Albany, NEW YORK: Beautiful, But Also Dangerous & Poor

[@Peter-f2m]

The thumbnail you used was my house. The house I grew up in until I was 15. It really fell on hard times after we left. That is one of the most beautiful and modern houses that was built. 1876 it had central heating. Steam radiators. 4 full bathrooms with Running hot and cold water. Marble fireplaces. Gas fixture lighting. A 3 story winding staircase up the middle. Sliding pocket doors with etched crystal glass reliefs. I could go on and on. That house was and still is exquisite.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I agree. It's quite striking and unusual, which is why I used it for the thumbnail.

[@Peter-f2m]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip they filmed the movie “ Ironweed” with Jack Nicholson and Meryl Streep and used that house. That’s why the front of it looked sorta grungy … for the movie they sprayed the front with a brown dye to make it look shabby and it never washed off. I met Jackie Nicholson because they filmed a scene at my house of him getting down off his carriage right at the front door. we let them have the house and we sat across the street watching them shoot the movie. But sadly for me those scenes never made it into the Final Cut.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

@@Peter-f2m That’s amazing. What an experience that must have been,

[@RinoRemover]

@@Peter-f2m So they ruined the front of your house for nothing? Hopefully they paid your family a decent amount.

[@lennyrockett]

Ah yes good ol memories I bet when you saw this video

[@jburnett8152]

Albany not what I would have thought. Really beautiful city with georgous architecture. The church was breathtaking. We can't afford to build like that anymore. Thanks so much.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Totally agree. It was unexpected how beautiful the city is.

[@Antonio18677]

We didn't build those old architectures they were from the mud flood reset.

[@nknasi]

Unsure if you're aware Joey but usually when there is a sign on the front of a building with an big X on it, like you see at 18:28, that is a city's way of letting first responders know that the building is unsafe for emergency personnel, usually due to structural or interior hazards. People are not legally allowed to live there, but squatters often do.

[@Ruben-xh5vs]

I seen that X on the building and I was wondering about it, thanks for the info on that X.😊

[@georgehakimian5949]

Yea, the red X means it's condemned.

[@suep4391]

Ohhh that's so interesting

[@nyceyes]

Very interesting. I did not know that. It's that pretty universal, beyond New York State?

[@cenzo362]

Lol they're not fun for court servers. We have to go at least 4x knock wait & walk the properties to prove the old owner isn't there before its actually posted. It's very dangerous & ppl do get hostile even when it's not their's.

[@karengreenlee4356]

The capital building is stunning. Thanks for taking on this tour of Albany.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I agree!

[@peterkilbridge6523]

Factions: 1. New York's Capitol is one of two state capitol buildings in the US without a dome. 2. The New York State Capitol 👉 COST MORE TO BUILD THAN THE FEDERAL CAPITOL IN WASHINGTON, D.C. 👈 3. The above "factions" are related. When Grover Cleveland was elected Governor, he was so appalled by the spiralling ( pork 🐷 ) costs that he cancelled the dome.

[@peterkilbridge6523]

Three Factinos: 1. New York's Capitol is one of two state capitol buildings in the US without a dome. 2. The New York State Capitol 👉 COST MORE TO BUILD THAN THE FEDERAL CAPITOL IN WASHINGTON, D.C. 👈 3. The above "factinos" are related. When Grover Cleveland was elected Governor, he was so appalled by the spiralling ( pork 🐷 ) costs that he cancelled the dome.

[@EnnVee959]

The city is beautiful but it is so depressing that the streets are so empty. Many cities now have streets with very few people on them.

[@AllenBArmstrong]

Tv, PC, cellphone, tablet or laptop

[@jetwoman10001]

Depends on where you drive. I often drive-up Madison Avenue and over South Pearl after crossing the bridge and see plenty of people and some small shops. Farther up town in the North Allen, Western Ave. area, lots of people walking, and lots of shops and eating places, small businesses. I drive 40 minutes for medical and dental there and its vibrant in many areas. Still a city of neighborhoods.

[@BrunieStudios]

This capitol building has to be the most beautiful in the country…❤

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I agree. It's my new favorite.

[@georgetsokanis3542]

Unfortunately it's full of NY politicians.

[@peterkilbridge6523]

"You get what you pay for." The un-domed-ness has always attracted me. New York "marches to the beat of a different drummer". Only other state: Hawai'i.

[@davidperry3257]

Thanks for being respectful of my hometown. It’s not perfect by any stretch. But it will always be the place that brought me into this world.

[@seanabbins5481]

I have lived in Albany and still live nearby. It does have gorgeous architecture and the atmosphere in the Olde English Tavern is terrific. The city has a wide variety of ethnic food as well. The shutdowns during COVID really hurt Albany. Neighborhoods that had been borderline took a nosedive and haven't recovered. Not enough attention has been paid to what the shutdown did to communities

[@RandyFelts2121]

Logan's Run. Exactly what I was thinking.

