Albany Attractions - Albany Institute of History & Art

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Albany Attractions - Albany Institute of History and Art

Art lovers in Albany already know that there are quite a few different places to visit to get their art fix. The city is rich in culture and history based attractions. One of the more popular destinations for art lovers is the Albany Institute of History and Art. Read this article and learn a little bit about this attraction and learn why you should put it on your must see list.


The Albany Institute of History and Art is one of the oldest museums in the United States. It recently underwent a major renovation and expansion and has been carefully restored to its former glory with a few modern touches added for good measure. The museum tells the story of the Albany area by explaining the history and displaying the artwork of local artists. The permanent collection in the museum is quite extensive and includes pieces of work from Thomas Cole, Walter Palmer and other local artists who lived in the region over the centuries. It also includes examples of furniture from the past, clothing from the past and other artifacts which help you get a glimpse of what life has been like over time in the Albany and Hudson Valley region over the years. Although the main emphasis of the museum is on the local area there are other galleries as well. For example, you can learn about Ancient Egypt by viewing the Egypt gallery featuring a pair of mummies and other artifacts. As you can see there are quite a few things to see and experience at the museum. If you are planning on being in the Albany area or live near the city you should definitely check it out.


If you would like to visit the museum you can find it at 125 Washington Ave . The museums information line is 518-463-4478, you should call this number to check on current hours before visiting. Have fun.

Planning our Move to Beautiful Albany, New York

Our first task was of course to find a place to live in Albany. So we hopped on a plane one Friday evening and planned a fun-filled weekend of apartment hunting. Luckily, my sister has lived in the Albany area since college, so she was able to meet us at the airport and be our hostess for the next couple days.

She pulled up at the terminal in her new 2008 Chevy Malibu and though it was one of the most adorable sedans I had ever seen, I was a wondering if our luggage would fit in such a sporty-looking car (especially since I wouldn’t exactly call myself a light packer). But to my surprise, our luggage fit with room to spare and we were off in no time!

That night my single sis took us to some of her favorite Albany hot spots. My expectations were low – (how could this city have the posh night life of NYC)? But to my surprise Albany was pretty fun! The three of us had a memorable night cruising around the city and enjoying the lights along the Hudson in the spunky Chevy Malibu.

The next day, we dropped my sister off at work, grabbed a map of the Albany area and began apartment-hunting. Turns out we didn’t even need the map thanks to the Malibu’s OnStar – making it easy to find our way around town. We checked out an apartment near the Washington Park area downtown, which was beautiful and would be close to my husband’s office. Then we headed further out of town to explore the New Scotland Ave neighborhoods. These apartments were nice, but perhaps not big enough in terms of the amount of room we’ll need.

After exploring just about every corner of Albany (and multiple apartments) the day was winding down. I don’t usually jump at the chance to drive anywhere, but the Chevy was so much fun to drive, I made my husband sit in the passenger seat (much to his dismay) while I took the wheel. We picked up my sister and ate dinner at this fantastic local place near the Visitors Center called the Quackenbush House. As the oldest building in the city, this quaint restaurant allowed us to experience some of Albany’s history and culture!

After much deliberation, we decided to go with the first apartment we visited downtown. So, the next day we hopped in the Malibu one last time and signed the papers to our new home before heading to the airport and back to NYC.

My husband and I have come to the conclusion that Albany has much more to offer than we originally thought, so moving should be a great change for both of us. And I can’t wait to visit an Albany Chevrolet dealership once we move and pick out my very own Malibu (Lord knows I wouldn’t want to live in Albany without one).

--- About the Author: Molly Staite is a native to New York City and a freelance writer for many local magazines and online publications. She writes articles on a variety of subjects such as travel, entertainment and the auto industry. For more information about the Chevy Malibu visit www.lookatchevy.com.

