9 Things To Do In Albany, New York

The three-acre, five-story building is dominated by arches, chambers, skylights, staircases, murals, and fireplaces.

Some of the highlights of the 45-minute tours include the Hall of Governors, legislative chambers, the Hall of New York, historic staircases, the Governor's Reception Room, and various carvings.

It has free tours on weekdays. Reservations are not required for a lesser group, but it is highly recommended.

Where: State St. and Washington Ave

If visiting during winter, one can go ice skating on Washington Park Lake. During the spring, they host the beautiful Tulip Festival.

There is a seasonal farmer's market here near King Memorial Fountain. It offers basketball courts, playgrounds, and tennis courts.

Also, there are several shops, bars, and restaurants on the nearby street.

Where: Madison Ave & Willett St

Unique things to do in upstate NY is going on a Ghosts of Albany Haunted Walking Tour.

This tour takes people to haunted places and antique sites. Also, they can scare you with ghost stories, scandalous tales, folklore, and many ghostly experiences.

A fun aspect of this tour is you will be guided through Albany by a fully costumed actor.

Suggested Duration: 1-2 Hours

Fee: Starting From $30 per adult

This museum and research center is located on the other side of the State Capitol. It preserves NY's social, historical, artistic, and environmental heritage through various exhibits.

Some must-see exhibits include "The Cohoes Mastodont," "Native Peoples of New York," and "Black Capital: Harlem in the 20s."

It does not charge any admission. There is a gift shop here for some souvenirs to take home.

Where: 222 Madison Ave

Looking for a place to lunch in Albany? Gus’s Hot Dogs is a neighborhood stable serving the authentic Albany-style mini dog for decades.

A compact hot dog and burger shop, it has an indoor counter, outdoor picnic tables, and a walk-up window. It is one of the must-eat food places in the city.

Recommended Items:

Mini Hot Dogs, Cheeseburgers, and Sausage Sandwich

Where: 212 25th St, Watervliet

One of the best things to do in Albany NY is exploring The Egg. It is a distinctive oblong-shaped tourist attraction in the city previously known as the Center for the Performing Arts. 

The Egg has many theaters that put on concerts, plays, performances, and various dances. Attend a musical, yoga class, or lecture at this beautiful postmodern architecture spot.

Want a date night in Albany? Take your partner to see the ballet at The Egg.

Where: Agency Building 1, S Mall Arterial

Another best things to do in Upstate New York is to tour the USS Slater. Once a destroyer escort, it is today a floating museum.

If you love weaponry or even maritime history, this is the go-to place. It will be like going back in time and seeing how sailors worked.

Walk the decks where hundreds of sailors have walked before. Touch a piece of American history and hear the sounds of the living ship.

While on a guided tour, you will have the opportunity to lay in the bunks, see the interactive immersion, and also aim at the cannon guns.

Where: 141 Broadway

If you are looking for some live entertainment, Times Union Center is where you wanna be at.

The multipurpose civic center is an entertainment hub that hosts several concerts, ice shows, sporting events, and musical performances.

Also, it is home to the NLP Attack, AHL River Rats, and Siena Saints MAAC basketball team.

Suggested Duration: 2-3 Hours

Where: 51 S Pearl St

Albany Institute of History and Art is home to over 20,000 important artifacts, objects, sculptures, and paintings.

This space represents Albany as well as the entire Upper Hudson Valley region. It is the impact of many cultural associations that have melded together over the period.

Some must-see exhibitions here include "The Mystery of the Albany Mummies" and "Fashionable Frocks of the 1920s."

Where: 125 Washington Ave