Everything Albany is known for
Albany, New York, the state capital located along the Hudson River, is home to a diverse array of musical talent. While not always in the national spotlight for its music scene, the city has nurtured 96 artists across various genres. For example, pop artist Phillip Phillips and jazz musician Vijay Iyer both hail from Albany. The city is also mentioned in songs like "The Fly That Rode From Buffalo" by Southern Culture On The Skids.
Albany's musical identity is further shaped by its local artists and the venues that support them. The Albany Symphony, founded in 1930, has received multiple ASCAP Awards for adventurous programming and two Grammy Awards. The city also has a history of supporting various genres, including a vibrant swing era scene from 1935-1945.
Showing top 20 of 96 artists
Songs written about the waterways and highways that run near Albany.
Albany is more than just the seat of New York government; it's a place where history whispers from the shale and greywacke of the Normanskill Formation. The Hudson River, which Henry Hudson navigated in 1609, has shaped its destiny. While the halls of the New York State Capitol might echo with the voices of countless politicians, the city has also nurtured figures whose impact resonated far beyond legislative chambers.
82 stories, landmarks & places within ~20 miles — the same local lore RoadyGoat plays as you drive through.
Albany is more than just the seat of New York government; it's a place where history whispers from the shale and greywacke of the Normanskill Formation. The Hudson River, which Henry Hudson navigated in 1609, has shaped…
You're driving through the heart of Albany's history right now. This 19-block area isn't just old buildings; it's the very spot where Albany began. Back in the 17th century, this area was planned and settled. Over time,…
This park combines grand government buildings with everyday rowhouses, offering a glimpse into Albany's diverse history. Lafayette Park and the surrounding streets form a historic district recognized by the National…
Marvel at the Beaux-Arts architecture of this grand train station, once a bustling hub of transportation. Constructed between 1899 and 1900, Albany Union Station served as the city's central railway depot, connecting…
Pull over here, you're not going to believe this. We're right next to Albany's oldest building, 48 Hudson Avenue. It's seen *everything*. Back in the day, everyone thought it was built in 1759, around the time Johannes…
Ever wonder how people got around before cars dominated the streets? This building, the United Traction Company Building, was once the bustling headquarters for Albany's trolley system. Built in the late 1800s, it was…
Feast your eyes on the Old Post Office, a monument to Albany's ambition during its late 19th-century boom. Plans for a grand government building at this spot were drawn up as early as the 1860s. However, acquiring the…
Hold on to your hats, folks, because this unassuming brick building played a vital role in Albany's growth! This is the old Quackenbush Pumping Station, a crucial part of the Albany Water Works. Back in the 1870s, this…
Did you know you're near one of the oldest museums in the U.S.? The Albany Institute of History & Art, or AIHA, has been around since 1791! It's dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history, art, and culture of…
Imagine Albany's past, where power and privilege shaped a neighborhood. The Mansion Historic District got its start in the early 1800ss as a collection of estates for Albany's wealthiest citizens. Later in the 1800ss,…
You're near the spot where New York's story really began: Fort Orange. Back in 1624, the Dutch West India Company built Fort Orange as a trading post. It was meant to replace an earlier, flood-prone fort and solidify…
Since 1875, this mansion has housed New York's governors and their families – imagine the stories within its walls. The New York State Executive Mansion has been home to some pretty important figures. Located in Albany,…
Imagine Albany in the mid-1800s, booming with Erie Canal trade! This neighborhood, now the Arbor Hill Historic District–Ten Broeck Triangle, started with the Ten Broeck Mansion in the late 1700s. But the real growth…
Imagine Albany without suburbs – just a growing city needing space for its cows! That's how this area, the Pastures Historic District, got its start.In the late 1600s, the city council designated this 13-block area as…
Here floats a piece of World War II history, and a symbol of international cooperation. This is the USS Slater, a Cannon-class destroyer escort. She was built and served in the US Navy during World War II, primarily in…
