The best place to visit in Albany NY
Tourist Attractions

15 Most Beautiful Places in Albany NY

Albany NY is a land of incredible diversity, with something to offer everyone who visits. There are many great places to visit in this city, but if you are looking for the ultimate Albany NY experience, then you need to head to one of the places below. Whichever part of Albany NY you choose to visit, you’re sure to have an amazing time.

The Best Place to Visit in Albany NY

New York State Museum

  • Address: 222 Madison Ave, Albany, NY 12230, United States
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.7 (2827)
  • Phone: +1 518-474-5877
  • Website: Link
  • Opening hours:
    Monday: Closed
    Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
    Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
    Thursday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
    Friday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
    Saturday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
    Sunday: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
The best place to visit in Albany NY
The best place to visit in Albany NY

5 Replies to 15 Most Beautiful Places in Albany NY

  1. This is a fabulous museum for anyone with a wide variety of interests from history, to geology, to anthropology, and everything New York State! We spent a day here, recently, with a friend visiting from out of state on his first trip to NY. It was enjoyable being able to offer a taste of what it’s like to be a New Yorker and refreshing to be able to have so many interesting exhibits under one roof. The best part? It was free! Here we stood with our wallets in hand as our super helpful host let us know we were good to go and gave us an excellent run down of the exhibits and where each one could be found. The minerals were by far my favorite, but there’s definitely something for everyone here and a gem of a way to spend an afternoon.

  2. What a gem. It’s actually quite massive – we were there for a couple of hours and only got to see half. Maybe even less. The 9/11 exhibit is detailed and quite emotional- I couldn’t even take any pictures. There are exhibits on various eras that are detailed and well documented. Even if you don’t want to read so much, they are wonderfully well put together. You don’t have to follow any chronology, but it’s set up so that you can if you want to. Really well thought out and lets you really appreciate our state. Note: its free to visit. We did not have to reserve time slots online either. The people at the front desk are super helpful. Outside, there are some wonderful memorials as well, and the space is lovely, you can sit and reflect for a few minutes.

  3. I came here this past weekend for the first time. I was shocked that the admission was for free and that they only suggest giving a small donation ($5 for individual and $10 for a couple). This museum is absolutely fantastic. The place is clean, including the bathrooms and the displays are so well maintained. Some of the exhibits were closed as well as the gift shop, but I saw a good amount of displays while I was there. The one exhibit that stood out and really hit close to home since I am from Brooklyn, NY was the World Trade Center exhibit. I don’t think anyone can look at those displays and not want to shed a tear about what had happened on 9/11/2001. They have some really interesting pieces, including the original flag that was on top of one of the towers. I also really enjoyed the Birds of New York exhibit. I never realized we have so many feathered friends flying all around us. Overall, this is a great museum for any age and a wonderful look into the history of New York State. I will definitely come back again!

  4. A great museum. The exhibits were amazing. There is a whole area dedicated to 9/11. Kids will definitely enjoy it. The museum is huge will definitely take some time to see everything. And the entry is free. You can donate if u want to. Staff is really helpful.

  5. WOW. This museum is absolutely fascinating. There is so much rich history and texts to read and learn about. The exhibits are stunning, and especially the “people” look so real. Surprised they take donations but otherwise free to explore. I feel compelled to come back again as soon as I can since the few hours we were there was not enough. Highly recommend.

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Top 15 Tourist Attractions in Albany NY

