The #AuroraGames are in town and Albany is buzzing with excitement over women's sports! In between exhilarating competitions, Albany offers historical tours, live music, delicious brunches and more. Keep reading for a full list of free & frugal things to do in Albany, New York for August 23 - 25. 

 

Friday, August 23

Weekday Tours of the New York State Capitol
Location: New York State Capitol
Address: Washington Ave and State St, Albany, NY 12242
Time: 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM, 3:00 PM
Price: Free

Free Tours and Tastings at Riverside Maple Farms
Location: Riverside Maple Farms
Address: 7152 Amsterdam Rd, Glenville, NY 12302
Time: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Price: Free

Weekday Ten Broeck Mansion Tours
Location: Albany County Historical Association-Ten Broeck Mansion
Address: 9 Ten Broeck Place, Albany, NY 12210
Time: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Price: General: $5 Students & Seniors: $4 Children 12 & under: $3 Member admission: free

Farmers Market
Location: Empire State Plaza
Address: Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12242
Time: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Price: FREE

USS SLATER Tour
Location: USS Slater DE766
Address: 1 Quay St, Intersection of Broadway & Quay Street, Albany, NY 12202
Time: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Price: Adults/$9; Seniors/8; Children 6-14/7; Children 5 and under/Free

Aurora Games Fan Zone
Presented By: Aurora Games
Location: Albany Capital Center
Address: 55 Eagle Street, Albany, NY 12207
Time: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Price: Free

Albany Sightseeing Cruise 1p-230p
Location: Dutch Apple Cruises & Tours
Address:  141 Broadway, Intersection of Broadway & Quay Sts., (next to USS Slater), Albany, NY 12202
Time: 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Price: $19.95 adults, $18.95 seniors, $12.00 kids 3-10yr, kids 2yr & under FREE

Empire State Plaza Tour
Location: Empire State Plaza Visitor Center
Address: 100 S Mall Arterial, Albany, NY 12242
Time: 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Price: FREE

Schuyler Sister & Their Circle Tours
Location: Albany Institute of History & Art
Address: 125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210
Time: 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Price: Included with museum admission

Self-Image + Self-Worth
Presented By: Aurora Games
Location: Albany Capital Center
Address: 55 Eagle Street, Albany, NY 12207
Time: 2:00 PM
Price: Free

Turtle Time
Location: Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission
Address: 195 New Karner Rd, Albany, NY 12205
Time: 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Price: Free, registration required

Coaching NextGen Champions
Presented By: Aurora Games
Location: Albany Capital Center
Address: 55 Eagle Street, Albany, NY 12207
Time: 2:00 PM
Price: Free

Happy Hour at Warehouse Grill & BBQ
Location: Warehouse Grill & BBQ
Address: 219 Wolf Rd., Albany, NY 12205
Time: 2:30 PM to 6:30 PM

Focus Tour: Women of Schuyler Mansion
Location: Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site
Address: 32 Catherine St, Albany, NY 12202
Time: 2:30 PM, Reservations Required
Price: $7/Adult, $6/Senior, $6/Student. Free/ Age 12 and under.

Happy Hour at UNO!
Location: UNO Pizzeria & Grill
Address: Crossgates Mall, 120 Washington Ave. Ext., Albany, NY 12203
Time: 3:00 PM -7:00 PM and 9:00 PM – Close
Price: Half-priced apps and drinks specials in the bar

Yappy Hour
Location: Colonie Center Mall
Address: 131 Colonie Center, Albany, NY 12205
Time: 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Happy Hour at the Tavern
Location: The Tavern
Address: 660 Albany-Shaker Rd, Albany, NY 12211
Time: 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM
Price: Free

Happy Hour
Location: MezzaNotte
Address: 2026 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203
Time: 5:00 PM to 6:30 PM

Entrepreneurship - Dr. Lisa Delpy Neirottiv
Presented By: Aurora Games
Location: Albany Capital Center
Address: 55 Eagle Street, Albany, NY 12207
Time: 5:00 PM
Price: Free

Friday Night Wine Tastings
Location: Capital Wine Albany
Address: 348 State Street, Albany, NY 12210
Time: 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Price: Free tasting!