[@stephenthomas8648]

I gotta say the city of Albany is the most interesting state capital I’ve ever seen, it has a lot of diverse architecture

[@joshoftheapocalypse]

It's not interesting, believe me. I'm from there.

[@jelirestri]

St. Paul (MI) is not bat at all either.

[@susanarchivist]

@@joshoftheapocalypse Aww, I have lived here for a long time, and I was just going to say that it takes a vistor to remind residents of the great things about their home. I have lived in two other state capitals, Boston, MA and Madison, WI. All three are interesting. You have to be open to new experiences, though like these two are.

[@enthusiast7659]

@@joshoftheapocalypse Locals are the most self-deprecating people alive. Albany is fascinating. I live in a townhouse built 1905 in a wonderful neighborhood here.

[@Peter-f2m]

@@joshoftheapocalypse dude. You should go somewhere else then. This is one of the most beautiful cities in America

[@jacobyahiayan9039]

You'll missed Washington Park and missed remarkable townhomes around the park.

[@daviduglem3213]

Has the 74-year-old veteran of Vietnam who grew up on the west coast of the United States in the '60s you've allowed me to overlook many places in this country. I appreciate what you guys do and I hope other people tell you the same thing. These videos will be around in 100 years. By then we'd be able to see how the country has changed. Hopefully not too dramatically. Again. I appreciate what you do. If you start feeling down about RNAation, just remember you grew up during the best times. Dave in San Francisco

[@joebehrdenver]

Albany looks to be stuffed with amazing architecture of all kinds and from all eras. I hope they can improve their socioeconomic metrics. Thanks as always for your reporting and perspective!

[@Lightsngear]

Albany always votes democrat. The social and economic situation isn't likely to change, unless the voters decide a change is needed.

[@joebehrdenver]

@@Lightsngear Salt Lake City and Omaha and Fargo are all also run by Democrats. Try again.

[@Lightsngear]

@@joebehrdenver I cannot comment on those three cities. However North Dakota has a republican governor.

[@jetwoman10001]

65% of properties are real estate tax exempt. That doesn't help.

[@nedmerrill5705]

A lot of fireplace hearths in the Albany area are built by marble pilfered by The South Mall (Empire Plaza) project. The SUNY administration building was originally the corporate headquarters of the Delaware and Hudson Railroad. The weather vane is said to mark where Henry Hudson anchored the Half Moon. That staircase in the Capitol is also called The Million Dollar Stair Case. (I used to work there). The legislative chamber you showed is the Assembly (the Senate chamber is smaller).

[@tyendor1952]

That's funny that you mention the marble from the south mall. I now live in Kansas and my sidewalk is marble slabs that were for the plaza. I am from the capital district and my uncle worked for a contracor who worked there and he brought home a few dozen 2x3 pieces. They have been in my yard since the 80's

[@theresawright1176]

Who knew Albany NY has such beautiful historical buildings!! WOW!

[@xRayshunx]

Having living in Albany my whole life I take for granted how beautiful parts of the city are. Thanks for stopping by and posting

[@brianquilty687]

Such beautiful architecture in Albany. Lots of age on so many of their building. The inside of that Cathedral was spectacular !! Jaw dropping ! And the State Capital building was fantastic !! This is one of my favorite cities you two have visited.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Me too! I was surprised at how many beautiful buildings were there.

[@ernestschultz5065]

I've lived in NYC all my life (62 years) and have never been to Albany. I honestly had no idea it was such an interesting place. Thank you for this look at my state capitol.

[@Lightsngear]

Take a train ride up the Hudson! You might even see bodies of water....and a cow or two!

[@deeoneal1267]

that’s sad. Easy train ride ! so much to do up here and the of course saratoga and the adirondacks.

[@liannebedard5521]

Always heard that NYC residents barely know upstate. Figures.

[@liannebedard5521]

Wonder if they know what the Tappan Zee is? The wandering New Englanders’ road to…getting home.

[@Deloresgriffith]

I've lived in Albany 35 years and didn't know some of the facts you share! Big thanks

[@susanarchivist]

I know! A friend send me this video. When I first started watching I though he was an Albany tour guide.

[@LJones69]

New York, a fantastic place to visit or go on vacation for a week. Wouldn’t want to live there, well maybe upstate if forced to, but I think their State Capitol building is the best in our country! Amazing architecture and the inside is just as beautiful as the outside. One of your best videos yet, and you have many!