Albany Destination Guide

Albany, located on the Hudson River 140 miles north of New York City, is the capital and government seat of the state of New York, the epicenter of the Tech Valley region, and an area rich in American history. Modern-day Albany is a city that offers residents and visitors alike a wealth of attractions, educational and employment opportunities, museums, summer-festivals, restaurants and nightlife, and indoor and outdoor activities.

Discovered by explorer and navigator Henry Hudson, the area was originally settled by the Dutch in the early 1600s and later controlled by the British until the Revolutionary War. Albany?s prominence in the early 1800s came because of its location; situated where the Erie Canal meets the Hudson River just north of the city and the mercantile business which resulted from the access west to Lake Erie.

Today?s residents, in this city of just under 100,000, are experiencing a city undergoing major renovations and rejuvenation. Partially due to its low cost of living and equally because of the programs and populace provided by the University of Albany, Albany is also becoming an epicenter for technology as continues to serve in its role as host to the government of New York State.

Situated in downtown Albany, the University of Albany, serving 12,000 undergraduates and 5,000 graduates, is consistently ranked among America?s best colleges by US News Report.

The city that has seen residents as diverse as authors Herman Melville, Henry James, and Horace Greeley as well as TV commentator Andy Rooney has much to offer both residents and visitors. Though Albany attracts many more government and business than leisure travelers, there are numerous sites, attractions, and events for everyone who comes to Albany. From the many architectural styles such as the Hotel de Ville inspired New York State Capital building and the ultra-modern Empire State Plaza, to its museums and stately mansions, to the outdoor beauty of the Albany Pine Bush Preserve and 300 year old Washington Park, Albany offers much to see. Along with its attractions, the city draws top name and local talent to perform at its entertainment venues such as the Times Union Center, Palace Theatre , and The Egg. Additionally, each summer numerous city and privately run festivals are held, many free of charge, including the May Tulip Festival, honoring the areas Dutch heritage; the June Lobster festival; the September Jazz Festival; LatinFest; LarkFest; and the weekly Alive at 5 music concerts at Albany Riverfront Park.

If you are planning a visit to the Albany area, most visitors come in the summer time. The milder weather seasons of spring and fall also are pleasant times to visit. Regardless of when you visit the people of Albany will welcome you to their city to enjoy and experience the many attractions and activities they have to offer.

Albany Travel

Air:

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Albany International Airport (ALB), less than 10 miles north of Albany?s city center at 737 Albany-Shaker Road in Colonie, is the main commercial airport for Albany and for the Capital Region, Northeastern New York and Western New England. Ten airlines, including Air Canada , American Eagle, Continental Connection, Continental Express, Delta, Northwest, Southwest, United, US Airways Express, and US Airways offer an average of 110 daily commercial arrival and departures from ALB. Southwest, US Airways Express, and US Airways are Albany International?s major carriers. The airport has a two level single terminal with three boarding concourses on the upper level and ticketing and baggage claim on the lower level.

Airport Services: Albany International Airport offers its passengers and guests numerous services including free airport tours, airport ?ambassadors? to assist and offer information, ATM?s provided by KeyBank and by Fleet Bank, a business center including available conference rooms, a currency exchange, pre-and-post security eateries including a post-security food court, a mail center with U.S. mail services as well as Federal Express and UPS, several gift shops and newsstands including The Shop of Capital Region Museums, a designated smoking area, and fee based Wi-Fi. The airport does not have on-property hotels or gym facilities.

Airport Transportation: There are multiple transportation options for traveling between Albany International Airport and the city and surrounding communities.

• Bus: CDTA (Capital District Transit Authority) offers scheduled commuter and ShuttleFly service. ShuttleFly buses leave the Airport Monday through Friday several times each hour 6am-1110pm; Saturday 710am-1110pm; Sun 740am-1140pm. Adirondack Trailways offers direct or connecting service to many cities including Amsterdam, Boston, Buffalo, New York, Rochester, and Saratoga Springs. Buses arrive and depart outside of Level One near the Southwest ticket area.

