Anyone know about Albany, New York?

[kpgclark]

We're going to be visiting Albany, New York for a couple of days in early April. What is there to do? What is the best location to stay in that would be most centrally located? Is it easy to get around the city?

 

[Pop Daddy]

I know a lot but I anit telling

 

[C.Ann]

Well we have a great State Museum here! And it has it's own parking garage.. There are also some other historical sites; lots of shopping malls; about an hour or so from Saratoga..

Just depends on what you're looking for.. Will you be renting a car?

 

[kpgclark]

We'll be driving. My parents live up in Vermont and we've driven through Albany dozens of times but never stopped. This time I thought it would be fun especially since my son is studying states/capitols. I noticed that there is a Crowne Plaza near the Pepsi Arena. Is that a good location?

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by kpgclark
We'll be driving. My parents live up in Vermont and we've driven through Albany dozens of times but never stopped. This time I thought it would be fun especially since my son is studying states/capitols. I noticed that there is a Crowne Plaza near the Pepsi Arena. Is that a good location?

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If it's downtown, I personally wouldn't stay there.. But that's just me.. Is cost a factor?

 

[kpgclark]

No, cost isn't a factor. It would be nice to stay somewhere with an indoor pool though. I'd also like something centrally located. I figured it would be a good idea to stay downtown. You don't think so?

 

[C.Ann]

Originally posted by kpgclark
No, cost isn't a factor. It would be nice to stay somewhere with an indoor pool though. I'd also like something centrally located. I figured it would be a good idea to stay downtown. You don't think so?

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Well - there's just some seedy characters around - especially at night..

The Desmond Americana is nice.. Out by the airport (hey - you could watch the planes) and close to sme great shopping malls and such..

Want me to find some links for you?

 

[kpgclark]

Hey, I just realized that this will be my 1000 post! That's nice of you to offer the links. That would be great! Is staying downtown dangerous? How about during the daytime, is it safe? I think it might be pesty to have to drive into the city to do anything. We're not going to shop since we'll only be there for a couple of days. We just want to see some of the major sites (which I'm not sure what they are yet!)

 

[DMRick]

It would be nice to stay somewhere with an indoor pool though.

Personally, there isn't a lot to do in Albany, other than the museum (very nice museum..I think it's natural art and history), Touring the State Capital buildings, and shopping at Crossgates nearby (a very large shopping center, with lots of really nice shops. A nice hotel with a wonderful indoor pool, is the Holiday Inn Express (sound familar C.ANN?) in East Greenbush on Rt 4. I'll put the number after this message. It's usually cheaper to book it online. It's 3 miles from the Pepsi Arena. It has a wonderful view of the city of Albany, and is a very safe, high end area, and a hop skip and a jump into Albany during the day. Getting around Albany is OK, just stay out of it at lunch time and when the State workers get out (4 - 4:30).

The Desmond C.Ann mentioned is a convention hotel near several malls, about 5-6 miles of the center of Albany, and right near the airport. Traffic in that area is horrendous during breakfast time, lunch time, and supper..and even worse on Friday nights. Although the hotel itself is nice (I believe a 4 star), it's not fun to get around, unless you plan on just heading for the northway and going as mentioned to Saratoga, or Lake George. It's very close to the Northway (I-87). If I remember right, and nothing has changed, the inside pool is in the center of the hotel, where dinners can see you..not much privacy, as I remember.

As mentioned, Saratoga is nice, for the wonderful quaint shops and the racing museum and the racing, as well as the brandy new slot machines. Parts of the Horse Whisper and The Way we Were were shot there. Very nice area. Just up the road from Saratoga is Lake George. Wrong time of year for much going on up there, but it's a pleasant town to walk around.

I would never be in downtown Albany at night, but daytime is just fine, just not a lot to do, unless you want to visit the Egg (no idea if something is going on the time you are in town), which often has good entertainment, or the Pepsi arena..however, I personally wouldn't stay near the arena if I wasn't familiar with the area.

