I've always been intrigued by the Empire State Plaza, but this time I was able to tour the Capital bldg. It is impressive by size and detail. What a shame the tower was never built. The materials used and grandeur are overwhelming. The artwork very fine. I'm used to seeing portraiture of past Governors in the statehouses across America, but this one has additional paintings from around New York, and they are also beautiful. Sculptures of important and unknown figures, adorn the grand staircase that in itself, is also a work of art and reminds me of underground caverns. The war room artwork on the ceiling, leaves One speechless, as it's scale and beauty are breathtaking! One of the finest!

The more than beautiful Capitol is really worth a visit! And above all it's free. Just a short security check and you are free to stroll around. There are also guided tours, but we wen by our own with a map we got at the information desk. Don't miss this! The stuff and everyone we met inside was very friendly. Great place to visit!

The 5 stars are for the building itself and its architecture, not the politicians inside. Gorgeous building. Almost looks like a gigantic French chateau. Majestic.

Beautiful building and pleasant tour guide, but be prepared for lots of demonstrators chanting and present at several points in the tour. It's democracy at work, but don't expect a quiet, peaceful tour. Directions and signage helping you to park and find the tour meeting point are very poor. My wife and I spent a solid hour walking around and talking to people to ultimately find the tour starting point.

Must see! The interiors are stunning! The admission is free but with guided tour only. So that’s why I strongly recommend you to make a reservation in advance. The biggest problem is that the tours are weekdays only. But New York State Capitol is worth to take a day off

What an amazing building. It is open to the public from 7am to 7pm every weekday! We took the 2pm tour which was led by Xilu. She was phenomenal!! This is a MUST SEE location.

Very fun capital to tour. My tour guide was amazing and very informative. You are allowed to roam the building following the tour but I either didn't receive instructions on leaving or missed them so I had to wonder for a bit to find my way out. As it is a old building some cool spots on the tour are missed if you are wheelchair bound or would otherwise need to use an elevator over taking stairs

We didn't even get to go inside, but this is a beautiful building. We visited in October 2021 and had perfect weather. Walk around the building and take in the details of the architecture. I look forward to returning so we can visit the interior.

Magnificent buildings housing state government offices but there is nothing “official “ about it. Leisurely walk around Empire State Plaza is a wonderful experience. There are fountains and few ugly ducklings floating around in the water. Lawns in front of the building are used by protesters holding demonstrations and public meetings.

What an unexpected treasure! A must see… be sure to take one of the tours if you can Monday through Friday at set times. Some parts of the building, you can only see if you’re on a tour. They actually encourage you to look around and touch the carvings. Definitely worth your time. Having just returned from Italy, it makes this building, and all of the elaborate carvings even more impressive.

GREAT BUILDING, colorful exterior. I LOVE NY in front New York State Capital Building, Albany, NY Have you ever seen the New York State Capital Building Complex and Rotunda? Egg Arena Building? My 1st visit exterior buildings. Waterway large and remuniscent Washington DC Square & monument. But in Albany New York State Capital. Who would have known this complex is So Huge! Great view from New York State Museum 4th floor, floor to ceiling windows of New York State Capital Building. Agency Building 1 - building name, 1 of 4 left facing NYS Capital 12 o'clock - Massive Height EGG ARENA right & NEW YORK STATE CAPITAL BUILDING in the distance. New York State Museum Ext. Opposite end New York State Capital. NEW YORK STATE CAPITAL BUILDING ext.

One of the best tours I have ever been on. The building is incredible. Carved stone, million dollar stairs, ceilings all beautiful. A must see for anyone visiting albany. It's also free.

Stunning! Amazing! I took the complimentary tour and Ann was the host - she did an incredible job. This building far exceeded my expectations of what a Capitol tour would be like. If you are in Albany this is worth your time! If you haven’t been to Albany, you should go and visit and see the Capitol.

The architecture is amazing here. I love that you can wander at you leisure - there is so much history here and great photo ops. The tour guides are so informative. Great time.