• Shuttle Van/Shared Ride: Northeast Shuttle Service and numerous limousine providers are available curbside, outside the baggage claim area.

• Taxi: Capitaland Taxi, authorized by Albany International Airport to pick up passengers, serves the airport. Passengers may call alternate cab company for transportation to and from ALB. The Albany International Airport Capitaland Taxi stand is located just outside the baggage claim area. Taxi fare to downtown Albany will be approximately $25 per cab.

• Train: There is no train or light-rail service available for the airport.

• Rental Car:

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  Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and Thrifty all operate at Albany International Airport. Rental agencies are located in the baggage claim area and all cars are now located inside the parking garage.

  Alternative Airports:

  • Bradley International Airport, 100 miles southeast of Albany in Hartford Connecticut, is the nearest major alternative airport for the Albany area.
  • Kennedy International Airport , LaGuardia International Airport , and Newark Liberty International Airport, all located approximately 160 south of Albany in the New York City area, are all large airports. Direct bus service is available between New York City and Albany.

  Train: Amtrak serves the Albany area from its station in nearby Rensselaer, at 525 East Street, 2 miles across the Hudson River from downtown Albany. Amtrak routes currently serving Albany-Rensselaer include the Adirondack (New York-Albany-Montreal), Empire Service (New York-Albany-Niagara Falls), the Maple Leaf (New York-Albany-Toronto), the Ethan Allen Express (Rutland-Albany-New York), and the Lake Shore Limited (New York/Boston?Albany-Buffalo-Chicago). Local bus and taxi service is available to/from the Albany-Rensselaer station.

  Bus: Greyhound bus service connects Albany to most destinations in the country from its terminal at 34 Hamilton Street in downtown Albany.
  Car: Albany is situated at the intersection of two major interstate highways. I 90 begins 170 miles routes east of Albany and terminates in Boston; I 87 routes north-south connecting the cities of Montreal 223 miles to the north of Albany and New York 155 miles to the south.
  Some sample driving distances to/fm Albany are: Schenectady 20 miles, Syracuse 146 miles, New York City 155 miles, Boston 170 miles, Montreal 223 miles, Philadelphia 237 miles, Buffalo 290 miles, Toronto 383 miles, Washington DC 369 miles, Raleigh 653 miles, Chicago 817 miles, Atlanta 1006 miles, St. Louis 1026 miles, Dallas 1649 miles, and San Francisco 2935 miles.
  Getting Around Albany:

  Albany?s roads and highways, public bus system, and taxi services all provide easy means for getting around Albany. If you will be spending most of your time within the city, most attractions, events, and sites are located downtown and within walking distance of each other. Attractions and events outside of downtown and even outside of the city of Albany can be reached by Albany's public bus system, the CDTA. If you plan to travel outside of downtown a car will be your most convenient option.

  Albany Lodging

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  The city of Albany and the surrounding area offer a variety of accommodation options ranging from luxury and full service lodgings such as the Crowne Plaza Hotel Albany-City Center, The Desmond Hotel and Conference Center, and The Sagamore in nearby Bolton Landing to a variety of popular local and chain properties like the Comfort Inn & Suites in Albany and the Fairfield Inn by Marriott across the Hudson River in East Greenbush to local bed & breakfasts and inns.

  The Crowne Plaza Albany City Center, located in the heart of Albany and just blocks from the Capitol Building, is a top luxury property in the downtown area. Additional accommodation choices in the downtown area include the Clarion Hotel Albany, Hampton Inn & Suites, Courtyard by Marriott, Residency Inn & Suites, and Redcarpet Inn ? Downtown Albany. Also downtown, on Washington Park, are the 19th century Morgan State House and the 1920?s era Washington Park State House. The properties, three doors apart and dual owned, are ?Inns honoring the European tradition?. Also within walking distance of most downtown attractions is Angels Bed and Breakfast, 96 Madison Avenue. This 1811 home was converted to a luxury B&B in 2003.

