albany visitors center

Great exhibits on the history of Albany, along with the most comprehensive visitor assistance by far in Albany! The staff is outstanding and feel free to ask them anything! They have free maps, brochures, a walking tour brochure, and a great gift shop and planetarium open weekends. A great naval exhibit as well. Spend at least one hour here!

Nice place to get an overview of the city and history. Always friendly people here. Full of interesting displays and free information.

We were visiting friends and family in Albany for three days and were encouraged by my brother in law to go to the Visitors Centre. We were very glad we did as I found it so interesting. I was born in Albany and my parents had lived their whole lives in the area so I was familiar with much of the history. I was most impressed with the way the different historical eras were presented. The walk through area gave the highlights with just enough detail to be really informative and really interesting. There is also an excellent gift shop where my daughter and I bought a number of very high quality and unique gifts to take back to Australia. I also enjoyed seeing the Quackenbush House next door as I found I have that name in my family tree. Looking forward to putting the pieces together! I plan to come back to spend more time here the next time I am in Albany.

We arrived around 4.55 as the place was getting ready to close. We were welcomed by a smiling female staff member who was not in a rush to leave. She took time to answer all of our questions, provide maps and local information. Couldn't have asked for more. We were only in Albany for 2 nights - 2 days so the information received was invaluable in helping us decide what to do and see. The shop appeared to have a selection of gifts & cards - but of course we didn't have time to shop. As we were leaving, another visitor was welcomed by the same staff member at a time when the centre should have been closed.

The exhibit about Albany was interesting. The girl on the desk wasn't as well informed as I had hoped.

Guy at the desk was super helpful. Went over the stuff we should see and stuff we shouldn't. Was a lot of information.

Our tour guide Peter was a savior to our ever failing plans during our reunion. The Brown Coach company sent an driver whom didn't know Albany, with a false itinerary. We finally got to Peter half an hour late and he gave us the best tour in the amount of time he had left. He actually had a tad more time because Brown Coach forgot that the annual soapbox derby was going on where we needed to park to see the sights and take a group photo. Peter took us to a spot that worked for us. He then took us back to the visitors center and tried to get us free into the astronomy show, but just missed it. We were able to look around at the, museum and gift shop for anything that their representative, Subhash Modasra, hadn't brought us already. "Subbie" was excellent to have around and is very professional.

What a great place to visit in Albany New York, A great little trinket shop, Great musem area awesome ambiance. A perfect place to see some history. We love you Subbie and staff...

The visitors center has a small gallery to explore as well as a memorial room for the USS Albany. The complex also includes one of Albany's first residences that has been converted to a pub.

Nicely laid out, very informative and friendly welcoming Staff. I had no idea of USS Albany with its long history, the gift shop was nicely set out and we will go again.

Cleaner than most rest stops. A little bit of everything, and the prices were not too bad. There is a good variety here; something for everyone.

It's not big but enough to inform and enjoy. Also has display space used for changing exhibits. Staff is very nice and very helpful! Pretty place to enjoy old Albany.

The visitor center is based in a historic dutch building and the pumping station so that alone was worth seeing. The man behind the desk was so kind and helpful. There is a great exhibit of the history of Albany and even some models of cast iron stoves to show examples of the industry that once dominated Albany. We spent about 30 minutes here just absorbing all the information. Very well laid out and informative. You should definitely make your first stop in Albany the visitors center. You can park in the back for free if there are available spots, if not, the muni lot is $6 max per day.

Thanks to Pat for going out of her way to find us accommodation when we arrived in Albany. After many tries got a place by the water with magnificent views and a very spacious/clean apartment. Would highly recommend a visit to the information centre

Be sure to stop in to the Visitor's Center. They are very helpful and they have some very nice exhibits. Well worth spending an hour here!