[@pluggy86]

When I went to college there (40 years ago), I lived in the dorms. SUNY Albany is at the other end of the city and a world onto itself. We used to call it Long Island's 3rd county. When I was in school, I had little reason to go to the capital district. I just went occasionally for fun. Some students lived downtown and were much more familiar. There has been so much building in the university area, that I don't recognize it when I drive down Fuller Road. They decided to go all in on attractcing STEM students.

[@jm7578]

Right now it is completely the opposite. I went to the University had Albany in the late 1980s and it was an outpost for Long Islanders but now I hear that the demographics of SUNY Albany are way different and a lot of graduating Albany high school students matriculate into SUNY Albany. So it’s crazy how the vibe has changed there completely.

[@pluggy86]

@@hahayeahokaynope Wow! I can’t imagine that. My friends used to talk about EOPs in a very derogatory way. Not to be self righteous, but I always hated that. Hard to believe kids from well educated families would deride others so openly, but that was the zeitgeist of the time and place.

[@gingermcintosh6545]

I lived in Albany for 8 years. Great town. Didn’t feel dangerous at all. In NY, people tend to stay forever. Not transient like western US. Bad winters. You have to be ok with shoveling snow. Lots of snow.

[@deafleppard1812]

Albany is pretty dangerous. You probably lived in guilderland or something. Also people are leaving New York because the democrats have destroyed this state. If things don’t change I’m going to leave New York in the next ten years.

[@rodneyhamilton2562]

I worked in Albany for a few months. One of the hotels I stayed in was downtown, and another was near "Emac and Bolio's Ice Cream". I had a blast walking around both those areas. There was a lot to see.

[@jm7578]

My daughter takes me there all the time. It is a little pricey, but it tastes great.

[@birbluv9595]

Delaware Avenue, near the old Spectrum Theatres, now owned by Landmark.

[@yallaproductions]

Omg I miss emac so bad 😋

[@RobOlgatree]

🙋‍♂Hi Nichol 🙋‍♂Hi Joe - I had no idea Albany was so old and historic,. The capitol building was just beautiful. I love fish and chips too. So good to see you two. You always make my day.

[@adamnichols3506]

The Empire State Plaza is awesome! A lot of it is underground. The state museum is a treasure. Albany is rough in parts and nice in others.

[@Olizimm]

like all the city...what a discover?? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@michaelcardamone1209]

The plaza is vile brutalist architecture designed to destroy your soul, occupied by the people whose job is to destroy the state and they are truly excelling.

[@rvsteve583]

you need to WTFU AND LOOK AROUND........................................

[@1995billy]

Look up "The Neighborhood that Disappeared" by PBS. Talks about how Albany utilized imminent domain to destroy villages to build the empire state plaza.

[@stj971]

​@@michaelcardamone1209Hochul 👎

[@MaryAnnMaher]

Love your videos! I lived most of my life in the Hudson Valley and in the Capital District. It is so lovely for you to look at the beautiful architecture and give us all the statistics on the area. Absolutely love the fact that you tried to get into the churches. St Peter's is so well known and the Immaculate Conception is too! So sad about the poverty, crime and decline of many of these beautiful upstate New York cities.

[@Ramanandan19]

Albani ...a fantastic place to see. This video has given me a feeling of going there. Enjoyed the video.

[@Rosalyn-iv6ce]

Absolutely Stunning I live one hour South and have never viewed Albany like this

[@jetwoman10001]

I live a half hour south and go in all the time for medical and dental. So many different sections but still vibrant neighborhoods for the most part.

[@LyrinaeSings]

Really cool to see you explore my hometown! Despite going to the plaza almost every day, I've never been in that gorgeous cathedral or ventured up all the stairs in the capitol building! Awesome video and I hope you enjoyed your time in Albany! :)

[@angelinaduganNy]

It would have been cool if he went underground at the Plaza.

[@maryflaherty7096]

Beautiful Cathedral, inside and out. Magnificent. Albany has a lot of snow in the winter.

[@andyjohnston3136]

Absolutely love this this episode. I'm a big fan of Brutalist architecture and as a Brit have never visited greater NY state outside Manhattan. This is going to the top of my wish list as somewhere to visit. Such a mix of styles - largely left untouched by not being too close to Manhattan Need to put together a road trip!. Stunning video Joe - you get beneath the tourist veneer!

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Andy!!

[@Vintaget26]

Beautiful church. 👍🏼

[@billysmith5721]

Was AN ALTER boy for msg jones at the cathedral IC

[@DJ-uk5mm]

Thanks for posting your trips. I love travelling around the United States but I haven’t been back for many years. I can now travel vicariously through your videos. Thanks again

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome!