Awesome building and the free tour was well worth it. Building is quite impressive with the architecture and history of the design. You can walk around at your leisure and take pictures as there are informational signs around you can read for the history but I recommend the free tour they offer as the guide was very knowledgeable and easy to understand. She also made sure to point out highlights that I probably would have missed since there is so much to take in on your own.

Thousands of stone cutters from here and Europe sculpted this limestone monolith over decades. The seat of our state’s government resides here in all their infamy&oppression. Free to walk about and explore. Everyone should visit and enlighten themselves.

Great experience 👍 The tour starts from the ground floor. Just get in the building to find it. I walked a lot but found no sign. So, don't try to find anything but just enter the building and you will find the tour desk.

This was an amazing place to visit. There is a lot of history behind this building. I visited this place during the holiday tour. The tour guide was very friendly and informative. The entire build is free to visit for all visitors so I highly recommend visiting.

The building is historic and beautiful looking and it's really neat to see if on the empire state plaza. Pictures on the inside are stunning , too bad they have the worst hours. How do they not have tours or visiting hours on the weekends? How do people who work 9 to 5 actually see this place? It has to be the least accessible capitol of any of the states.

Grew up in the next town over but never gave Albany a second thought. Partied here a few times in my late teens before joining the service. I left New York back in 2000 because I was sick of snow. This past December I returned, a bit reluctant but now I'm thankful. There is so much history here, the architecture and the small shops are incredibly intriguing. These are things I would have never recognized or appreciated in my younger years. Somehow I feel we lose our sense of culture in our struggle to survive day to day.

I was on tight timberline when I visited Albany, but this is a must-see if you are visiting the NY state capital. Architecture from outside is very impressive. Tours are available if you have time.

If you fancy yourself a history buff you must visit this wonderfully restored relic from a harder time. It's hard to imagine what these sailors had to endure, but it's slightly easier when you can put your hands on the same bulkheads and see their sleeping quarters and eating quarters and fighting stations. All that's missing is the smells and the rocking of the open sea. Easy parking right beside the ship. Nice little gift shop. But the tour guides are what add another level of enjoyment.

An absolute must activity to visit in Albany or even if you're passing by via I87. You will not regret the stop over and the superb historical guided tour of this 'tin can' destroyed from World War 2. The folks are all volunteering to keep this place open, functional, accessible, maintained and a pleasurable experience. John did an incredible job with his presentation and the whole tour was absolutely fascinating. The USS Slater is a very affordable tour and has free parking on site. I highly recommend the 2 hour guided tour or the 1 hour if you're pressed for time. Please donate whatever you can to the cause for future generations.

Highly highly recommended. The guide was very knowledgeable and informative; really gave you a good feel for what life could have been like when the ship was active. Also it's the last ship of it's kind; and unlike other boat museum ships you can actually sit on and move the ships guns around.

Highly recommended! The ship is carefully restored by the VOLUNTEERS (that was the most impressive fact for me). Admission is with guided tour only. And let me say, you are lucky if your guide is Fred. He is very knowledgeable and has a great sense of humour! 👍

amazing visit... staff could not be more accommodating and knowledgeable... loved every minute of the stem to stern... spent over 3 hrs there... museum letters were heart touching... history at its best

We went on a Thursday afternoon and were able to buy tickets and get on a tour right away. The tour was interesting and informative. Our tour guide was great. The tour had about 6 inquisitive children and our tour guide answered their questions and pointed out things they would find interesting.

Toured the USS Slater with my family on Saturday. Our tour guide Austin, was fantastic. He was very knowledgeable, made the tour enjoyable and fun. You could tell he really enjoyed his job. My family and I learned so much and have now fallen in love with the Slater. Can't wait to go back!

