About
Albany is the capital of New York. It is a beautiful city with amazing museums and historic attractions. Plus, it has a vibrant performing arts scene. Here are some of the best things to do in Albany.
Historic Tourist Attractions
New York State Capitol houses the New York State Legislature. It is a part of the Empire State Plaza in Capitol Park. The structure was built between 1867 and 1899. The ground floor features Classical Romanesque Style architecture. The second and third floors are built in Renaissance Classical style. The fourth and roof floors feature Victorian Romanesque style. The building is a National Historic Landmark. It is listed on the US National Register of Historic Places.
Nature Lovers’ Paradise
Washington Park is spread across 84 acres. It is one of the most beautiful and well-maintained parks in the region. More than 100 species of trees such as giant oaks and miniature bonsais create a picturesque space here. You can indulge in a range of activities. These can be walking, picnicking, jogging. Or you may go biking, bird watching, and fishing.
Every spring, Tulip Festival is celebrated here. People from all over the country gather to enjoy the spectacular display of colourful blooms. The unique Lakehouse Amphitheatre provides a wonderful venue for many special events and concerts.
Culture
The New York State Museum explores New York State’s cultural and natural history. Its collections, unique exhibitions, programs, and publications are many. These cover the fields of history, science, art, and anthropology.
The museum is home to four million scientific specimens such as fossils, minerals, gems, plants, insects, and so much more. It also has eight million artifacts. These include tools, pottery, furniture, Iroquois objects, and farm tools, among other exciting items.
The Albany Institute of History & Art is devoted to the art, culture, and history of Albany. The museum was founded in 1791, making it one of the oldest museums in the US. It merged with the Albany Historical and Art Society and became Albany Institute of History & Art in 1926. Its collection of over 20,000 objects includes ceramics, drawings, furniture, historical artifacts, paintings, sculptures, and more.
Gourmet Trails
Paesan’s Pizza is a great family restaurant. It has been operating from the same location since 1994. Their secret is high quality pizzas and other Italian goodies made from scratch. Their pizzas are traditional in the best sense, affordable, and always delicious.
Grappa is one of Albany’s best-kept secrets. This elegant Italian restaurant is an excellent place to bring a family for a celebration. The décor is tasteful and understated. The superb, extensive menu has traditional Italian food with specialties from different regions. Their selection of Italian wines is outstanding, and you can always finish your meal with one of their great signature grappas.
Yono’s is a luxurious foodie heaven since 1986. They have an opulent dining room with a fireplace. It is like a celebration of American-Indonesian cuisines, blended to perfection.
Miscellaneous
Times Union Center is an indoor arena located on South Pearl Street in Albany. It opened in 1990 and originally was known as Knickerbocker Arena. The center has a seating capacity of 15,500 people for sports events. The center also contains 25 luxury suites at the top of the inner bowl.
The Albany Devils of the American Hockey League and Siena College’s men’s basketball team both use the center as their home. It is used for other sports events such as professional wrestling, tennis tournaments, and college and high school sports events. The center hosts music events including Frank Sinatra who opened the center with a concert in 1990.