Things to Do at New York State Capitol
Complete Guide to New York State Capitol in Albany
About New York State Capitol
What to See & Do
The Million Dollar Staircase
Fourteen years of hand-carving. 77 faces in the stone - Abraham Lincoln, Walt Whitman, and dozens of others, including the stone carvers' own wives and children smuggled in without permission. Some faces still haven't been identified. Run your hand along the banister; you can feel the chisel marks. The craftsmanship is staggering
Assembly Chamber
Stained glass, carved golden oak, and a coffered ceiling so detailed that your neck will ache from looking up. This is where the Assembly meets, and yes, lawmakers actually work here. Sit in the gallery during session (January-June) and watch democracy happen in a room that took decades to decorate
Senate Chamber
Mahogany walls, gold leaf accents, and a ceiling that took master craftsmen years to complete. The visitor's gallery puts you close enough to hear senators speak without microphones. During session, the formality is real - gavels, procedural votes, the whole show
War Room
Built as the state library, now a military memorial. The vaulted stone ceiling echoes your footsteps. Battle flags from the Civil War hang in glass cases, fragile and faded. It's the quietest room in the building
Great Western Staircase
The capitol's other grand staircase, and some argue the better one. The Corning red granite stonework has a warmth the sandstone staircase lacks. Fewer tourists here, which means better photos and more time to study the carved details
Practical Information
Opening Hours
Free guided tours: Monday-Friday at 10am, noon, 2pm, and 3pm. Weekends at 10am, noon, and 2pm. No reservations needed unless you're bringing 10 or more people. Take the guided tour - the guides know stories the plaques don't tell
Tickets & Pricing
Free. Everything. The tour, the building, the gallery access. Zero dollars. One of the best free attractions in the northeast
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings, especially Tuesday through Thursday when the legislature is most active (session runs January-June). The 10am tour fills up less than the noon slot
Suggested Duration
Guided tours last about 45 minutes; allow 1-2 hours if you want to explore on your own afterward
Getting There
Things to Do Nearby
A striking 1960s government complex with reflecting pools, modern art, and observation deck offering great views of the Hudson Valley
Located in the Empire State Plaza, featuring exhibits on New York history, including a fascinating section on the World Trade Center
One of the oldest museums in the US, with excellent Hudson River School paintings and local history collections that give context to the region
A preserved 18th-century mansion that offers a glimpse into Albany's colonial past, complete with original family furnishings
The last destroyer escort afloat from WWII, docked on the Hudson River and offering tours that transport you back to wartime