It is incredible to think that when the volunteers received this ship from the Greek Navy in 1993, the ship was basically a rusted hull of a wreck and those guys were able to rejuvenate it to its 1945 look. I cannot imagine how much work and how much effort it took to locate spare parts and then restore the ship into top shape. I was told this was the only DE destroyer left. Very knowledgeable tour guide and very nice ship with a lot of historical artifacts.

Wasn't expecting the stem to stern tour to be what it was. This tour made me appreciate what our veterans had to endure during war and their life style on board. Literally exploring the USS Slater from top to bottom and purchased the engine room tour. This was an amazing experience and highly recommended to be on one's bucket list.

The USS Slater is one of the most interesting museums in upstate New York . The USS Slater is the last of all 563 destroyer escort ships from WW2. It is moored in the Hudson River in the Port of Albany. The ship is 306 feet long and weighs over 1,200lbs. The ship last saw service for the Greek Navy in 1991. A countless number of volunteer hours went into restoring the ship, and today most of the people who give and help maintain the ship are also volunteers. A video at the beginning of the tour goes over the historic legacy of the ship. The tour showcases the kitchen, sleeping quarters, engine room, ship's weapons, and officer’s quarters. The shower facilities and 60 second shower are a memorable part of the tour. The living conditions for the sailors on the ship must have been difficult. It is amazing to think they lived on this ship during the midst of WW2. You are allowed to not only see, but touch a few of these historic places on the tour. At the end of the tour there is a nice gift shop with reasonably priced items. Downtown, Albany is located right nearby. A must see for anyone who loves history. Thank you to all the volunteers who put so much time into making this a great place to visit!

The 1 hour tour was amazing! Really welcoming tour guides!

When we first got into the store to check in, the staff was extremely kind and helpful. Our guide, Charles, was amazing and made the tour even more enjoyable. This whole experience was really once in a lifetime because you get to hear stories of WW2 and the history of the ship you are standing on. It is truly an honor to be there and be able to touch/interact with some of the objects used in WW2. The tours are inexpensive and highly educational. You get to see what the soldiers really went through. All in all, just book a tour, it's worth it!

Art and Liam where amazing guides we booked the stem to stern tour (2 hours)! We enjoyed all the stories they both had about the ship and it's crew. Art has been a tour guide for 27 years and his enthusiasm is through the roof,he truly loves his work. Liam was only 2 weeks into his training but he was very knowledgeable about the ship so when we return we hope to see Art and Liam again for another stem to stern with a large group...

Went this summer. An amazing visit. The volunteers are doing tremendous work keeping her seaworthy and looking as original as possible. The displays and components are the best I've seen. My friend and I went to 20 separate musuem ships and Slater rated number 1 on our favorites. The guide was very friendly and informative. Wish I remembered his name. Just visit. You won't be disappointed.

Enjoyed walking around this wonderful ship with my tour guide. My guide was very knowledgeable of this beautiful piece American history, and being a former Navy Reservist made it all the more meaningful. I would highly to anyone who is considering touring this ship to be a part of the 5% that that take the "Stem to Stern" tour, as well, the 1% to visit the "Flying Bridge".

We had such a great time touring the ship with Alan. He went above and beyond explaining all the history of the ship. My grandfather was on a ship just like this one and it was so neat to learn so much. Everyone on staff was so friendly. John brought out a uniform from my grandfather’s ship and we were loved seeing all the artifacts in the museum. Highly recommend the stern to stern tour.

My interest in touring the USS Slater was that my Dad served on a Destroyer Escort during WWII. The tour turned out to be a much better experience than I anticipated. My main goal was to gain some idea of what it was like for my father to have lived on board a "Tin Can". I was able to achieve that goal and more. Fred was our guide and he did a GREAT job. It's really nice to meet someone who loves what they do. I would recommend touring the USS Slater to anyone who has an interest in WWII warships.

