The Albany Area and Capital Region | Albany Medical College Skip to the content Top of the page At Nature's Doorstep Some of the most beautiful hikes are right around the corner. Local Outdoor Activities Out and About Have some fun before crossing the finish line of med school! What's Happening The Albany Area The Heart of the Capital Region Albany sits at the crossroads of the northeast's most alluring destinations. As the capital of New York state, Albany is a dynamic city which draws the influence of people and culture from New York City to the Niagara Frontier and beyond. It is the oldest continuously chartered city in the United States and is rich in history. The Dutch founded Fort Orange in 1623 and what became Albany was central to the country's trade and business. Numerous modern corporations also trace their roots back to Albany. The city's political profile grew as New York did; four state governors lived here before becoming U.S. presidents. A stroll through Albany's neighborhoods is itself a lesson in history, with colonial and early American architecture evident at every turn. Today's Albany remains notable on the national stage. Decisions made at the New York State Capitol impact the country. The people supporting this work through legislation or advocacy are experts in their fields. Albany Medical College is among several prestigious colleges and universities in the Capital Region. Students who live and learn near Albany have gone on to be some of the greatest leaders in medicine, science, public policy, education, and innovation. Our community is proud of its story and continues adding to it. At any time of year, there are events celebrating our culture, landscape, cuisine, and ethnicities. One can easily get lost in one of our museums or galleries exploring the affect our city and region have made on history, the arts, and technology. Theaters bring some of the biggest shows from Broadway right to town. Albany is also a short drive to some of the most idealized vacation destinations: centrally located between the Adirondack and Catskill mountains, Lake George, the Hudson Valley, the Berkshires, and Vermont. Some of the best hikes you could ever imagine are less than 90 minutes from campus. Saratoga Springs and its famed racecourse draw visitors from around the country each summer. Not only that, but Albany is just a 2-3 hour ride from New York City, Boston, and Montreal! Discover Albany shows you what life is like in New York's capital city. Play video Around the Area Explore everything the city and region have to offer. Annual Events Albany's Tulip Festival celebrates the city's Dutch heritage and the colors of spring in Washington Park, right around the corner from Albany Medical College. The Capital Pride Parade is held each June to celebrate, promote, and empower all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer-identified people in our region. In September, the Riverfront Jazz Festival draws hundreds to the banks of the Hudson. Larkfest is upstate New York's largest one-day street festival and a short walk from campus. The annual meet at the Saratoga Race Course brings thousands to the Spa City and its historic track. Day Trips New York: Hudson Lake George Lake Placid Saratoga Springs Massachusetts: Great Barrington Lenox Stockbridge Williamstown Vermont: Bennington Burlington Manchester Museums One of the oldest museums in the United States, the Albany Institute of History and Art was founded in 1791 and holds one of the most significant collections of the area's history. In nearby North Adams, MassMoCA is a beacon of visual and performing arts with dynamic thought-provoking exhibits. The Museum of Innovation & Science (miSci) in Schenectady celebrates the groundbreaking contributions our area has made in the history of electricity, electronics, and technological change. The New York State Museum showcases our state's past and present natural and cultural diversity. America's story is on full display at the Norman Rockwell Museum . The artist lived and worked around Albany and in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. Olana inspired the art of Frederic Church, who made the Hudson River School style of painting synonymous with early American history. Music and Theater The Capital Repertory Theatre in Albany seeks to to create meaningful theatre with an authentic connection to the community. The Palace Theatre is the premier entertainment destination in Albany. Schenectady's Proctors Theater has drawn large Broadway productions right to the Capital Region. It isn't an upstate summer without Dave Matthews or other popular acts at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center Tanglewood is the summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and James Taylor—a friend of Albany Medical Center. Outdoors The Adirondack Mountain Club has information about some of New York's most storied peaks, as well as kayaking and overnight trips. Apple picking is a regional rite of passage every fall at Indian Ladder or Golden Harvest farms. Thacher State Park has beautiful views, trails, and waterfalls to enjoy year-round. It's just a half hour from Albany! Farmers markets in Troy and Delmar are great weekend routines! Peebles Island State Park sits at the confluence of the Hudson and Mohawk rivers. Five Rivers Environmental Education Center has 450 acres of forests, fields, and ponds. The Mohawk Hudson Bike Trail runs in segments from Albany past Schenectady and can be used for biking, running, or walking. The Albany County Helderberg-Hudson Rail Trail is a paved nine-mile trail starting in Albany going toward the Helderberg Mountains. Grafton Lakes State Park is about 45 minutes from campus for nature walks, snowshoeing, and ice skating. It also has a fire tower! Skiers can be on the slopes of Gore Whiteface Hunter Stratton Bromley , and Killington mountains, as well as Jiminy Peak , in no time. The Essentials What you need to know when making Albany your new home. Airport Albany International Airport has direct flights to more than 20 destinations with connections to anywhere in the world. Banking Bank of America and KeyBank both have branch locations on our campus. Broadview Federal Credit Union has a branch and ATM inside the hospital. Bike Sharing Get around Albany easily—and for free—with CDPHP Cycle! There 400 bikes at more than 80 stations around the region. There are three stations adjacent to the Albany Medical College campus. Bus Transportation Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) rides are free for any Albany Medical College student who swipes their badge. Cable and Internet Both Spectrum and Verizon Fios are options for home TV and Internet service. Housing Many students find apartments through Tri City Rentals , which operates numerous complexes in and around Albany, including the Park South Apartments right next to Albany Medical College. Trains The Albany-Rensselaer Rail Station is one of Amtrak's busiest in New York. Trains run on the Adirondack, Berkshire Flyer, Empire Service, Ethan Allen Express, Lake Shore Limited, and Maple Leaf routes. Utilities NationalGrid is the primary provider of electric and gas service in the Albany area. Not a student? Find information for: Patients & Families Job Seekers Health Care Professionals We use cookies to give you the best experience and analyze website performance. By continuing to navigate our website, you agree to our and Close