Welcome to Albany
Albany, the capital of New York, is a buzzing metropolitan area that balances historic, legislative and recreational pursuits. The city is part of the tri-city area that includes Troy and Schenectady. Over the past four centuries, the region has evolved from a small Dutch settlement into New York State's government center, and as business-minded travelers may know, Albany stands as the epicenter of Tech Valley, a 250-mile stretch of 19 counties with increasingly technology-oriented economies. There are about 98,000 residents who live here and experience a mild climate throughout the year. During the winter, temperatures average in the mid 20s, and during the summer, highs reach the 80s.
Get around downtown with the help of the District's vehicular and pedestrian directional signage. The bright blue signs throughout downtown show attractions, entertainment, government buildings and the Hudson Riverfront. About 85 percent of errands can be achieved on foot downtown, compared to only 66 percent for the city overall, according to Walk Score. There are also two New York State bike paths that lead into the city center: the Mohawk-Hudson bike-hike trail, which travels through the Corning Preserve, and New York State Bicycle Routes 5 and 9.