Aurora Games: Ice Hockey
Presented By: Aurora Games
Location: Times Union Center (TUC)
Address: 51 S Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207
Time: 7:00 PM
Price: Tickets starting at $25

Live Music Every Friday & Saturday Night at Emack & Bolio's!
Location: Emack & Bolio's
Address: 366 Delaware Ave, Albany, NY 12209
Time: 7:00 PM

Tri-City ValleyCats vs. Hudson Valley Renegades
Presented By: Tri-City ValleyCats
Location: Joe Bruno Stadium
Address: 80 Vandenburgh Ave, Troy, NY 12181
Time: 7:00 PM

Albany Berkshire Ballet's "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
Presented By: Albany Berkshire Ballet
Location: The Egg
Address: 1 Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12203
Time: 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Price: $30-$45

Disney's Newsies
Presented By: Playhouse Stage Company
Location: Park Playhouse
Address: Washington Park Lakehouse, Albany, NY 12208
Time: 7:30 PM
Price: Lawn seating is free. Reserved seating is $18-25.

Music Festival at Parish Public House in Honor of Aurora Games
Location: Parish Public House
Address: 388 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207|
Time: 8:00 PM
Price: $10

WHO'S BAD - THE ULTIMATE MICHAEL JACKSON EXPERIENCE
Location: Skyloft
Address: 1 Crossgates Mall Rd., Suite 200, Albany, NY 12203
Time: 8:00 PM
Price: $25.00 - $30.00

Fourth Fridays with Nate Giroux
Location: Speakeasy 518
Address: 42 Howard St., Albany, NY 12207
Time: 9:00 PM

Fresh Squeeze Fridays
Location: City Beer Hall
Address: 42 Howard St., Albany, NY 12207
Time: 11:00 PM to 2:00 AM
Price: Free

 

Saturday, August 24

Colonie Farmers' Market
Presented By: Town of Colonie
Location: The Crossings of Colonie
Address: 580 Albany Shaker Rd, Loudonville, NY 12211
Time: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Aurora Games Fan Zone
Presented By: Aurora Games
Location: Albany Capital Center
Address: 55 Eagle Street, Albany, NY 12207
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Price: Free

Washington Park Farmer's Market
Location: Washington Park
Address: Washington Park, Albany, NY 12208
Time: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Price: Free

A Second Chance Thrift Shop
Location: American Italian Heritage Museum & Cultural Center
Address: 1227 Central Ave., Albany, NY 12205
Time: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

USS SLATER Tour
Location: USS Slater DE766
Address: 1 Quay St, Intersection of Broadway & Quay Street, Albany, NY 12202
Time: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Price: Adults/$9; Seniors/8; Children 6-14/7; Children 5 and under/Free

Free Tours and Tastings at Riverside Maple Farms
Location: Riverside Maple Farms
Address: 7152 Amsterdam Rd, Glenville, NY 12302
Time: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Price: Free

Albany Sightseeing Cruise 10:30a - 12p
Location: Dutch Apple Cruises & Tours
Address: 141 Broadway, Intersection of Broadway & Quay Sts., (next to USS Slater), Albany, NY 12202
Time: 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Price: $19.95 adults, $18.95 seniors, $12.00 kids 3-10yr, kids 2yr & under FREE

Discover the Pine Bush
Location: Albany Pine Bush Preserve Commission
Address: 195 New Karner Rd, Albany, NY 12205
Time: 10:30 AM
Price: Free, registration required

Saturday Tours of the New York State Capitol
Location: New York State Capitol
Address: Washington Ave and State St, Albany, NY 12242
Time: 11:00 AM & 1:00 PM
Price: Free! Registration required.

New York State Education Tours
Location: The Education Building of the State of New York
Address: Front Steps, 89 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY
Time: 12:30 PM & 2:30 PM
Price: FREE

Aurora Games: Figure Skating
Presented By: Aurora Games
Location: Times Union Center (TUC)
Address: 51 S Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207
Time: 1:00 PM
Price: Tickets starting at $25

Albany Sightseeing Cruise 1p-230p
Location: Dutch Apple Cruises & Tours
Address:  141 Broadway, Intersection of Broadway & Quay Sts., (next to USS Slater), Albany, NY 12202
Time: 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Price: $19.95 adults, $18.95 seniors, $12.00 kids 3-10yr, kids 2yr & under FREE

Schuyler Sister & Their Circle Tours
Location: Albany Institute of History & Art
Address: 125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210
Time: 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Price: Included with museum admission

When Alexander Hamilton Called Albany Home
Location: Schuyler Mansion State Historic Site
Address: 32 Catherine St, Albany, NY 12202
Time: 2:30 PM
Price: $7/Adult, $6/Senior, $6/Student. Free for children 12 and under.