Guess they would never use me to boost tourism, would they LOL?

Doris

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
EAST GREENBUSH(ALBANY-SKYLINE)
8 Empire Drive
RENSSELAER, NY 12144
UNITED STATES
Toll-Free: 18004654329
Tel: 1-518-2861011

 

[rae519]

I lived south of Albany 30 years ago and went to college there. I lived downtown and it was not only safe but a great place to shop small businesses and visit the cultural sites (Art/Museum).
I can not believe that it has changed so much over that time.
But I am not the same person I was at 18, so I guess Albany can't be expected to be the same either.

I just know that if I had my chance I'd be back THERE in a New York minute rather than staying here in Indiana!

Rae

 

[kpgclark]

Thanks for all the great information. I am really surprised to hear that Albany is dangerous at night. I never would have thought that. Normally when we vacation we like to park the car at the hotel (if we drive there) and walk everywhere. I wouldn't want to stay where it is dangerous at night. We are most likely only going to spend one night in Albany. We'll arrive there around noon on a Saturday and then leave the next day in the mid to late afternoon. We really won't have much time there. We'll have a DS9 and DD7 with us. I checked the schedule at the Pepsi Arena and there is a car show the days we'll be there. I hope that won't mess up traffic too much.

Thanks again, and if you think of anything else I'd love to hear it.

 

[ducklite]

I grew up in that area, and actually lived in downtown for several years (a few blocks from AMC).

While there are parts of Albany that are seedy, and you wouldn't want to be in at night, there are also some wonderful areas downtown that are perfectly safe. I worked a tthe Pepsi Arena when it was first built. Frank Sinatra was the first event they ever had there. We would leave late at night (2:00 am) with no problems, although we did try to leave in pairs.

The Crowne Plaza is convenient to the museum, but not "really" within walking distance, so I think I might choose to stay up in Colonie. The Desmond is nice, although when I'm in the area I prefer the Hilton Garden Inn just around the corner. Morning rush isn't any worse in that area than in any other area, it's not as bad as here in NJ, that's for sure! Nearby Wolf Road has quite an assortment of chain restaurants, from fast food at Mc D's to the Macaroni Grill.

There are quite a few things to do in the area.
Here are a few:

Of course "Rocky's Playground" as the Empire State Plaza is referred to by locals is an interesting place to visit. There is a very good museum there. http://www.nysm.nysed.gov/

There is a children's museum just over the river in Troy. http://www.juniormuseum.org/

You can arrange to take a tour of the State capital building, which is a very interesting building, from both an architectural and historical perspective. http://assembly.state.ny.us/Tour/

This is a general Alany info link: http://www.albany.org/aboutaccvb/history.shtml

If you can possibly do so, you might want to postpone your trip to coincide with the Tulip Festival. This is not only a beautiful, but also a really fun event. http://www.albanyevents.org/tulip_festival/index.cfm

You could also visit Riverfront Park, although it will likely be cold when you are planning on visiting. It doesn't really start to warm up to comfortable temperatures to be outdoors for any length of time until later April.

In saratoga, about a half hour drive North of Albany, there is the Saratoga Battlefield, which was a decisive battle in the American Revolution. There are both indoor exhibits and a driving tour, which should be open, subject to road conditions. http://www.nps.gov/sara/index.htm

Let me know if you want any more info, just ask

Anne

 

[C.Ann]

Wow! I went to bed last night, got up this morning, and everyone had provided you with loads of information! LOL That's great!!

I too used to think nothing of wandering around Albany - day or night - but sadly it's just not the same city anymore.. That's not to say with 100% certainty that something might happen - but the crime rate has risen high enough that I prefer not to take the chance..

DMRick's suggestion of staying in East Greenbush is a good one.. Certainly less traffic and getting into Albany is a snap.. We have a good Interstate system here and as long as you avoid the morning rush and 5 o'clock rush (no matter where you stay) it's quite easy to get anywhere that you would like to go..

