EZTrip.com International Destination Guide and Hotel Listings

Arrive by Greyhound (tel 518/434-0121) or Adirondack Trailways (tel 518/436-9651) and it's a short, hilly walk to the heart of downtown; come in by Amtrak and you face a two-mile bus ride (tel 518/462-5763) across the river in Rensselaer. If you intend to stay the night, bear in mind that downtown lodging is not particularly cheap. Suburban chain motels start at $50 a night while downtown options amount to the Ramada Inn , 300 Broadway (tel 518/434-4111; $75-100), the more comfortable Albany Crowne Plaza at State and Lodge streets tel 518/462-6611; $130-160), and the exceptionally nice Mansion Hill Inn , 115 Philip St (tel 518/465-2038; $130-160), a B&B in a restored home just down the hill from the state governor's mansion; it also has a fine restaurant. Other good places to eat include Jack's Oyster House , 42 State St (tel 518/465-8854), and the Indonesian Yono's , 64 Colvin Ave (tel 518/436-7747). Lark Street , a few blocks west of the plaza, lit up by fairy lights between Washington and Madison, is the center of Albany's reasonably active gay scene, and the place where the city hangs out at night. Justin's at no. 301 (tel 518/436-7008) and Café Hollywood at no. 275 (tel 518/472-9043) serve good progressive American food at moderate prices, while the welcoming MaMoun's , 206 Washington Ave (tel 518/434-3901), has great inexpensive lamb, chicken and vegetarian dishes. The Lionheart Blues Café , 256 Lark St (tel 518/436-9530), puts on live music most nights. The college town of TROY , across the river, also has a number of lively spots.