Albany, New York

Albany, New York Travel Wiki

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Travel to Albany, New York

Sitting on the banks of the Hudson river, not far from that other booming metropolis, Albany is the quiet achiever and impressive capital of New York State. Albany’s beauty lies in its understated yet bustling and entirely modern centre, anchored by the lively cultural hub that is Lark Street. Visitors here looking for a short, relaxing break from big city life won’t be disappointed – Albany’s population is just 100,000 and it feels intimate enough to walk around in a day, yet vibrant enough to keep you occupied a lot longer.

Wherever you choose to stay on your Albany holiday, there’s accommodation to suit. If you’re here for eating, drinking and seeing the best of Albany’s nightlife, you’ll want to be close to the action of Lark Street. In this case, the Center Square neighbourhood is your best bet, with its cool cafés, art galleries, restaurants and shops juxtaposed against the cobblestone streets and 19th century architecture. If you’re here for Albany’s incredible architecture and many museums and historic buildings, Downtown is the place to be. Being within walking distance of all of Albany’s major attractions, such as the stunning State Capitol building, will allow you to get the most out of the city on foot.

Travel and vacation in Albany, New York, USA

Here you can find information about travel and holiday trips to USA. You will find travel deals as well as general travel information, guides, “good to know” and facts about USA. We try to find the best travel video about the city and its surroundings and we write about the best sights, shopping and things to do. You will also find updated current weather and forecasts. The current exchange rates are also updated many times a day.

Best sights in Albany, New York

What to see and do in Albany, New York ?

Getting around Albany is a breeze, with its easily navigable centre and good public transport system. Walking is the best way to get a feel for the place, and there are some beautiful parks and open spaces – perfect for picnics – to stop at and enjoy along the way.

If you happen to time your Albany trip in Spring or Autumn, you might get to witness one of the city’s two great festivals. Larkfest in September celebrates all things Lark Street, and TulipFest in May is two lovely days of flower appreciation, and acknowledges Albany’s Dutch heritage – it was settled by the Dutch in the early 1600s. Both are great times to visit the city, with temperate weather and a fun atmosphere. If you miss them, don’t be too disappointed – during the summer, the open festival Alive at 5 is a concert series that keeps the streets buzzing.

To get more of that social flavour, head to Lark Street to eat, drink, dance, shop or indulge in some good, old-fashioned people watching. This is where Albany’s cool kids hang out and is a great area to wander and soak up the atmosphere.

For architecture fans, an Albany holiday is a dream come true. Download the free walking tour podcast onto your mp3 player and hit the streets. Start at the Albany Heritage Area Visitors Centre and make your way through the Downtown area, stopping at the Romanesque Albany City Hall, the love-it-or-hate-it Empire State Plaza, the Empire State Performing Arts Centre, known to locals as ‘The Egg’, and the remarkable New York State Capitol. Also worth a wander is State Street, the main street that runs to the waterfront. This is where you’ll see some of Albany’s most beautiful and grand Victorian mansions, including the former home of writer Herman Melville.

For the sports fans, an Albany visit wouldn’t be complete without a game of whatever sport tickles your fancy at the Times Union Centre. It’s an impressive arena that also frequently hosts some big-name music concerts.

For all the offerings in Albany’s centre, many visitors actually come here for what’s outside the city limits. The fishing is known as some of the best in the USA, and there’s hiking, canoeing and skiing in the mountains that surround the city so prettily. Whatever you’re looking to get out of your Albany trip, you’ll find it in this underrated gem.