ABOUT THE CITY
Albany, New York’s historic Capital located just 136 miles north of New York City. Albany is firmly rooted in its history and moving toward the future. Its rich heritage spans almost four centuries and throughout those years the city and indeed the county has continued to reinvent itself. First a trading center, then a hub of government, now home to world art and architecture and cutting edge technology and research. You will enjoy exploring Albany. From the newly renovated Million Dollar Staircase in the NYS Capitol to the awe inspiring “Egg” at the Empire State Plaza. Albany’s countryside is home to many diverse examples of historic house sites and public spaces including the Pruyn House and the first Shaker Meeting House. The Tulip Festival a traditional Albany event that marks the beginning of spring as thousands of tulips bloom in the Park in early May. Tulip Fest is a celebration of Albany’s rich Dutch heritage.
History
Albany is the fourth oldest continually-inhabited city, and the second oldest chartered city in the United States. The original native settlement in the area was called Penpotawotnot. Its colonial history began when Englishman Henry Hudson, exploring for the Dutch East India Company on the Halve Maen (or Half Moon) reached the area in 1609.
In 1614, the company constructed Fort Nassau, its first fur trading post near present-day Albany. Commencement of the fur trade provoked hostility from the French colony in Canada and amongst the native tribes, who vied to control the trade. In 1624, Fort Orange was established in the area. Both forts were named in honor of the Dutch House of Orange-Nassau. Nearby areas were incorporated as the village of Beverwyck in 1652.
Climate
| Month | Avg Hi | Avg Lo | Avg Precip |
| Jan | 31°F | 13°F | 2.71 in. |
| Feb | 34°F | 16°F | 2.27 in. |
| Mar | 45°F | 25°F | 3.17 in. |
| Apr | 57°F | 36°F | 3.25 in. |
| May | 70°F | 47°F | 3.67 in. |
| Jun | 78°F | 55°F | 3.74 in. |
| Jul | 82°F | 60°F | 3.50 in. |
| Aug | 80°F | 58°F | 3.68 in. |
| Sep | 71°F | 50°F | 3.31 in. |
| Oct | 60°F | 39°F | 3.23 in. |
| Nov | 48°F | 31°F | 3.31 in. |
| Dec | 36°F | 20°F | 2.76 in. |
By Car
A car is the easiest way to get around the Albany area. There is a well designed road infrastructure, and traffic is usually limited just to rush hour. There are two main freeways that connect the city to the outside world. Interstate 87 runs north south and connects Albany to New York City and Montreal, Quebec. I-90 runs east west and connects with Syracuse and Boston.
| Drive Times and Distances | ||
| To: | Distance | Time |
| NYC | 150 mi | 2 hrs 30 min |
| Boston | 170 mi | 2 hrs 45 min |
| Syracuse | 150 mi | 2 hrs 15 min |
| Montreal | 220 mi | 3 hrs 30 min |
Public Transportation
Capital District Transportation Authority
(518) 482-8822
www.cdta.org
The Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) is the public transit system in the Capital Region. The CDTA runs 60 bus routes throughout the Capital Disctrict area. Service is generally from 5:30 am to 12 am weeknights.
Inter-City Transportation
Adirondack Trailways
(800) 858-8555
www.trailways.com
Trailways offers travelers personalized, locally-based transportation and travel services. Primarily serving passengers up and down the Eastern Seaboard, in the Southeast and in the Midwest.
Amtrak
www.amtrak.com
(800) 872-7245
America’s national passenger railroad system. Tickets may be purchased in person at any Amtrak station. Albany-Rensselaer Amtrak station (located right across the river in Rensselaer) was Amtrak’s fourteenth busiest station as of 2004 and serves as a connection point for many Amtrak trains.
Greyhound Bus
(800) 231-2222
Service from City to numerous locations throughout the United States. Peter Pan/Bonanza buses are all served by a downtown terminal which is not far from most state office buildings and is convenient to most CDTA lines.