[@Catherinewheel1995]

Hello from Staphorst a small city in Holland. A farming village where the older generation still wears traditional clothes. And also traditional houses. Maybe it would be nice to come this way sometime.😉 It always surprises me that the streets are so clean, cleaner than in my little village. I love your videos. J & N

[@squirrel2000]

In the 1970s there was a huge push to prevent littering. There were very effective television commercials and slogans -- such as a native American paddling a canoe and crying at the trash. There was also a cartoon owl who said "Give a hoot, don't pollute!" This made quite an impact, especially on kids. So it became a very negative thing if you threw trash -- your friends would look down on you. To this day, we still have organizations (and families) who adopt part of a road and pick up the trash several times a year. Unfortunately, I have seen this culture slowly going away. Perhaps we need another campaign to convince younger people to pick up trash, just like the one from 50 years ago.

[@JimmyDolittle-ot9ez]

I remember that ​@@squirrel2000

[@patrickkelley33]

So there's some fun facts between our city and your country. The original name of Albany was Beverwijck as we were founded as a Dutch trading post for collecting and selling beaver pelts. The city was renamed Albany after the city was obtained by the British after the Seven Years' War. When Nijmegen was bombed during WWII we adopted it as a sister city and sent supplies to help rebuild the damages done by the Nazis. Queen Wilhelmina personally thanked our mayor Erastus Corning and sent 2000 tulips as a way to show appreciation. Tulip Festival was created to celebrate the gift from Queen Wilhelmina and it's still the biggest event of the year for our city. We have never forgotten our origins as a Dutch colony and still very much celebrate it. Our city flag still has Dutch colors to celebrate the true founders of our city.

[@thomaschakma]

I have started to watching your videos from last year when you started from Texas. Finally you came to my town. Thank you 🙏

[@robertshelton9881]

I've been to Albany on Amtrak many times. The station is nice, but is far from the city center. I always wondered what was downtown. Now I know what I was missing.

[@dib_dib]

The Albany Rennselaer rail station is not in fact in Albany at all. Rensselaer is it's own city in a completely different county. Fun fact...

[@dmcarpenter2470]

Sorry you missed DE-766, former Aetos (Hellenic Navy) and former USS Slater. She is one of the most well kept and restored small naval ships in the US.

[@prescotthancock5907]

Thank you! I always pass it going home from 787 into Rensselaer. I'm not from here so I had no idea but I've been curious. Although I always forget to look it up when I get home lol now I can.

[@birbluv9595]

I lived half my life (in two sections) in Schenectady and never really got to Albany (which my parents hated) until my second stint, as an adult. I didn’t do too much touring around there - just some shows at The Egg and the Palace Theatre - plus movies on Delaware Avenue, and a tour of the State Capitol (which didn’t include that cool War Room!) Sixty years ago the winters were very cold and snowy, and i got frostbite (undiagnosed) several times, so i can’t tolerate the cold any more, and moved south when conditions allowed. Miss the architecture, though, and never saw the inside of the cathedral! Thank you so much for showing it!

[@fasteddy-fd3kr]

I love traveling to small towns and cities. You are doing it for me 🎉🎉 Thank you for your videos..I really enjoy them and your narrative is perfect. I live in Canada.

[@gaylordfrancisco8928]

Thanks Joe and Nic it surely did feel that we were with you guys there. I totally agree that they sure know how to build beautiful buildings before.

[@georgeallen7887]

Great video. But I’m sorry you had to rush away. There’s so much more to see: Washington Park and the houses that flank it. The monstrous but fascinating main campus of The University at Albany, designed by Edward Durrell Stone. You passed right by the many-columned state Education Building, an awesome facade as I imagine you saw. The old Albany Academy building, in its park across from the state capital. A lot of The Gilded Age tv series, though set in New York City, was filmed in Albany and its adjacent city, Troy, also an amazing place. An almost great series of novels set in this area is William Kennedy’s, the most famous of which is Ironweed. Much about drinking and betrayal. It was never built, but have you seen Richardson’s designs for the Albany Episcopal cathedral? Rather awesome. One of his last projects.

[@RayEquus]

Washington park is an absolute staple

[@mamasinger49]

That capitol building was next level stunning. I live in Ireland where the architecture is unreal, so old, so I am lucky to see amazing architecture everywhere, I even live in a house from the late 1700s which isn't unusual here. But Albany is so beautiful, sad it has so much crime, but thank you for showing us around again Joe and Nic.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

It really is. I think it's probably my favorite state capitol building.

[@mamasinger49]

@@JoeandNicsRoadTrip That's saying something with you having seen so many.

[@Peter-f2m]

@@mamasinger49 hey. DON’T listen to them about the crime. They’ve made that seem far worse just to add some drama. This is the second oldest city in America. One of the most beautiful and charming. An amazing place to live. TONS of Irish heritage.

