Washington Park - Albany, NY

Washington Park was named a historic district in 1972 because of the architectural and historical significance of the community. Several of New York's governors have lived in houses near the actual park that were built by some of the nineteenth century's most famous architects.

Many of the homes in this area housed the wealthy folks from that time. Bankers and engineers, as well as politicians and railroad executives, from the nineteenth century called this neighborhood home.

This neighborhood lies completely surrounded by excellent dining and nightlife choices. Lark Tavern located on Lark Street in the heart of Washington Park provides all types of great entertainment. Trivia Night, typically hosted on Tuesdays, provides hours of fun for everyone, including children. Comedy Night on Mondays can also provide ample entertainment, whether for a group of friends or for a date night. The tavern serves pub-style food as well as mixed drinks and cocktails. Local craft beers and regular beers are always on tap and can be enjoyed until closing time at 4 a.m. every night of the week.

Whether you plan to dine-in the restaurant, pick up carryout on the way home or order online to have food delivered, locals love China House Chinese restaurant's fast service and cheerful, friendly staff. Enjoy a modern interpretation of classic Cantonese and Szachuan dishes such as moo shu and chow mein, which feature only the highest quality, freshest ingredients. Simply Fish and Jazz has live entertainment and jazz music every week. This hidden gem has been a popular local nightclub and hangout for years. The spot specializes in Southern-fried seafood such as catfish and scallops brought in from Maine and Massachusetts. Open until 3 a.m. most nights, this establishment provides a relaxed atmosphere with great food and a wide selection of beer and spirits.

Taxicab companies are abundant in near Washington Park. Capitaland Taxi and Yellow Cab are the two most popular cab companies in this area, with rates averaging around $10 for an in-town trip. Fares for going outside of the city from Washington Park start at $20 and go up, depending on the destination.

Greyhound Bus runs from downtown Albany, making it easy to take a trip to Montreal, Boston or New York City. However, if you're looking to hit up New York City, try booking a trip with Megabus. If you book far enough in advance, your trip only costs $1. Regular CDTA city buses provide quick and reliable transportation when you need to get to the local Crossgates Mall or go food shopping at the nearest Price Chopper grocery store.

Washington Park residents tend to walk or ride a bike around the neighborhood. Many conveniences, such as corner stores and schools, are located a few blocks in all directions from the center of the area, making the neighborhood convenient for bikers to navigate. Because of the abundance of bike riders, drivers share the road and are respectful of cyclists as well as pedestrians.

Washington Park is the main park in this neighborhood. The 84-acre family-friendly recreation spot in the heart of the Washington Park neighborhood was named one of the 100 most important public parks in the United States by the American Association of Architects in 1998. The area has attracted famous architects from all over, including the likes of Henry Hobson Richardson who designed some of the houses that sit adjacent to the park.

This premier park in the Capitol Region remains well maintained and offers many options for sports lovers. Families bring their children to enjoy sports and picnicking. At the southwest end of the park sits a long, narrow 5.2-acre lake called Washington Park Lake that provides great fishing and bird watching. While park admittance is free, no dogs are allowed.

The famous Tulip Festival held inside the park every year attracts hundreds of locals and tourists who gather to take photographs of the prize-winning flowers. Held every year on Mother's Day weekend in May, the festival sees some 150-plus varieties of tulips. The festival also has live entertainment and music as well as local vendors cooking and offering samples of great food. Fine art exhibits are also a part of the festival, where town folk gather to celebrate the Dutch heritage of traditional Albany.

Several neighborhoods are part of the historic Washington Park section of Albany. The streets are lined with beautiful brownstones and Victorian-era buildings, each unique in its architecture.

Rent for a one-bedroom apartment can cost between $1,000 and $1,500 on average. With harder-to-find amenities such as a fireplace or view of downtown Albany, rent in Washington Park runs slightly higher.

Gas prices in and around Washington Park are about 10 percent higher than the national average and about 5 percent lower than the New York State average. A local pint of beer runs between $3 and $8 for specialty or imported craft brews.

Due to Washington Park's closeness to the center of downtown Albany, driving or taking a taxicab or local city bus takes between five to 10 minutes, depending on traffic. City buses run every 20 minutes from bus stops all over Washington Park and its surrounding neighborhoods.

Dubbed the official swag headquarters of Albany, Young Fresh and Fly on South Pearl Street provides upscale urban fashion for men and women. Establishing itself as a premier urban clothing store, the shop provides affordable clothing for the whole family. Locals and visitors frequent this boutique because of its great location and stylish selection.

A few blocks north of the Washington Park neighborhood, One-Eleven Boutique provides a quiet shopping experience where the salespeople are eager to help. You can find everything from elegant evening wear and dresses to quirky styles with accessories to match.

Locals go grocery shopping at Albany News and Grocery, a 24-hour shop located on the east side of Washington Park. Another typical grocery store alternative for health-conscious people is Lark Natural Foods on Lark Street.

Several farmers markets are located just outside of the Washington Park area, near downtown Albany, including the Capital District Farmers Market and Ryan's Farmers Market, which are only open on the weekends. Both markets are approximately 6 to 8 miles from Washington Park and about a 12-minute ride by car, taxicab or bus.