Air Transportation
Albany International Airport
737 Albany-Shaker Road
Albany, NY 12211
www.albanyairport.com
Albany International has flights throughout the US and Canada. The airport is 6 miles north of Albany. Southwest is the biggest user of the airport, which has daily nonstop flights mainly to the east coast and Las Vegas.
Local Phone Numbers
| Emergency | 911 |
| . | |
| City Area Codes | 518 |
| Note – The area code for the Capital District is 518 | |
| . | |
| Financial Services | |
| Automatic Teller Information | |
| ATM Locator | (800) 248-4286 |
| MasterCrd ATM | (800) 424-7787 |
| VISA Plus System | (800) 843-7587 |
| . | |
| Lost or Stolen Credit Cards | |
| American Express | (800) 233-5432 |
| AT&T Universal Card | (800) 423-4343 |
| Diners Club | (800) 234-6377 |
| Discover Card | (800) 347-2683 |
| JCB | (800) 736-8111 |
| MasterCard | (800) 826-2181 |
| VISA | (800) 336-8472 |
| . | |
| Lost or Stolen Travelers Checks | |
| American Express | (800) 221-7282 |
| Thomas Cook MasterCard | (800) 223-7373 |
| Travelers Check Customer Service | (800) 645-6556 |
| VISA | (800) 227-6811 |
| . | |
| Government Numbers | |
| Internal Revenue Service | (800) 829-1040 |
| Social Security Administration | (800) 772-1213 |
| . | |
| Hospitals | |
| Albany Medical Cente 43 New Scotland Ave Albany, NY 12208 www.amc.edu |
(518) 262-3125 |
| . | |
| Bellevue Woman’s Hospital 2210 Troy Road Niskayuna, NY 12309 www.bellevuewoman.com |
(518) 346-9400 |
| . | |
| Ellis Hospital 1101 Nott St. Schenectady, NY 12308 www.ellishospital.org |
(518) 243-4000 |
| St. Clare’s Hospital 600 McClellan St. Schenectady, New York 12304 |
(518) 382-2000 |
| . | |
| Sunnyview Hospital and Rehabilitation Center 1270 Belmont Avenue Schenectady, New York 12308 www.sunnyview.org |
(518)382-4500 |
| . | |
| Support Networks | |
| Teen Link (Various Topics) | (800) 235-9678 |
| Crisis Pregnancy Center | (800) 395-4357 |
| Services | |
| Directory Assistance | 411 |
| . | |
| Shipping & Postal Services | |
| Airborne Express | (800) 247-2676 |
| DHL Airways | (800) 225-5345 |
| Emery Worldwide | (800) 443-6379 |
| Federal Express | (800) 463-3339 |
| UPS | (800) 742-5877 |
| . | |
| Utilities | |
| Electric and Gas | |
| National Grid (Niagara Mohawk) | (800) 642-4272 |
| 300 Erie Boulevard West | |
| Syracuse, NY 13202-4250 | |
| www.nationalgridus.com | |
| . | |
| Water | (518) 434-5300 |
| 35 Erie Boulevard | |
| Albany, NY 12204 | |
| . | |
| Visitor Information | |
| Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau | (800) 258-3582 |
| 25 Quackenbush Square | |
| Albany, NY 12207 | |
| www.albany.org |
Television
| Ch 6 | CBS |
| Ch 7 | FOX |
| Ch 10 | ABC |
| Ch 12 | NBC |
| Ch 13 | NBCHD |
| Ch 17 | PBS |
| Ch 19 | ABCHD |
| Ch 23 | FOXHD |
| Ch 26 | ABCHD |
| Ch 34 | PBS |
| Ch 39 | CBSHD |
| Ch 43 | CW |
| Ch 45 | CBHD |
| Ch 49 | WFNYCA |
| Ch 51 | MyTV |
| Ch 55 | WYPX |
Radio
| AM Radio | ||
| 590 | WROW | news/talk/sports |
| 810 | WGY | news/talk |
| 980 | WOFX | sports |
| 1300 | WTMM | sports |
| 1330 | WHAZ | religious |
