The Hudson River Way is a modern day bridge built in 2002 and connects the Broadway in downtown to the Corning preserve on the Hudson riverbank. The length of the bridge is 650 feet and was exclusively made for pedestrians and cyclists to for an easy access to the other side of the Interstate 787. A walk on the bridge would take you though the murals of still life that were created on the concrete lamp-posts of the bridge. This award winning art collection was expertly crafted for more than 2 years by the Albany Mural Limited and are based on number of archaeological artifacts that were recovered from the area.

If you are in the mood to catch some live action on the football scene, then Dutchess Stadium is the place to be. Home to the Hudson Valley Renegades, it is an absolutely well-maintained stadium with excellent seating arrangement with a full schedule for the year ahead.

The Empire State Plaza Art Collection is one of the great modern art collections not housed in a gallery or museum. The 92 artworks are located in the underground Concourse, lining the main pathway connecting the various government buildings in this 98-acre public space. Some of the artists included are Paul Jerkins, Robert Motherwell, Adolph Gottlieb and Alexander Calder. Thanks to Governor Nelson Rockefeller's interest in patronizing the arts, this impressive public art collection was made possible.

The Empire State Plaza Convention Center has over 80,000 square feet of conference space for a variety of different events and functions. There is a Convention Hall and seven meeting rooms available for rent throughout the year. Some of the biggest conventions of the year take place here, and you too can schedule it for your event, be it with ten or 10,000 people!

The New York State Museum is dedicated to history of this great Northeastern state through a wide variety of collections and exhibits regarding the cultural and natural history. The museum is also a top-notch research facility where several scientists and historians come to do their work. There are over 12 new exhibitions at the New York State Museum every year along with a slew of conferences, meetings, private parties and much more.

The Albany Institute of History & Art is dedicated to the preservation of the history of the Upper Hudson River Valley. The variety of exhibits range from that of local products to masterpieces of the Hudson River Valley School. Impressionist art hangs besides contemporary artworks by some of New York's best artists as well as furniture produced in the state. There are always changing exhibits, openings and shows, so check out their website for upcoming events and special conferences that happen on site.

If you are Downtown and just want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the government employees, try Hudson River Way and Riverfront Park. Go for a leisurely stroll, dock your boat, ride your bike, or relax in the 800-seat amphitheater. During the summer, enjoy the Alive at Five Thursday-evening concerts and in fall, the Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival takes place here. Open since 2002, this park offers plenty of events, a pedestrian bridge, great views of the city and the Hudson plus a chance to get to know the businesses in the lower part of Downtown.

Today, it is home to the headquarters of the State University of New York (SUNY) College system, but the Delaware & Hudson Building (most commonly referred to as the D&H Building) and the Albany Evening Journal Building were originally a Gothic-designed railroad building and newspaper headquarters. The structure features many peculiar details, such as an eight-foot replica of Henry Hudson's ship, a replica of Michelangelo's Duke of Urbino and the coat-of-arms of many of New York's illustrious history makers. The exterior of the building is quite impressive with its Gothic spires, archways and curious stone emblems.

Inspired by Paris' Hotel de Ville, the New York State Capitol Building is a marvel of late 19th-century architecture with a French-style exterior of white marble from Maine and was expensive to build than the Capitol Building in Washington, DC. Visitors marvel at the "Million Dollar" Staircase in the main lobby with lavishly carved stone sculptures and bas reliefs. There are free guided tours available Monday through Friday; if your group is ten or more, please book in advance.

The USS Slater is a World War II destroyer ship that sits comfortably docked on the Hudson River. Visitors can board the ship, which is the only restored destroyer escort afloat in the USA. Explore where and how sailors lived and check out every corner of this ship.