Albany, New York - The Capital Region
The Capital Region includes the cities of Albany, Schenectady, and Troy which together has a culturally diverse population of about 750,000. The area is home to 18 colleges and universities, including Albany Medical College, Albany Law School and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. With a student population exceeding 65,000, the Capital District has a greater student population density than Boston. In addition, Albany is the country's largest government center outside of Washington, D.C.The 17,000 seat Pepsi Arena in downtown Albany hosts professional hockey, Arena League Football, and concerts by artists such as Aerosmith, Bruce Springsteen, and Bon Jovi. Downtown Albany is also the place to be for plays and musical performances, or a visit to the New York State Museum. Other nearby music and art venues include the internationally known Saratoga Performing Arts Center (summer home to the New York City Ballet, the New York City Opera and the Philadelphia Orchestra), the celebrated Saratoga Racetrack, and Tanglewood, the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
In less than two hours you can be downhill skiing on some of the best slopes in eastern North America. Nearby mountain ranges include the Adirondacks, the Berkshires, the Catskills, and the Green Mountains. For hiking and camping, nothing beats Adirondack Park, the largest natural area in the United States. If you prefer a metropolitan environment, Albany is just a short drive away from the cultural centers of New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, and Montreal.
