Guidebook for Albany
Food Scene
It's the restaurant where Mary Beth and I met...and it's just a great place to get great food and drink...and the bartenders really take care of you.
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The Point
1100 Madison AveIt's the restaurant where Mary Beth and I met...and it's just a great place to get great food and drink...and the bartenders really take care of you.
Owned by the same folks who own The Point and the Madison Pourhouse, this is your quintessential breakfast (or lunch) spot.
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Cafe Madison
1100 Madison AveOwned by the same folks who own The Point and the Madison Pourhouse, this is your quintessential breakfast (or lunch) spot.
Anton's
577 New Scotland AveQuick, local, and good...you can't beat Anton's if you need a bite to eat.
El Loco Mexican Cafe
465 Madison AveAn Albany legend...top notch Mexican food.
A place I've been going my entire life. If you want authentic, old school Italian food, look no further than Sam's.
Sam's
127 Southern BlvdA place I've been going my entire life. If you want authentic, old school Italian food, look no further than Sam's.
Great restaurants, bars, and shopping, this is the Capital District's premier summertime hotspot.
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Broadway
BroadwayGreat restaurants, bars, and shopping, this is the Capital District's premier summertime hotspot.
Just up at the top of Winnie by the hospital you will find the place that "America runs on".
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Dunkin'
439 Madison AveJust up at the top of Winnie by the hospital you will find the place that "America runs on".
Great place for food and drink in the heart of New Scotland's restaurant row.
Midtown Tap and Tea Room
289 New Scotland AveGreat place for food and drink in the heart of New Scotland's restaurant row.
Capital City Gastropub
261 New Scotland AveGreat spot to grab some poutine or salad and some tasty beverages.
It's at the nearby golf course which is where I go cross country skiing in the wintertime.
Martel's Restaurant at Capital Hills
65 O'Neil RdIt's at the nearby golf course which is where I go cross country skiing in the wintertime.
Everything Else
It's hospital just up the street from our house.
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St. Peter’s Hospital
315 S Manning BlvdIt's hospital just up the street from our house.
Albany's legendary concert hall. Still a great place to a concert after well over a century entertaining the masses.
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I-Palace Theatre
19 Clinton AveAlbany's legendary concert hall. Still a great place to a concert after well over a century entertaining the masses.
It's the place where I attended college and it was also where our first AirBnB studied chemistry during his month-long stay with us.
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University at Albany
1400 Washington AveIt's the place where I attended college and it was also where our first AirBnB studied chemistry during his month-long stay with us.
This whole complex is worth a visit. It's 'floating' buildings are the inspiration of Gov Nelson Rockefeller who had thousands of homes demolished to create this grand series of buildings.
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IGavana Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza
100 S Mall ArterialThis whole complex is worth a visit. It's 'floating' buildings are the inspiration of Gov Nelson Rockefeller who had thousands of homes demolished to create this grand series of buildings.
Drinks & Nightlife
Fantastic selection of beers on tap and tasty treats too.
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Madison Pour House
1110 Madison AveFantastic selection of beers on tap and tasty treats too.
Fun place to drink some German beer and watch some soccer with your friends. Free BOOT of beer for your birthday.
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Wolff's Biergarten
895 BroadwayFun place to drink some German beer and watch some soccer with your friends. Free BOOT of beer for your birthday.
Owned by the same folks as every other restaurant on this strip, this is the place to catch the game, a burger or sandwich, and a beer...generally a younger crowd than The Point.
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Juniors Bar and Grill
1094 Madison AveOwned by the same folks as every other restaurant on this strip, this is the place to catch the game, a burger or sandwich, and a beer...generally a younger crowd than The Point.
Owned by Tess, an Albany legend, you will be treated like an old friend whether it's your first visit or your fiftieth. Great food and drink...and right across the street from the Palace Theater.
McGeary's
4 Clinton SquareOwned by Tess, an Albany legend, you will be treated like an old friend whether it's your first visit or your fiftieth. Great food and drink...and right across the street from the Palace Theater.