Never been however, I pass by many times. Not sure if we have to pay to see the battleship or making a reservation eather. If so, no way Jose. It is just me. It's not my thing. However, if war memorabilia means something for you, come and check it out. It is never crowded. Although, there isn't parking spaces in the attraction, there are plenty of parkings close by, you only have to walk a little to get there. The area is safe and as I told you before not too crowded. There are other attractions around to check them out as well. The Dutch Apple Cruising, The Jennings Landing, Corning Preserve. Also, The Albany Rowing Center, which offer rowing classes during Summer time. Also, the new Skyway. All this facilities are located at the bike trail along the Hudson River Waterfront. You can't miss it. A short walking distance from one attraction to another. All this facilities are family oriented. So, there is something to see for everyone. Living your problems, angers and bad antisocial attitudes will be a plus. Relax and enjoy yourself.

An Albany gem. Outdoor spaces are always treasures but the park is well kept and lovely. It was very clean and so many things were blooming yesterday...from flowering trees to tulips! If you are seeking the tulips dont wait for Mothers Day weekend they arent going to last...get there now...they are definitely at peak with many early bloomers already gone! The bulbs are on sale the 18th and 19th. 18th is pick your own, 19th is buy bagged. $10.00 a bag/approx. 30 bulbs. The tulip varieties are amazing, the beds well designed and marked so that you can know what you are seeing. We went early day, mid week and while there were a fair number of people, it wasnt over crowded and we easily got our photos. The park has many highlights beyond the blooms but this really is a must see if you like spring flowers.

Beautiful park. I love to visit in the spring, summer and fall seasons. It always nice to walk through, picnic in, or just sit and have some fresh air.

Very nice place to walk around and relax. Personally I like the evening walks.

It's Awesome place 😎 if you enjoy with your family 👪 I recommend go there 👍 I love this park ❤️ 😀

Really nice park. Clean quiet and there were several vendors selling fruits, honey, clothing, jewelry and other items. The flower arrangement in the center of the park was beautiful.

Beautiful Park, with a lake and gardens. Great fun for the whole family. Really nice neighborhoods too.

My family and I are at Washington Park for the Latin Festival of 2023. Titi very happy we all came together.

To be a participant in this event of NAMI WALKS, was truly a blessing to me - I met wonderful people, we shared our experiences about ourselves or others regarding Mental Health Conditions, and I didn't meet a stranger. I even got to take photos of the company that provided the tents, chairs, & display tables. I tried Sudanese food, and the folks were so loving, and welcomed me with smiles.

Came here for the annual tulip festival. It was nice, lots of beautiful flowers to enjoy, tons of food vendors, live music, and local artisan vendors galore! I wish there had been some sort of map because we almost missed out on a huge swath of vendors because we didn't know our way around the park. Lots of porta potties but no toilet paper in any of them and paperwork inside indicating they hadn't been cleaned or restocked in over 24 hours during a huge festival - upsetting! I appreciated the city offering free shuttles to and from established parking areas for the festival. I would go again but definitely bring your own toilet paper!

Best time to go is the weekend before Tulip Fest

Pleasant visuals, scents, sounds…with lamb shawarma and yougurt sauce

It's Washington park. A beautiful outdoor sanctuary among the city of Albany. It hosts many of Albany's events such as tulip fest and the Pride day parade/event. A staple in the community for outdoor enjoyment. With the park playhouse and many places for a picnic how could you not have an enjoyable time.

This is a beautiful park in Albany with lovely walking paths perfect for strollers, a small lake for fishing, and the most beautiful tulip festival on the East Coast. There is also a stage for summer performances, and it hosts the winter holiday lights. Come here anytime of year for a beautiful and relaxing walk.

Such a park is essential to live well and live vibrantly in a city. The autumn leaves, cloaking the park in sparking, kaleidoscopic tones of red and orange, offer a thrilling and vital contrast to the solemn majesty of the slightly decayed brownstones that line the park. Even if you do not spend much time in this park, its existence is essential to the pattern and basic cohesion of the city. This is a storied park, adorned with statues and ancient groves, a place where one can sit in the shade and feel the weight of ages past, not as a burden or responsibility, but as a soft blanket providing relief from the gruff, chaotically vibrating this institute of a strange and uncertain world. Come to this park if you're in Albany and spend a moment being wrapped in its soft, undulating, and bucolic comfort.

