Sitting majestically atop Albany’s State Street hill, the New York State Capitol has served as the seat of government for New York since the 1880s. The building is a marvel of late 19th-century architectural grandeur, built by hand of solid masonry over a period of 32 years. For more information on tours, parking, directions & more, go to the Empire State Plaza & Capitol Visitor website.
Visitors to the Capitol are required to pass through metal detectors and have bags scanned through an x-ray machine. Personal belongings such as backpacks and large bags should be left behind. Sharp objects, such as pocket knives, nail clippers, weapons, and nuisance devices such as whistles and noisemakers are not allowed into the building.
Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) provides bus service to the Empire State Plaza. Some of the buses that service the facility include routes 214, 224, 233, 519, 530, and NX. For more information and scheduling, visit the CDTA website at: https://www.cdta.org/routes
New York State Employees: P2 North, Swipe Access (Must see your Agency ID Card Representative to request access)
General Public use: Free standing bike racks are positioned outside each building at the Empire State Plaza. These are free-standing and do not require special access.
The Capitol is located at the north end of the Empire State Plaza. OGS recommends visitors park in one of the Plaza's visitor parking lots. See all visitor parking options for the Empire State Plaza.