What's the best way to see Albany? Arguably on foot. That's really the best way to see Albany's houses and buildings, and get a feel for Albany's neighborhoods.
And now, the people who know those neighborhoods best are leading walking tours!
Beginning this weekend, members of Albany's Council of Neighborhood Associations will lead walking tours through their neighborhoods, focusing on new and old architecture, exciting new developments, community gathering spots, and places that make them special.
The program will begin with Albany's West End. Lead by John O'Grady and Helen Klaeysen, the tour will focus on a diverse mix of homes, offices, and businesses of all sizes within this busy corridor.
The tour begins at 2:30pm at Bleeker Stadium, and last approximately 1.5 hours. The group will travel about two miles and hit Blessed Sacament Church, Chester's Smokehouse, Henry Johnson Charter School, Honest Weight Food Co-op, Orchard Family Tavern, and Swinburne Park, among the stops.
They will also visit the highest point of land in Albany, the largest American flag, tallest flagpole in the city, and "almost-attractive tire warehouse," says O'Grady.
Tours like this will take place all summer in neighborhoods across the city, says Howard Stoller, President of CANA. "I am hoping that the initial tours are a big success and that we will schedule more," says Stoller. "I think it is a great way to build the tourism business in Albany."
To help with these efforts, the CBID will compile any photographs taken on these walking tours, and create short visual presentations. These visual presentations will serve as a kind of virtual tour, to help promote the neighborhoods adjacent to the district.
- West End, Saturday, May 2, 2:30, Parking area in front of the city recreation building at Bleecker Stadium on Clinton, just past Partridge
- Mansion, Saturday, May 9, 1:30, Meet at Bleecker Park in front of the Cathedral
- Pastures, Saturday, May 23, 1:30pm, Madison and South Pearl
- West Hill, Saturday, June 6, (Details TBA
To contribute photos to the project, please submit your pictures to molly@centralbid.com with a short description of what it is, and the neighborhood it was taken in. Or tweet them to @AlbanyCentral with the location name, hashtage #WalkingTour and the name of the neighborhood they're in. Or you can create an album of your work, and share it with us on Facebook.