It’s my favorite park. I come here very often. It’s natural beauty is fantastic. The trees, the lake, flowers everything looks breathtakingly beautiful in all seasons. I can never get enough of this park.

I have only been to the egg once, and it was to see John Petrucci of Dream Theaters solo tour. It was a little confusing getting to the venue, but once we arrived it was very nice. I did not expect a venue like the egg to host a rock/metal show with how nice it was inside. Taking a elevator up with a designated staff member was a first for me. Once we got to the venue we got waters and merch at the designated area, and went to go find our spots. The staff was very good at helping us find our section and area of the theater. Once we sat down the show started, maybe I missed a memo but I didn’t know that you couldn’t record the show, so I had a event staff come up to me and tell me to stop recording, but pictures were allowed. Which I respect and appreciate the staff member for doing his job, I wish I would have known before entering the show, that way I wouldn’t record the show! I did get a couple pictures from the show that I will attach. But that was mainly the only reason I gave it four stars, and while it’s probably in their rules, or maybe it was only enforced at that show due to the musicians, I felt clueless and left out. I definitely recommend visiting however, and hope they bring more rock and metal related bands to the theater. I can definitely see more sophisticated prog metal bands playing the venue in the future!

Great place to see a show, architecture is sooo interesting! The setting hold about 300? seats, so pretty intimate. Staff is friendly, shows vary - all very good. There was plenty of parking when I went, and I think there is underground parking as well that is cheap.

Seriously one of THE BEST concerts i have ever been to! Such a small intimate venue! I highly recommend checking out an event here! The event staff was so helpful and friendly!

I cannot honestly say that I am the greatest aficionado of the brutalist style represented here, but this is one of the most iconic and creatively enigmatic buildings made in that style. Instead of feeling austere and utilitarian, it feels futuristic, like an encapsulated moment of the Space Age past, a time when it seemed like the future had arrived and the stars were not far beyond humanity's reach. It functions as the centerpiece of the brutalist redesign of Albany during the upheaval of the 1960s, as an attempt to redeem what had become a decaying city. Experience it as a wistful monument to a future that never came.

Great security and safety staff.a member of my party had a health scare during a live performance and the Egg staff were fantastic. Also, health care professionals in the audience rushed to help. Great place. Wonderful talents come to play here. Unique building.

The Egg is one of those things you see when driving that makes you do a double take the first time you see it. Inside it is awesome. The worst thing about here is getting inside and leaving an event. There is no hot food and the drink selection is almost embarrassing. Coming here for a show? Not a bad seat in the place. You could sit in the last row to the side and still have a great view.

Often have good performances here, including a dance series. Saw Pilobolus dance and quite enjoyed it. Main theater is comfortable with good sight lines from almost all seats. Convenient but $10 parking under plaza.

Had the chance to see Brian Culbertson live in concert at the Egg a few weeks ago and the experience was second to none, absolutely outstanding. The venue is easy to get to; parking is a breeze and is reasonably priced; a truly remarkable sight to see. I’ve never seen such a uniquely styled building in my life. The seats are also very roomy and comfortable with plenty of leg room, which was great as I’m a taller guy at 6’4”. When you get a chance; go see a show here. You won’t regret it.

Staff and event was very organized for what I believe was a sold out crowd. The venue is excellent, good lighting, very clean, great speaker system. I couldn't find the free parking mentioned on the ticket and had to pay to park in the garage but not a big deal.

Nice venue. Really not a bad seat in the theater. Wine, beer , water and snacks available as we waited and waited and waited for the show to start. Not a fan of an 8 o'clock show not starting until 9:15 and actually ending after a little more than an hour. Won't do that again before doing some research.

