The USS Slater is a World War II destroyer docked on the Hudson River in Albany. It was used during World War II to fight Nazi U-Boats in the North Atlantic and is the only one of these destroyer escorts still on the water in the United States. Following a 15-year restoration, the boat has been completely restored to its original glory, so much so that one can see where the sailors lived and carried out their daily exercises and operations. The Deck-by-Deck tour is particularly popular and offers an interactive experience that's sure to thrill all ages. Besides guided tours, the museum also offers a unique overnight camping activity where tourists get to live like a navy sailor.
Buckingham Lake Park is probably the most popular place to enjoy the water outside of the Hudson River while in the city of Albany. The lake is more of a pond, due to the fact that its depth is only three feet and surface area is five acres. Nonetheless, people love the pond in the winter when the water freezes up making it perfect for ice skates. Albany's citizens also use the space for cycling, jogging, walking the dog or just to lounge under one of the trees.
Before downtown Chicago had it's silver Cloud Gate, a.k.a "The Bean", architect Wallace Harrison had already perfected the ovoid design with this edifice located in Empire State Plaza. The Egg took 12 years to build, from 1966 to 1978 and unlike the aforementioned Chicago structure, it can hold plenty of people. In fact, as you enter, the hall leads visitors into two theaters. The Lewis A. Swyer Theater and the Kitty Carlisle Hart Theater; both seat 450 and 982 people, respectively. The smaller theater hosts various concerts, lectures, and workshops, and the Hart holds a stage for larger productions like musicals and plays. Despite the performance schedule, people really come to see The Egg's peculiar shape inside and out. It truly is a work of absolute wonder in 20th-century architecture.
Built in 1931, this former RKO movie theater has provided audiences with thrills off-and-on for nearly a century. After its run as a movie theater, it fell into some disrepair until it was completely renovated in 2003. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and today it showcases a wide variety of musical acts, drama, classic films, comedy, health fairs and other community events. With the renovation, the charming archaic ambiance combined with modernized light and sound systems create a dramatic effect during every performance.
Enshrouded in the contemporary cacophony of downtown Albany, the Empire State Plaza is a striking ensemble of glorious government buildings. A string of stirring artworks, collectively called the Empire State Art Collection, further augments the sheer historic appeal of this place. Deeply entrenched in a long-standing history, the plaza was built over a period of 17 years between 1959 and 1976, around the New York State Capitol building, which predates the plaza. Strewn across the plaza's expanse is a tapestry of noteworthy edifices like the Wadsworth Center, the Egg, the Legislative Office Building, the Corning Tower and the capitol itself. In addition, the plaza also shelters a tapestry of memorials, paying homage to civilians, fighters, and victims the country lost to various wars. The observation deck at Corning Tower provides astounding views of Albany's dynamic cityscape, whereas the New York State Museum lends stirring insights into the state's historical and cultural legacy. Sheltering emblematic buildings bathed in the finer nuances of Brutalist, Modernist and International architecture, the Empire State Plaza solidifies the progressive and political tenor of New York.
The Albany Institute of History & Art is dedicated to the preservation of the Upper Hudson River Valley's history. The variety of exhibits range from local craftsmanship to works from the influential Hudson River Valley School with founder Thomas Cole at the forefront. In addition to local oeuvres, impressionist art hangs besides contemporary, all enclosed within one of upstate New York's best museums. Of course like many museums, there are always changing exhibits, openings and shows, however most of the permanent collection presents work from the 17th-Century to present.
The USS Slater is a World War II destroyer docked on the Hudson River in Albany. It was used during World War II to fight Nazi U-Boats in the North Atlantic and is the only one of these destroyer escorts still on the water in the United States. Following a 15-year restoration, the boat has been completely restored to its original glory, so much so that one can see where the sailors lived and carried out their daily exercises and operations. The Deck-by-Deck tour is particularly popular and offers an interactive experience that's sure to thrill all ages. Besides guided tours, the museum also offers a unique overnight camping activity where tourists get to live like a navy sailor.
Set on Livingston Avenue in Albany, Underground Railroad Education Center is an interesting museum. This museum gives us a peek into the Underground Railroad Movement which took place in the 19th-century. During this movement thousands of African American slaves were said to have escaped and chosen the road to freedom. At this museum, you will find various artifacts and records like documents and photographs. This movement is known to have lead to the American civil rights movement.
Spread over 1,000 acres (404.68 hectares) in the village of Valatie, Kinderhook Farm is located just about 3 miles (4.82 kilometers) from Ghent, NY. The glorious green and gold farm raises grass-fed sheep, hens and other livestock and is known for the quality meats thus procured. Kinderhook Farm includes the Farm Store where you can load up on free-range eggs, lamb, beef and other meat products, a fully-furnished rental cottage and a barn-house called, FarmStay at Kinderhook, both of which make for fun family vacations. The farm itself is open for tours on Saturdays and Sundays from 1p onward, check the website fore more details.
Buckingham Lake Park is probably the most popular place to enjoy the water outside of the Hudson River while in the city of Albany. The lake is more of a pond, due to the fact that its depth is only three feet and surface area is five acres. Nonetheless, people love the pond in the winter when the water freezes up making it perfect for ice skates. Albany's citizens also use the space for cycling, jogging, walking the dog or just to lounge under one of the trees.
Built in 1931, this former RKO movie theater has provided audiences with thrills off-and-on for nearly a century. After its run as a movie theater, it fell into some disrepair until it was completely renovated in 2003. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and today it showcases a wide variety of musical acts, drama, classic films, comedy, health fairs and other community events. With the renovation, the charming archaic ambiance combined with modernized light and sound systems create a dramatic effect during every performance.
Enshrouded in the contemporary cacophony of downtown Albany, the Empire State Plaza is a striking ensemble of glorious government buildings. A string of stirring artworks, collectively called the Empire State Art Collection, further augments the sheer historic appeal of this place. Deeply entrenched in a long-standing history, the plaza was built over a period of 17 years between 1959 and 1976, around the New York State Capitol building, which predates the plaza. Strewn across the plaza's expanse is a tapestry of noteworthy edifices like the Wadsworth Center, the Egg, the Legislative Office Building, the Corning Tower and the capitol itself. In addition, the plaza also shelters a tapestry of memorials, paying homage to civilians, fighters, and victims the country lost to various wars. The observation deck at Corning Tower provides astounding views of Albany's dynamic cityscape, whereas the New York State Museum lends stirring insights into the state's historical and cultural legacy. Sheltering emblematic buildings bathed in the finer nuances of Brutalist, Modernist and International architecture, the Empire State Plaza solidifies the progressive and political tenor of New York.