  If you are looking for a quick getaway and prefer to stay by the Albany International Airport, the independently owned Desmond Hotel and Conference Center, designed to resemble an 18th century colonial village, offers luxury surroundings and conference center capability. Also minutes away from the airport, The Holiday Inn Albany, on Wolf Road, provides a free 24-hour airport shuttle. Other airport properties include the Residence Inn by Marriott ? Albany Airport and the Hampton Inn & Suites - Albany Airport.

  Accommodations are also available in nearby Clifton Park, Latham Circle, and Troy as well as across the Hudson River in the communities of Rennssealer and East Greenbush.

  Albany Restaurants

  Albany, and especially the downtown district, offers diverse dining options covering a wide variety of cuisines from some of America's finest foods to international favorites.

  In the downtown area, Jack?s Oyster House, 42-44 State Street, is one of the city?s oldest and most popular eateries. First opened in 1913, Jack?s pretty much maintains traditions and avoids any hint of trendiness. Its famous clam chowder is a crowd favorite. Salads, pastas, burgers, sandwiches, meatloaf, and lasagna are the main menu items at the Albany Pump Station ; part restaurant and part microbrewery. Albany, located at 19 Quackenbush Square, is situated in a 19th-century former pump station and draws both the after-work crowd and families. Nicole?s Bistro, near Quackenbush Square at 633 Broadway, is housed in what is possibly the oldest standing home in Albany and may be the best French restaurant in the city. Yono?s, 25 Chapel Street inside the Hampton Inn & Suites, is a multi-award winning restaurant that splits its menu between Indonesian and classic continental cuisines.
  Lark Street is a great location to find a wide variety of meal options including American and international at Justin?s on Lark, Chinese at the Amazing Wok Chinese Restaurant, hot dogs at Hot Dog Heaven, pizza at Ike?s Pizzeria, sandwiches at Ba?s Uptown Deli, and Thai at Sukhothai.
  Restaurants and eateries abound in the other neighborhoods of Albany as well as in the city?s malls. No matter your location in Albany, the city should be able to satisfy your cuisine needs.
  Albany Shopping

  Antiques shops, art galleries, specialty shops, and shopping malls are all part of the shopping scene in the state capitol. The city?s historic neighborhoods and nearby communities are home to the antique shops, galleries, and specialty shops while the area?s malls offer popular local stores as well as national department stores like Filene?s, JCPenney, and Macy?s.

  Lark Street, with its 19th century brownstones and cobblestone intersections and often referred to as the ?Greenwich Village? of Albany, is an eclectic mix of residential and retail reminiscent of any great New York City street. It?s a great place to search for antiques, art galleries, books, flowers, one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces, and vintage clothing. Lark Street is located two blocks west of the Empire State Plaza and one block east of Washington Park.

  Albany?s Crossgates Mall, at the Crossgates Mall Road Exit on I 87 South, offers over 250 retail shops, eight sit-down restaurants, 18 movie screens, and is anchored by Best Buy, Burlington Coat Factory, Filene?s, JCPenny, and Macy?s. Stuyvesant Plaza, at the corner of Western Avenue and Fuller Road, is an open-air mall with several dozen shops including Ann Taylor Loft, Crabtree and Evelyn, E.A.T.S. Gourmet Marketplace, Eastern Mountain Sports, Jos. A Banks, Lindt Chocolate, and The Little Book House. Colonie Mall, 131 Colonie Center, popular for its Christmas Tree Shops, also is home to American Eagle Outfitters, Bombay Company, Macy?s, Sephora, The Gap, Victoria?s Secret among its 60+ shops. Colonie Mall also has a Cheesecake Factory restaurant.

  Outlet shoppers should head to French Mountain Commons, located 45 minutes from Albany at Exit 20 off of I 87 in Lake George. French Mountain features over 40 outlet stores including Coach, Gap Outlet, Lillian Vernon, Nine West, Timberland, and Tommy Hilfiger.

