Travel Around Albany, NY | Hidden Gems in NYS

It's the weekend! This week, I visited Albany, the capital of New York State. This small city is quiet and perfect for a relaxing trip to unwind and pass the time. 1️⃣ Albany Empire Plaza The Capitol, The Egg, and the museum are all located in this plaza, making it great for both quick visits and leisurely exploration. The Capitol looks just like the building from the movie The Grand Budapest Hotel. The Egg had no performances and was closed due to the pandemic. The Corning Building is not open on weekends. Tip: If you park in the underground visitor parking, make sure to remember where you parked. Don’t ask me how I know this. 2️⃣ Museum Admission is free. Special exhibits include Devonian plant fossils, Ice Age mammoths, and more. Other displays, such as minerals, immigrant culture, the 9/11 memorial, and flora and fauna exhibitions, are also quite interesting. 3️⃣ Ala Shanghai Restaurant We went here twice in two days—highly recommended! The sweet and sour whole fish is a must-try. The owner isn’t from Shanghai, but she noticed how well-behaved our kids were and struck up a conversation with us. She also recommended our itinerary for the next day. 4️⃣ Cohoes Falls This is the widest waterfall in the eastern United States. When we arrived, we were surprised at how similar it looked to the Paterson Great Falls, the second-largest waterfall in the East. These two waterfalls—one the widest, the other the second-largest—are like two siblings fooling the world! On a positive note, both have an industrial vibe. 5️⃣ Peebles Island State Park This is a hidden gem with a bit of history and architecture. In the 1830s, it housed a textile factory, which was later sold to a company and used as a bleach factory. Today, it’s a great spot for locals to picnic, cycle, and hike. #Albany #NYS #HiddenGems #Travel #WeekendGetaway#Albanyguide#travelguide#AlbanyweekendAlbanylife