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Markets and independent shops in Albany

6 markets, bookshops, record shops and makers in Albany.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

Markets and independent shops in Albany

  1. Buy

    Colonie Center

    Remodelled in an effort to combat its former reputation as a ghost town mall. CC has a new Regal Cinemas complex with 13 stadium-seating theaters. Major stores include Macy's, FYE as well as Boscov's, LL Bean, Barnes & Noble and Christmas Tree Shops. Eat at PF Chang's or the Cheesecake Factory, which are conveniently adjacent to one another between Sears and LL Bean. Colonie Center draws a more suburban crowd than Crossgates due to Crossgates' better accessibility by public transportation.

  2. Buy

    Crossgates Commons

    An overflow of chain stores located across Washington Ave Extension from Crossgates Mall. Here you'll find the largest Walmart in the US, which looks unremarkable until you realize there is an entire underground level devoted to groceries and toiletries. Worth a visit if you've never seen a shopping cart escalator.

  3. Buy

    Crossgates Mall

    Otherwise referred to as "the mall," it's the biggest shopping center in the region and at one point was among the top ten largest shopping malls in the United States. The best spot to park is by Best Buy, which is in the center of the mall. Flagship stores include Macy's, JC Penney, a Forever 21 superstore, Best Buy, H&M, Borders and the Apple store. Crossgates has a Regal Cinemas complex with 17 standard stadium-seating theaters and one IMAX Experience theater. Because local hooligans, after 4PM on Friday and Saturday you must be 18 or older to enter the mall unsupervised, with the exception of the movies.

  4. Buy

    Latham Farms Shopping Center

    Retail part includes Wal-Mart, Dick's sporting goods, Home Depot and restaurant chains.

  5. Buy

    Stuyvesant Plaza

    The most upscale shopping venue in the area. Independent boutiques and brand stores like Crabtree & Evelyn dominate, with a few chain staples; there is a TGI Friday's right next to the Starbucks. Color Me Mine is a neat little DIY craft shop where you can paint your own ceramics.

  6. Buy Not mapped

    Lark Street

    It has a few gift shops and other unique stores with an alternative vibe. If you're downtown take a gander and support local shopkeepers by buying a glass pipe, a bustier dress with cherries on it, or a rainbow flag to hang in your front window.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Albany (CC BY-SA 4.0).