  Albany Events
  • Music/Entertainment Venues: The Times Union Center (formerly The Pepsi Arena), at 51 South Pearl Street, hosts most top performing artists, family shows, ice shows and special events. The Palace Theatre, 19 Clinton Avenue, and The Egg at Empire State Plaza and home of the Lewis A. Swyer Theatre and the Kitty Carlisle Hart Theatre, present music, theater and spoken word performances in more intimate surroundings Outdoor performances and festivals are held at the Corning Preserve, Empire State Plaza, Riverfront Park, Tricentennial Square, and Washington Park; all in the downtown Albany area.
  • Sports: Albany is home to the American Hockey League River Rats, Arena Football League Albany Conquest, and the minor league Houston Astro baseball affiliate Tri-City ValleyCats Both the River Rats and Conquest host their home games at The Times Union Center. The ValleyCats host games at Joseph L. Bruno Stadium on the campus of Hudson Valley Community College in Troy. The University of Albany Great Danes play at the NCAA Division I level in all sports. Great Dane football and other outdoor sports are played on campus at University Field; basketball and other indoor events are held at the Recreation and Convocation Center (RACC). The College of Saint Rose and Sienna College also fields sports teams.

  August

  • Summer in the City Art Fair 2007: August 1st, 8th, 15th, 22nd, 29th, 2007 ? The City Art Fair is held each Wednesday afternoon in August in Academy Park (across from City Hall). Musical entertainment will be provided. Open 1130am-230pm. Free admission.
  • Alive at Five: August 2nd, 9th, 16th, 2007 ? Albany?s 18th Annual Alive at Five continues each Thursday night through the 16th at the Albany Riverfront Park at the Corning Preserve. Each Thursday, during the summer, national, regional and local artists perform free concerts. Opening band begins at 500pm; headliners at 630pm.
  • 12th Annual Albany LatinFest: August 25th, 2007 - This full day family festival is a celebration of the contributions of Hispanics to the cultural arts of American life. The best in Latin crafts, children?s amusements, food, and music is promised. LatinFest will be held in Washington Park. Open 11am-6pm. Free admission.

  September

  • Monday Nights in the Park: August 6th, 13th, 20th, 2007 ? Washington Park is host to national and local performing artists while food will be available from area restaurants. Open 6pm-9pm. Free admission.
  • M & T Bank's Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival: September 8th, 2007 - Albany Riverfront Park at the Corning Preserve on the Hudson River is home to the Jazz Festival. This year?s performers include Joshua Redman, Nnenna Freelon, and Alexa Ray Joel. A fireworks show will conclude the festival. Open noon-730pm. Free admission.
  • Larkfest: September 15th, 2007 - The Lark Street festival is the biggest and best street festival in the region and features four stages showcasing live music and entertainment, an expanded family activity area, and a wide variety of vendors and food from local restaurants. Open 1030am-5pm. Free admission.

  October

  • Fall Northeast Arts and Crafts Show: October 2nd-4th, 2007 ? Over 75 exhibitors, presenting various arts and craft items, will be present at the Empire State Plaza North Concourse. Open 9am-330pm.
  • Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival: October 6th, 2007 ? The Columbus Day Parade and Italian Festival opens with a 1pm parade at Albany Riverfront Park. The parade is followed by the Italian Festival from 2pm-6pm. Free admission.
  • Oktoberfest Dinner-Dance: October 20th, 2007 ? The banquet hall of the German-American Club of Albany, 32 Cherry Street, is the site to celebrate Oktoberfest in Albany. Dinner, dancing, and live music are all provided. Open 6pm. Admission fee applies.

  November

  • 46th Annual Ski & Snowboard Expo: November 2nd-4th, 2007 ? The annual expo, held at Empire State Plaza, will have all the latest ski and snowboard apparel, equipment, and services as well as demonstrations throughout the event. Open Fri 4pm-9pm; Sat 10am-6pm; Sun 11am-6pm. Admission fee applies.