[@rikspector]

That portrait in The Olde English Pub, was Winston Churchill who was, by the way, half American.

[@MadelineRose-ep7fj]

Finger Lakes region is beautiful. Thank you for showcasing the capital, reminded me of the Alhambra and with the lovely, low lighting, welcoming.😊

[@susanfaulkner2304]

My father did his Navy training in the Finger lakes for WWII. We went to that facility in 1975. My Dad wandered off from me, mom and brother. Ten minutes later, he came back and said the tree where he carved him and my mom's initials was still there !

[@jonathanbardunias1889]

I’ve lived north of Albany my entire life. Albany represents everything wrong with New York State in a nutshell. In between Madison and Central ave lies a city constructed for the wealthy and powerful who could care less that they are surrounded on all four corners by some of the most extreme poverty, crime and terrible living conditions in the state. Our elected officials are literal blocks away from the disasters they created and they could care less so long as their little enclave is clean and tidy

[@Pnanasnoic]

Basically what they have done to all American cities.

[@ymbmom]

Were you an architect?

[@josie10131]

As an Albany native yer off your mark. The people making decisions dont spend time in NY period.

[@davidhowe5415]

This is a gross oversimplification. First, there are plenty of solid liveable areas other than what you mention. Second, it wasn't the politicians who moved all the jobs out of the state, it was the business owners. Third, efforts are being made to deal with the problems you mention, but I bet you didn't vote for the officials who want to solve them. So - in a nutshell - Albany and the entire capital region is a cool place to live, walkable, housing is reasonably priced, easy access to incredible outdoor activities, 2 hours from NYC, nice people. Like any city, keep your eyes open and stay safe. Or, you can live out in the countryside and be bored....

[@gospos1]

@@davidhowe5415 you make good points…however, politicians and the democrats are everything that is ruining and has ruined New York State and Albany…outside of another democratic controlled state, California, not many states have lost more people then New York

[@JohnBurdette-or7if]

I love upper state, New York, Albany has a whole lot of history to it. I used to go there at least once twice a week.. That Cathedral is something else isn’t it?

[@hadlee189]

Beautiful Catholic Church that you went into! The stations of the cross were beautifully done.

[@lisagallo1745]

Oh, that Cathedral is exquisite and what a lovely invitation to come inside. What a difference between the old architecture to the benign, ugly modern and to go from beautiful to ugly in such a short period of history! The insanity of building such ugliness at such a high cost. Love all your videos!

[@jeanne819]

I live an hour and 15 min south from Albany ---- thanks for sharing and I love the beautiful church !!

[@deanabanks8443]

Good to see you again Nick and jo

[@davidroberson8030]

And that city has some of the most awesome architecture I've seen in anywhere in a long time. My mom was born there Cool.

[@ThatsGoldJerry575]

There is some crazy cool architecture in Albany! Thanks for the tour! I love that plaza! Imagine New Yorkers back in the 70s had some thought on them spending $2 Bil on it though :o

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

I agree. That is a ton of money.

[@JAMESPATTERSON-mk9sr]

At the beginning one time governor Nelson Rockefeller believed in building plenty of grand buildings in New York state ! Happy trails to Lord and Lady Spoda .

[@christinecopson5502]

Another great video keep them coming. Love you guys from UK❤

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!

All right, another Joe and Nic's excellent adventure !! 🤯 Amazing architecture. 🏛Always nice when Nic comes along.💃

[@foxlair3682]

I went to college in Albany. Graduated from College of Saint Rose. A once respected college that recently went bankrupt and closed due to mismanagement and poor long-term planning. I also did an internship at the capital and spent probably 4 days a week in the capital building. Very interesting place and many cool hidden features. Italian stone masons did much of the work.

[@kitrina63]

I started watching your channel last year and l LOVE your style of filming and commentary. I always felt like l was riding along in your Bronco with you while you talked. I enjoy the small town visits the most....while in NY maybe next time visit the Finger Lakes region ( where l grew up)...you would LOVE it! I now live in Alabama, and l noticed when you came to this state you visited Birmingham and a few of the other bigger cities...please start showing the smaller towns in the states you revisit. Anyway, l really love your videos, you always do a fantastic job ! God bless and stay safe out there! 😊💞

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Will do! We plan on an Alabama visit this coming winter. :) BTW, I have done some small town Alabama videos. They're on the channel!

[@kitrina63]

@JoeandNicsRoadTrip yes l saw them. There's some really nice small towns in southeast Alabama...like Enterprise, Opp, Andalusia even the city of Dothan. I love your videos no matter wher you go! I can't wait for your trip to Alaska!!

