Albany in 3 days, upgraded
The same three days, done with better rooms, private tours, and 4 sit-down dinners that Albany locals actually book for anniversaries.
Interior of the Million Dollar Staircase in the New York State Capitol
Where to stay
The Morgan State House on Washington Avenue is Albany's best small hotel, an 1888 brownstone with rooms from $180 to $260. Family rooms sleep four. Alternative: the Renaissance Albany on Broadway, an art-deco Marriott conversion with the strongest downtown location and rooms from $200. Both put the Capitol, Plaza, and Lark Street inside a 12-minute walk.
Day 1: private Capitol tour and dinner at Cafe Capriccio
Book a private Capitol tour through the Senate ($0, but requires two weeks' notice) to access rooms not on the public route. Afternoon at the Albany Institute of History & Art ($10) followed by the Corning Tower deck. Dinner at Cafe Capriccio on Grand Street, where the tasting menu is $75 and the wine list is the best in the city.
Day 2: Hudson day trip
Drive 40 minutes south to Hudson. Book a house tour at Olana ($25) then lunch at Lil' Deb's Oasis on Warren Street. Back to Albany for dinner at Yono's, the tasting-menu Indonesian-fusion room downtown ($95 for the chef's menu).
Day 3: waterfront, distillery, farewell dinner
Morning Skyway walk to the USS Slater tour ($10). Lunch at Wellington's inside the Renaissance. Afternoon flight and cocktail class at Albany Distilling on Montgomery Street ($35). Farewell dinner at 677 Prime, Albany's benchmark steakhouse — a strip and a martini runs $85.
Frequently asked questions
What people ask before they set off on this one.
Cafe Capriccio, Yono's, and 677 Prime hold their own against Hudson Valley peers. Reservations 2 to 3 weeks ahead on weekends.
Yes. Contact your state senator's office or the Assembly ombudsman two weeks ahead. There's no fee, but you’ll need photo ID.
For character, yes. For a pool and gym, no. Families sometimes prefer the Homewood Suites on Washington Avenue for space and included breakfast.
Only if you plan to drink at lunch. Otherwise the drive is easy on the Taconic Parkway and parking in Hudson is straightforward.
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