Albany is an often overlooked city, and rarely considered much of a tourist attraction. However it has quite a vibrant history that would give Chicago a run for its money! Though some find Albany fairly depressing, since many state workers leave in droves after 4:30pm, a more vibrant scene downtown is currently underway. Revitalization keeps more workers around after hours and crowded bars/restaurants are not as uncommon as you think.

Nevertheless, Albany can offer some unique historical perspectives, if a traveler is willing to look. As the start of the Erie canal, and as the location of the historically famous Fort Orange, Albany was important in early American history. During the Prohibition era, Albany was a center for the smuggling of alcohol from Canada. Pulitzer Prize winner William Kennedy wrote a series of novels about Albany that brings it to life, and will make the visit of any casual traveler far more engaging.

Get in

By plane
Albany International Airport is hardly international, except for a few flights from Canada. Getting from the airport to the city is best done by pickup from a friend or by taxi.

By bus
The greyhound station is located underneath I-787, near the waterfront. It is thoroughly seedy. Use a taxi or friend to get to your hotel.

By car
I-90, the strip of highway the crosses the upper United States, cuts right through the side of Albany. There are many exits into Albany from I-90. The Arbor Hill exit is probably the least-scenic entrance to the city since it runs through a poorer area, although like much of Albany there are some nice, if decaying historical buildings to see including the Ten Broeck Mansion. I-87, which connects New York City and Montreal, intersects with I-90 in Albany. South of Albany, I-87 is a toll road called the Thruway. North of Albany, it's a free highway known to locals as the Northway.

By train
The Albany-Rensselaer station is Amtrak's 10th busiest. Unfortunately, it is not in Albany itself but directly across the river in the small city of Rensselaer. Amtrak is the best way of reaching Albany from New York City, though it is expensive compared to other modes. Cabs from the train station are expensive because one company has an exclusive contract. It is far better if you can arrange for someone to pick you up. Trains serving the stations include the Maple Leaf (New York-Albany-Toronto), the Adirondack (New York-Albany-Montreal), Empire Service (New York-Albany-Niagara Falls), the Ethan Allen Express (Rutland-Albany-New York), and the Lake Shore Limited (Chicago-Buffalo-Albany-New York/Boston).

Attractions

 • The Empire State Plaza is something to behold. It lies between the New York State Capitol building and the New York State Museum. Architecturally intimidating, it can be quite beautiful. Free concerts are often held on the plaza during the summer, ranging from Blues Festivals to Rock concerts.
 • State Street is the main street that runs to the Albany Waterfront. Although much of it is decayed and empty, it retains a regal air and is well worth a visit. Nearby lies Pearl Street, which has recently undergone a renewal, and which caters to the 20-something bar and club scene. During the summer, the Alive at 5 concert series is an open festival on Broadway near the base of State Street. It draws quite a large crowd, and is generally a fun time for all. Bring your own beer, but not in bottles! Per the City of Albany, alcohol is no longer allowed at Alive at Five! (Actually, you can buy "ice-cold beer" there, but you can't bring your own.)
 • Washington Park is a delightful, and for the most part safe, park located in the Center Square region of Albany. In the park's center is the Park Playhouse, which offers free, good musicals and plays throughout the summer. Spring offers "Tulip Fest" a nod to Albany's Dutch heritage that consumes Washington Park with (mostly) tulips as well as a craft fair.
 • Lark Street is tagged as Albany's equivalent of NYC's East Village. Lark Street is the hub of Albany youth culture, and it can be a nice visit. Lark Street is between Washington Park and the Empire State Plaza, and the region between the plaza and park is attractive and reminiscent of Albany's better days. In the fall, Lark Street is the site of one of Albany's most treasured events called "larkfest." Lark Street is closed off between Washington and Madison creating a street fair that attracts a lot of attention.

Dining

See Metroland's (great local paper) guide to the best of Albany. It's a great resource on the best food, services, sights, etc. of Albany (according to Metroland Readers).
 • Bomber's Burrito Bar is one of Albany's gems. Downstairs, fantastic 'bomblike' burritos are made! One will cost about 5 bucks, and it will satiate you for hours. The Red-Stripe Pork is positively divine. Also check out vegetarian and vegan fare consisting of their veggie burrito and veggie "chicken" nugget burrito, skeptics will be pleased. In addition, the upstairs has a comfortable and friendly bar, with a wide-ranging, sophisticated selection of beers, which are available for 2 bucks a pint during happy hour, which stretches from 11am - 8pm Every Day.
 • Jack's Oyster Bar is an Albany classic, and its walls are adorned with misty photos of Albany's interesting past. The quality and prestige of Jack's has gone down in recent years, but it still will empty any man's wallet pretty quick.
 • For organic vegan fare, Shades of Green on Lark Street offers unique homemade meals at very fair prices. Eat in or take out, although to be fair the dining area is quite small. (Note: This closed in the summer of 2005. There is sometimes talk the owner will eventually open a new location).
 • Vegan pizza (and good vegan pizza at that) can be found at Little Anthony's on Central Avenue.
 • Justin's is a very popular spot that offers live Jazz Wednesday though Sunday; however is on the expensive side.
 • Good ethnic restaurants include Shalimar on lower Central and Mai Lin on Delaware Ave.
 • For health food shopping the Honest Weight Food Co-Op on Central Ave (between Partridge and North Main) boasts a variety of health-minded dishes and baked goods made daily. Grab a "meal deal" for under 5 bucks. Check out the amazing cheese selection and you are likely to be offered a taste.
 • Albany Pump Station is a relatively new restaurant near downtown. It serves American style fare burgers, fish and some upscale dishes as well. The highlight is their beer, which they make upwards of 10 different styles and types. The Hefewisen is outstanding. The building itself is the old Albany Pump Station, which used to pump the water from the Hudson river up to the reservoir, so the building has a ton of atmosphere and history. It's definitely worth the trip to just have a couple of beers.
 • Debbie's Kitchen on Madison at Lark is superb for healthful, super tasty and interesting sandwiches and wraps. Beautiful desserts to tempt you if you have room after their generous salads and sandwiches. Highly recommended, an outstanding value.
 • For a nice spicy south India cuisine, Karavali Restaurant on Route 9R off Latham Circle is a nice place to visit. The place lacks in the ambience but food is great.

Drink

A decent downtown scene has developed over the past few years. Some places of interest:
 • Mad River - Vibrant, young after work crowd
 • Skyline Restaurant & Lounge - Newest downtown nightspot replaced the Big House
 • Jillians - Chain restaurant\bar\niteclub\games etc.
 • Bayou Cafe - New Orleans style fare and bands. Another good afterwork crowd.
 • Pearl - young hip hop kind of crowd, good martini's but EXPENSIVE.
 • Lionheart - good weekends
 • Red Square is a new live music venue that has a great atmosphere.
 • Oh Bar is a popular gay/lesbian bar. Check out Karaoke night on Thursdays.
 • See Bomber's Burrito Bar. A popular bar upstairs and good cheap Mexican food downstairs.
 • Long Branch, Washington Tavern, Chubby's, Michael's, and Boogie's are big college hangouts.

Stay safe

Albany has large areas of urban poor and a persistent drug and crime problem. It is not recommended to walk around in areas north of Central Avenue at any time. To stay safe, keep the walking to the Center Square area (around Washington Park and the Plaza), and do everything else via car.