Albany Community

Fun Things To Do In Albany, NY

Whether you currently live in the area or are new to Albany, you will want to know all of the fun things to do. We’ve put together a list of our favorite things to get you started! Looking for more ideas? Just ask us! 

1. Visit the Nine Pin Cider Tasting Room – Nine Pin Cider is locally brewed in Albany, New York and can be found at stores throughout the state and country. Visit the tasting room and try some cider by the glass, growler, or tasting flight. If you want to know what goes on behind the scenes, buy a ticket to take a tour of the production facility. Tours happen once a month so plan accordingly!
2. Catch a movie at Spectrum 8 Theatres – This local theatre prides itself on bringing the Capital Region independent, foreign, and major studio films. Stop by for a movie experience like no other.
3. New York State Museum – Check out the New York State Museum. The museum has exhibits which include Adirondack Wilderness, Ice Ages, Minerals of New York, Native Peoples of New York and much more. Admission is free with a suggested donation of $5.
4. Have a laugh at Funny Bone – Located inside Crossgates Mall, this club has featured popular names like Aisha Tyler, Amy Schumer, and Andy Dick. Enjoy dinner and drinks with friends or meet someone new in the community seating environment.
5. Tour the USS Slater – The USS Slater is a Destroyer Escort from World War II. This ship and 562 other Destroyer Escorts battled Nazi U-boats and Japanese submarines and Kamikaze air attacks. Today, the USS Slater is the only ship that remains afloat. Tours are available April through November, Wednesday through Sunday and happen rain or shine.
6. Paint socially at Paint Nite – Sip some wine and paint a masterpiece at Paint Nite in Albany. A great activity for parties or just friends hanging out. Not an artist? You’ll be guided by a talented artist the entire night.
7. See a Concert at the MVP Arena – The MVP Arena is an indoor arena located in downtown Albany. The arena hosts sporting events, concerts, comedians, children’s acts, Disney on Ice, and more!
8. Play Games at Dave & Buster’s – At the family-friendly chain you can play arcade games, watch a football game, and enjoy a meal from the delicious pub menu. Dave & Buster’s is also a great location for your next birthday party!
9. Attend a Free Concert – During the summer, the city hosts Alive at Five at Jennings Landing. The free concert series runs from 5pm to 8pm and brings critically acclaimed performances to the Capital Region.
10. Experience an Event at The Egg – The Egg hosts artistic work ranging from dance performances, music, arts-in-education and so much more! The iconic building is located in the Empire State Plaza and is a standout in the Albany skyline. 

Schools & Education

The Albany area has many schools and we believe it is important that our residents know all about them! Below are local schools.

1. City School District of Albany – The district serves over 9,000 students in 18 different schools. The district includes neighborhood schools, as well as magnet schools and trade programs. The diverse school district strives to provide every student with a strong education and skills necessary for success.
2. The Albany Academies – The Albany Academy is a private academy located in Albany. A 200-year-old institution, it fosters the ideals of honesty, tolerance and integrity. With 760 students enrolled and an average class size of 14, students have academic opportunities that are unique to Albany Academy.  

HIGHER EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES 

1. SUNY Albany – This local University doesn’t just attract students from all over the country, it attracts applicants from all over the world. This college offers majors in Criminal Justice, Political Science, Digital Forensics, Economics, History, Computer Science, Foreign Languages, and much more.  
2. The College of Saint Rose – This private University has several achievements such as being ranked in the top quarter of “Best Regional Universities – North” list. It also has the honor of being named a “military-friendly school” by G.I. Jobs magazine. Its core focus is helping students grow in the fields of Arts and Humanities, Business, Education, Math, and Science. 

Government Offices & Services

It’s important to learn about the area around you if you’re new to the City of Albany, New York. This government services guide is here to help.

1. Albany Police Department 
   165 Henry Johnson Boulevard Albany, New York 12210
   Phone: (518) 438-4000
   The Albany Police Department recently re-aligned the Neighborhood Engagement Unit in order to more efficiently serve our community. The newly implemented NEU will consist of neighborhood beat officers who will work collaboratively with uniformed patrol officers through a “Team Policing” concept to solve problems, enhance quality of life and build meaningful relationships with members of the community.
2. Albany Fire Department
   26 Broad St Albany, New York 12202
   Phone: (518) 447-7879
   The mission of the Albany Fire Department is to provide protection of life, property, and the environment from the effects of fire, medical emergencies, and hazards in the safest, most efficient manner possible
3. Albany Post Offices 
   Albany has over 10 post offices throughout the city. Check out the site and find the one closest to you.
4. Albany Public Libraries
   Phone: (518) 217–5601
   Albany has seven public libraries across the city. Libraries are open to everyone. The Albany public libraries offer great programs for people of all ages.  
5. Albany Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
   224 S. Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12202 
   Phone: (518) 486-9786
   To get a license, a state ID, permit, CDL, or to take care of other plate related matters, you can visit this office.