Albany is the capital of the U.S. state,
New York, and it serves as the seat of Albany County. The city is located on the Hudson River’s west banks, further south of the point where it meets the Mohawk River.
A former trade and transportation center, Albany is home to deep history and culture preservation and is the main hub of education, commerce, and architecture in the region. The city has intricate architectural designs that couple up as tourist attractions featuring both the ancient designs and the modern skyscrapers.
The Empire State Plaza is the main attraction in downtown Albany. The plaza consists of several attractive buildings that have been built to feature different stunning designs. The 1 to 4 agency buildings dominate the plaza, tall and beautiful in their unique designs. The super tall Corning Tower, also referred to as the Mayor Erastus Corning Second Tower, is a modern marble-and-glass skyscraper found within the plaza. Another intriguing building is The Egg, primarily functioning as a theatre, built to feature the shape of an egg. This iconic building is the center for performing arts in Albany. Other significant buildings include the magnificent Cultural Education Center and the glorious Legislative Office Building.
When to visit Albany
Albany experiences a humid continental climate, which is classified as Dfa in the Köppen climatic classification. The weather features four distinct seasons and is majorly characteristic of warm, humid summers, cold, snowy winters, and mild springs and autumns.
Summer stretches from
May to
September, and the weather features warm to hot days and mildly cold nights. The average daytime temperature is between 70.3°F (21.3°C) and 82.6°F (28.1°C). Occasional fluctuations may see the temperature rise to 91.4°F (33°C) or more.
During winter, from
December to
February, Albany experiences cold and snowy days, when the temperature reads as low as -9.9°F (-23.3°C). Even on the best day, the temperature during winter does not go above 35.6°F (2°C), and the daily sunshine hours do not go beyond three. Snowfall is experienced for approximately nine days per month and collects an average of 36cm on the ground per month.
Spring is between
March and
April, and snowfall may still be experienced, albeit in minimal amounts. The daily temperature average is between 44.8°F (7.1°C) and 58.6°F (14.8°C), and the daily sunshine hours rise to six and a half. Autumn is mildly warm at first before it begins to receive the first of snowfall in its last few weeks. The average daily temperature is between 47.3°F (8.5°C) and 61.3°F (16.3°C), and most days have six sunshine hours.
Albany is suitable for a visit throughout the year, but the peak season is experienced in the warmest period of summer, from
July to
August. The peak of the beautiful blossoming season in spring also sees many visitors visit Albany to partake in the magnificence of the foliage. Autumn, too, brings the golden-brown illumination of the fall throughout the city, amid fresh and crisp air, and lovely weather, attracting visitors for photography, picnics, biking, and hiking.
Traditional festivals include the famous Albany Tulip Festival, which is marked by live music shows and festivities during the peak of the tulips bloom in May. The Alive at Five Festival is held between
June and August, featuring a series of free summer concerts from renowned brands across the city.