Are you looking to see what Albany, New York has to offer? There are many exciting things to do in Albany and the entire Capital Region. If you’re relocating to Albany for work, school, or to be closer to the stunning Adirondack Mountains, it’s always the right time to explore your surroundings.
Prime Storage wants to help you take in some new experiences through a few of the attractions Albany has to offer. We’ve listed out just a handful of your options, and we’ll also highlight how Albany storage can help ease your transition into or around the city.
Take a Self-Guided Tour of the Capital
Albany became New York’s official state capital in 1797, making it home to an array of architecturally unique government buildings. Take a quick stroll down Albany’s State Street Hill, and you will see the New York State Capitol, which took over 32 years to build by hand. One of the most notable features of the building is its Great Western Staircase (“Million Dollar Staircase). The staircase alone took fourteen years to complete.
The New York State Capitol is just a short walk away from other gorgeous Albany landmarks, including:
- The Corning Tower: Corning Tower is the tallest building in New York State, outside of New York City, and features an Observation Desk that provides visitors with stunning views of the Hudson River, Adirondack foothills, and the Berkshire Mountains.
- The Empire State Plaza: Empire State Plaza is comprised of multiple towering municipal buildings, convention centers, and more! The plaza center features a beautiful reflecting pool that acts as an ice skating rink in the winter months. To learn more about Empire State Plaza and all it offers, check out Albany.com’s latest post.
If you’re ready to get started on your walking tour, download Discover Albany’s free walking tour map.
Muse at the New York State Museum in Albany
Celebrate New York State’s diversity with the astonishing series of exhibitions, collections, programs, and many scientific, artistic, anthropological, and historical publications that stand at the peak of their fields. Natural and cultural diversity marry together across its 300,000+ square feet of exhibition space and facilities.
Regardless of what you like to take away from your museum experience, the New York State Museum has something to offer you. Some of the museum’s ongoing exhibits include:
- Birds of New York: New York is home to over 250 species of breeding birds, and the Birds of New York exhibit highlights many of the spectacular feathered creatures that inhabit New York State. This exhibit features taxidermy mounts of specimens including the Bald Eagle, Osprey, Passenger Pigeon, and Carolina Parakeet.
- The Cohoes Mastodon: In 1866, mastodon remains were found buried deep in a large pothole near Cohoes Falls in Cohoes, NY. The New York State Museum is now home to this magnificent skeleton.
- New York Metropolis Hall: This hall has been transformed into different environments of New York City, so visitors can explore and experience the architecture, culture, changing landscape, open public spaces, and neighborhoods of NYC. One of the most exciting exhibits is the “City of Neighborhoods,” which allows you to travel back in time to noteworthy sites, such as Harlem in the ’20s, the West Side in the ’30s, and Ellis Island!
Regardless of what you like to take away from your museum experience, the New York State Museum has something to offer you. Nearly four million different scientific specimens are available at this Albany attraction, including fossils, plants, insects, and minerals. There are eight million more artifacts for pottery, furniture, Iroquois objects, and more for those seeking art-centric exhibits.
Journey Through Washington Park
With 84 acres of immaculate, flourishing greenery, preserved and developed with avid dedication, Washington Park is a top Albany attraction and home to over a hundred different species of trees, including everything from giant oaks to bonsais. Regardless of what you use it for—a casual stroll, a romantic picnic, a light jog, bird watching, or something else entirely—chances are there’s a picture-perfect scene waiting for you to enjoy.
Nestled into the park are various special activities as well, such as the Tulip Festival in the spring, the Lakehouse Amphitheatre for special events and concerts, and the various monuments, tennis courts, and playground areas you’ll find dotted throughout.
A Show at The Egg Performing Arts Center
The Egg Performing Arts Center is named after its iconic, half-egg shape, which holds two theaters seating nearly a thousand guests. These theaters are used for orchestra and other musical concerts, dance performances, musical theater productions, lectures, and a variety of solo performances.
Do you want to see what events are happening at The Egg? Check out their list of events, which include musical performances, dance acts, guest comedy presentations, and more!
Walk Through Military History at the USS Slater
All aboard this floating, historical museum. The USS Slater is a testament to military legacy, having shared service between the U.S. Navy and the Greek Navy.
As a cannon-class destroyer escort ship, it was named after the fallen Frank O. Slater, a sailor that died duringAs a cannon-class destroyer escort ship, it was named after the fallen Frank O. Slater, a sailor who died during Guadalcanal’s Naval Battle. Nowadays, it is considered a U.S. National Historic Landmark and attracts many visitors and tourists.
Wine, Dine, and Entertainment in Albany
Usher in a quiet night in the city with a bit of wine and jazz, or socialize over beers and wings with Albany’s bars, restaurants, and lounges. From visiting a sports bar to watching your team crush their rivals to exploring new cuisines, there’s an experience for every taste and experience under the sun.
- Lark Street: Appropriately named the “Greenwich Village” of Albany, Historic Lark Street in Downtown Albany is known for its eclectic vibe. While you check out the beautiful brownstones that line this district, you’ll also find an abundance of wine bars, coffee shops, and restaurants. Lark Street also features LarkFest each summer. Over 50,000 people come down to enjoy music and entertainment from top local and regional bands. Click here to learn more about Lark Street’s dining and libation options.
- Tasting Rooms: The Capital Region is packed with different choices for those looking to indulge in an adult beverage. Druther’s Brewing (with locations also in Schenectady and Saratoga Springs) and Albany Distilling Company are two local fan favorites right in the heart of the city. For those looking to venture out into the Greater Capital Region, more options await, including Altamont Winery and Wolf Hollow Brewing Company – both of which feature unique events & entertainment. Check out Albany.com’s list of tasting rooms for additional options.
- Troy, NY: When you’re moving to Albany, you want to explore all of the dining options that the Capital District has to offer, so take a quick drive to Troy. Troy, technically located in Rensselaer County, is located on the other side of the Hudson River and features many dining and beverage options. Enjoy a rack of ribs at Dinosaur BBQ right on the river or a cold ale at Brown’s Brewing Company. If your diet (and decor preference) is plant-based, grab a bite and a handcrafted cocktail at the reinvented and gorgeous Troy Beer Garden. DowntownTroy.Org provides a detailed list of all the places to dine out in the area.
Are you unsure of where to dine? There are so many dining options in the area that you may not know where to start! 518 Foodies, a locally-run Facebook group with over 40,000 followers, has daily recommendations and reviews for local restaurants and bars.
Albany Storage Options for You
Prime Storage wants to invite you to look at our Albany, NY self storage options. From our extensive gallery of storage unit sizes to our convenient month-to-month leases, we know how important your belongings are to you and have many options that will fit your unique self storage needs. Check out our frequently asked questions for answers to any lingering inquiries you may have, or reach out to one of our service professionals at 888.846.6503!
This post was originally published on January 3rd, 2022, and was updated on February 21st, 2022.