Imagine a clash between early Dutch settlers and the Mohawk people – right here. This land, now Lincoln Park, has seen a lot. Back in 1626, a skirmish occurred between the Dutch and the Mohawks on this very site. Later,…
Alexander Hamilton married Eliza Schuyler here, solidifying his ties to a powerful New York family. This brick mansion, built between 1761 and 1765, was the home of Philip Schuyler, a Revolutionary War general and later…
Imagine Albany without this green oasis! Washington Park, the city's premier park, wasn't always the peaceful retreat it is today.Before it was a park, this land served various purposes. Dating back to 1686, it was…
Pull over for a slice of history! This unassuming diner, built in 1941, is more than just a place for a quick bite; it's a piece of Americana. Originally known as Miss Albany Diner and later Lil's Diner, this classic…
Ever heard of Yankee Doodle? Legend says the song was born right here. Back in 1707, this fortified manor house, Fort Crailo, was built by the Van Rensselaer family. Doctor Richard Shuckburgh, a British army surgeon,…
Imagine Albany in 1787, a young city buzzing with new possibilities. It was then that Cherry Hill was built, a testament to the ambition of Colonel Philip Kiliaen van Rensselaer. He built Cherry Hill for his wife, Maria…
This impressive brick building is more than just a pretty facade; it's a reminder of Albany's military past and a shift in armory design. Built in the early 1900s, the New Scotland Avenue Armory, specifically designed…
Ever wonder how the paper industry got its felt? This spot played a big role.The Albany Felt Company started here in 1902, building its first factory to make industrial felt for paper mills.That factory became the…
You're near a piece of engineering history: a Whipple bowstring truss bridge. Squire Whipple patented this bridge design back in 1841. It was a clever way to use cast iron and wrought iron to create a strong,…
Step back in time as you approach Albany Rural Cemetery, a final resting place for some truly remarkable figures. Established in 1844, this sprawling cemetery became the burial ground for many notable individuals,…
This seemingly quiet corner of Loudonville hides a grand estate with a past stretching back to the mid-19th century. The Whitney Mansion, originally built around 1840, started as a much smaller home. It wasn't until the…
Imagine standing where Native Americans thrived for millennia and where Dutch settlers first built their lives in this region. That's Schuyler Flatts. For centuries, this fertile land along the Hudson River was home to…
This iron works once housed the most powerful vertical water wheel in the world. The Burden Iron Works, located here on the Hudson River and Wynantskill Creek in Troy, New York, was a major industrial complex. It was…
You’re driving past a place that’s been making big booms for over two centuries! This is the Watervliet Arsenal, the oldest continuously operating arsenal in the entire United States. Founded on July 14th, 1813, during…
This unassuming building at the Watervliet Arsenal hints at a history of innovation and military might. Built in 1859, the Iron Building is a rare example of pre-fabricated cast iron construction. Its Italianate styling…
Imagine a time when Dutch families shaped the landscape of New York. This area, encompassing the Joachim Staats House and the Gerrit Staats Ruin, offers a glimpse into that past. The district is named for two members of…
Pull over here! You're about to drive through Slingerlands Historic District, a place where time seems to slow down. This area really started to take shape between about 1790 and 1940. You'll see a variety of…
Listen closely, because these walls have heard some of the greatest music ever performed! Troy Savings Bank Music Hall is famous for its incredible acoustics. Completed in 1875, the hall was built above the Troy Savings…
Pull over, because this pioneering school for young women has been shaping leaders since the early 19th century! You’re approaching the Emma Willard School, originally the Troy Female Seminary, a true landmark in…
Get ready to step back in time to an era of vaudeville and early cinema at Proctor's Theater! Built in 1914 by Frederick Freeman Proctor, a local entertainment mogul, this theater was designed for live vaudeville…
Check out that building! It's a survivor from Troy's booming past. This is the Cannon Building, the oldest one standing on Monument Square. It was designed by Alexander Jackson Davis, a pretty famous architect in his…
Right here, in this building, instruments were made that helped build America. The W. & L. E. Gurley Company, housed in this building since 1862, was a leading manufacturer of precision measuring instruments like…
This isn't just another college building; it's a place where healing and art intertwine. West Hall, now home to RPI's Arts Department, started as something quite different: the Old Troy Hospital.Built between 1868 and…
