RV Rental Albany, NY

Albany, NY RV Rentals 

Being a manageable, mid-sized city and also the state capital, Albany is New York’s center for government activities. The city is also full of surprises and there are things to do for people of all ages. Most of the visitors are fascinated by the beautiful mountains, museums, historic sites, recreation-friendly public spaces, entertainment centers, and the full dose of summer activities. 

The favorable year-round climate consisting of cold, snowy winters and warm, humid summers also makes Albany a great tourist destination for vacationers and outdoor sports enthusiasts. It has more than 60 public parks that provide a great vacation spot for campers and RV owners. Whether you are planning an extended or short stay, the best way to explore the beauty of the city is in an RV.  

Popular RV Destinations in Albany

Washington Park 

Immerse yourself in 89 acres of Washington Park's green gardens, manicured flower beds, playgrounds, and historic monuments that are open to the public all year long. It was created during the 1870s following a design by Calvert Vaux and Fredrick Olmsted, who are known for designing New York City’s Central Park.

There are bike trails that offer a smooth ride, and you can also engage in fun group sports like basketball, handball, or tennis on the courts. During winter, you can skate on Washington Park Lake. Entry is free except when there are ticketed performances at the Lake House or when there’s an annual festival like the Festival of Lights. Dogs are also welcome in the park, but you have to keep your furry friends on a leash and clean up after them. 

Albany Pine Bush Preserve

Park your RV and hike through trails filled with rare plants and animals at the Albany Pine Bush Reserve. There are over 20 miles of trail filled with towering pitch pines, dense shrub, prairie grass, and sandy stretches that make it seem like there's an ocean in sight. One of the trails is the Discovery Center, which is a 2.5-mile stretch filled with inland barrens, buck moths, deer, turtles, and a variety of birds. 

Then stretch further to the Madison Avenue Pine Barrens that extends for about six miles. You will get enveloped by the tall pine trees while enjoying a relaxing walk on the sandy trails. A bit further from Madison Ave. is the Great Dune trailhead, and this is where you will encounter a large sand dune that’s about 75 feet tall. 

Lastly, head for the Six Mile Waterworks trail that leads to Rensselaer Lake. There, you can engage in some hands-on activities such as fishing or paddling. You can also have a quiet picnic by the lake. The preserve sits on 3,350 acres of land so there are more trails to discover and you can cover them faster on a mountain bike.  

RV Campgrounds

While visiting the glorious parks in the city, you can park your motorhome at Thacher State  Park or at the numerous campgrounds near the city. The John Boyd Thacher State Park is popular for its hiking and biking trails, playgrounds, volleyball and basketball courts, and Thompson's Lake Campground. You can also get a guided tour of the trails. 

Thompson’s Lake Campground has 140 campsites equipped with restrooms and shower facilities, picnic tables, and fire pits. It can accommodate RVs or camping tents. Alternatively, you can choose other campsites near the city like the Arrowhead Marina and RV Park in Schenectady. It’s dog-friendly, has access to electricity, and you can get Wi-Fi at no extra charge. 

The Schodack Island State Park in Schodack Landing also provides good RV parking if you are looking for a kid-friendly-camping spot or would wish to fish on the Hudson River. Most of these campsites have access to dumpsites, modern bathhouses, on-site laundromats, and restrooms. The average cost of having your motorhome at these campsites is about $30 to $60 per day. 

Events and Entertainment in Albany

LarkFest 

The LarkFest is Albany’s signature annual event that has been around since 1981. It’s a one-day festival in September that typically runs from 10:30 a.m to 5:30 p.m, and is hosted by the Lark Street Business Improvement District (BID). It’s one of the largest street festivals in Albany that happens in Albany’s Lark Street (Greenwich Village), and brings in both residents and visitors to share in the city's art, live music, food, and diverse culture. 

The festival typically draws in large crowds with thousands of people and hundreds of vendors. It’s also staffed with police to help direct traffic and paramedics to provide emergency medical assistance. While you are there, you can soak in the friendly urban environment and the vintage feel of the nineteenth-century brownstone buildings. 