[@shirahp5798]

It's so awesome to see what folks outside of Albany think of the city! I am from the suburbs of Albany, so I sort of take these things for granted. Surprised you didn't go into the NY state museum, it's an awesome place! I know you didn't want to go in the elevator at the Capital Building, but the elevators are also old-fashioned! They have someone who pulls a manual lever and you tell them which floor you want to go on. You went into the House, btw. I used to go there in High School and sit in the sessions there for PIG (Participation in Government). There's lots of old buildings scattered about downtown, and lots of historic Brownstones- especially in the Washington Park (Lark Street) area. You were so close to the Cathedral of All Saints as well , I think you would have liked to check that one out. As for the metro area, us locals like to call the area "Smallbany". You always run into people you know so you have the nice things of being a state capital while not dealing with price inflation or too much traffic. Also, a section of that plaza turns into a public skating rink in the winter. The Egg hosts a lot of neat shows, we are on a great path between Boston and NYC, so a lot of class acts come through here on their way to there, and we don't pay the crazy concert prices. Anyway, I'm so glad that you toured a bit of downtown on your trip here. :) Thanks for making a video about my hometown city, a lot of people forget we exist up here in Upstate. ^^:

[@dalefc9331]

I watch these videos in the UK and it always strikes me how little life and pedestrians there are on the streets. It's a shame because there are some beautiful cities I would just love to wander around.

[@chadmcnabb281]

I think it is because the USA is a younger country than European countries. That means most cities in the USA developed at the same time as interstates and suburbs. People only go downtown for work in most US cities. They don't live in downtown or close to downtowns. IT is also daytime in most of his videos and if it is a weekday then people are at work. You will see more people on the weekends and in the evening.

[@cumberlandquiltchic1]

You’d be surprised how many people work remotely- still! I was commenting how I see such a difference from when I worked downtown Albany in 1980s. It was very busy then. Always people on the streets. Even weekends because there were shops And the park and that plaza area. No, I see a huge difference in how quiet it is now.

[@serke]

My guess is he was downtown on a weekend, during the week there's much more foot traffic and the observation deck of the Corning tower is usually open.

[@judydoyle1124]

@@serkeyes, my observation too! There are many people walking arond during week

[@annglynn9]

Nicole’s passport was stamped on July 11th, which was a Thursday. Sad but hopefully things turn around for the better.

[@litoreggie]

That church is STUNNING

[@normg2242]

This got more and more interesting as the video went on. Thanks for sharing!

[@ohmeowzer1]

Love going to Albany .It’s beautiful with a lot of history

[@georgeburns7251]

Another great road trip Joe and Nic. That pub you are at looks like my kind of place. The beer sounded intriguing. Thank you.

[@usmcmos0317]

Great video guys. Glad you’re doing the trip and I just get to do the ride along. LoL it’s just to much city for me. And I actually probably see more of it through your lens than I would if it was just me actually being there. Lota history and I appreciate that as well as the buildings and different architecture. Great looking meal and the blueberry Pilsner is a new one for me. You’re commentary and stats are the best part for me. Please don’t ever change that it’s great just like you are. Safe travels my friend. Keep filming I’ll keep watching.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Awesome, thank you!!!

[@everydaypresent444]

Fascinating city with tons of history. Not at all what I was expecting. The Empire Plaza really has a sci-fi, other-worldly aura about it. The buildings' names are so oddly non-specific (Agency 1, Agency 2, etc.) and they look breathtakingly almost menacing like prison structures. I would love to know what kinds of "agencies" are in those buildings. The Catholic church is absolutely incredible, as well as the capitol building. Another enjoyable installment this week, Joe and Nic. Thank you! One of the best things about Saturday mornings is another engaging view of another part of the US. 👍⛪❤

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you!!

[@susanarchivist]

They are NYS government agencies. It seems they are always moving around, so I am not exactly sure which agencies are in which buildings, but they are agencies like the DMV administrative offices, the Division of Tax Appeals, Department of Environmental Conservation, etc. A little known fact is that in the lobbies of those buildings, in the underground councourse connecting all the bulidings, and on the plaza itself is a large modern art collection with works with artists such as Alexander Calder, Isamu Noguchi, Claes Oldenburg, Jackson, Pollock, and Mark Rothko. You casually walk by this great art on your way to take care of mundane state government tasks.

[@birbluv9595]

I have two friends, retired librarians, who worked in the law section of the State Library in one of those towers.

[@FixIt1975]

I'm 5 minutes in and this looks so much nicer than our capitol here in NJ. Our capitol is pretty ghetto

[@tootsieshmutsie6428]

Excellent vid, packed with interesting historic info, gorgeous sites, thank you

[@leenickshramko1100]

You are very kind to Albany, Joe. Notice any building, construction, etc, going on? Nothing. As an inhabitant of the metro area, I can tell you the policies of the local and state govt are not interested in improving the quality of life for those in Arbor Hill. But they keep voting for the same thing. As for the architecture, I agree Albany has some beautiful buildings.

