I tried visiting it before once, but it was closed. Today the Man and I were luckier. We got to look at a rather nice exhibit exploring Albany's history and industries (did you know the modern billiard ball was invented in Albany? No, me neither), and we poked around the gift shop admiring Albany-themed souvenirs (postcards of Nipper and suchlike). Then we stocked up on maps of New York State, and tourist brochures for local sights we've still not seen - there's a stately home or two we haven't visited yet.
We had to do our reconnaissance quite swiftly, as we were advised when we arrived that the place was closing in five minutes - at three o'clock. To be fair, on weekdays it's open longer, until four. As noted above, it's not in a "high traffic" area, so I guess there's not a lot of call to be open later than that.
Also in the building is the Henry Hudson Planetarium, but that's only open to the public every third Saturday, which today wasn't.
After all, this has been "our" city for three and half years now - it's probably time we got to know the place...
(did you know the modern billiard ball was invented in Albany? No, me neither)
ReplyDeleteYep, there's a historical marker languishing next to the abandoned Friendly's at Delaware and Southern Blvd.
Not just the billiard ball, but celluloid itself was invented here. However, the marker is nowhere near where that happened - it's at the last resting place of the company.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mynonurbanlife.com/2010/02/so-where-was-celluloid-invented.html
Many thanks for the info and the link, B and Carl.
ReplyDeleteTo all who've arrived here via All Over Albany's teasing link (http://alloveralbany.com/archive/2011/04/13/whats-up-in-the-neighborhood-134) - and that's more than 100 of you and counting - thanks for stopping by and sorry this isn't a restaurant review or something else you might have hoped for. But the Visitors' Center really is nice and worth checking out.