Albany – Things to do with your Team

When you think about the capital of New York, your first thought is probably politics, but there is much more to this city than political legislature. From spooky ghost tours to a decommissioned Navy Destroyer, Albany has a rich history to explore with your team. The area is full of family friendly amenities and entertaining events. There is vibrancy in Albany that reflects both its link to history and its promising future. While your team stays in this capital city, use this list as a reference to some of the great family fun Albany has to offer.

Albany Indoor Rock Gym

At Albany Indoor Rock Gym you can experience what’s it’s like to climb a mountain! Your team will encounter trackable ceiling climbs, with taped routes for beginners and advanced climbers. Equipped with the nations only indoor cave system, you can crawl through the shadowy depths and multiple cave openings. The cave features, a Lexan slide and bridge, cargo net, mirror room, and submarine room. You can learn the ropes as they educate you on basic climbing techniques, climbing safety, belay device lessons, and knot tying. Take a ride on the 60 foot Zip Line. The summer hours run from Memorial Day through Labor Day and are Monday through Friday 1:00PM to 10:00PM, Saturday and Sunday 12:00PM to 8:00PM. Normal business hours run Monday through Friday 3:00PM to 10:00PM, Saturday and Sunday 12:00PM to 10:00PM. If you are interested in booking your team here, group events include a safety instruction, three hours of rock climbing and caving. Shoes and harness rentals also included. Participants must be 10 years or older. 4C Vatrano Road, Albany, NY 12205

5 Wits Albany

Have you ever teleported to an abandoned starship? How about go on a medieval quest? At 5 Wits adventures you can do it all, even enter a 3,000 year old tomb with only a flashlight and your wits to guide you, all in Albany! 5 Wits adventures are similar to an escape room, and involve using teamwork to solve puzzles and challenges. 5 Wits adventures also showcase higher quality environments, special effects, and more compelling storytelling new adventures begin every 15 minutes throughout the day. As one group moves deeper into their exploration, a new group can enter. In this way they can accommodate very large groups with rolling starts, and can take up to 12 people on each expedition. Each of their family friendly adventures are designed to be intense, and are intended to thrill and challenge, not to frighten you. There are some temporary moments of darkness and some loud sound effects in each experience, so I suggest that parents of young children use their discretion. They will work with your team, to provide support material and lunch options. You can even rent the entire facility so you gave the whole place for yourselves! To book and for more information, call their group sales department at (855) 955-WITS, or fill out a group contact here. 1 Crossgates Mall Rd, Albany, NY 12203

USS Slater DE-766

Anchored on the Hudson River in Albany, New York, the USS Slater has undergone an extensive restoration that has returned the ship to her former glory. During World War II, 563 Destroyer Escorts battled Nazi U-boats on the North Atlantic protecting convoys of men and material. In the Pacific, they stood in line to defend naval task forces from Japanese submarines and Kamikaze air attacks. Today, the USS Slater is the only one of these ships that remains afloat in the United States. The ship was named after Frank O. Slater of Alabama, a sailor killed on the cruiser USS San Francisco during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. He was awarded the Navy Cross for gallantry in action and the Purple Heart. Following service during World War II, the ship was transferred to Greece and renamed Aetos. Decommissioned in 1991, the destroyer escort was returned to the United States. Now the ship acts as a museum, offering hour-long guided tours, youth group overnight camping, and a historic location to hold naval reunions. This is the perfect spot for your team to enjoy some American history while in the area. Group rates are available for organizations wishing to tour the ship. Please contact their tour coordinator or call 518-431-1943 for rates, availability and scheduling. Broadway & Quay Streets, Albany, NY 12202

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Zero Gravity Laser Tag

At Zero Gravity Laser Tag your team can have fast paced, adrenaline pumping fun for all ages. Players compete in two teams of up to 15 players to see which team can score the most points. Heart pounding music blares as players hide and duck for cover around their fluorescent black lit, space themed arena. Your team members will enjoy this competitive fun activity. At the end of the game, score results are displayed in the lobby for individual players and team score as a whole. When the game is finished, your team can enjoy the huge arcade, with lots of video game options. Your team will surely enjoy the fun filled atmosphere at Zero Gravity Laser Tag. 1240 Central Avenue, Albany, NY 12205

Albany Pine Bush Preserve

If you’re looking for outdoor fun, Albany Pine Bush preserve is a must while in the city. The Preserve is a 3,200 acre nature preserve with more than 18 miles of trails. Take the opportunity to enjoy hiking, bird watching, nature study, and much more while at the Pine Bush. Marvel at the spectacular Discovery Center that is free and open year round. As the gateway to the Pine Bush, the Discovery Center introduces you to everything that makes the preserve rare and adventurous. You can learn how to help the environment, touch a snake skin, make a sand dune, plan a prescribed fire, and much more! This is a wonderful place for your team to unwind from the stress of travel, and enjoy nature. 195 New Karner Rd. Suite 1, Albany, NY 12205

Ghost Tours of Albany

After a long day of playing, buckle up for a spooky adventure at the Ghost Tours of Albany. Let them scare you with stories of ghosts, antique sites, scandalous tales, haunted places, mysterious sightings of apparitions, strange and unusual accounts of centuries past, legendary stories, folklore, and ghostly experiences stranger than reality. Their tales and legends are blended with bits of human interest and historical facts that make this an entertaining and educational attraction. This is a great way to take in some of the sites and history of the city, if your team is busy playing through the day time hours. 40 Lodge Street, Albany, NY 12207

New York State Museum

The New York State Museum is a center of art, science, and history dedicated to exploring the human and natural history of the state. Bring your team and see the bounty of exhibits the museum has to offer. Such as the 17 dioramas displaying over 130 taxidermy mounts of New York birds at the Bird Hall. Gaze at The Cohoes Mastodon, which was discovered in 1866, during the construction of The Lofts at Harmony Mills. Walk through Fire Engine Hall, full of two centuries of fire apparatus, which form the core of the firefighting collection at the New York State Museum. Your team will leave this museum talking about all they saw here. To inquire about group visits and tours call 518-474-5843 or email groupreg@nysed.gov. 222 Madison Avenue, Albany, NY 12230

Henry Hudson Planetarium

The Henry Hudson Planetarium, housed in the Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center, is an official NASA Space Place! Their staff offers fun and educational public astronomy programs on the third Saturday of each month at $3 per person. Such as, the Children’s Astronomy Show, an interactive program exploring the stars, planets, comets, and constellations in the night sky. This exhibit is geared toward children aged three to seven and their families. You can also experience the Albany Star Sighting exhibit which helps equips star gazers with the tools and techniques for becoming an amateur astronomer. Fun for children aged eight and above, as well as adults. Programs your team may be made by reservation. Please call 800-258-3582 to make your reservation! 25 Quackenbush Square, Albany, NY 12207

While at the Planetarium make sure to talk to the staff at the Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center, they will answer any questions you have about the city. Rich with history and beautiful views of the Hudson River, Albany is a great place to visit any time of the year. Residents and visitors alike enjoy four unique seasons of entertaining events, historic masterpieces, unique cultural attractions, regional shopping centers, and a taste for culinary delights from around the world. With so much to do for your team in Albany you’re guaranteed to have a memorable time in New York’s capital.