Just recently saw the McKrell's /Get Up Jack concert & Motown nite at the Egg, which were our first visits there in quite some time. I forgot what an awesome venue this is for an extremely intimate and comfortable performance setting. They have a nice setup for refreshments (now allowed in the performance hall). My only complaint is the very narrow access hallway to the small sized restrooms on the main level of the hall. On our 2nd visit, an elevator operator came around the corner and advised the people in the huge lines they could take an elevator down to the very large concourse level restrooms.

Beautiful theatre, you can’t go wrong with where you choose to sit they did an incredible job with making sure your view is not obstructed. Sat bottom mid left and noticed that those who were top left still would have a good view.

I saw the Mark Morris Dance Group here and was impressed with the venue as well as the performance. It was an excellent introduction for my first visit. - MAL

The Egg in Albany, also known as the Empire State Plaza Performing Arts Center, is an iconic and unique architectural gem. Shaped like, well, an egg, this distinctive venue offers a variety of cultural performances and events. The exterior design is intriguing, resembling a spaceship, and it stands out amid the government buildings that surround it. Inside, the performance spaces are well-maintained and acoustically impressive. The intimate atmosphere provides an up-close experience with artists and performers. It's a great place to catch concerts, dance performances, and other artistic events. The location in the heart of Albany makes it easily accessible. Whether you're a local resident or a visitor, The Egg is worth a visit for its architectural quirk and the diverse array of shows it hosts.

The theater space is great and the acoustics are amazing. The staff are friendly and helpful.

The acoustics in this place are always amazing! Unlike any other venue I have ever been too. They always have unique performances there. And I have to say that it feels more intimate. I've been a couple of times and I definitely will go again. The staff is wonderful! What a great night! Thank you for a great experience! ❤️

I haven't been to the Egg in Albany for a very long time. The exhibits on display are wonderful. There's an installation dedication for Vietnam. They've added dedication memorial monuments of service for both EMT and FDNY. All around the mall are art installation pieces by some very well-known artists. It was wonderful walking the perimeter and taking in the beauty and relaxing.

Cool place to visit take lots of photos, large art pieces several areas to sit down. Center area has no shade so keep that in mind. I visit for the 1st time from NYC only downside is that the restrooms were closed.

Beautiful place to go year round. Museums, the Egg, skating rink, the State Capitol, lawns to sit on and have a picnic, sculptures, 9/11 memorial, fire fighter's memorial. I will add more images as I find them. Great place to visit!

Spacious plaza with lots of seating area. It is good area to hang out around to Downtown and the plaza. New York State Capitol Building and Museum free to visit or you can watch ducks that mess around or take picture of buildings and its reflection.

This is the place in Albany to visit during the summertime. Plaza is hugh and surrounded by similarly structured buildings and a hugh water fountain in the middle. I am sure in the warmer months, this must be a place to hang out. I saw active renovation in the plaza. There are so many things to do in this plaza when things are open in summer.

The sudden shift from the Classical/Romanesque fortress of the NYS Capitol to being surrounded with giant Brutalist sculptures is vivid and in your face. Both are playgrounds for light&shadow. Couldn’t have asked for a better day

I absolutely loved walking around this beautiful plaza. Everything is so clean and well maintained. Plus, the views are amazing. If you go underground there are places to eat, a gift shop and restrooms. This is a definite must visit spot while visiting the area.

I went with a “Meet-up” group to learn about the sculptures that was in the plaza. Very interesting experience!

Beautiful grounds on a nice day. Great brutalist architecture (similar to Boston city hall) on a grand and beautiful scale offset by the traditional state capital building, but it somehow works. A great place to have lunch outside or to take photos.

Stunning views of the capitol and surrounding buildings, throughout the plaza. Free ice skating in the winter. Bring your own skates. We need to come back when it isn’t so cold - several venues were closed off due to construction. But I can see how this area is an attractive entertainment hub of Albany, when everything is open and the weather is better

Awesome 4th of July celebration. Free parking in the garage and food vendors all over the place. Very well organized. Plenty of restrooms and cooling stations. Had a band playing and fun activities. Totally worth the drive. The fireworks went on for a very long time. Looks like we will take the family every year.

