How I'd Spend a Saturday in Albany as a Recent 518 Transplant
A jam-packed, highly caffeinated, budget-friendly, 12-hour itinerary.
In case you missed it: CRL IRL has a brand-new contributor. A Downstate transplant to Albany, Jolena Podolsky is still figuring out her routine in her new home, but loving every minute it. Here are her favorite spots so far, wrapped up into the Capital City’s ultimate Saturday itinerary.
9am
Every day begins with an iced mocha. Luckily, there are many cafes peppered all around the city! Some spots I’m already loving are Stacks Espresso Bar, Moliendo Cafe, Daily Grind, and Java Cafe. Grab your drink to go—you’ve got places to be.
10am
In my opinion, coffee is a must-have when you go thrifting, especially when you’re thrifting at For Pete’s Sake. Store hours may be limited (10am–3pm Wednesday–Friday and 10am–2pm Saturday), but it’s well worth the visit if you want to score a great find! I spent a total of $11 on a cotton tank top, dressy linen pants, and a blush pashmina shawl. With new secondhand items coming every week, you’re bound to find something that catches your eye. Pro tip: Make sure you have cash…I learned that the hard way, and had to walk seven minutes to the nearest ATM.
11am
This portion of the itinerary is optional, but it definitely entertained me as an Albany newbie. Visit the largest Walmart in America.
You don’t need to come with a shopping list; I went to the two-floor supercenter just to people-watch and walk around. Don’t go in with big expectations (it’s quite underwhelming, actually). But hey, at least you can say you stepped foot in the largest Walmart in the United States.
Noon
Cue the stomach growls. The first time my partner took me to Albany, we had lunch at Mystic Momo, a Nepalese restaurant sandwiched between Washington and Central avenues. For this itinerary, we’ll be returning back with hungry eyes set on the momos: Nepalese dumplings wrapped in different shapes, filled with minced meat or vegetable stuffing and a Nepali spice blend. There’s more than dumplings on the menu, but for the most authentic (and delicious) lunch plate—get the momos!
1pm
Now that you’re stuffed (not unlike a momo), it’s time to walk off lunch at the Albany Institute of History & Art, the oldest museum in New York State, which was founded in 1791. Walk through some of the largest collections of Hudson River School paintings and enrich your mind with in-depth New York State history. Additional exhibitions include The Floral Paintings of Julia McEntee Dillon, and Blanche Lazzell: Becoming an American Modernist. Pro tip: If you’re an Albany Public Library holder, present your card to receive free entry!
3pm
Without doxxing my address, I’ll say that my partner and I are fortunate to live near Washington Park, and we’ve made it our mission to become tennis pros. (Ambitious? Maybe.) If tennis isn’t your thing, a stroll through the park is the perfect mid-afternoon reset.
4pm
Whether you walked the entire park or got crushed in tennis, you’ll want to cool off. My top pick? Albany Public Library, which has a branch just a half-mile away. You can walk in—even if your library loyalty lies in another town—and browse the assortment of books and media available. I made a beeline for the local section to learn all I could about my new home, and made sure to glance at the event board posted near the entrance.
5pm
Grab an early dinner at Sukhothai! The Lark Street restaurant’s ambient lighting pairs nicely with the Thai illustrations on the wall and flowers propped up at every table. Order a basil margarita or a lychee martini with your curry of choice. My two favorite dishes so far are Kuay Teaw Ped Toon (a duck noodle soup) and the Thai Fried Fish. It’s truly an unforgettable meal that’ll leave you craving more.
7pm
If you left room for a sweet treat, then Emack & Bolio’s Ice Cream is your next stop. Not only are there an assortment of flavors to try, but live music performers keep the energy going every Friday and Saturday night. Vibe out with local artists and your Space Cake-flavored ice cream!
8pm
The night’s not over yet! Continue the fun at Pint Sized. Whether you’re there for the beer, the assortment of games available, or the charismatic company, it’s a great spot to end the night. (Be sure to return for trivia night on Wednesdays!).
9pm
If you’re starting to get a bit sleepy at this point…good. Walk, take the bus, or drive responsibly back home to rest for another day in the beautiful city of Albany, NY!
—Jolena
Have a favorite Capital City spot you think Jolena should check out? Drop it in the comments!
 | A guest post by
|