Albany is the state capital of New York and was actually settled before the larger metropolis of New York City. But, despite being small in comparison, Albany still contains four centuries of history, lots of culture, and great places to eat.
Albany makes for the perfect break from the Big Apple or an ideal vacation spot for anyone who doesn’t like the hustle and bustle of bigger cities. Plus, when it comes to choosing where to stay in Albany, you’ll be greeted with accommodation to suit every travel type.
In this guide, we’ve figured out the best places to stay in Albany for any travel style and budget. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, family vacation, or anything in between, we’ve got you covered.
Where to Stay in Albany
Not too fussed which area you stay in? These are our top picks for accommodation in Albany.
The Broke Backpacker is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more.
Quiet 2 Bedroom Condo | Best Airbnb in Albany
This condo offers all the luxuries of home, making it an ideal base for your trip to Albany. It sleeps four guests in two bedrooms and is beautifully furnished throughout.
Shops, restaurants, and some of Albany’s top places to visit are all just a short walk away.
Hilton Albany | Best Hotel in Albany
This 3-star hotel is easily one of the best places to stay in Albany if you want to be close to everything. It’s right in the heart of the city and a short walk from the Capitol building and local shops.
With an indoor pool, restaurant, and fitness center on-site, this hotel has everything you’ll need for a comfortable stay.
The Perfect Getaway | Best Luxury Airbnb in Albany
This unusual and beautiful apartment can sleep up to 6 guests. The unit has a small kitchen and dining area, a bathtub, laundry facilities, and free parking on-site. It’s surrounded by shops and sits in a quiet neighborhood.
Albany Neighborhood Guide – Places to Stay in Albany
Downtown
Whether you’re trying to decide where to stay in Albany for your first visit or on a return trip, the Downtown area is the most convenient and the most packed with attractions. You’ll find everything in this area, from great restaurants to lots of little neighborhoods that you can explore on foot.
Mansion Historic Area
The Mansion Historic Area is just a little way from Albany’s Downtown, so it offers the same easy access to all of the Downtown’s shops and restaurants without the crowds and tourist prices. This makes it a great choice when you’re deciding where to stay in Albany on a budget.
Center Square
When you’re trying to decide where to stay in Albany with kids, you want somewhere quieter, so they can sleep, but also close to lots of things to keep them busy during the day. Center Square satisfies both of these needs.
Albany isn’t a large city, so no matter where you stay, you’ll probably be in reach of places to eat and shop. These are the coolest neighborhoods to stay in, whether you’re passing through on a road trip or are planning a longer stay.
Albany’s Downtown is easily one of the coolest places to stay. It offers all the best restaurants and bars as well as easy access to the city’s many historical monuments.
If you’re on a tight budget, then try the Mansion Historic District. This area is far enough from the center to be a bit cheaper in terms of accommodation, but still offers easy access to all the center’s attractions.
Finally, Center Square is the best choice when you’re deciding where to stay in Albany with your family. This is a quieter area close to a large park but is still close enough to Downtown that you can enjoy all of its charm and amenities.
Want to save money on accommodation?
Enjoy 15% OFF on stays ALL around the world.
Albany’s 3 Best Neighborhoods to Stay in
Now, let’s take a look at each of these areas in more detail. We’ve included our top accommodation and activity picks in each, so you know exactly what to expect.
1. Downtown – Where to Stay in Albany for your First Visit
- COOLEST Thing to Do in Downtown – Take a tour of New York’s seat of power at the New York State Capitol building.
- BEST Place to Visit in Downtown – The New York State Museum for one of the largest collections of historical artifacts around.
Whether you’re trying to decide where to stay in Albany for your first visit or on a return trip, the Downtown area is the most convenient and the most packed with attractions. You’ll find everything in this area, including great restaurants and lots of smaller neighborhoods that you can explore on foot.
There are also plenty of historic attractions in the Downtown area. So, if you’re in Albany to learn more about the area’s history, you won’t have to go much further than this district.
Downtown Albany 1 Bedroom | Best Airbnb in Downtown
Located right in the heart of Downtown, this apartment is a good choice when you’re deciding where to stay in Albany for nightlife. It’s located on a historic street that dates back to the 17th century and sleeps two people. It has a custom kitchen and has been newly renovated to modern standards.
Trendy 1 Bedroom Apartment | Best Luxury Airbnb in Downtown
This cozy apartment is very reasonably priced, providing a comfortable base close to city amenities. It offers two bedrooms with enough space for up to five guests.
Boasting top-quality appliances and modern furnishings, the apartment is perfect for a short- or long-term stay in Albany.
Hampton Inn Suites | Best Hotel in Downtown
This hotel must be part of any good Albany neighborhood guide. It’s located right in the heart of the city and boasts free hot breakfasts, spacious rooms, a bar, and a restaurant. It’s also close to the motorway, so you’ll find it easy to get out of the city and enjoy the surrounding natural area.
Things to See and Do in Downtown:
- See a show at The Egg Performing Arts Center.
- Check out the iconic Empire State Plaza.
- Head out for a night on the town at popular spots like Wellington’s or the Pearl Street Pub.
- Learn more about Irish American history at the Irish American Heritage Museum.
- Have a meal at The Spinning Gyro or Rosanna’s.
- Take a look at the city’s creative heart at the Albany Center Gallery.
