City Guide: Albany

Albany is small, but charming.

This medium-size city has long had a strong desire for greater respect and it took huge efforts to convince others of its charms. Finally, the city won its some global recognition after renewal projects changed its cityscape.

Today you should go to Albany as it is too charming to believe. Be it a room in cheap hotel in Albany to one packed with luxuries all are available at Booked.net. Our listings include maps, photos and secure forms to book your stay.

The renewals projects shook off the dubious reputation of being rough around the edges. That reptation was seized on local author William Kennedy who immortalized the tough life in Albany in his novels. It is in Kennedy's books Albany is rough rather than attractive and his depiction was a driving force for the city to change.

This is how Albany became gradually packed with governmental structures, banking areas and monumental buildings. Actually, the city bears the influence of several famous hands. For example, the New York State Capitol was designed by five architects over a 30 year-span until it was finally finished on the initiative of the governor, Theodore Roosevelt in 1899.

Several years after another city leader, Nelson Rockefeller chose Albany for the embodiment of his plans. He decided to transform this city into the most beautiful capital and invested huge money into the impressive Empire State Plaza. How successful this transformation has been is up to you on your sightseeing in the city.

Attractions include;

• Albany City Hall, designed by architect H.H. Richardson and today it features the Romanesque style

• New York State Education building features neo-classical colonnade

• Washington Park in the Center Square area is a perfect place for calm relaxation

• Lark Street, a place to indulge in Albany youth culture and this place is also a cluster of cafes and restaurants

• Cathedral of All Saints, a unique in architecture structure and also a place to worship

On the way to future Albany is deep rooted in its history. Henry Hudson troubled about how to reach the far-east in a shorter distance discovered a city to break up his journey en-rote to his final destination. Soon the Dutch came to profit from this crossing on their way to Europe carrying furs to trade with.

From mere crossing the city of Albany started a new page in its history with the construction of the Erie Canal. It meant that the city learned to profit from its location at the banks of the Hudson River and began to take shape as an industrial hub. Whether you fall for its cultural splendor or history, there is always an opportunity to leave for Albany with Booked.net.