, Troy hosts one of the oldest road races in the country. The event kicks off at 8am with a 10K, followed by a one-mile Turkey Walk at 9:30am and a 5K run at 10am. More info at troyturkeytrot.com.

Music, Entertainment & Recreation

• NoFun: They throw on a wide variety of shows ranging from rock concerts to electronic sets to even Texas Two-Step lessons. Show tickets are usually around $15, and shows run throughout the week. However, there are many free events throughout the week such as their VHS Nights, Open Mic Karaoke, and BYO Vinyl Nites.

• Troy Music Hall regularly puts on music shows for which prices can vary. This includes small artists/bands, many classical concerts, occasional musicals, comedians, and more. Usually relatively unknown people, but Don McLean is coming in fall. It's also a national historic landmark!

• Many bars/pubs have live music. Bootlegger's sometimes does.

• Hart Cluett Museum: Operated by the Rensselaer County Historical Society, the Hart Cluett Museum is dedicated to preserving the history of Troy and the surrounding area. Admission to the museum is free with a student ID! The museum is composed of various permanent (one dedicated to Uncle Sam) and temporary galleries, a preserved historic house, and a research library.

• Yellow Lab Vintage & Books: A wonderfully whimsical store of oddities located at Monument Square. They have a vast and well-organized selection of used books, antique furniture, vintage clothing, and various other tchotchkes. They host regular reading and community-oriented events, so be sure to check out their equally whimsical website to stay updated.