- Get out in nature and go hiking or running in Corning Preserve.
- Marvel at the pre-Revolutionary houses in the nearby neighborhood of Schenectady.
We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.
Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
View on Osprey View on REI2. Mansion Historic Area – Where to Stay in Albany on a Budget
- COOLEST Thing to Do in Mansion Historic Area – Take a tour of the Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site
- BEST Place to Visit in Mansion Historic Area – The USS Slater for a slightly hair-raising tour of a WWII gunship
The Mansion Historic Area is just a little way from Albany’s Downtown, so it offers the same easy access to all of the area’s shops and restaurants without the crowds and tourist prices. This makes it a great choice for anyone traveling in the USA on a budget.
This small area also has its own collection of attractions and restaurants, so you definitely won’t have to go far for a meal or something to do!
Charming 1 BR State Capitol | Best Airbnb in Mansion Historic Area
Located in a historic mansion, this apartment really is one of the coolest places to stay in Albany. It’s walking distance from the State Capitol building and has a full kitchen, laundry, and street parking.
3 Levels of Living Space | Best Luxury Airbnb in Mansion Historic Area
If you like a little extra room to spread out when you travel, this apartment is perfect. It’s beautifully decorated, has a fully stocked kitchen, and comes with a Jacuzzi tub! It’s close to shops and restaurants and offers free parking.
Holiday Inn Express Albany | Best Hotel in Mansion Historic Area
This hotel in Albany is located close to the Mansion Historic area and to downtown. It has a 24-hour gym and provides free breakfast every morning. There’s also a pool, steam room, on-site parking, and a business center.
Things to See and Do in Mansion Historic Area:
- Have a meal at the Betty Boop Diner or Shabamz Grill.
- Tour the 19th Century New York State Executive Mansion.
- Take the kids to swim or play sports in Lincoln Park.
- Have a few drinks at the Excelsior Pub.
- Head into the Downtown area for nightlife and shopping.
- Check out five centuries of history at the Historic Cherry Hill.
3. Center Square – Best Neighborhood in Albany for Families
- COOLEST Thing to Do in Center Square – Head over to Washington Park for sports fields, gardens, playgrounds, and 136 acres of natural landscape.
- BEST Place to Visit in Center Square – Lark Street, for a trendy collection of restaurants, shops, and art galleries.
When you’re trying to decide where to stay in Albany with kids, you want somewhere quieter, so they can sleep, but also close to lots of things to keep them busy during the day. Center Square satisfies both of these needs. This is a lively neighborhood, filled with restaurants and close to the huge Washington Park.
When you stay in Center Square, you can easily walk to the Downtown area. But why would you want to, when this area contains cool Lark Street with its funky shops and restaurants and lots of events in every season.
Completely Renovated Center Square Unit | Best Airbnb in Center Square
This apartment sits in a historic building right in the middle of Center Square. With one bedroom, it’s ideal for couples visiting Albany. The apartment has been recently renovated to contain all the modern comforts.
Purified Air 2-Bedroom Home | Best Airbnb in Center Square
This gorgeous two-bedroom home is perfect if you want to take the stress out of planning your vacation. The house comes with a stocked kitchen, spacious living area, free parking, laundry facilities, and more. It’s within walking distance from shops and restaurants, and downtown is also closeby.
Washington Park Inn | Best Hotel in Center Square
Things to See and Do in Center Square:
- Try some African dishes at Keobi or Mexican food at El Mariachi Restaurant.
- Head out for burritos, margaritas, and game nights at Bombers Burrito Bar.
- In the summer, make sure you attend Larkfest and Tulipfest.
- Look out for the Santa Speedo Sprint in winter.
- Check out the artwork at the Albany Institute of History & Art.
- Have a drink at the Waterworks Pub or the Lark Street Poke Bar.
- Buy some fresh fruit or hot food at the Washington Park Farmers Market.
- Head out of the city for hiking and nature at the Albany Pine Bush Preserve.
- Go golfing at the Shaker Ridge Country Club or Albany Country Club.
Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.
It looks exactly like a normal belt except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)
Hide Yo’ Money!FAQs About Finding a Place to Stay in Albany.
Here’s what people usually ask me about the areas of Albany and where to stay.
What To Pack For Albany
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out my definitive Hotel Packing list for even more top packing tips!
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance for Albany
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
Final Thoughts on the Best Places to Stay in Albany
Albany is a relatively small city, but there’s so much to discover. If you’re visiting New York, then it’s well worth spending some time here as well.
Hopefully, by now, you’ve got a clearer idea of where to stay in Albany. Each area has its own charms, but its small size means you’ll be able to easily explore the whole area.
- Check out our ultimate guide backpacking around New York.
- Figured out where you wanna stay? Now it’s time to pick the perfect hostel in New York.
- Or… maybe you want to check out some Airbnbs in USA instead.
- Next up you’re gonna need to know all the best places to visit in New York to plan your trip.
- Save yourself hassle and money and get an international sim card for USA.
- Swing by our super epic backpacking packing list to prep for your trip.
Buy Us a Coffee!
A couple of you lovely readers suggested we set up a tip jar for direct support as an alternative to booking through our links. So we created one!
You can now buy The Broke Backpacker a coffee. If you like and use our content to plan your trips, it’s a much appreciated way to show appreciation 🙂
