Outdoor dining and drinks at Water's Edge Lighthouse Restaurant in Glenville.

Yes, the ocean is only four hours away. But this summer, why not get your water therapy close to home, on a lake or a river?

The Waters Edge Lighthouse Restaurant 2 Freemans Bridge Road, Glenville 370-5300, thewatersedgelighthouse.com, Facebook

Less than two miles from downtown Schenectady, Waters Edge is a popular urban oasis overlooking the Mohawk River. For the past 12 years, until Rivers Casino came to town, it was the areas only place for waterfront fine-dining.

From its spacious, two-level patio, diners can watch boats of all sizes travel the Mohawk. Theres also a courtesy dock for boaters who want to stop for dinner or cocktails.

People absolutely love our patio. Our patio won a national contest when we opened it. We have a tiki bar right on the water, we have a 9/11 memorial, says Pat Popolizio, who co-owns the restaurant with his wife Karen.

The entire indoor restaurant menu is available outdoors and the tiki bar has its own menu of selected items.

Dukes Chophouse Rivers Casino & Resort, Schenectady 579-8850, riverscasinoandresort.com, Facebook

Schenectadys three-month-old Rivers Casino & Resort is making its waterfront dining debut this spring.

Dukes Chophouse, a high-end steak restaurant, is already serving dinner al fresco on a patio thats only a few feet from the Mohawk River, and a summer menu will be rolling out soon. Right now, there are 24 seats where you can watch the sunset and more tables will be added as the summer heats up. On chilly nights, overhead heat lamps will warm up customers.

Rivers Casino & Resorts position on the Mohawk River makes for an unmatched outdoor dining experience, and with the arrival of warm weather, we know our guests will enjoy Dukes Chophouse in an entirely new way. Were looking forward to announcing new outdoor programming, promotions and summer menu items in the coming days, says General Manager Mary Cheeks.

On Thursday, (June 1) the casino will open another waterfront patio area, with live music, parties anddrink specials. On June 2, Druthers Brewing will launch Friday Night Flights, which will runs on Fridays through Aug. 18.

River's Edge in Amsterdam.

Rivers Edge Riverlink Park, Amsterdam 320-4868, Facebook

What could be more relaxing than dining in a park along the water?

Now in its third season, Rivers Edge, a waterfront restaurant on the north side of the mighty Mohawk, is open in Riverlink Park.

Its so quiet and peaceful, you really dont know youre in Amsterdam, New York, says Dan Nelli, the 36-year-old Amsterdam native who owns the family-friendly restaurant.

The restaurant has 120 seats on the deck, a 500-gallon koi fish pond and a courtesy dock for boaters.

Music lovers stop in after the free concerts in Riverlink Park.

You are about 50 feet from the band shell, Nelli says.

Parking is available at the RiverFront Center. Or park on the south side of the river and take a stroll on the Mohawk Valley Gateway Overlook Pedestrian Bridge.

Also on the south side, at River Kayak Rentals, you can sign up for a guided 45-minute kayak tour.

Sport Island Pub in Northville.

Sport Island Pub & Restaurant 108 Riverside Boulevard, Northville 863-2003, sportislandpub.com, Facebook

The Great Sacandaga is the southern Adirondacks water sports playground with its powerboats, jet skis and sailboats.

Sport Island, at the northern end, is one of three lakeside restaurants run by the Lanzi family.

At the back of the restaurant, a big wooden deck with 25 umbrella-topped tables offers a stunning panorama of the lake and mountains.

Its a beautiful view. You get the lake breezes. Its kind of an overlooked region of the Adirondacks, says Anthony Lanzi, one of five brothers who co-own the restaurants.

On Sunday afternoons, theres live music on the deck, usually a duo or a guitarist. Theres a big beach right in front of the deck and courtesy docks for boaters.

Kids can play on the beach until the dinner arrives, says Lanzi.

Lake Local in Saratoga Springs.

Lake Local 550 Union Ave., Saratoga Springs 886-1373, lakelocalsaratoga.com, Facebook

Coming up on its third summer season, Lake Local is the fun-in-the-sun spot on the northern end of Saratoga Lake.

You are welcome to arrive by water, by kayak, canoe or boat. If you drive or walk, youll find this popular outdoor restaurant and bar on the eastern tip of Union Avenue, just before the 9P bridge.

People come for the view and atmosphere. Its mostly outdoor seating, says John Vallo, one of the managers. There are also Adirondack chairs on the lawn, where servers will bring you a drink.

A satellite of The Local Pub and Teahouse in the citys Beekman Street Arts District, Lake Locals menu is similar but with more seafood. A food truck also operates on the grounds from Thursday to Sunday.

Next door, at the 550 Board Shop, you can rent a SUP or kayak.

The Rusty Anchor 1 Selkie Drive, Watervliet 273-2920, therustyanchorbar.com, Facebook

At the Rusty Anchor, youre not just near the water, youre on the water.

This warm-weather restaurant sits atop a 200-foot-long barge and to come aboard, diners walk a gangway.

Across the river, theres a view of the Troy skyline.

At night, its really nice. They light up the bridges, says owner Kevin Shufelt.

There are 36 tables with umbrellas, a main outdoor bar and a tiki bar with a big blue swordfish mounted on the wall.

Rusty Anchor has a nautical theme and the menu has a seafood focus.

Live music and game nights of trivia and Family Feud are part of the fun on this party barge.

Theres dock space for boaters, too.

The Rusty Anchor is just past Hudson Shores Park, near the 23rd Street exit of the 787.

Up River Cafe 29 Main St., Lake Luzerne 696-3667, Facebook

The Hudson River runs wild in Lake Luzerne. This is where tourists and locals come to tube and raft the waves. Hadley Mountain, a popular hiking destination is nearby, too.

At Up River Caf, you can see the rushing water and hear its sound as you dine at one of 15 tables on the back porch of a charming Adirondack cottage. There are 10 more tables inside.

Its soothing, relaxing. Youre looking out over the river. The woods are all around you, says Andy Van Bourgondien, the chef who owns the restaurant with his artist wife, Betsy Brandt.

The former site of Papas Ice Cream Parlor, Up River specializes in desserts, such as cheesecake and crme brulee, created by Van Bourgondien, who was trained as a pastry chef and worked at Erlowest and Sagamore.

Outdoors, in front of the caf, visitors love to pose with a six-foot-tall statue of Elsie the cow, one of the original Borden mascots.

At Easter time, she wore a bonnet. This month, shes wearing a spring dress.

Shes all over the world with her picture, says Van Bourgondien.

And here are a few more places: Dinosaur BBQ, Troy; Espressohuis, Schuylerville; Riverfront Bar and Grill, Albany; Lanzis on the Lake, Mayfield; I Go Inn, Northville; Lakeside Tavern and Marina, Gloversville; Jumpin Jacks, Scotia; Harvest & Hearth, Saratoga Springs; Dock Browns Restaurant, Saratoga Springs; Villago, Ballston Lake; Tinneys Tavern, Middle Grove; Mariaville Lakeside Country Store, Mariaville.

The village of Lake George and Cooperstown, on Glimmerglass Lake, are also known for their waterside restaurants.

Did we forget your favorite place? Send us an email at features@dailygazette.net.

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