The city of Albany stands beside the Hudson River north of New York City and makes a good base from which to explore ‘upstate New York’. Albany is dominated by the US$2 billion Rockefeller Empire State Plaza, a striking 10-building complex that includes the 44-story Corning Tower, the venerable State Capitol and the city’s performing arts theater (nicknamed ‘The Egg’ for its unusual shape). The New York State Museum, the country’s oldest and largest State Museum, portrays the urbanization of New York City and has lifelike dioramas among the exhibits on Native Americans, gems and birds. The Albany Institute of History and Art is the oldest museum in the State; its permanent collection of 15,000 objects relate to the art, history and culture of Albany and the Upper Hudson Valley. St Peter’s Church, notable for its stained glass and floor mosaics, is well worth visiting.