  December

  • Christmas in the Adirondacks Art & Craft Show: December 7th-9th, 2007 - Art and crafts from artisans from across the country are showcased at Christmas in the Adirondacks held at The Dome (Adirondack Sports Complex), 3648 Lake Shore Drive in Glens Falls, 52 miles north of Albany on I 87. Open Fri 5pm-9pm; Sat 9am-9pm; Sun 10am-4pm. Admission fee applies.
  • Holiday Northeast Arts and Crafts Show: December 17th-21st, 2007 - Over 75 exhibitors will be present at the Empire State Plaza North Concourse selling holiday crafts and gifts. Open 9am-330pm.
  • Albany Winter Festival: December 30th, 2007 ? Celebrate a winter afternoon in the northeast with indoor and outdoor events in downtown Albany. Attractions, exhibits, live music and event closing fireworks will all be part of the festival in the area around city hall. Open noon-6pm. Free admission.

  Albany Attractions

  • Albany Visitors Center: 25 Quackenbush Square ? The Visitors Center offers brochures and information about the region and knowledgeable staff to assist you. Also onsite are an orientation show and exhibits that explore the history of Albany. Open Mon-Fri 9am-4pm, Sat-Sun 10am-4 pm.
  • Albany Pine Bush Preserve: 195 New Karner Road ? The Bush Preserve is a popular Albany destination and one of the best remaining examples of an inland pine barrens ecosystem in the world. The Preserve includes a Discovery Center which introduces you to everything that makes the Preserve rare and adventurous. Open year-round, Tue-Fri 9am-4pm; Sat-Sun 10am-4pm. Free admission.
  • Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception: 125 Eagle Street ? Opened in 1852, the Cathedral is the oldest neo-Gothic Cathedral structure in the country and one of the greatest church structures. Open daily.
  • Corning Tower Observation Deck: Corning Tower, Empire State Plaza -The Corning Tower Observation Deck is located on the 42nd floor of the Corning Tower and offers breathtaking views of the Plaza, Albany, and surrounding areas. Open Mon-Sat 10am-230pm. Free admission.
  • Empire State Plaza: Madison and State Streets - A 98-acre, 11-building complex, the Plaza is the seat of the government of the state of New York and includes the New York State Capitol and the New York State Museum. Special events held at the Plaza include festivals, concerts, seasonal ice skating and tours.
    • Empire Plaza Art Collection: 2978 Corning Tower 1 Empire State Plaza - The Collection is one of upstate New York's greatest art treasures and also serves as a remarkable example of the power and importance of abstract expressionist art. Open daily 6am-6pm. Free admission.
    • New York State Capitol Building: On the Plaza ? The Capitol was built between 1867 and 1899 and inspired by the Hotel de Ville in Paris, France. Tours are available daily except holidays.
  • Hudson-River Bikeway: The Bikeway, available for biking, jogging, skating, and walking begins in the Corning Preserve in downtown Albany and continues along the Hudson River to Rotterdam Junction in Schenectady County. Open daily. Free admission.
  • Mansions: The city and area surrounding Albany have many historic mansions. A selection of the most popular ones are listed below.
    • Historic Cherry Hill: 523 1/2 S Pearl Street ? Cherry Hill is a 1787 Georgian-style farmhouse built for Philip Van Rensselaer, a prominent merchant farmer, and lived in by his descendants until 1963. The home contains nine period rooms of original furnishings and personal belongings from the 18th to 20th centuries and a large garden. Tours available April-December; various seasonal days and hours. Admission fee applies.
    • Schuyler Mansion: 32 Catherine Street - Schuyler Mansion was home to Philip J. Schuyler, the renowned Revolutionary War general, US Senator, and business entrepreneur from 1763-1804. Events at the house include the marriage of daughter Elizabeth Schuyler to Alexander Hamilton in 1780. Hourly tours of the house are given Mid-April-Oct, Wed-Sun 11am-5pm. Admission fee applies.
    • Ten Broeck Mansion: 9 Ten Broeck Place - Built in 1797-98 for General Abraham Ten Broeck, the home is a Federal-style house with sloping lawns and formal gardens. The mansion has a sweeping view of the Hudson River. Tours given May-Dec: Thu-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat-Sun 1pn-4pm. Admission fee applies.
    • Van Schaick Mansion: 1 Van Schaick Avenue - Located on Van Schaick Island at the junction of the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers at Cohoes and one of the most historic homes in New York State, the Van Schaick Mansion served as military headquarters during the French and Indian War and again during the Revolutionary War. Open year round Thursday and Sunday 2pm-4pm. Admission fee applies.
  • Museums
    • Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center: 25 Quackenbush Square ? Housed in a former water pumping station, the museum galleries offer a variety of permanent displays exploring the history of Albany from its beginnings to present day. The Heritage Area is also home to the Henry Hudson Planetarium.
    • Albany Institute of History and Art: 125 Washington Avenue - Founded in 1791, the Albany Institute of History & Art is a museum dedicated to collecting, preserving, interpreting and promoting interest in the history, art and culture of Albany and the upper Hudson Valley region. Open Wed-Sat 10am-5pm; Sun noon-5pm. Admission fee applies.
    • Children?s Museum of Science and Technology: 250 Jordan Rd Rensselaer, in Troy ? The Children?s Museum of Science and Technology is designed specifically for kids and parents to explore, discover, and imagine the world of science together. Open Mon-Sat with seasonal hours. Admission fee applies.
    • New York State Museum: 3023 Cultural Education Center, Empire State Plaza - The New York State Museum in downtown Albany explores the cultural and natural history of New York State with permanent and visiting exhibits. Open daily 930am-530pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years. Free admission.
    • University at Albany Art Museum 1400 Washington Avenue - The University Art Museum is centrally located on the University at Albany campus and presents contemporary art exhibitions that connect community and world views with the vast resources of the University. Open seasonal days and hours.
    • Watervliet Arsenal Museum: 1 Buffington Street in Watervliet - The Watervliet Arsenal Museum tells the story of America?s development of the cannon as well as the history of America?s oldest continuously active arsenal. Artifacts on display range from special leather goods manufactured at the arsenal to the world-class quality cannon. Open Mon-Thu 10am-3pm. Free admission/donation requested.
  • Shaker Heritage Society: Heritage Lane in Colonie ? The Shaker?s were a Protestant religious denomination and this is the site of America?s first Shaker settlement. The site features the 1848 Meeting House, 1916 Barn, Shaker herb garden, orchard and cemetery in a unique, peaceful, historic setting.
  • Washington Park: State Street at Willett Street - Washington Park, with its gardens and lawn landscaped in the finest Victorian tradition and 100 species of trees from throughout the world, has been a center in Albany for over 300 years. Open daily. Free admission