[@leenickshramko1100]

The beautiful buildings were built in the 19th century for the most part. 20th century brought the Brutalism style so popular in eastern bloc countries. Reflects a lot more than architecture.

[@robertz2557]

The Albany County courthouse is also an amazing building it was just a little north of the capital building on eagle st. Thanks for the tour of the capital building i have lived here 20+ years and had no idea you could just go there and tour the place.

[@dpporlando]

The inside of the capital building is beautiful and the elevators are right outta the 1920s really cool building

[@cumberlandquiltchic1]

I use to work downtown Albany in 1980s , in a very tall old building. The elevators were very old and pretty. One day, I felt them drop a very very very very long ways! It was so scary! Then, it would often do it maybe only a few floors. 😳

[@dpporlando]

@@cumberlandquiltchic1 My Dad worked on the 5th floor of a building. One day leaving for lunch they were waiting for the elevator and the doors opened, he grabbed the guy with him by his belt and held him from going into the shaft. The elevator wasn't there.

[@cumberlandquiltchic1]

Very scary! Im glad he thought wuick and saved him.

[@marthakierstead3415]

That cathedral was breathtaking! The capitol building was very impressive too . Yeah Nicole Philly girl ! Me too . Great video as always

[@rogeranderson8488]

Funny you mentioned Logan's Run. One of my top 5 favorite movies! Have you ever been to the Dallas World Trade Center? Where a lot of the movie was filmed. I went there in 1989 on a college trip. The main room is enormous!! I enjoy your videos.. If you ever come back to Topeka, KS i can show you around to other amazing places. Also if you're ever going through Junction City, KS. I can help you out again.. Check out the High School.. One of the biggest in size in the U.S.

[@boniw698]

What an amazing tour. Just breathtaking in its history. Thank you so much. 🫶💕

[@beckystone7994]

Hi guys , beautiful old city and that church and the state house inside was amazing !! The food looked delicious ! Safe travels and God bless ❤️🙏🙋🏻🙏🙏

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Becky!!

[@denisem.1042]

Poor kid fell off his bike and no comment? Another great video!

[@martian9999]

yep, that was quite a video catch. But thankfully, the sidewalks are so wide that there's no danger of falling into traffic.

[@cmdrflake]

You missed the heritage of what you called the SUNY building. The Plaza was built in conjunction with Albany Union Station which was used by New York Central and Delaware & Hudson Company which was operating a canal and anthracite coal mining and both bituminous and anthracite coal sales as well as the railroad.

[@georgetsokanis3542]

The building was modeled on the Guild Hall in Ypres,Belgium that was destroyed in ww1.

[@XBKLYN]

I lived in the area in the 70s and the place was down on its knees. Havent been back since you just took me for a drive through the city. The place looks like Nirvana compared to how I remembered it. Thanks for the tour!

[@actraveler8309]

I’m was born about an hour north of Albany. The area is very depressed but beautiful as you mentioned. My family relocated to NC when I was a kid to escape the inevitable of that area. When we go back it’s more depressing than the last. Shows how that place is being destroyed from the inside. It’s very sad

[@bobthetruckerguy5770]

Great video. I grew up about 90 minutes south and we went to Albany sometimes for shopping. Big malls in the suburbs. I'm surprised you didn't show the governor's mansion which is right near the cathedral. The state museum is cool and there's no admission fee. Thanks for visiting my home state! Also, another cool building is the RCA building with a big statue of the dog "Nipper" on the roof. Its about a mile or two from downtown.

[@marksnyder8022]

I am pretty sure the Empire State Plaza is modelled on the futuristic capital of Brazil. Brasilia was built in the jungle in the early 1960s to draw people away from the coasts. This may signal the state of New York wanting to move the state's social, cultural, and economic center of gravity away from New York City a bit.

[@nancysimpson4246]

Hey Joe nic thank you for this video I always learn something. I did not know ,by watching your videos. You bring a lot of knowledge to the world.😊 absolutely gorgeous church wow it’s breathtaking that glass& the statues wow that Capital is absolutely amazing. I’ve never seen nothing like it in my life wow.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Nancy!!

[@samsprague2846]

As you can see, Albany has a lot to be proud of. There is unfortunately high crime now because most people who can afford it have moved to the surrounding suburbs which have much lower crime rates. It has the distinction of having the largest wealth and education gap in the US between the neighborhoods. The mayor recently moved to the poorer one, Arbor Hill to try to help understand the issues from that perspective.

[@Skycouncil_Sentinel_777]

Great tour, that church was so beautiful and whatever camera you're using has incredible quality! Subscribed! Beautiful buildings in Albany! Hope the crime goes down we all can increase the peace.

