ALBANY
Albany is the fourth oldest city and the 2nd oldest state capital in America. Albany is on the actual location of the famous Dutch Fort. The English acquired the site from the Dutch in 1664 and renamed it Albany in honor of James II. A 1686 document issued by Thomas Dongan makes Albany the second (New Amsterdam is 1st) oldest city in the state in terms of its date of incorporation. The original native settlement in the area was called Penpotawotnot.
In 1777, the state capital of New York was moved from Kingston to Albany. The State Capitol building was constructed between 1867 and 1899 and inspired by the Hôtel de Ville in Paris, France.
Albany is increasingly seen as a leader in nanotechnology, with the University at Albany's nanotechnology program leading the way. The city is at the center of a 19-county region in eastern New York. It has also been branded the nickname "Tech Valley" in leau of the growing number of companies, entrepreneurs and research facilities of high-tech industries research.
Albany's is considered to be a "Crossroads City" ( between New York City, Buffalo, Philadelphia , Buffalo and Montreal) and is host to many nationally touring artists and acts. The Palace Theatre and The Egg provide forums for music and theatre.
The New York State Museum is a major cultural draw in Albany, focusing on fine arts, natural history, and New York's economic, political and social histories.
The Times Union Center serves as the city's largest musical venue for nationally and internationally prominent bands community events, trade shows, business conventions, and sports events.
Seasonal concert/event series such as Alive at Five, Tulip Fest, Lights in the Park, Lark Fest as well as many others are sponsored by the City and local businesses. Many of these events or concerts take place at Washington Park (Washington Park is recognized as one of New York State's oldest city parks), the Corning Preserve, Riverfront Park, Empire State Plaza and the Tri Square.
There are also great parks for hiking/walking such as Washington Park, Pine Bush, and the Crossings to name a few. Albany's, Pine Bush is the only sizable inland pine barrens sand dunes in the United States, and is recognized as a unique ecosystem that is home to over a couple hundred species of vertebrate animals. It is also the home to close to 2,000 species of plants & around 10,000 species of insects.
Good to Know
Last call is at 4:00 AM in Albany, unlike the earlier 2:00 AM in most areas of the nation.
Forbes ranked Albany-Schenectady-Troy as the third best place in the country with the best education and named Albany a Top IQ Campus as part of its 150 Places to Live Rich ~ 2005
Forbes ranked Albany the 30th best place for work ~2006
Forbes ranked Albany the 18th best place to live and do business ~ 2006
Forbes ranked Albany the 6th best housing market in the US ~ 2007
Popular Science has named Albany among its top cities for technology.
In 2005, MSN Money recognized Albany/Schenectady/Troy (Capital District) as the 7th fastest-growing region that is considered cheap.