These buildings whisper tales of Troy's roaring industrial past. This small district, now known as the Northern River Street Historic District, was once a vital manufacturing hub, separated from the rest of downtown.…
Right here, near Albany, you're passing the birthplace of Shakerism in America! This is where it all began. In 1776, the Watervliet Shaker community was established, becoming the very first Shaker settlement in the…
Right here, in this unassuming house, a young Irish immigrant ignited a movement for women's rights in the workplace. This is the Kate Mullany House, home to the woman who, at just 19 years old, founded the Collar…
Pull over for a sec; this firehouse is a little piece of Troy history! Built in 1891, the Esek Bussey Firehouse, also known as Engine Company 8 or Pumper Number 8, shows how serious the city was about fire protection…
Ever wonder where the trains that connected upstate New York were maintained? You're near the spot! In 1871, the Rensselaer and Saratoga Railroad built a large shop complex here in Green Island. It included a huge car…
Imagine living in a time when New York was still finding its footing as a colony. That's exactly what the Fonda House represents. Built around 1727, the Fonda House was likely home to a family deeply involved in the…
This impressive house reminds us that Cohoes was once a booming textile town. Built around 1890, the William J. Dickey House was commissioned by none other than William J. Dickey himself, the superintendent of one of…
Think of this house as a family time capsule. It connects you to the story of Cohoes through the life of a local craftsman. J. Leonard Lackman was a gunsmith and locksmith here in the late 1800s. He built this Queen…
You're approaching a spot that played a role in the Revolutionary War, the Van Schaick House. It was built around 1735 for Anthony Van Schaick. What makes this place special is that during the Revolutionary War, plans…
This cemetery, founded in 1771, holds the remains of early settlers and Revolutionary War veterans. Lansingburgh Village Burial Ground, now part of Troy, New York, was established to serve the growing community. Over…
Before you, the Delaware and Hudson Railroad Freight House stands as a silent witness to Cohoes' bustling industrial past. This wasn't just a building; it was a vital link in the chain that connected Cohoes to the rest…
Pull over here and take a look around, because Cohoes wasn't always this quiet. This downtown district was once the heart of a booming industrial city! Back in the 19th century, the Erie Canal and Harmony Mills, one of…
These unassuming row houses tell a story of ambition and industry. They're part of the Olmstead Street Historic District, a snapshot of Cohoes' booming textile industry in the mid- to late-1800s. Back then, Cohoes was a…
Experience the grandeur of this 1874 Second Empire music hall, a stage for countless performances. Built during Cohoes's booming industrial era, the Cohoes Music Hall quickly became a cultural hub. It hosted a variety…
Step back in time as you approach Oakwood Cemetery, a place where Troy's history rests in peace. In 1848, Troy established this cemetery in response to a growing trend of "rural cemeteries." These weren't just burial…
Hold on, history buffs, because this unassuming spot was once a vital artery in America's booming economy. This district marks a significant expansion of the Erie Canal, a pivotal waterway that transformed American…
Imagine a city powered by water and fueled by cotton. That's what Harmony Mills was. Starting in the mid-1800s, Harmony Mills became one of the largest textile manufacturing complexes in the United States. The Mohawk…
Known as the 'Mastodon Mill,' this 19th-century factory hints at the industrial boom that shaped the region. Harmony Mill No. 3 was built between 1866 and 1868, and then expanded between 1871 and 1872. It's a four-story…
This unassuming spot played a crucial role in New York's 19th-century transportation revolution. Lock 18 is what's left of the Enlarged Erie Canal, built to head off competition from the rapidly expanding railroads. In…
Ever wonder where canal boats went for a tune-up? This is it: Matton Shipyard. From 1916 to 1983, this was a bustling hub for building, repairing, and servicing canal boats that traveled the New York State Barge Canal…
Ever wonder how goods moved across New York State before highways? This is the Day Peckinpaugh, a tangible reminder of that era. Built in 1921, she's one of only a few surviving large canal motorships. These boats were…
Imagine standing where two mighty rivers meet – the Mohawk and the Hudson. This isn't just a pretty view; it's a place of strategic importance that has shaped the region for centuries. During the American Revolutionary…