[@TessaRucker]

Another great presentation! Love the history and city facts you provide! Thank you guys!

[@renatoamaral8259]

Great video, Albany is very beautiful and interesting to visit! 💯👍🥰

[@nancyrauch9492]

Excellent video Joe & Nic !!! I wonder why a lot of the side street row homes always had mostly almost flat top roofs .... since they're in a very snowy region of the state ? Do you know why, Joe ? I could not believe the high poverty & crime rates either ? Anyway, this was a fantastic video as you make them very interesting with your great narration qualities. Looking forward to Delaware ! Thanks for taking me along....😊😊

[@CharlesCurran-m9p]

That’s usually just the front facade. The roof actually slopes to the rear so snow and rain doesn’t pour onto the sidewalk. Some commercial buildings have flat roofs with drain systems to prevent water from standing.

[@sandratagaban5541]

Oh boy. If that building is fresh in your minds when you see Alaska’s capitol building, you are going to be disappointed. The good news it’s just a few blocks from the Red Dog Saloon. Saw dust and all.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

We'll check both out!!

[@LarryHeagren]

The city was an architectural feast. The cathedral was fantastic. The State Capitol Building was very impressive. The ornate details were very intricate. That type of artisanship is almost all gone. The fish and chips didn't look English to me. I lived in Liverpool and Manchester as a young man and know fish and chips. You'd think the owner who is English would do proper chips. I share your disappointment. I wouldn't expect you to enjoy Steak and Kidney Pudding but maybe when you travel to England after completing your rounds in America you can try it. It is best over chips with brown gravy. Something to file for future use. All in all another superb video. The artful quality to your videos have carved you a niche in travel videos on KZbin. This one is another polished gem and your production is very crisp and entertaining. You will be hitting the half million subscriber mark soon. The views of the cathedral in this video are of an excellent quality. It takes a good eye to frame and get the shots as expertly as you do. All other KZbinrs do drive buys but you do art. Sharing your gift with the KZbin community benefits all. Thank you again and keep em coming. Cheers, Larry

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Thank you, Larry, and I totally agree! Albany has some incredible, unforgettable architecture.

[@luiszuluaga6575]

I’m a New Yorker but I’ve never been inside the state capital building even though I’ve been to the Empire State Plaza. Downtown has some gorgeous buildings from the Guilded Age and just thereafter, I think.

[@frankiecrocker]

Albany is really a beautiful city. The building @18:32 has an X painted on it which usually means the building is condemned. However, the building next to seems to be occupied.

[@SajjadKhan-jn7cw]

beautiful video and beautiful church thanks for sharing joe and Nic 👍

[@spg5658]

The Statehouse is one of the most beautiful I've seen. Absolutely stunning

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

Agree!

[@drewv1785]

Albany looks very nice in some parts, but not so much in others. Too bad about the crime rates. I enjoyed the tour of the capital building, paticularly the relief sculpture of Roger Sherman at 22:47. I live in Connecticut where a lot of things are named after him.

[@frankintx699]

The Capital Building interior reminds me of the Munsters show. Thanks for another fantastic tour, Joe and Nick!👍❤

[@DUMPSTERDIVINGADELAIDE]

Hey Frank, small world 😊

[@frankintx699]

@@DUMPSTERDIVINGADELAIDE This is one of my favorite channels😊

[@DUMPSTERDIVINGADELAIDE]

@@frankintx699- same, been here for about a year

[@stephenhyder4659]

Immaculate Conception Cathedral is amazing

[@elsieminter6875]

Enjoy your travel videos. Been looking every day for a new one.

[@davidhayter8516]

You opening a pub…is that good idea😂. Great vid, mate. I’ll be in New York in a month or so. If I have time I’ll be jumping on the train to have a closer look at Albany.

[@bobhock8760]

I would love for you to come back and walk thru Troy and Schenectady.

[@JoeandNicsRoadTrip]

We will in time.

[@stj971]

For some really bad neighborhoods?

[@ES-qu1jd]

​@@JoeandNicsRoadTripYes, definitely Schenectady! I always drive by when traveling from the Midwest to the East coast and never have time to stop and explore Schenectady.

[@sweetcakes77_7]

The inside of the Capital Building staircase reminds me of the 1968 movie THE LION IN WINTER . . . . . so beautiful!❤❤❤❤

[@billysmith5721]

THE CAPITAL BUILDING WAS ON FIRE IN 1911 THE NIGHT WATCHMAN WAS KILLED IN THE FIRE AS THE CAPITAL IS SAID TO BE HAUNTED BY HIS GHOST

[@juliogonzales5441]

BEAUTIFUL CHURCH..THANKS JOE AND NIC ❤