Albany Distilling Tours
Location: Albany Distilling Co., Inc.
Address: 75 Livingston Ave., Albany, NY 12207
Time: 3:00 PM

Live Music Every Friday & Saturday Night at Emack & Bolio's!
Location: Emack & Bolio's
Address: 366 Delaware Ave, Albany, NY 12209
Time: 7:00 PM

Disney's Newsies
Presented By: Playhouse Stage Company
Location: Park Playhouse
Address: Washington Park Lakehouse, Albany, NY 12208
Time: 7:30 PM
Price: Lawn seating is free. Reserved seating is $18-25.

Music Festival at Parish Public House in Honor of Aurora Games
Location: Parish Public House
Address: 388 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207
Time: 8:00 PM
Price: $10

90s House Party!
Location: City Beer Hall
Address: 42 Howard St., Albany, NY 12207
Time: 11:00 PM to 2:00 AM
Price: Free

 

Sunday, August 25

Aurora Games Fan Zone
Presented By: Aurora Games
Location: Albany Capital Center
Address: 55 Eagle Street, Albany, NY 12207
Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Price: Free

Guilderland Farmers Market
Location: Guilderland Farmer's Market
Address: 6147 State Farm Rd., (Behind Star Plaza), Guilderland, NY 12084
Time: 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Price: Free

USS SLATER Tour
Location: USS Slater DE766
Address: 1 Quay St, Intersection of Broadway & Quay Street, Albany, NY 12202
Time: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Price: Adults/$9; Seniors/8; Children 6-14/7; Children 5 and under/Free

Free Tours and Tastings at Riverside Maple Farms
Location: Riverside Maple Farms
Address: 7152 Amsterdam Rd, Glenville, NY 12302
Time: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Price: Free

All Day Happy Hour at UNO!
Location: UNO Pizzeria & Grill
Address: Crossgates Mall, 120 Washington Ave. Ext., Albany, NY 12203
Time: All-day
Price: Half-priced apps and drinks specials in the bar

Aurora Games: Beach Volleyball & Closing Ceremony
Presented By: Aurora Games
Location: Times Union Center (TUC)
Address: 51 S Pearl St, Albany, NY 12207
Time: 11:00 AM
Price: Tickets starting at $25

Baby got, Brunch - Sundays at Lost & Found
Location: Lost & Found Bar & Kitchen
Address: 942 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207
Time: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Reel Seafood Sunday Brunch
Location: Reel Seafood Company
Address: 195 Wolf Rd, Albany, NY 12205
Time: 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Weekend Ten Broeck Mansion Tours
Location: Albany County Historical Association-Ten Broeck Mansion
Address: 9 Ten Broeck Place, Albany, NY 12210
Time: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Price: General: $5 Students & Seniors: $4 Children 12 & under: $3 Member admission: Free

Schuyler Sister & Their Circle Tours
Location: Albany Institute of History & Art
Address: 125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210
Time: 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Price: Included with museum admission

Tri-City ValleyCats vs. Staten Island Yankees
Presented By: Tri-City ValleyCats
Location: Joe Bruno Stadium
Address: 80 Vandenburgh Ave, Troy, NY 12181
Time: 5:00 PM

Sunday Night Blues Jam
Location: McGeary's Irish Pub
Address: 4 Clinton Square, Albany, NY 12207
Time: 7:30 PM – 12:00 AM
Price: Free

BONE THUGS-N-HARMONY
Location: Skyloft
Address: 1 Crossgates Mall Rd., Suite 200, Albany, NY 12203
Time: 8:00 PM
Price: Tickets starting at $30.00

 

Ongoing

Go Figure
From: July 3, 2019 – August 31, 2019
Location: Discover Albany Visitors Center
Address: 25 Quackenbush Sq (Corner of Broadway & Clinton Ave.), Albany, NY 12207
Time: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Price: Free admission

Irish Impressions Photographs by Members of the Schenectady Photographic Society
From: August 2, 2019 - September 29, 2019
Location: Irish American Heritage Museum
Address: 370 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207
Time: Wednesday - Friday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Saturday - Sunday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Price: Free

“Celebrating Three Milestones” Exhibit
From: August 1, 2019 - September 30, 2019
Location: American Italian Heritage Museum & Cultural Center
Address: 1227 Central Ave., Albany, NY 12205
Time: Mon. Thur. and Friday 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM; Saturday and Sunday 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Price: Free admission

