Albany Attractions

Albany is the capital of the state of New York. It has a population of about 96,000 and is 145 miles north of New York City, at the confluence of the Mohawk and Hudson Rivers. Albany is the home of the State University of New York at Albany and the College of Saint Rose, the Sage College of Albany, Albany Law School, Albany Medical College, and the Albany College of Pharmacy.

Albany was the second settlement in eastern North America. The Dutch built a fort there in 1614 and called the place New Orange, after the Prince of Orange. When the British took over in 1664, the name was changed to Albany, to honor of the Duke of York and Albany, who later became James II of England. It was made the state capital in 1797.

Here are some interesting places to go in Albany:

 Albany City Hall.
Eagle St., Albany, 518-434-5075. Romanesque Revival style. Bell tower houses the nations's first municipal carillon. Self-guided tour books available.

 Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
25 Quackenbush Sq., Albany, 1-800-258-3582. Get information you need on New York's Capital Region including events, accommodations and attractions, shopping, tours, planetarium, and a free orientation show.

 Albany Urban Cultural Park/Visitors Center.
25 Quackenbush Sq., Albany, 518-434-0405. Walking and driving, guided and self-guided tours. Children's programs, hands-on and Albany exhibits. FREE. Henry Hudson Planetarium.

 Capital Repertory Theater.
111 N. Perl St., Albany, 518-462-4531. Award-winning professional theatre.

 Corning Tower.
Empire State Plaza, Albany, 518-474-2418. Visit the observation deck for a panoramic view of the Capital District. FREE. Open 9 AM to 3:45 PM Monday through Friday and 10 AM to 3:45 PM Saturday and Sunday.

 Empire Center at The Egg.
Empire State Plaza, Albany, 518-473-1845. A work of art in itself, The Egg presents the best in dance, theater, music, and family entertainment in it's two theaters. Weekday tours at 11 AM.

 Empire State Plaza Art Collection.
Corning Tower, Empire State Plaza, Albany, 518-473-7521. Over 90 works of American abstract art from the 1960's and 70's displayed outdoors and underground in the Concourse. Free tours weekdays by appointment.

 Executive Mansion.
138 Eagle St., Albany, 518-473-7521. The Governor's residence. Free guided tours hourly from 10 AM to 2 PM on Thursdays. Reservations required.

 First Church in Albany.
110 N. Perl St., Albany, 518-463-4449. New York's second oldest church. Founded 1642: building erected 1798. Open 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday through Friday.

 Five Rivers Environmental Education Center.
Game Farm Rd., Delmar, 518-475-0291. Environmental learning center. Picnicking, live animal exhibits, activity-oriented displays. FREE. Open Monday through Saturday, 9 AM to 4:30 PM. Grounds open all year, sunrise to sunset.

 Gov. Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza.
Albany, 518-474-2418. This 96-acre complex is a cultural, educational and performing arts center and state library. Visitor's Center open 9 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday.

 John Boyd Thacher State Park.
Voorheesville, 518-872-1237. Rests on one of the world's richest fossil-bearing formations. Olympic swimming pool and Indian Ladder geological trails. Open from 8 AM to dusk.

 Mohawk - Hudson Bikeway.
Connects Albany and Schenectady counties, 518-372-5656 or 1-800-962-8007. Contact Schenectady Chamber of Commerce for free map.

 New York State Capitol.
State Hill, Albany, 518-474-2418. A "French Chateau" known for it's elaborate carvings and "Million Dollar Staircase." Guided tours 9 AM to 4 PM, hourly, Monday through Friday;10 AM, noon, 2 PM and 3 PM Saturday and Sunday.

 Riverspark Cohoes Visitor Center/Hudson - Mohawk Heritage Area.
58 Remsen St., Cohoes, 518-237-7999. Twenty minute audio-visual presentation. Tours of the historic Cohoes Music Hall with 15 minute audio program available Tuesday through Friday from noon to 5 PM. Group tours anytime by appointment. FREE.

 Shaker Meeting House (1848).
Albany-Shaker Rd., Albany, 518-456-7890. Site of the Ann Lee Home built in 1848. America's first Shaker settlement began in 1774. Open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 AM to 4 PM year around.

 Washington Park.
Between State St., Willett St., South Lake Ave. and Madison Ave., Albany, 518-434-2032. Rare trees, park, lake, gardens and historic monuments. Site of Albany's Annual Tulip Festival and outdoor theater performances.

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