Delaware Avenue
Compact, walkable local strip with the city's best independent restaurants — an underrated stay for foodies.
Delaware Avenue commercial strip with independent shops and cafes
Why people stay in Delaware Avenue
Delaware Avenue runs south from Lark Street through the Delaware neighborhood and into Delmar. The stretch between Morton Avenue and Whitehall Road (locally called "the Del") has evolved over the past decade into arguably the best small-scale restaurant and independent-shop strip in the city — Delaware Supermarket for produce, Cardona's Market for Italian, Iron Gate Cafe South, The Yard, Cafe Capriccio nearby. On a Saturday at 9pm the sidewalks are pleasantly busy.
For a family that wants a walkable urban stay outside the government core, this is a strong choice. Cheaper than Washington Park, more character than Colonie, safer-feeling than downtown after dark. Skip it if you need to be within walking distance of the Capitol — you’ll be relying on CDTA Route 18 or a rideshare for museum days.
There are a couple of small inns and a growing set of Airbnb apartments on the residential side streets (Marshall, Whitehall, Bertha) at $110-160 a night. No chain hotels inside the corridor itself. Look for listings on the west side of Delaware Ave — the east side backs into the Second Ave residential neighborhood which is fine but quieter. Free street parking after 6pm and on Sundays is a real quality-of-life advantage.
What to see
Hotels in Delaware Avenue
Getting around Delaware Avenue
From the airport, Route 737 to downtown then transfer to CDTA Route 18 (Delaware Ave) — total about 45 minutes. Uber runs $25. From Amtrak, Uber is $18. Route 18 runs Delaware Ave every 20-30 minutes and connects to downtown in 15 minutes. Driving is easy, street parking abundant.
Questions about Delaware Avenue
It's 2 km from the Delaware/Morton corner to the Capitol — about 25 minutes on foot, mostly downhill going in. Coming back uphill you’ll want the Route 18 bus.
Iron Gate Cafe South at 300 Delaware for brunch, or The Yard on Delaware near Whitehall for casual dinner with kids. Cafe Capriccio is date-night, not family-night.
