Around the Capital Region | University at Albany

An annual fall festival featuring bestselling authors, panel discussions, book-signing sessions, online workshops for aspiring writers, and areas dedicated to young-adult and children’s books.

Albany Film Festival

An annual spring festival featuring film screenings, panel discussions and Q&A sessions with industry professionals, writers, critics and more, all centered around storytelling in the filmmaking process.

New York State Writer’s Institute

Exploring and teaching the craft of writing, this organization presents talks and workshops by accomplished writers, as well as other events.

UAlbany Athletics Tickets

See the UAlbany Great Danes compete in football, basketball, lacrosse and more.

UAlbany Performing Arts Center

See music, dance, theatre and more, presented by the Department of Music and Theatre and other outside organizations.

University Art Museum

Presenting contemporary art exhibits by internationally, nationally and regionally recognized emerging artists, as well as UAlbany Alumni and MFA thesis candidates.

Woman choosing produce at an outdoor farmers market.

Farmers Markets

Fresh, locally grown produce, homemade goods, local food vendors and more are plentiful at these bustling markets.

Schenectady Greenmarket (Sundays)

Troy Waterfront Farmers Market (Saturdays)

Washington Park Farmers Market (Saturday)

Art, History & Culture

As the capital of New York State, Albany has an abundance of historical events to discover, art collections to inspire, and cultural events to take in year-round.

Albany Institute of History & Art

Permanent exhibits include Egyptian artifacts and Hudson River Artists, visiting exhibits vary.

Dutch Apple Cruises & Tours

Tours and dinner cruises, both walking in Albany and boating on the Hudson River.

Empire State Plaza Art Collection

A prized collection of American Modern Art.

New York State Capitol Tour (Weekdays only)

See this historic architectural marvel and learn about its past and present.

New York State Museum

A free museum exploring all aspects of life, nature, history and more in New York State.

Ten Broeck Mansion

A historic house museum featuring gardens, exhibits and cultural and educational events year-round.

USS Slater: Destroyer Escort Historical Museum

Parked on the Hudson River, visitors can tour the inside and out of this fascinating ship.

Performing Arts

Theatre, music and more invigorate the many stages around Albany and the greater Capital District.

The Albany Symphony

Award winning professional orchestra playing concerts and events all over New York’s Capital Region.

The Egg

Noteworthy performances in an architecturally distinctive building on Empire State Plaza.

MVP Arena

Premier sports and entertainment venue hosting large popular music acts, athletic events and more.

The Palace Theatre

A historic theatre that presents various acts and events.

Playhouse Stage Company

Professional musical theatre presented inside the Cohoes Music Hall and, in the summer months, outside at the Park Playhouse in Washington Park.

Proctors

Broadway productions, musical acts and more take center stage at this historic theatre in nearby Schenectady.

The Rep

Presenting professional plays and musicals in an intimate new facility.

Troy Savings Bank Music Hall

Classical and popular acts, both local and internationally known, perform in this acoustically notable venue.

Parks & Recreation

Urban gardens, unique natural features and more are all easy to access and enjoy around Albany and beyond.

Albany Pine Bush Preserve

Its rolling sand dunes are home to a variety of rare plants and animals, including the endangered Karner blue butterfly. Take a hike or visit the Discovery Center for hands-on activities.

CDPHP Cycle! Bike-sharing

Rent a self-serve e-bike or pedal bike and explore on two wheels. (Includes on-campus rental sites)

Cohoes Falls

A short hike through the small adjacent park reveals a beautiful view of the falls.

Corning Preserve/Jennings Landing

Along the banks of the Hudson River, this park features an outdoor amphitheater, bike trail and boat launch.

The Crossings of Colonie

A beautiful, tranquil park with ponds, meadows, wetland and 6.5 miles of multi-use trails.

Five Rivers Environmental Education Center

Exhibits for all ages, programing for individual, families and groups, and more than 450 acres of fields, forests and wetlands with hiking trails to enjoy.

Howe Caverns

Tours for all ages of a natural underground cave system with a fascinating past.

John Boyd Thacher State Park

Situated along the Helderberg Escarpment, one of the richest fossil-bearing formations in the world, this park offers outdoor activities and historic and geological exhibits, as well as expansive views of downtown Albany and the surrounding area.

The Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail

A paved, shared-use path that connects Albany and Schenectady counties and is part of the state-wide Canalway Trail that follows the Erie Canal from Buffalo to Albany.

Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy

A collection of 22 preserves across the capital district that are open to the public for recreational use.

Peebles Island State Park

Located at the confluence of the Hudson and Mohawk Rivers, enjoy spectacular river and rapid views, places to fish, cross country skiing in the winter and more.

Saratoga Spa State Park

A national historic landmark, this expansive park includes outdoor spaces as well as museums, a swimming pool complex, a hotel, the Roosevelt Baths and Spa, and more.

Washington Park

Downtown Albany’s lush, spacious park featuring beautiful gardens, historic landmarks, playgrounds and more.

Fairs & Festivals

Alive@Five

Popular free concert series held over 8 weeks at the Riverfront every summer, featuring a range of musical genres.

ChowderFest

Held in February each year in Saratoga Springs, this festival features live music, family activities and samples of chowder served by more than 80 top restaurants around Saratoga County.

LatinFest

Annual festival in August, showcasing local, regional and international performing artists to promote appreciation for multicultural diversity and Hispanic culture.

Old Songs Festival

At the Altamont Fairgrounds each June, this three-day festival features traditional music and dancing for all ages.

PearlPalooza

All-age music festival in downtown Albany, held annually in September.

Scottish Games

Held annually in August, this festival features all things Scotland, from Highland dancing to pipe bands, a Scottish dog show, golf tournaments and more.

Tulip Festival

Held annually on Mother’s Day weekend, featuring live music, craft ventors, great food and tulips to celebrate Albany’s Dutch heritage.

VegFest

Vegan food festival featuring plant-based products and services, expert speakers, musical entertainment, and more, put on annually in September by the Capital Region Vegan Network.