| 1400 | WAMC | public/news/talk |
| 1460 | WDDY | childrens |
| FM Radio | ||
| 88.3 | WVCR | college/adult hits |
| 89.1 | WMHT | public/classical |
| 89.9 | W255AJ | religious |
| 90.3 | WAMC | public/news/talk |
| 90.7 | WPGL | religious |
| 90.9 | WCDB | college |
| 91.5 | WRPI | college |
| 92.3 | WFLY | CHR/pop |
| 93.5 | W226AC | public/news/talk |
| 93.7 | WOOB | classic rock |
| 93.9 | W230AC | religious |
| 94.5 | WBOE | classic rock |
| 95.5 | WYJB | soft ac |
| 96.3 | WAJZ | urban |
| 100.9 | WKLI | standards |
| 103.1 | WHRL | modern rock |
| 104.9 | WZMR | modern rock |
| 105.3 | W287AB | religious |
| 106.5 | WPYX | classic rock |
| 107.7 | WGNA | country |
Newspapers
Albany Times Union
(518) 454-5454
www.timesunion.com
The Capital Region’s best source for news, features and money saving coupons. You can choose from several delivery options, seven days per week, Thursday through Sunday, or Sunday only.
Schenectady Daily Gazette
(518)395-3060
P.O. Box 1090
Schenectady, NY 12301-1090
www.dailygazette.com
Troy Record
(518) 270-1200
501 Broadway
Troy, New York 12180
www.troyrecord.com
Metroland
(518) 463-2500
419 Madison Avenue
Albany, NY 12210
www.metroland.net
Metroland is the most notable alternative newsweekly paper in the Capital Region.
Shopping
Colonie Center
131 Colonie Center
Albany, NY 12205
(518) 459-9020
Regional enclosed shopping mall anchored by Macy’s and Sears with 120 specialty stores such as the Gap, The Disney Store, The Limited, & The Express.
Crossgates Mall
1 Crossgates Mall Rd.
Albany, NY 12203
(518) 869-3522
Experience the Capital-Saratoga Region’s premiere shopping and entertainment center. Over 230 mall & specialty shops, 20 eateries, a 12 cinema complex, 7 fine department stores, and 5 restaurants.
Stuyvesant Plaza, Inc.
Western Avenue and Fuller Road
Albany, NY 12203
(518) 482-8986
www.stuyvesantplaza.com
Stuyvesant Plaza offers a unique selection of 64 specialty shops including Pearl Grant Richmans, Cowen & Lobel and restaurants such as T.G.I Fridays, Mangia’s, Londonderry Cafe and many services in a convenient open-air setting.
Farmer’s Market
W.F. Ryan Produce, Inc.
114 R.R. Ave.
Colonie, NY 12205
(518) 459-5775
The largest year-round Indoor Farmers Market. Serving the Capital District with fine fruits and vegetables for 85 years.
Altamont Orchards
Dunsville Rd.
Altamont, NY
(518) 861-6515
Pick your own strawberries.
Engels Farm Market
667 Albany Shaker Rd.
Albany, NY
(518) 869-5653
Indian Ladder Farms
Route 156
Voorheesville, NY
(518) 765-2956
Pick your own apples, raspberries and blueberries.
Krug Farms
65 Everett Rd.
Albany, NY
(518) 482-5406
Wholesale Clubs
B.J.’S Wholesale Club
1140 Central Ave.
Albany, NY 12205
(518) 438-2144
A members-only wholesale club featuring products ranging from tires to jewelry, fresh cut meats to electronics, fresh baked goods to toys. One-day passes available.
Sam’s Club
141 Washington Ave.
Albany, NY 12205
(518) 869-3153
Sam’s Club is the members only warehouse division of WALMART. SAM’S offers wholesale savings to businesses and individuals on a wide variety of merchandise.
