About Albany

The capital of New York, Albany is surrounded by rich history and bountiful entertainment. Albany is one of the oldest surviving settlements of the British thirteen colonies and the longest continuously chartered city in the United States.

Culture In Albany

Today, the city of Albany is a vibrant cultural hotspot. Due to its proximity to Montreal, New York City, Boston, and Buffalo, touring artists and acts often appear in Albany and you can find an abundance of music, theater, and other performances in the city throughout the year. Albany also has an active nightlife, ranging from upscale restaurants to clubs. The Tulip Festival honors the city’s Dutch heritage and celebrates the blooming of thousands of tulips, drawing a large crowd. For history lovers and buffs, many museums and historical sites throughout Albany offer a glimpse into the city’s past.

Albany Infrastructure

Albany holds many well-known businesses, such as American Express, General Electric, Key Bank, and Verizon, to name a few. The city is also known as “TechValley” due to the concentration of academic institutions and businesses in the area that focus on the technology sector. The City School District of Albany services the city with 17 schools and approximately 8,500 students. Colleges and universities such as State University of New York – Albany and Albany Law School, are among the many higher education providers.

Albany History 

Dutch colonists first arrived in 1614 and built Fort Nassau primarily for fur trading, which was then replaced by Fort Orange. In 1164, the English claimed the Dutch settlement and renamed the city “Albany” after the Duke of Albany. After the Revolutionary War, Albany was named the capital of New York.

Find your Albany home!

Browse homes for sale in Albany, NY with Howard Hanna. Our Albany/Empire real estate office and Guilderland real estate office are knowledgeable about the area and ready to help.