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In 1609 while trying to find a shorter route to the far-east, Henry Hudson discovered Albany, however, it was Dutch merchants who settled in the area and brought furs from the north to ship back to Europe. As Albany grew it became the gateway to the north-east passage.
Quackenbush House, now a restaurant, was built in 1736 by the Dutch settlers and is now the oldest building in the city.
In 1758 during the French and Indian War, there was an attack Ticonderoga and George Augustus, Lord Howe was killed. He was buried at St Peter’s Episcopal Church under the front vestibule.
In 1776 the first Shaker community settled in Albany. The original cemetery, meeting house and orchard situated near the Albany International Airport is still standing. Ann Lee who was the founder of the Shaker Movement and first Shaker Community is buried in the Shaker Cemetery.
The State Capitol was constructed on one of the seven hills surrounding the city. Building began in 1867 and in 1897 Governor Frank S. Black declared it completed. This was one of the longest running public works projects in the states history.
In 1831 two Egyptian mummies were brought to Albany and have been on display in the Albany Institute of History & Art since then.
Today Albany city still serves under is original charter of 2 July 1689 and is the oldest settlement in the nation.
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Historic Cherry Hill - 523 1 / 2 Pearl Str., Albany. Although this stately home is now situated in a not too desirable neighbourhood, the house is of great historical interest. Until 1963 the descendants of Catherine Putnam and the Van Rensselaer family occupied this home. The house contains the original furnishings, documents and artefacts.
Albany Institute of History & Art - 125 Washington Ave., Albany. This is the second oldest museum in the United States and is the best art museum in Albany. The museum offers the visitor a history of the Hudson River and Albany through works done by local artists. There is a Colonial gallery, where you can view furniture, decorative art and in the Ancient Egyptian gallery a pair of mummies. The museum is also child-friendly and they have lectures and activities for children.
New York State Museum - Madison Ave., Albany. This museum is the largest in the country and endeavours to tell the story of New York State. The favourite place for visitors is the Mohawk Iroquois village longhouse. “The World Trade Centre: Rescue, Recovery Response is the newest edition to the museum and documents the 24 hours aftermath of September 11, 2001. Children will enjoy the 36 horse carousel, which was hand carved in the 1890’s in Brooklyn.
Hudson River Way - Maiden Lane., Albany. This new pedestrian bridge which opened in 2002 and connects downtown with Corning Preserve Park has 30 paintings on lampposts which show the history of Albany, right from the prehistoric times to today. On the staircase landings there are two large murals.
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Dakota Restaurant – 579 Troy-Schenectady Rd, Latham. In this restaurant the diner will find fieldstone fireplaces and buffalo skin rugs. This restaurant offers good traditional American cuisine and a friendly, comfortable atmosphere. They have truly delicious, juicy steaks, ocean fresh seafood and prime ribs. All meals are served with farm fresh salad and wholegrain bread.
Grandma’s Country Restaurant & Pie Shop – 1273 Central Ave., Albany. At Grandma’s you can enjoy good old fashioned, home cooked meals. You definitely have to leave space for a slice of famous pie for which Grandma’s is renowned.
The Hungry Horseman Grill - 1610 Central Ave., Albany. This restaurant can be found in the heart of “restaurant row” and has a friendly atmosphere. The menus offer pastas, steaks and seafood. They also have favourites such as hearty Yankee pot roast, roast turkey dinner and plenty more. If there is a good game on television the bar becomes a small sports bar. Reservations are recommended if going on a weekend and Brunch is served on Sundays.
Albany Pump Station – 19 Quackenbush Sq., Albany. This former 19th century pump house was converted into part microbrewery and part restaurant. Happy Hour can get very crowded and rowdy, but quietens down later in the evening. There is a very diverse menu with plenty of salads, pastas, burgers and sandwiches. The house beer is quite good such as Quackenbush Blonde or Kick-Ass Brown. They also have a special, cheap kiddies menu. |
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Riverfront Bar & Grill – Corning Riverfront Park, Albany. This pub is worth a visit and can be reached by crossing the Hudson River pedestrian bridge.
Waterworks Pub – 76 Central Ave., Albany. This popular pub has a large dance floor and DJ’s spinning tunes.
Albany Pump Station – 19 Quackenbush Str., Albany. This converted pump station is very popular at Happy Hour and has their own brewery on the premises.
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| The Washington Park – This Park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted who also designed New York City’s Central Park. The park was completed by two of Olmsted’s’ proteges with ideas inspired by Olmsted himself. The park was built in the 1840’s on the original site of the State Street Burial Ground. 40,000 bodies were exhumed and reburied in the Albany Rural Cemetery when the park was commissioned. May 9-11 is the Tulip Festival and is held in the park which blooms with thousands of tulips. |
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Crossgate Mall – This is the biggest mall in the Albany area. There are more than 250 shops and large department stores.
Stuyvesant Plaza - Western Avenue and Fuller Road, Albany. This open air mall is truly an enjoyable place to shop. There are about 30 shops and the visitor will be able to find jewellery, clothing, gifts, chocolate and a bakery.
Lark Street – Albany. This open air gallery can be found in downtown Albany and boasts more than 60 shops and restaurants. This is a good place to stroll and window shop or snack whichever takes your fancy.
Ten Thousand Villages - Stuyvesant Plaza, 1475 Western Ave., Albany. This small mall has artisans from 30 different countries and all their original handmade crafts are for sale.
Goold Orchards - 1297 Brookview Station Rd., Castleton. For something different, why not try the Goold Orchards where you can pick your own apples, strawberries and pumpkins when in season. They also have an apple festival in October. You will also be able to buy items from the farm store or bake shop.
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Great Escape and Splashwater Kingdom – This amusement park has something exciting for the whole family. If you have up for a thrilling and scary ride try any one or all of these rides, the Raging River, the Boomerang, the Alpine, the Nightmare and the Comet which has been rated the worlds no 1 wooden rollercoaster.
If you’re not quite that adventurous take a leisurely and peaceful ride, on a swan boat, down the small river that runs through the park. It is advisable to take swimsuits or clothing that dries quickly because Splashwater Kingdom is where you are certainly going to get soaked, but you are also going to have plenty of fun. There is so much more that the park has to offer and the best way is to visit and have an enjoyable experience.
USS Slater – This WW l destroyer is only one of three remaining and is docked on the banks of the Hudson River. There are open tours of the crew’s quarters, the galley. Children are sure to enjoy seeing the mains guns on this vessel. Unfortunately the ship is being restored at present.
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