Palace Theater 

The Palace Theater is a cultural and entertainment center that was started in 1930. There are many of these theaters throughout the United States and the one in Albany is operated by a non-profit organization, the Palace Performing Arts Center Inc. The theater provides family entertainment and can accommodate more than 2,000 people. It also hosts more than 100 events every year.

It’s a great place to enjoy comedy performances, musicals, dance, and live concerts from famous artists that visit the city each year. You can also get early tickets to watch silent motion pictures and classic movies like Grease, Singing in the Rain, The Elephant Man, It’s a Wonderful Life and more.

The Egg 

Take a walk into the Empire State Plaza and visit The Egg, which is a performing arts center that derives its name from the shape of the building. It’s a fine piece of architecture that was designed by Harrison and Abramovitz, and the building was completed in 1978. The building houses two theaters: the Kitty Carlisle Hart 982-seat theatre and the Lewis A. Swyer 450-seat theatre. 

It’s popular for its great acoustics and intimate atmosphere that make it a great place to host musical and theatrical events, including comedy performances, modern dance, live music, and traditional stage presentations. You can also sign in for a yoga class if you are looking for a serene place to meditate and practice yoga postures with a few new friends. 

Art On Lark 

Second to the LarkFest is the Art on Lark, which is also presented by the Lark Street BID. It’s another annual event on Lark Street that takes place in June. It aims to showcase the works of talented local photographers, painters, jewelers, and more. More than 50 artists turn up for the event, and there are also live music performances from local artists. It usually runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

It’s a fun, family-friendly event that also lets you experience the diversity of Lake Street’s restaurants, bars, cafes, and gift shops.  

Nightlife

The best part of being on vacation is that you don’t have to worry about partying the night away since every day can be a weekend for you. Albany offers an upscale nightlife for its visitors. Madison Avenue and Delaware Avenue are littered with bars, pubs, and dance clubs. To offer a fun atmosphere for large groups, most have pool tables, dart boards, video games, comfortable seating booths, open mic nights, etc. 

FAQs:

Q: What are RV rentals?

This refers to RVs that are typically rented for vacations. They are used for road trips and offer the comfort of home while you travel. You can either get a driveable option, also known as a motorhome, or a towable one. A motorhome looks more like a coach bus, and is more convenient since you can drive and sleep in the same vehicle. Towable RVs are typically towed behind an SUV or pickup truck.  

Q: How much are RV rentals?

There’s no set price schedule for renting an RV as it mostly depends on the location, size of the RV, amenities provided, demand, and time of year. The costs can average from $100 to $300 per night and could go higher if you are renting the RV during annual events or a peak season. You may also incur extra costs for pets or if you need a generator. 

Q: Do I need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Albany?

RV rental companies may have different policies on renting their RVs but most require you to be at least 25 years to be eligible. Some companies may rent out their RVs to people under 25 years but may include an extra fee in such a case. You may have your license revoked or get slapped with fines and lawsuits if you lie about your age and get caught. Instead, have any of your parents or guardians rent the RV for you and accompany you during the trip. 

Q: Do I need insurance when I rent an RV?

Yes, you do, and you can get insurance from your RV rental company. The insurance is typically included in the rental agreement, and some companies offer different levels of coverage that are beyond the basic mechanical breakdowns. You can also get free 24/7 roadside assistance. 

Q: Do I need to return my rental RV with a full tank?

It’s not a compulsory policy with most RV rental companies, but you may get charged an extra fee if you return the RV with a lower fuel mark than when you received it. Save yourself the extra charges and refill the tank by yourself. 

Q: Are RVs pet-friendly in Albany?

There are many RV owners in Albany who allow pets in their vehicles. They are even equipped with pet-friendly amenities such as toys, leashes, and sleeping units. However, you may have to pay an extra deposit to cover any damages or messes that may be caused by your pet.