Things to Do in Albany
Albany Things To Do Guide
As one of the oldest surviving settlements from the original 13 colonies, Albany is a city steeped in history. But, residents of the capital city know its history as the foundation that has paved the way for modern life. There are so many things to do in Albany; from laser tag at the Crossgates Mall to a riveting performance at the Palace Theater and a summer stroll through Washington Park. One thing is certain: It’s near impossible to be bored in this lively city.
Since 1893, excited fun-seekers have gathered at the Altamont Fair for Albany activities and attractions such as fireworks, live entertainment, and even a circus act. Art enthusiasts sync their calendars, so they don’t miss First Friday: an Upstate Artists Guild initiative that arranges one-night shows on the first Friday of every month. Area hockey fans flock to the Times Union Center during peak season to watch the Albany Devils showdown with other American Hockey League teams. And, when there aren’t hockey games at the arena, there may be a famous band or musician that you may just want to see play.
Art and history make up a large part of the stuff to do in Albany. Among the go-to places for history buffs are the Schuyler Mansion, former home of Revolutionary War general Philip Schuyler, which features 18th-century furniture and decorative art throughout the mansion, and the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, the oldest NEO gothic Cathedral structure in the country.
A guide to Albany wouldn’t be complete without a mention of the State University campus, the city’s rich nightlife and fine dining scene. Albany also offers state parks and stellar golf courses. Whatever one chooses to do, you’ll find that there is no shortage of history, entertainment, or culture in this historic city.
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Adirondack Tubing Adventures
- Lake Luzerne
Guides lead groups down calm waters of an Adirondack river on colorful inner tubes amid verdant mountains and wildlife
Brookview Station Winery
- Schodack
Taste six estate wines produced from red and white Hudson Valley grapes and local apples, pears, and cherries
Mama Nirvana's New Yoga
- Multiple Locations
Yoga-loving couple helms friendly studio filled with calming Hatha poses, vigorous Vinyasa sequences & core-bolstering Pilates exercises
Agawam Municipal Golf Course
- Agawam Town
Groups head out for 18-hole rounds on a course designed through dense forest with rolling hills
Equine Boulevard
- Agawam Town
Equestrians lead pairs on trail rides along wooded paths and other trails leading toward the surrounding state forest
Recommended Things to Do by Groupon Customers
Originally conceived as a summer residence for the New York Philharmonic, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center took shape in the bustling '60s, eventually evolving away from its intentions and becoming the residence for the Philadelphia Orchestra and the New York City Ballet. Set amid the 2,400-acre Spa State Park, which is rife with pines, hiking trails, geysers, and mineral springs, the 10-story amphitheater acts as a fitting haven for the arts. Before or after a show, guests can traverse the grounds to enjoy fresh air and a break from the city's frequent giant-lizard attacks or stop by the Jazz Bar for a drink.
In the summer of 1850, a moderately successful writer brought his young wife, Lizzie, and their baby, Malcolm, to the town where his father grew up, Berkshire. Seduced by its picturesque countryside, the writer impulsively bought a farm, which would become the family’s home for the next 13 years and the place where he penned a novel that would change the face of American literature: Moby-Dick.
Today, the Berkshire Historical Society maintains the farmhouse where Melville sharpened his quills, gazed out the library window, and drank in the view of Mount Greylock, whose statuesque peak supposedly inspired the elusive white whale that taught Ahab to use his nose as a blowhole. The house was old even then, as it was originally built in the Georgian style back in 1780, acquiring Federal-style details in the 1840s. Careful preservation allows visitors to wander through Melville’s study and gaze upon the fireplace featured in his short story I and My Chimney. They can also observe the piazza that makes an appearance in The Piazza Tales, and see the restored barn where Melville and Nathaniel Hawthorne whiled away the hours with deep literary conversation and video games.
In addition to pondering the rooms where Melville lived his days, visitors peruse furniture, portraits, and clothing from the Berkshire Historical Society’s collection of artifacts and enjoy exhibits and events such as plays. Those who make appointments in advance can also immerse themselves in the manuscripts, atlases, oral-history tapes, and photographs that populate the Margaret H. Hall Library and Archives.
