Incorporated in 1686, Albany serves as the state capital of New York and is about 150 miles north of New York City in Albany County. For tourists, the city of Albany features attractions such as the New York State Capitol Building, the Washington Park Historic District, the U.S.S. Slater and the Albany Pine Bush Preserve. Visitors to the area can also tour a small number of museums that feature exhibits relating to history, science and art.
New York State Museum
The New York State Museum began in Albany in 1836, then called the State Geological and Natural History Survey, and the museum has resided at its location on Madison Avenue since 1976. Each year the museum receives more than 750,000 visitors, according to its official website. The museum's permanent collection includes exhibits on the Adironack Wilderness, birds of New York, Harlem during the 1920s, historical fire engines, minerals of New York and the response to the World Trade Center attacks on Sep. 11, 2001. The museum is also home to the Cohoes Mastodon, a prehistoric skeleton excavated in 1866 and The Day Peckinpaugh, a cargo ship from the 1920s that is available for tours. The museum is open daily with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Admission was free as of September 2010. Two parking lots are available near the museum, and both are free on weekends and in the late afternoon to evening. The museum has its own cafe, which operates daily.
New York State Museum
222 Madison Ave.
Albany, NY 12230
518-474-5843
nysm.nysed.gov
Albany Institute
The Society for the Promotion of Agriculture, Arts and Manufactures founded the Albany Institute of Art in 1791. The museum's collection consists of 30,000 objects produced in Albany or New York State, or previously owned by a family or group in the Hudson River Valley. Among these are about 60 works from the Hudson River School, a group of American painters such as Frederic Edwin Church and Thomas Cole, who were active during the mid-nineteenth century and produced works that depicted the landscape of New York's Hudson River Valley. The collection also includes textiles, sculptures, drawings, prints, furniture, ceramics, silver and pewter items and clothing. The museum is open Wednesday through Sunday and closes on Mondays, Tuesdays and most major holidays. General admission was $10 as of September 2010 with discounted rates for senior citizens, students and children aged 6 to 18 years. Children under 6 years of age receive free admission. The museum has a small pay lot at the corner of Elk and Dove Streets and metered street parking is available, particularly during evenings and on weekends.
Albany Institute of History and Art
125 Washington Ave.
Albany, NY 12210
518-463-4478
albanyinstitute.org
American Italian Heritage Museum and Cultural Center
The American Italian Heritage Association operates the American Italian Heritage Museum and Cultural Center, which is on Central Avenue in Albany. The museum's permanent collections include exhibits on Italian immigrants in the United States, folk art from villages in Italy, famous Italian Americans, Italians serving in the U.S. military and religion among Italians. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions that highlight a facet of Italian-American life or provide an in-depth look at the life of a notable Italian-American. The museum is open Thursday through Monday and closes Tuesdays, Wednesdays and national holidays. General admission was $5 as of September 2010 with discounted rates available for members of the American Italian Heritage Association, senior citizens and children aged 7 to 16 years. Children under 7 years receive free admission. The museum does not have its own parking lot. Visitors must use meters or parking garages located within a few blocks of the museum.
American Italian Heritage Museum and Cultural Center
1227 Central Ave.
Albany, NY 12205
518-435-1979
americanitalianmuseum.org
