Albany: New York State's historic capital

On the Hudson River, Albany has remained the capital of New York State since 1797, one of the oldest cities in the United States.

The downtown, this historic capital of New York State, is comfortably walkable.

The Empire State Plaza, a modernist government complex with its own observation tower, dominates the state capital's skyline with futuristic 1960s architecture.

A short walk away, New York State Capitol, built over more than thirty years with contributions from multiple architects, remains one of the most expensive state buildings ever constructed.

Heading toward the historic center, you visit the Center Square neighborhood, with brick row houses from the nineteenth century well preserved.

In the evening, Lark Street district comes alive with independent restaurants and bars in the heart of the old city.

Albany, founded by the Dutch in 1614 as a trading post on the Hudson River, remains one of the oldest continuously settled European cities in the United States, predating even many Atlantic coast cities.

The New York Capitol, constructed between 1867 and 1899 at enormous expense for the era, blends diverse architectural styles due to the numerous architect changes during its construction.