48-Hour Travel Itinerary: Spend the Weekend in Albany NY
Spending a weekend in Albany with your significant other or friends? Enjoy your trip to the fullest! Follow this easy, 48-hour itinerary to make the most of Albany's great restaurants, hot spots, and things to do.
You can easily adjust the schedule depending on what else you have going on and what your interests are.
Friday Evening
Arriving on Friday during the late afternoon or early evening? After checking into your hotel, head out to explore the city and grab a bite to eat at a popular bar and kitchen.
Enjoy Signature Cocktails & Pub Fare at Lark Street Tavern
The Lark Steet Tavern, located on Madison Avenue in the Lark Street district, has been a historic Capital District staple since 1933. The revamped tavern offers a retro atmosphere with signature cocktails, house-made smoked wings, and old-school music videos on ten large screens. It’s a lively spot for food, drinks, and entertainment, hosting various weekly shows and events.
Saturday Morning
Hot Coffee at Stacks Espresso Bar
Regardless of whether your hotel offers a free breakfast, a great way to start the day is by grabbing a quick coffee and breakfast at one of the local coffee shops, like Stacks Espresso Bar on Lark Street.
Love something sweet in the morning? You definitely have to try the amazing doughnuts at Cider Belly Doughnuts on North Pearl Street.
After you're caffeinated enough to really start your day, take a leisurely stroll around one of these iconic Albany hotspots:
Explore Historic Washington Park
Washington Park is in the heart of Albany, and here you'll find walking trails, a large pond, over 100 species of trees, a playground area, and statues and monuments. If you happen to be here during the spring, you'll also find a wide variety of gorgeous tulips!
This inviting park is considered to be an "Olmstedian" park, as it incorporates ideals used by Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed New York City's Central Park. Washington Park was created in the 1870s and was named one of the nation's 100 Most Important Parks in 1998 by the American Association of Architects.
Tour the Spectacular Empire State Plaza
Albany's Empire State Plaza is a gorgeous spot to walk around. You'll see amazing architecture and art in the 98-acre complex with surrounding buildings like the New York State Museum, The Egg, Corning Tower, The Capitol, and there's also a decorative pool with fountains.
Nelson A. Rockefeller, who was governor of New York State from 1959 to 1973, was on a mission to create "the most electrifying capital in the world." He employed architect Wallace K. Harrison to create the Empire State Plaza; Harrison also played a major role in constructing Rockefeller Center. Construction for the Plaza went on from 1965 to 1978, and it's a major cultural center today.
This is the place where many of the city's big summer events happen, like the Capital Concert Series which consists of free live music performances, and major festivals.
Bring a hat and sunscreen as there isn't much shade, but there are amazing places to stroll and admire the classic architecture!
Immerse Yourself in History at The New York State Museum
Speaking of the Empire State Plaza, if you are walking around the area you might as well pop into the museum! Admission is free, and you can see a huge selection of exhibitions ranging from artifacts from 9/11 to New York State birds and much more.
Saturday Afternoon
When you're ready for lunch, you might want to keep it simple as you'll likely be going out to dinner again. You can pick up quality, light, inexpensive lunch fare at the Common Roots Brewing Company Albany Outpost:
They offer a varied takeout menu, featuring snacks like Crispy Bites and a Brussels Bowl, salads and wraps, handhelds such as a Fried Chicken Sandwich, and a selection of 10-inch pizzas with customization options.
The menu includes vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free choices, ensuring a wide range of options for all dietary preferences.
After lunch, there's plenty more to do as you explore all Albany has to offer! Here are a few ideas of how you might spend the rest of your afternoon:
For History Buffs: Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site
The Schuyler Mansion, once home to Revolutionary War general and US Senator Philip J. Schuyler, is one of Albany's historical hotspots. The mansion is typically open for tours from May through October. Hamilton fans will especially want to check this place out - one of Schuyler's daughters, Elizabeth, married Alexander Hamilton in this home.
Guides are very informative and knowledgeable, so dig into history with them! Take a break in the garden and relax afterward.
For more history fun, check out Historic Cherry Hill in Albany, open seasonally. Historic Cherry Hill has more than 70,000 items in the home from the families who lived there between 1787 and 1963.
Find more history attractions >>
For Nature Lovers: Albany Pine Bush Preserve
We have a hidden gem of nature right here in Albany: the Albany Pine Bush Preserve has a globally rare pine barrens habitat. The whole preserve consists of over 3,000 acres of land with nearly 20 miles of multi-use trails - and the trails are fairly easy and well marked. You don't need to be a serious hiker to enjoy a lovely walk in this special preserve!
You might also try Thacher State Park, another popular place for hiking in the Albany area that offers some great views.
For Art & Culture Lovers: Albany Institute of History & Art
The Albany Institute of History & Art is one of the oldest museums in the entire country. Here you'll find collections that document the life and culture of the Upper Hudson Valley region from the late 1600s to present day.
Exhibitions include documents, fine arts, personal objects, manuscripts, photographs, and much more.
You might also check out the Albany Center Gallery, which has frequent rotating exhibits with no permanent collections, and they offer free admission.
Saturday Evening
When you're ready to experience an amazing Albany dinner, there are a ton of choices for great restaurants, but depending on what you're in the mood for, here are a couple of suggestions to narrow it down:
For Something Casual or Elegant: Risotto
If you happen to be in Albany for a special occasion and you're seeking a real fine dining experience, Risotto is a grand choice. Risotto has a focus on an Italian and Mediterranean cuisine while offering a casual and sophisticated atmosphere. Enjoy their arancini, or dine on their chicken toscana, thai vegetable risotto, or tuscan salmon.
For a Classic Steakhouse Experience: Barnsider Restaurant
Are you in the mood for steak or modern American cuisine? Check out the Barnsider Restaurant in Albany for exceptional cuts of beef, savory seafood, and plenty of daily seasonal specials. Enjoy your dinner with one of their carefully selected wine offerings.
See an Incredible Performance
As you plan for your Albany trip, why not find a fun performance going on to enjoy after dinner? From concerts to comedy shows and music & theater, there are plenty of options to choose from.
The Palace Theatre, The Egg, the Albany Funny Bone Comedy Club, and other entertainment venues always have exciting events on the calendar. You can also check out our local events calendar for things to do.
Sunday Morning
The City Beer Hall: More Than Just Beer
The City Beer Hall has one of the best brunches in the area! Stop by before you head out of town. Brunch happens on Sundays from 11am to 3pm, and meal options range from classic breakfast items to more lunch-centric choices like sandwiches and burgers. Be sure to visit their website for the latest menu.
And, bonus if you're in Albany during the summer months: The City Beer Hall also has one of the best patio dining experiences in the region.