  Day Trips

  • Cooperstown and the National Baseball Hall of Fame: Eighty miles west of Albany, at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, the National Baseball Hall of Fame honors the game of baseball and its impact on our culture by collecting, preserving, exhibiting, and interpreting its collections for a global audience, as well as honoring those who have made outstanding contributions to our National pastime. Open Memorial Day-Labor Day 9am-9pm; 9am-5pm remainder of the year. Closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year?s Day. Admission fee applies. While in Cooperstown also visit the Farmer?s Museum, one of the oldest rural life museums in the country, and experience 19th-century rural and village life first-hand through authentic demonstrations and interpretative exhibits.
  • Hudson: One-half hour south of Albany, in Columbia County, Hudson, offering over 65 antique shops all within walking distance of each other is one of the premier antiquing centers in all of the United States. Hudson is also home to the FASNY Museum of Firefighting with 50,000 square feet of fire apparatus, equipment, gear and memorabilia depicting the history of firefighting. The museum is free.
  • Lake George: The village of Lake George, at the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains and one hour north of Albany, welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors year-round to its numerous lake-oriented activities and beaches, arcades, miniature golf courses, and the nearby Six Flags amusement and water park that offers over 100 rides and attractions.
  • Saratoga Springs: Just one-half hour north of Albany, Saratoga Springs offers its famous springs along with culture, nightlife, history, and harness track racing.
  • Thacher State Park: Located 15 miles southwest of Albany, near Meadowvale at the Helderberg Escarpment, the park has several hiking trails that offer panoramic views of the Green Mountains in Vermont and the Hudson Valley. The park also has an Olympic sized pool. Open daily, year-round, 8am-sunset. Admission fee applies.