A Place For Nature In Victorian Waterford
From: May 4, 2019 - October 27, 2019
Location: Waterford Historical Museum & Cultural Center
Address: 2 Museum Lane, Waterford, NY 12188
Time: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Price: $6 Adults $5 Children/Seniors (65+) Free for members, children under 6 & those with Military ID

ACE: art on sports, promise, and selfhood
From: June 28, 2019 - December 7, 2019
Location: University at Albany Art Museum
Address: 1400 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12222
Time: Museum Summer Hours (until August 26): Tuesday – Saturday: 11 am – 4 pm; closed July 4.
Price: Free

The Schuyler Sisters and Their Circle
From: July 20, 2019 - December 29, 2019
Location: Albany Institute of History & Art
Address: 125 Washington Ave, Albany
Time: Sunday, Noon - 5PM; Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 10AM - 5PM; Thursday, 10AM - 8PM
Price: Adults: $10, Seniors: $8 Students: $8, Children 6–12: $6, Children under 6: Free

A Brilliant Bit of Color: The Work of Walter Launt Palmer
From: June 22, 2019 - December 29, 2019
Location: Albany Institute of History & Art
Address: 125 Washington Ave, Albany
Time: Sunday, Noon - 5PM; Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 10AM - 5PM; Thursday, 10AM - 8PM
Price: Adults: $10, Seniors: $8 Students: $8, Children 6–12: $6, Children under 6: Free

People of New York Exhibition
From: March 1, 2019 - December 31, 2019
Location: New York State Capitol
Address: Washington Ave and State St, Albany, NY 12242
Time: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Price: FREE

A Small Fort, Which Our People Call Fort Orange
From: May 5, 2018 - January 1, 2020
Location: New York State Museum
Address: 222 Madison Avenue, Albany, NY 12230
Time: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday

1969 Exhibition
From: May 9, 2019 - January 3, 2020
Presented By: New York State Office of General Services
Location: Vietnam Memorial Gallery, Robert Abrams Building for Law and Justice, Empire State Plaza
Address: 100 S Mall Arterial, Albany, NY 12242
Time: 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday – Friday
Price: FREE

Equality Will Never Be Silent Exhibition
Location: New York State Capitol
Address: Washington Ave and State St, Albany, NY 12224
Time: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Price: FREE

The Wedding of the Waters: Erie Canal and the Underground Railroad
Location: Stephen and Harriet Myers Residence
Address: 194 Livingston Ave., Albany, NY 12210
Time: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Price: $10 adults/$8 seniors/$5 children 5-12, children under 5 are free

Hudson River School
Location: Albany Institute of History & Art
Address: 125 Washington Ave, Albany, NY 12210
Time: Sunday, Noon - 5PM; Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 10AM - 5PM; Thursday, 10AM - 8PM
Price: Members: Free, Adults: $10, Seniors: $8, Students: $8 (must present ID), Children 6–12: $6, Children under 6: Free

Traders and Culture: Colonial Albany and the Formation of American Identity 
Location: Albany Institute of History & Art 
Address: 125 Washington Ave. Albany, NY 12210 
Time: Sunday, Noon - 5PM; Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 10AM - 5PM; Thursday, 10AM - 8PM
Price: Members: Free, Adults: $10, Seniors: $8, Students: $8 (must present ID), Children 6–12: $6, Children under 6: Free

Ancient Egypt
Location: Albany Institute of History & Art
Address: 125 Washington Ave Albany, NY 12210
Time: Sunday, Noon - 5PM; Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 10AM - 5PM; Thursday, 10AM - 8PM
Price: Members: Free, Adults: $10, Seniors: $8, Students: $8 (must present ID), Children 6–12: $6, Children under 6: Free

Ice Ages
Location: New York State Museum
Address: Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12230
Time: Daily (except Mondays), 9:30AM-5:00PM

Nineteenth-Century American Sculpture
Location: Albany Institute of History & Art
Address: 125 Washington Ave Albany, NY 12210
Time: Sunday, Noon - 5PM; Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, 10AM - 5PM; Thursday, 10AM - 8PM
Price: Members: Free, Adults: $10, Seniors: $8, Students: $8 (must present ID), Children 6–12: $6, Children under 6: Free

Whole New Ballgame Exhibit
Location: National Baseball Hall of Fame
Address: 25 Main Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326
Recurrence: Recurring daily

For these and other events, check out our event calendar here.