This (tied with The Point) is our favorite local restaurant. It is on the ground floor of the Hampton Inn and operated by legendary Albany chef Yono Pernomo and his son Dominic (dp).
dp An American Brasserie
25 Chapel StThis (tied with The Point) is our favorite local restaurant. It is on the ground floor of the Hampton Inn and operated by legendary Albany chef Yono Pernomo and his son Dominic (dp).
Great food and drink in one of Albany's oldest buildings. You really feel like you're in an English pub when you're here.
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The Olde English Pub
683 BroadwayGreat food and drink in one of Albany's oldest buildings. You really feel like you're in an English pub when you're here.
Great place to grab a pint if you're over in Troy. All beers are made on premises.
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Brown's Brewing Company's Troy Taproom
417 River StGreat place to grab a pint if you're over in Troy. All beers are made on premises.
It's got great beer and tasty, slightly unique pub food. Nice, open, wood interior.
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Druthers Brewing Company
381 BroadwayIt's got great beer and tasty, slightly unique pub food. Nice, open, wood interior.
It's more than just a brewery, it's set on the gorgeous hillside and they also host live music throughout the summer. It's a fantastic place to spend an evening.
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Brewery Ommegang
656 Co Hwy 33It's more than just a brewery, it's set on the gorgeous hillside and they also host live music throughout the summer. It's a fantastic place to spend an evening.
Entertainment & Activities
Yes, there is a children's playground, but there is also a wonderful path around the urban wetland where you will see all sorts of wildlife.
Buckingham Pond Path
Buckingham Pond PathYes, there is a children's playground, but there is also a wonderful path around the urban wetland where you will see all sorts of wildlife.
Designed by the Olmsted's (the brothers who designed many of America's greatest parks including Central Park), this is a special jewel in the city.
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Washington Park
Designed by the Olmsted's (the brothers who designed many of America's greatest parks including Central Park), this is a special jewel in the city.
Great ice cream, baked goods, and a fantastic outdoor area where you might catch some live music in the summertime.
9 icetyiswa ngabantu basekuhlaleni
Emack & Bolio's
366 Delaware AveGreat ice cream, baked goods, and a fantastic outdoor area where you might catch some live music in the summertime.
This is a great place to learn about a unique ecosystem in the Albany area. Plenty of hiking trails to discover what makes this place special.
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Albany Pine Bush Preserve
195 New Karner RdThis is a great place to learn about a unique ecosystem in the Albany area. Plenty of hiking trails to discover what makes this place special.
Out in my hometown, just a few miles past my high school, this is a great place to encounter local wildlife during any season of the year. A beautiful stream flows through Five Rivers.
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Five Rivers Environmental Education Center
56 Game Farm RdOut in my hometown, just a few miles past my high school, this is a great place to encounter local wildlife during any season of the year. A beautiful stream flows through Five Rivers.
Sightseeing
Great place to put the kayak in the water or go for a walk, jog, or bike north towards Troy.
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Corning City Preserve
Quay StreetGreat place to put the kayak in the water or go for a walk, jog, or bike north towards Troy.
A great place to see the valley in which we live. The ancient cliffs have amazing trails that remind you of the area's original inhabitants. There are many trails throughout the park.
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I-State Park yeJohn Boyd Thacher
830 Thacher Park RdA great place to see the valley in which we live. The ancient cliffs have amazing trails that remind you of the area's original inhabitants. There are many trails throughout the park.
Great place to take your dog for a dip in the creek...and there are trails that go along the creek for quite a ways.
Normanskill Farm Dog Park
Mill RoadGreat place to take your dog for a dip in the creek...and there are trails that go along the creek for quite a ways.
The seat of NY State government. It's an impressive building and worth a visit.
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New York State Capitol
Washington AvenueThe seat of NY State government. It's an impressive building and worth a visit.
Set amidst the South Mall - Nelson Rockefeller's ambitious redevelopment plan that destroyed over 10,000 homes - is a testament to one man's vision. The architecture is reminiscent of Le Corbusier.
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Erastus Corning II Tower
Set amidst the South Mall - Nelson Rockefeller's ambitious redevelopment plan that destroyed over 10,000 homes - is a testament to one man's vision. The architecture is reminiscent of Le Corbusier.
