Things to do in Albany, NY?

[911pcars]

Will be in Albany, NY in March for a few days to visit my daughter.

What's to do in Albany other than staying warm?

Thanks,
Sherwood

[RWebb]

you might be able to get a tour of a sail boat manf. ...

[red-beard]

What are you looking for? Resturants? Things to do?

Bars:

Lark Street & Pearl Street

Go to Bombers/Bombers bar.

I can't remember what it's called, but 288 Lark has a nice old bar downstairs and a very nice resturant upstairs.

Where are you staying?

Mexican food should be avoided at all costs. Italian is usually very good in the area, especially in Schenectady. There used to be nice french Resturant called Chez Nicoles, but I can't find info on it.

Saratoga is 20 miles north, but is fairly dead this time of year. It is the happening place in July/August.

Stockbridge, MA is about 1 hour away and is a very nice town.

[widgeon13]

Weather will be getting a little better in March but you could still encounter a March snowstorm but I don't know of anything specific going on in March. Check to see if there is a chamber of commerce or NYS tourist office and they might be able to offer some guidance. I'm about 1:30 hours northeast of Albany and go down a few times a month to visit our son, DIL and granddaughter as well as do some shopping but there really isn't anything exciting about Albany.

[widgeon13]

Here are events listed for March:

Events

Hope this helps.

[kevin993]

Hear over to Cooperstown. Visit the baseball hall of fame and the Ommegang Brewery.

If you're into revolutionary war history or have german ancestors that came to the US around that time, there are also some places to visit.

[vonsmog]

You can also check out the most dysfunctional state government in the U.S. That is if they are in session, and not on trial for wrong doing! As Albany is the state capital. Watch as the A-holes pad their own pockets as they rob the rest of us, and then tell us they did nothing illegal!

[red-beard]

von, I was going to say that, but I didn't want to get my ex-GF in trouble...

[911pcars]

Thanks for the pointers guys.

I noticed that Al DiMeola is playing at The Egg; that's a possibility. And a flower and garden show; I'll pass.

Are there any recommended hotels near the Washington Park area, just NW of the capital? Fancy not required.

Will be arriving probably by Amtrak from NYC. Car rentals are around, but any recommendations?

I'll do some research as well, but I thought I'd ask those who know better.

Thanks,
Sherwood

[nut11]

This is a good spot right smack downtown for accommodations plus has an excellent restaurant and not too bad price wise. Short walking distance to McGeary's Pub (my watering hole), the Pump Station, which is very cool the way they converted it to a brewery - great food, and a very short drive to Wolf's Beergarden - a classic German watering spot plus traditional food and free peanuts. All places are very friendly, particularly the girls serving at McGearys. Good luck and enjoy. I hang at McGeary's on Weds after work. Let me know if your schedule permits. Possibly hook up.

Hampton Inn & Suites Albany-Downtown
25 Chapel Street, Albany, New York, USA 12210
Tel: 1-518-432-7000 Fax: 1-518-432-1113

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by 911pcars

Are there any recommended hotels near the Washington Park area, just NW of the capital? Fancy not required.

Unless something has changed recently, no. There is the Hilton Garden near Albany Medical Center, off New Scottland Ave. This is an "OK" but not great area.

The Townplace suites on Holland Ave, I think that is a rough area of the City. Lincoln park was always a rough area.

The Crowne Place on Washington (used to be an Omni, then a Hilton) is walking distance to the Pearl Street bars/resturants. Jacks is close by, if you want old time steak house/service. You can walk to the Empire State Plaza and the NYS Assembly building. You can walk to Lark Street, but it is uphill. The good news, it's downhill coming back.

Pump Station is a good suggestion, as is McGeary's, especially for Music.

[911pcars]

Thanks gents. That's really helpful.

Unfortunately, Wed. will be in NYC, then leaving Albany on Monday. Returning the favor, look me up if you're in the LA area.

Sherwood