  Albany Media

  Newsprint: The main daily newspaper for the Albany area is the Albany Times Union . There are two additional daily papers available in Albany; The Daily Gazette focuses on the nearby city of Schenectady and the Troy Record covers news for the city of Troy. Metroland, the areas main alternative paper, published on Thursdays and distributed free of charge covers the local arts and music scene, as well as offering news, feature articles, and political columns. The Business Review, published on Fridays, covers news for the Albany business community.

  Local Television Stations: The local network TV stations for the Albany area include: WRGB 6 (CBS), WTEN 10 (ABC), WNYT 13 (NBC), WMHT 17 (PBS), WXXA 23 (FOX), WCWN 45 (CW), WNYA 51 (MyNetwork), WPYX 55 (ION)

  Albany Weather

  The humid continental climate of Albany brings four distinct seasons including mild spring and fall seasons, warm to hot summers, and cold and snowy winters. Early spring has mild days in the upper 50s to low 60s warming to the upper 70s to lower 80s by late May. Early spring evenings can be quite cool, in the mid-30s; rising to mid-50s by late May. An Albany summer day will usually be humid with average highs in the 80s; occasionally reaching the 90 degree range. Summer evenings cool down to the low 60s. Autumn is mild with October to December highs ranging from the low 60s to mid-30s and lows from the low 40s to low 20s. Winter is cold with highs in January usually below freezing and warming only to the mid-40s by March. Winter nights will often be in the mid-teens or lower.

  Precipitation, averaging slightly less than 39 inches annually, occurs each month of the year with the heaviest rain falling May through August and thunderstorms being common during the summer. The city sees significant snowfall of 60 inches or more each winter.
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Albany - one of the oldest cities in the US

The area around Albany was originally claimed by Henry Hudson on behalf of the Dutch East India Company in 1609. The Dutch built Fort Orange, which the English later took in 1664 and renamed Albany in honour of James II, then Duke of Albany who later became King.

Albany became State capital of New York in 1777 taking over the mantle from Kingston, some 50 miles to the north. The city has developed largely due to its prominent location next to the Hudson River. Once the Eire Canal was completed in 1825, it placed Albany on a direct water route from New York City to the Great Lakes. It is in a prime location, also known as the ‘crossroads city’ due to the fact that it's almost equidistant between the massive conurbations of New York, Montreal, Boston and Buffalo.

The Albany skyline is dominated by the 589-feet high Erastus Corning Tower of the Empire State Plaza. Conceived and named after New York State Governor Nelson Rockefeller, the Plaza was built between 1965 and 1978, and also includes four smaller towers and ‘The Egg’. This is the focal point for live entertainment, acting as the city’s contemporary arts theatre. Nearby the Times Union Centre provides an even bigger venue for large name US and international bands, as well as staging many local community gatherings and trade shows. Albany is well-known for its nightlife and boasts a 4 am last call, as opposed to 2 am in most other US cities.

If you are planning a driving vacation around New York State make sure that you allow time for a visit to the historic State Capital - you won’t be disappointed. Albany is a popular place to visit all year round but its outlying areas are particularly picturesque in the autumn. Despite its popularity, it is not difficult to book into a top hotel in Albany at most times of the year. And to get the best out of your stay, look to stay near the airport from where you’ll be able to easily visit the best the city has to offer.

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