The inspiration and summer home for great American artist Georgia O'Keefe, the landscape here will inspire you as well. Head north to Bolton Landing for a more charming lakeside experience.
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Lake George Bar Crawl
Canada StreetThe inspiration and summer home for great American artist Georgia O'Keefe, the landscape here will inspire you as well. Head north to Bolton Landing for a more charming lakeside experience.
If picking apples and eating homemade treats are your thing, then go visit Indian Ladder. An Albany area icon, you'll enjoy it any time of year, but autumn is the best time to visit.
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Indian Ladder Farms
342 Altamont RdIf picking apples and eating homemade treats are your thing, then go visit Indian Ladder. An Albany area icon, you'll enjoy it any time of year, but autumn is the best time to visit.
Great place to go for a hike...right on the NY/Mass border. Also GREAT backcountry skiing in the winter time.
Petersburg Pass
Great place to go for a hike...right on the NY/Mass border. Also GREAT backcountry skiing in the winter time.
Besides home to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown has great breweries, restaurants, arts, and scenery. Spend a day there and you'll be happy you did.
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Cooperstown
Besides home to the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown has great breweries, restaurants, arts, and scenery. Spend a day there and you'll be happy you did.
It's one of only two Peace Pagodas in the country and is a really cool place to visit.
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Grafton Peace Pagoda
87 Crandall RdIt's one of only two Peace Pagodas in the country and is a really cool place to visit.
Arts & Culture
Cool place to go for a tour and pick up some great, locally-made spirits. A 'must-see' for any visiting Albany who likes the finer things in life.
The ADCo Distillery and Production
718 Montgomery StCool place to go for a tour and pick up some great, locally-made spirits. A 'must-see' for any visiting Albany who likes the finer things in life.
Our local art house cinema...a great Albany institution.
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Landmark's Spectrum 8 Theatres
290 Delaware AveOur local art house cinema...a great Albany institution.
Cosmic Cinemas
160 Fairview AveIt's local and it shows cheap movies...so why not?
Best outdoor venue in the world to see live music. Set amidst a gorgeous state park and fantastic historic structures.
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Saratoga Performing Arts Center
108 Avenue of the PinesBest outdoor venue in the world to see live music. Set amidst a gorgeous state park and fantastic historic structures.
America's oldest racecourse, this historic facility harkens back to another era. If you're in town during the summer, make sure to see the horses run in Saratoga.
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Saratoga Race Course
267 Union AveAmerica's oldest racecourse, this historic facility harkens back to another era. If you're in town during the summer, make sure to see the horses run in Saratoga.
It's arts and nature wrapped in one...and it's a great one-hour drive east from Albany.
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Williamstown
It's arts and nature wrapped in one...and it's a great one-hour drive east from Albany.
As with its neighbor just to the west, North Adams has a lot to offer the tourist...everything from museums like MassMoca to recreation, Mt. Greylock - Massachusetts tallest peak...North Adams is a great place to spend the day.
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North Adams
As with its neighbor just to the west, North Adams has a lot to offer the tourist...everything from museums like MassMoca to recreation, Mt. Greylock - Massachusetts tallest peak...North Adams is a great place to spend the day.
When you're visiting the state capital, you ought to check out our State Museum if you have a chance.
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I-State Museum yaseNew York
222 Madison AveWhen you're visiting the state capital, you ought to check out our State Museum if you have a chance.
It's a tremendous cultural asset to the city.
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Albany Institute of History & Art
125 Washington AveIt's a tremendous cultural asset to the city.
Discover Albany Visitors Center
25 Quackenbush SquareIf you're a tourist, this is a useful and interesting stop.
Shopping
If cigars are your thing, this place has it all. And of course there are more than cigars at this highly reputable local establishment.
Habana Premium Cigar Shoppe
1645 Central AveIf cigars are your thing, this place has it all. And of course there are more than cigars at this highly reputable local establishment.
This is our local mega-mall if you feel the urge to go shopping.
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Crossgates
1 Crossgates Mall RdThis is our local mega-mall if you feel the urge to go shopping.
Colonie Center
131 Colonie CenterAnother great option for you shopaholics.