Museums & Art
Albany Institute of History & Art
125 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12210
(518) 463-4478
www.albanyny.org
Founded in 1791, the Albany Institute of History and Art, one of the oldest museums in the United States, is dedicated to collecting, preserving, interpreting and promoting interest in the history, art and culture of Albany and the Upper Hudson Valley.
Albany Urban Cultural Park/Visitors Center
25 Quackenbush Sq.
Albany, NY
(518) 434-0405
Walking and driving, guided and self-guided tours. Children’s programs, hands-on and Albany exhibits.
Education
Community Colleges
Community colleges exist for two major purposes. The first is to serve as a bridge from high school to college by providing courses for transfer toward a bachelor’s degree. Four out of 10 collegebound high-school graduates start their college education this way.
The second function of community colleges is to prepare students for the job market by offering entry-level career training as well as courses for adult students who want to upgrade their skills for the workplace. They often offer programs that are not available at four-year schools, like fashion design.
Schenectady County Community College
78 Washington Avenue
Schenectady, NY 12305
(518) 381-1200
www.sunysccc.edu
As part of the State University of New York (SUNY), Schenectady County Community College emphasizes high quality academic programs, broad access for students, and responsiveness to community needs.
Liberal Arts Colleges
Liberal arts colleges offer a broad base of courses in the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. Most are private and focus mainly on undergraduate students. Classes tend to be small and personal attention is available.
Union College
807 Union Street
Schenectady, NY 12308
(518) 388-6000
www.union.edu
Union College of Schenectady is a non-denominational, independent, highly selective liberal arts college in New York’s Capital District.
Online Learning
Recent years have witnessed the rise of online degree programs, to allow the busy professional a chance to work at their own pace from the comfort of their home on the path to getting a degree. The costs to students are typically the same as for traditional classes- and financial aid is equally available-while the cost to the institution can be much less.
There are online universities ranging from legitimate distance learning systems to fly-by-night degree-mills. It’s important to research a particular institution before deciding to enroll in their system. Generally, brick-and-mortar schools that also offer online classes are the safest, though there are plenty of fully accredited online universities out there.
Nearly 3 million students are believed to be taking online classes at institutions of higher education in the United States this year. That number has been growing about 25% a year recently. Now, virtually all public higher education institutions, as well as a vast majority of private, for-profit institutions, now offer online classes. By contrast, only about half of private, nonprofit schools offer them. Online schools offer everything from Associate’s degrees to Doctoral programs with available emphases in everything from Business Administration to Criminal Justice to Nursing. Some programs require students to attend some campus classes or orientations, but many are delivered completely online. Online courses generally require a computer with a broadband connection, but are now a serious option for the busy professional.
Public vs. Private
Public colleges are usually less expensive, particularly for in-state residents. They get most of their money from the state or local government. Private colleges rely on tuition, fees, endowments, and other private sources. Private colleges are usually smaller and can offer more personalized attention and often more prestige.
Universities
Generally, a university is bigger than a college and offers more majors and research facilities. Class size often reflects institutional size and some classes may taught by graduate students.
College of Saint Rose
432 Western Avenue
Albany New York 12203
(800) 637-8556
www.strose.edu
The College of Saint Rose is a private, independent, coeducational college.
Skidmore College
815 North Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
(800) 867-6007
www.skidmore.edu
Skidmore College is a private, four-year college located in Saratoga Springs, New York. Consistently ranked among the nation’s top liberal arts colleges.
State University of New York
1400 Washington Ave.
Albany, NY 12222
(518) 442-3300
www.albany.edu
Established in 1844 and designated a University Center of the State University of New York in 1962, the University at Albany’s broad mission of excellence in undergraduate and graduate education, research and public service engages 17,000 diverse students in ten schools and colleges across 3 campuses.
Upper Division
Upper-division schools offer the last two years of undergraduate study, usually in specialized programs leading to a bachelor’s degree. Students then generally transfer to an upper-division college after completing an associate degree or after finishing a second year of study at a four-year college.
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