The best place to visit in Albany NY
The best place to visit in Albany NY

Washington Park

  • Address: 35 Willett St, Albany, NY 12210, United States
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.6 (2747)
  • Phone: +1 518-992-6152
  • Website: Link
  • Reviews:
    Such a park is essential to live well and live vibrantly in a city. The autumn leaves, cloaking the park in sparking, kaleidoscopic tones of red and orange, offer a thrilling and vital contrast to the solemn majesty of the slightly decayed brownstones that line the park. Even if you do not spend much time in this park, its existence is essential to the pattern and basic cohesion of the city. This is a storied park, adorned with statues and ancient groves, a place where one can sit in the shade and feel the weight of ages past, not as a burden or responsibility, but as a soft blanket providing relief from the gruff, chaotically vibrating this institute of a strange and uncertain world. Come to this park if you’re in Albany and spend a moment being wrapped in its soft, undulating, and bucolic comfort.
    ✭✭✭✭✭ By Joshua Fagan (a month ago)
    An amazing oasis of nature in the heart of Albany! Worthwhile to check out whether events are happening or not. Washington Park hosts a farmer’s market (in-season), a summer Playhouse, wonderful fountains, and plenty of unique trees sprawled all over the landscape. Springtime hosts Tulip Fest and the Park gets decked out in holiday lights during winter. The grounds crew do a great job keeping it clean. It’s one of the reasons why I live in this city!
    ✭✭✭✭✭ By Jeffrey Baez (3 months ago)
    Really nice park. Clean quiet and there were several vendors selling fruits, honey, clothing, jewelry and other items. The flower arrangement in the center of the park was beautiful.
    ✭✭✭✭✭ By N G (2 months ago)
    Beautiful park with public restrooms and gravel pathways. Wheelchair friendly with some help for a few steep hills and uneven pathways but generally handicap accessable. We went for the Tulip festival and they had shuttle buses from the Medical Center parking lot, which was perfect. Great venders, live music and of course, beautiful flowers.
    ✭✭✭✭✭ By Heather D (6 months ago)
    Parking available inside and out of the park. Beautiful #foliage view. Lots of activities are organized in the park during the year such as tulip festival, Christmas lights, concerts…
    ✭✭✭✭ By Ahmet S (a week ago)

Palace Theatre

  • Address: 19 Clinton Ave, Albany, NY 12207, United States
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.7 (1947)
  • Phone: +1 518-465-3335
  • Website: Link
  • Reviews:
    Great restored performance hall. It’s always cool going to old venues, the combination of great acoustics and building detail not made or seen very often anymore. Just be aware there isn’t an elevator so seats above ground level might be hard to get to for some.
    ✭✭✭✭ By Rob (6 months ago)
    Good sound system, seats are comfortable. Have to admit not the best of you’re super thick like I am. But still a great place to see a show. Saw Primus doing A Tribute to Kings!
    ✭✭✭✭✭ By Joseph Tocci (6 months ago)
    Very nice theater. First time there. Seats were comfortable and more space than I thought. The inside was very beautiful. Saw Jim Gaffigan. Show was great.
    ✭✭✭✭✭ By Kevin Rohl (9 months ago)
    We went for a comedy show. The theater is so beautiful. Get there earlier for on street (free) parking. We grabbed dinner then went to the show and parked across the street from the palace. If you happen to be a curvier person, the seats are old school…so I was very close to the stranger that was sitting next to me. It truly is a beautiful theater. You can even order popcorn before the show!
    ✭✭✭✭ By Lacey’s Mom (2 months ago)
    This historic building is the best place to see smaller productions. Great view from any seat. Semi reasonably priced snacks and drinks. My only complaint is their new no reentry policy. Let smokers go smoke.
    The architecture alone is worth a visit!
    ✭✭✭✭✭ By Michelle Fusco (a month ago)

New York State Capitol

  • Address: State St. and, Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12224, United States
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.6 (1600)
  • Phone: +1 518-474-2418
  • Website: Link
  • Opening hours:
    Monday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
    Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
    Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
    Thursday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
    Friday: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
    Saturday: Closed
    Sunday: Closed
  • Reviews:
    I’ve always been intrigued by the Empire State Plaza, but this time I was able to tour the Capital bldg. It is impressive by size and detail. What a shame the tower was never built. The materials used and grandeur are overwhelming. The artwork very fine. I’m used to seeing portraiture of past Governors in the statehouses across America, but this one has additional paintings from around New York, and they are also beautiful. Sculptures of important and unknown figures, adorn the grand staircase that in itself, is also a work of art and reminds me of underground caverns. The war room artwork on the ceiling, leaves One speechless, as it’s scale and beauty are breathtaking! One of the finest!
    ✭✭✭✭✭ By Peter Jaxon (3 months ago)
    Magnificent buildings housing state government offices but there is nothing “official “ about it.
    Leisurely walk around Empire State Plaza is a wonderful experience. There are fountains and few ugly ducklings floating around in the water.
    Lawns in front of the building are used by protesters holding demonstrations and public meetings.
    ✭✭✭✭✭ By Pankaj Gadkari (5 months ago)
    I highly recommend visiting the capital building if you happen to be in Albany. The artwork and craftsmanship inside the building is absolutely amazing. Going here made me feel very proud to be a New Yorker. Parking isn’t bad you can park on one of the side roads. And security does not take a long time to pass through, just your typical put your phone and wallet in the bucket. Just a sidenote it’s a lot of stairs and a lot of walking they do have elevators though that can take you to the top.
    ✭✭✭✭✭ By Joseph Milio (4 months ago)
    This is an amazing historical building. Free entrance, offering tours or you can explore alone. Security personnel were nice and directed me to guests entrance underground. Worth a visit. Especially the west staircase!
    ✭✭✭✭✭ By Stacy Adams (6 months ago)
    This is a beautiful building inside and out. My wife and I went on one of the guided tours (The tour guide Grant was awesome!) and it was a great experience. It’s a beauty to behold!
    ✭✭✭✭✭ By Dorian Fournier (11 months ago)

