Albany/Troy Area

The City of Albany has much to offer. The New York State Museum and Albany Institute of History & Art are situated in downtown Albany. The former traces some of the earliest history of our country to present time with many fine exhibits! The latter is dedicated to the history, art and culture of the City of Albany and Upper Hudson Valley. Tour the State Capitol Building whose design was inspired by the Hotel de Ville in Paris and visit Albany City Hall with its distinctively Romanesque architecture. You may wish to visit "The Egg," an architecturally unique, performing arts center within Empire State Plaza. Host of many concerts and other events, the Pepsi Arena is situated in downtown Albany where the Albany River Rats, AHL affiliate of New Jersey Devils, play their home games. In a smaller venue, the historic Palace Theater also offers other popular entertainment to the public.

University Heights, a collaboration of four colleges in Albany, is a driving force in the future of the Capital Region, along with the $400 million International Sematech North research facility under construction at the State University at Albany.

The City of Troy is the birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution, driven by its topography and hydropower. Visit the gravesite of Samuel Wilson, also known as "Uncle Sam," at historic Oakwood Cemetery or have a private tour of Troy's magnificent array of Tiffany stained-glass windows! Troy Savings Bank Music Hall has such exquisite acoustics that it attracts performers and recording artists throughout the world. Other sites of architectural distinction are the newly renovated Rensselaer County Court House, Monument Square, Troy Public Library and Washington Park, one of only two privately owned parks in the U.S. You may wish to visit The Arts Center of the Capital Region and its unique, historic structures in downtown Troy. For youngsters, it's well worth a visit to the Troy Junior Museum.

Today, Troy has shifted its economy from heavy industry to high technology. Leading the way is Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), one of the most prestigious engineering schools in the U.S. You may wish to have a campus tour that includes a new $200 million, biotech research center and a new performing arts center. RPI also offers some of the top Division I ECAC hockey in the northeast at Houston Field House.