First Day of the Long Weekend | Exploring & Eating in Albany

Labor Day Long Weekend: Half-Day Round Trip to Albany, NY🥗 I’ve worked and lived in New York for years, but I’d never been to the state capital—so I took a casual half-day trip there over the Labor Day weekend. 🚘 Drive Time🚗🚗 It’s a little over 2 hours one way, and the route passes Woodbury Outlet—perfect for a quick shopping detour if you want. 🌇 Check-In Spots🍱 - 🌟 Empire State Plaza (Central Plaza) At its center is a rectangular lake, flanked by The Egg (a theater) and 4 government office buildings (Agency Buildings). Directly ahead lies the State Capitol, and beneath the plaza is the New York State Museum. It’s an incredibly grand and imposing square🏖️🏖️ - 🌟 New York State Capitol A Neo-Renaissance building with a 140-year history—it took 9 years and a huge budget to build, making it the most luxurious state capitol in the US. Even its exterior is stunningly grand. On weekdays, you can book a guided tour inside (check tour times online in advance). Rumor has it the interior features pure gold wallpaper and stones imported from Italy—definitely worth a visit. In front of the building stands a large 3D "I ❤️ NY" sign, made for photo ops. - 🌟 The Egg (Performing Arts Center) A highly recognizable building named for its egg-like shape. - 🌟 Corning Tower Observation Deck This government office building has an observation deck on the 42nd floor, offering 360° views of Albany. It closes at 4:00 PM. - 🌟 New York State Museum We didn’t go inside, but it mainly covers the history of Albany and New York State, as well as the local ecosystem, flora, and fauna. It houses numerous plant and animal specimens, plus an old carousel you can ride 🎠. 🅿️ Parking We found street parking nearby—it was easy since there weren’t many people. You can also search for "visitor parking" on maps.🌳 ✨✨I left with a great impression of Albany: the buildings and streets have a strong cultural vibe, blending modernity with history, and everything feels grand. It’s quiet with few people, making it incredibly relaxing to wander around. 🍜 Lunch We ate at Ji Bei Chuan (a noodle spot). I’d tried it twice in Flushing and loved it, and they just opened a location in Albany. We ordered Tomato Beef Brisket Rice Noodles, Thai-Style Golden Soup Beef Rice Noodles, Original Chicken Sliced Rice Noodles, and Salt & Pepper Chicken.🐔 After lunch, we drove straight back. In the evening, we grilled lamb skewers 🍢 on the deck—what a perfect holiday!🧁🧁 #NYCEatsAndFun #NewYorkSurroundings #WeekendGetawaysNYC #Albany #AlbanyNY #LaborDay