Beautiful day to visit my state Capitol. I enjoyed the art around the campus. The government building is gorgeous. I would love to have gotten the reflection shot.

Beautiful architecture...always interesting art installations and displays throughout. Easy parking below...many events spaces and several daytime only options for food and shopping.

Must see if in Albany, loved walk thru it. Great architecture and design by Wallace Harrison, who, no doubt, was looking to Brazilian genius Oscar Niemeyer, who designed Brasília, the capital of Brazil constructed back in 1959. Just google "Brasilia Esplanada" and you'll see.

Really nice museum, they had Wyeth's family BOA art collection, excellent exhibit from 1800's and 1900's. My favorite was train travel in 1920s and 1930s, some really outstanding posters and other exhibits. Hudson river school paintings, 19th century American Sculpture, ancient Egypt, and colonial Albany where all part of the experience. Definitely worth a visit.

I really had little idea of what awaited me inside but I'm so glad I decided to visit. Beautifully displayed artifact that include an Eygptian mummy, sculptures and currently the work of Li-Yun Wen which is as stunning as it is beautiful.

I went to the museum originally to do some family research in their historical library. What an exciting experience. The people that work and volunteer there are amazing! They were so willing to share any knowledge they have and look for anything they can find for you. Phoebe is an absolute treasure to have on there staff as a volunteer.

Such a great exhibit and the scavenger hunt for kids kept them entertained and focused on the works.

Brought my 16 year old granddaughter and we had a great time examining the Egyptian exhibit, the old fashions and all the art from The Hudson River School. Much improved displays from when I was her age.

So very well done. Displays are informative while the circulation flowed. The 100 year time capsule items is well done!

Lovely smallish museum with a stunning Egyptian exhibit and impressive gallery of mostly local antique oil paintings.

Quality museum highlighting the Hudson River School of art. The Maritime exhibit was lovely.

The Hudson River School paintings collection here is breathtaking. I genuinely enjoyed looking over each piece and reading the guidebook that came with it. It was peaceful and it felt like we were the only ones inside.

One of the best museums in Albany. The Albany Institute of History & Art is actually one of the oldest museums in the United States. They have a vast collection of artwork from the Hudson River School. Many of the paintings depict local spots along the Hudson River, Adirondack Mountains, Catskills, Albany, or Lake George. Some paintings were on loan from Thomas Cole. Also, interesting is the collection of artifacts and paintings from the Mohawk Valley region featuring a portrait of Sir William Johnson. The Egyptian gallery is captivating as it features two mummies. Ancient Egyptian objects ranging from hairbrushes, jewelry. canopic jars, and artwork are featured. The Gordon Parks exhibition "I, too, am America" was an important look at the sad history of segregation in the US. The Jan Brett exhibition of art in children's books was unique. The museum does attract many different exhibitions throughout the year. Admission price was reasonable for such a nice museum. Gift shop featured art prints of artwork in the museum at reasonable prices.

Very nice art and history museum. The art was good with sculptures and paintings. The history went in depth on the Albany tulip festival and their sister city.

It pains me to give a museum under five stars but... This was a bit of a disappointment. The show we went for, Hunt Slonem, was lovely, and i enjoyed the curatorial decisions to display the contemporary work alongside the museums more historic pieces, but that show was... it. The other galleries were entirely ignorable. I can spend a few hours in even the weirdest, littlest museum, and yet at this, the main art museum in NY state's capitol, we were in and out in an hour, and ended up going to a used bookstore just to fill up the rest of the afternoon.

Very decent collection of paintings of Hudson River school artists, many of them done by Thomas Cole, the founder of the this art movement. Now, would be good if each painting had its own QR code or just artist’s name printed next to it. Took me a while to figure how translate painting numbers to artist names.