Hey

DMRick - I knew about the Horse Whisperer being filmed in Saratoga, but I didn't know anything about The Way We Were.. That's one of my all-time favorite movies! Where were parts of that filmed?

 

[DMRick]

That's one of my all-time favorite movies! Where were parts of that filmed?

Right in downtown Saratoga (as well as Union College).

As far as Albany not chaging..well, it has. Two days ago a Policeman died who had been shot in Albany in Dec. Unfortunately he has had lots of company this past year. I'm sure there are many places you can walk around in in Albany, still, but that would be the outskirts, not downtown. The students who go to Albany State do a lot of walking around..but then, they are young, and stuff rolls off them. Albany is working hard on it's reputation, but it's been tough for them lately.
While the traffic on Wolf road may not be as bad as it was before the state workers moved to Menands, bringing my car for an early morning appointment on Wolf Rd gave me lots of time to sit in my car and enjoy the talk radio. It's surely a place I stay away from during the times I mentioned. People who work in that area, are still complaining. Sometimes, the entrance to the Northway on Wolf Road, backs right up.
Hilton Garden is nice..but without a light to get out, it too can be trying. It's also a better place during the weekend, because of the amount of suits (conventions) during the week, which would work for you. It's much easier to get into Albany, IMO from East Greenbush, which is a bedroom community. I've never left the area, so I have gotten to see the decline, and I'm sorry to say, it's not a place we visit often, other than the museum with the grandkids...but we drive to it. Now Saratoga..ahh!! That is a nice place to park and walk at night!

 

[kpgclark]

Ducklite, thanks for all the great info! I do have another question though. Can I stay at your new house in Florida? The real question is about hotels. Do you think the Hilton Garden Inn is a better location than the Holiday Innn mentioned that is in East Greenbush on Route 4? It seems like C.Ann thinks it would be a good choice too. I want to be sure to stay somewhere with an indoor pool.

 

[kpgclark]

DMRick we must have been typing at the same time. Thanks again to everyone for the information. It seems like that East Greenbush would be the best spot. You guys have me a little worried about safety though. A little part of me is thinking we should just skip it, but the museum looks very interesting and it would be nice to have a tour of the capitol building. We just drive so often from near Philly to up near Rutland, Vermont and never stop anywhere along the way. Once we get to Vermont there isn't much to do in April except play in the mud!

 

[Jcricket Fan]

Adding a shameless plug for Magic 100.9 FM radio station in Latham. My brother has been a DJ there for several years. I had been able to listen to the station over the web but they no longer are able to broadcast that way.

I hope you enjoy your trip to Albany.

Colleen

 

[ducklite]

The movie Ghost Story was also filmed in Saratoga. An old friend of mine was an extra, you can see her for about 1/2 a second in a scene, but you can tell it's definitely her

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by kpgclark
Ducklite, thanks for all the great info! I do have another question though. Can I stay at your new house in Florida? The real question is about hotels. Do you think the Hilton Garden Inn is a better location than the Holiday Innn mentioned that is in East Greenbush on Route 4? It seems like C.Ann thinks it would be a good choice too. I want to be sure to stay somewhere with an indoor pool.

I'll be honest, I haven't been in East Greenbush in years, but it seems logical. I would think it's a safe area, and using the interstate to get to downtown would be easy. Don't worry about downtown during the day, it's perfectly safe around the area of the capital. There is ample parking right in the parkade there as well.

Anne

 

[DMRick]

Be sure and check if you can tour the capital that time of year on a weekend.

I'm staying again at the Holiday Inn next week..we bring our grands there once in awhile to swim. I have to say, it's the warmest infoor pool I've ever enjoyed. It has a nice jacuzzi and work out room as well. Apply now for a Priority card (no charge) and if it's available, you can get a free upgrade to a suite..almost always available on the weekend. You also get 10% off at Bennigans using your room key.

Here is a link to Albany's Newspaper:

http://www.timesunion.com/local/index.asp

Doris