Being a tourist in Albany, capitol of my home state!

I love to travel, I am usually barely on my way home and I am already dreaming of the next trip. On Labor Day weekend of this year I did something that I never do: I traveled in my own home state of New York!  My friend finally convinced me to be a tourist.

For years I have toyed with the idea that New York does have a lot to offer, but why did I go elsewhere? I am a paranormal enthusiast, I pretty much have traveled up and down the Eastern Seaboard looking for the next hotspot for me. Albany can really fill that spot. With almost 400 years of history energies are almost certain to be lingering....and they are.

This year I drove up the New York State Thruway & Route 9 , which at times was adjacent to the Amtrak railroad. As I drove staring at those tracks how I wished that I was on that train. I truly wished to see all the beauty of the Albany Region.  Driving has it's perks, but there is nothing like sitting on a train. Fully being able to glance out of the window and truly appreciate the beauty safely. We had the pleasure of driving into Albany while on our way up to Crown Point, NY.

Albany is the state capitol of New York. It was first settled in 1624 and became the New York State capitol in 1797. For history buffs this area is fantastic. Museums, historical homes, music halls and art galleries The Capitol building is one place I would love to visit, especially during the Halloween season with it's FREE haunting tours. The Empire State Plaza holds the largest display of Modern art. Other area museums and more include  Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center , Albany Institute of History & Art , Fenimore Art Museum   for your history and art fix . As for the performing arts , Capitaland Chorus/Sweet Adelines , Capital Repertory Theatre  , Palace Performing Arts Center  are just a few . These are just a handfull of the multiple and diverse things to do while in Albany. The list is just too large for me to list.

If the museums and the performing arts aren't for you and the movie theater is...they have that too! Regal Crossgate Stadium with 18 screens should just about hit the spot..hey and all you guys who belong to the Regal Crown Club..hehehe..don't forget free popcorn on Tuesdays with your Regal Crown Club card!!

Art and history is not the only attractions that Albany has to offer. Hockey -The Albany River Rats and Football- Albany Conquest both play at the Times Union Center located at 51 S Pearl St  Albany. If you wish to  travel a little more further upstate New York,  horse racing is available at Saratoga.

As for dining, the range is enormous. You have everything from your fast foods to your fine dining. I looked at the Albany County Convention & Visitors Bureau and I couldn't believe what was available.

Lodging should be no problem .The area has all different types and you have all price ranges. Whether you wish to stay in luxury or just relax in an inexpensive motel, Albany seems to have it. All of your major chains are here. I personally would attempt a beautiful campground to fully soak in the area!

Transportation after arriving on the Amtrak line shouldn't be a problem, lucky for us this is a major city! The Albany trolley offers a ride all day ticket, with a discount  available on the Albany Duck tour- I have gone on these tours in other states and they are fun!! It is a bus, it is a boat. These often embark on land, you tour the tour then off into the water you go.

As for regular bus service , Albany has that too! The Capital District Transportation Authority has more than 50 bus routes in the area and Northway Xpress provides service between Albany and Saratoga. Car rentals are also an option.

Albany also has it share of higher education centers, Sienna College and State University of New York- Albany,  Schenectady  County Community College , Hudson Valley Community College and the Albany Law School to name a few. For those students who came from Long Island or downstate the travel  back home should never be an issue with the convenient Amtrak line that can take them into Penn Station located in Manhattan.

Funny as I am writing this, the travel bug is starting to bite!! Well I am off the check the schedules and call my friends...it is time for the next rail trip upstate while reading The Last of the Mohicans !

> Find out more about the Adirondack line

> First stop... New York City

> Last stop… Montreal (coming soon!)

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