Imagine Waterford as a bustling hub, not just a quiet town. The Northside Historic District stands as a reminder of its vibrant past. Beginning around 1828, this area grew rapidly, filled with homes for both wealthy…
Imagine living in a sturdy brick house in 1758, surrounded by the growing life of a new nation. That's the story of the Tobias Ten Eyck House. The house was built around 1758. It's a one-and-a-half story brick building…
Imagine stepping back in time to a bustling village at the heart of New York's early commerce. Waterford Village, right here, wasn't just any settlement; it was the very first incorporated village in the entire state.…
Step aboard a historic canal tugboat and imagine life on the Erie Canal. Urger, originally named H.J. Dornbos or Henry J. Dornbos, is a historic canal tugboat based at Waterford in Saratoga County, New York. The H.J.…
Imagine travelers stopping here in the late 1700s for a drink and a story, as this tavern has been serving patrons since 1795. Fuller's Tavern, right here in Guilderland, opened as a tavern in 1806. It's a two-story…
Pull over for a sec; this unassuming house has seen its fair share of travelers! Built in 1802, the Mynderse-Frederick House wasn't always a quiet museum. It started as a home, but by the 1840s, it transformed into a…
These barns aren't just old; they're a timeline of farming in New York. The Van Patten Barn Complex features a Dutch barn, built around 1700, and two English barns from around the 1830s. That Dutch barn is the real…
Pull over here, because you're about to see a piece of history still standing from before the American Revolution! This is the site of the Apple Tavern, built around 1760. It was a popular stop on the Schoharie…
Imagine life in the late 17th century in this remarkably preserved Dutch Colonial home. This is the Ariaanje Coeymans House, and its stones whisper tales of a family who shaped the region. Ariaanje Coeymans, born in…
Stand near this unassuming stone cottage, and you're within feet of where a Revolutionary War Brigadier General once lived. Built around 1770, this was the home of David McCarty. McCarty wasn't just any homeowner; he…
Live like a Nobel Prize winner: this is where physicist-chemist Irving Langmuir called home. Built around 1900, this house on Stratford Road was the residence of Irving Langmuir. He worked at General Electric in…
This planned community was designed to house the employees of a company that changed the world. The General Electric Realty Plot, right here in Schenectady, was born from a deal between Union College and General…
Imagine this: a bustling hub on the banks of the Hudson, a place where river trade shaped lives and fortunes. That's New Baltimore Hamlet Historic District. From the late 1700s through the late 1800s, this area grew…
Behold the Nott Memorial, an elaborate 16-sided building that stands as the architectural centerpiece of Union College. Dedicated to Eliphalet Nott, who served as president of Union College for an incredible sixty-two…
Get ready to be starstruck! Right here in Schenectady stands Proctor's Theatre, a place where vaudeville dreams came alive and countless stars graced the stage. Designed by architect Thomas Lamb, Proctor's Theatre…
This unassuming spot just outside Schenectady is where American industrial research was born! Back in 1900, General Electric established its Research Laboratory here. It was the first of its kind in the U.S., a…
This brick building standing before you isn't just a building; it's a silent witness to Schenectady's military past. Built in 1936, the Schenectady Armory housed two units of the New York Army National Guard for…
Pull over for a second and imagine a bustling industrial hub right here! This is the story of Wild's Mill, once a vital part of Valatie, New York's milling scene. Back in 1846, they built the first part of this massive…
Pull over for a minute and imagine life in early America at the Van Alen House! This beautiful Dutch Colonial farmhouse, right here in Kinderhook, is one of the best-preserved examples of its kind in upstate New York.…
Ever wonder where presidents go when they're done leading the free world? Here, just south of Kinderhook, you're near Lindenwald, the retirement estate of Martin Van Buren, the 8th U.S. President. Van Buren, a key…
Hear the sounds of history on the oldest unaltered three-manual pipe organ in the United States. This magnificent instrument, the Davis-Ferris Organ, was built in 1847 by E. & G.G. Hook for Calvary Church in New York…
Climb this historic fire tower for panoramic views and a sense of the vital role it played in forest protection. Constructed in 1924 by the Aermotor Corporation, the Dickinson Hill Fire Tower was a key part of New…