Visit The Historic Capitol of New York State

Take a tour of the Capitol building and be sure to see the Million Dollar Staircase. The New York State Museum is located right accross the Empire State Plaza. This wonderful museum offers exhibits of New York's people, their history, their endeavors and their environments. Step back into Albany's past and discover its treasures preserved in historic homes and churches. There is much that is new in Albany as well. While you are in town see what events are being offered at the Pepsi Arena, from concerts to sporting events, there is something for everyone.

Quick Tips:

Begin your tour of Albany at the Visitors Center, there you will be able to get information of any special events that may be taking place. From the annual Tulip Festival to International Festivals on the Empire State Plaza there are always something special happening in this city.

Best Way To Get Around:

Albany is very easily accessible, whether by plane, train or automobile. Much of the items of interest in Albany are centrally located near the Capitol so that at least one day of your visit can be spent walking. A vechile is recommended to visit some of the historic sites that are located away from the metropolitian center area.

This is a great restaurant and it is family friendly. Their food was wonderful. Located in a historic building they have created a beautiful historic reproduction of colonial herb garden.

In our main halls, long-standing favorites are on exhibit year after year. The permanent exhibits include the Native American Exhibit, complete with a full size replica of an Iroquois longhouse. The Adironack Wilderness exhibit takes the visitor through 4,000 years of the history of this region. The Birds of New York and minerals of New York displays contain hundreds of native specimens. In the New York Metropolis, the history of New York City is traced from a natural harbor into a bustling port, open wilderness spaces into a skyscraper city. The Cohoes Mastodon is on display. The fossil remains of this prehistoric animal were discovered locally. There is a hitsory of Harlem. The Sesame Street display contains the set from the popular children's show, and you can explore the A-train car. See actual fire trucks used in New York over the centuries. Take the kids to the new hands on Discovery Zone and visit many of the temporary and traveling exhibits that are ever changing. Have lunch in the Museum Cafe and purchase souvenirs in the two shops.

The Ten Broeck Mansion was built in 1798. It was a private residence until 1948 when it was presented to the Albany County Historical Society. This eighteenth century mansion has period furnishings and restored gardens. Of interest is the wine cellar. It has the oldest wine cellar in continuous use in the United States. Special exhibits are also presented. The newest is devoted to the Underground Railroad in Albany. Tours are available with an appointment. The mansion is open April through December, Wednesday through Friday 2pm until 4pm, Saturday and Sunday 1pm until 4pm.

This company offers 5 different tours. There is a narrated 2 hour sightseeing tour, narrated troy lock tour, Sunset Hors D'oeuvres cruise, Dinner Entertainment Cruise, Sunday Champage Brunch cruise and a Luncheon Sightseeing tour. The tours cover the Hudson from Albany where you see ocean-going vessels at the Port of Albany, past old historic homes and graceful mansions, to the bridges and village of Castleton-on-Hudson where the boat turns for the return to Albany.

They also offer overnight cruise packages that cover length of the Hudson River. These packages include accommodations at the Thayer Hotel, meals, tours (West Point, Kingston, and South Street Museum), and all transportation. All inclusive price $289.00 per person.

The festival is held at the beginning of May. The celebration is kicked off on Thursday evening with a tribute to honor the Dutch Ship of exploration, the Half Moon. This is held at the Corning Preserve with music, food and dancing. At noon on Friday is the traditional Street Scrubbing. Next is the Tulip Queen Luncheon featuring a farewell to the previous year's Tulip Queen and her court. On Friday evening, the festival moves to Washington Park , where tens of thousands of tulips greet you in their colorful splendor. The 'Shamrocks and Tulips' picnic in the park featuring Irish bands and Irish Dances.

On Saturday Washington Park's Pinksterfest begins with Arts & Crafts Vendors, an Art Show, food vendors, music and entertainment, children’s activities, and rides.

The Tulip Queen Procession begins at noontime led by the Mayor and the previous year's Tulip Queen. The five Tulip Queen finalists will stroll through the tulip beds to the accompaniment of the Albany Police Pipes and Drums. The Coronation Ceremony follow and the Mayor will crown the new Tulip Queen. Following the ceremony there will be an afternoon of music, magic, and entertainment for grown-ups and children alike. Pinksterfest continues on Sunday and there is much more to see and do all over Albany.

The Capitol building took 32 years to build and was finally completed in 1899 at a cost of $25 million dollars. It is 5 stories high with a full basement and attic. It was one of the last all-masonry buildings built. It houses the Executive Offices of the Governor, the assembly and the senate. Be sure to see the Million Dollar Staircase, which has stone carvings of over 300 famous people in American history, as well as friends and relatives of the sculptors. Guided tours, lasting approximately one hour, are available on Mondays thru Fridays from 9-4, Saturdays and Sundays at 10, 11, noon, 2, 3 and 4.