The Egg

  • Address: Agency Building 1, S Mall Arterial, Albany, NY 12203, United States
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.6 (1383)
  • Phone: +1 518-473-1845
  • Website: Link
  • Opening hours:
    Monday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
    Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
    Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
    Thursday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
    Friday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
    Saturday: Closed
    Sunday: Closed
  • Reviews:
    Excellent concert venue. Friendly staff. All seating is excellent in an indoor amphitheater where you never seem too far from the stage. We were able to purchase tickets at the box office the day of the concert. Great concert experience!
    ✭✭✭✭✭ By Michael Scalzi (7 months ago)
    I cannot honestly say that I am the greatest aficionado of the brutalist style represented here, but this is one of the most iconic and creatively enigmatic buildings made in that style. Instead of feeling austere and utilitarian, it feels futuristic, like an encapsulated moment of the Space Age past, a time when it seemed like the future had arrived and the stars were not far beyond humanity’s reach. It functions as the centerpiece of the brutalist redesign of Albany during the upheaval of the 1960s, as an attempt to redeem what had become a decaying city. Experience it as a wistful monument to a future that never came.
    ✭✭✭✭✭ By Joshua Fagan (a month ago)
    Seriously one of THE BEST concerts i have ever been to! Such a small intimate venue! I highly recommend checking out an event here! The event staff was so helpful and friendly!
    ✭✭✭✭✭ By Jennifer Toto (8 months ago)
    Excellent venue with helpful staff. The theater we visited had great viewing angles and modern audio and visual equipment. The surrounding area was great to visit with plenty of good food and shopping as well. Would go back for sure.
    ✭✭✭✭✭ By Sal Montalvo (5 months ago)
    Great acoustics and intimate atmosphere in the Swyer theater. Highly recommended. Go see Jesse Cook here. Its a phenomenal show.
    ✭✭✭✭✭ By Joseph Stacey (5 months ago)

Far Shot Albany – Axe Throwing/Archery/Knife Throwing

  • Address: 69 N Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207, United States
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 5 (1072)

Albany Pine Bush Preserve

  • Address: 195 New Karner Rd #1, Albany, NY 12205, United States
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.6 (991)

USS SLATER

  • Address: 141 Broadway, Albany, NY 12202, United States
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.9 (728)

Albany Institute of History & Art

  • Address: 125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210, United States
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.6 (600)

Dutch Apple Cruises & Tours

  • Address: 141 Broadway, Albany, NY 12202, United States
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.6 (465)

Corning Preserve

  • Address: Quay St, Albany, NY 12207, United States
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.5 (371)

Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site

  • Address: 32 Catherine St, Albany, NY 12202, United States
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.6 (290)

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

  • Address: 125 Eagle St, Albany, NY 12202, United States
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.7 (238)

Shaker Heritage Society

  • Address: 25 Meeting House Rd, Albany, NY 12211, United States
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.5 (180)

Ten Broeck Mansion

  • Address: 9 Ten Broeck Pl, Albany, NY 12210, United States
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.6 (60)

Erastus Corning II Tower

  • Address: 100 S Mall Arterial, Albany, NY 12210, United States
  • Map: Click here
  • Rating: 4.7 (59)

Albany NY is a world-famous tourist destination, and it’s no wonder why. Here is our list of the top 15 best place to visit in Albany NY – based on expert opinions and customer reviews. Did your favorite spot make the cut? Let us know in the comments above!

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