Erastus Corning II Tower
Erastus Corning II Tower
4.5
Monday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
About
This 42-story building was dedicated in 1983 to the memory of Erastus Corning 2nd, a long-time mayor of Albany who played a special role in the creation of the Plaza as the center of state government. The Tower is the tallest building in New York State outside of New York City. The building dominates the Albany skyline with its glass, marble and angular forms. The Corning Tower Observation Deck is located on the 42nd floor. Breathtaking views of Albany, the Plaza, and surrounding areas can be enjoyed. Also visible are the Hudson River Valley, the Port of Albany, large portions of the city and its government, the foothills of the Adirondacks, the Catskills, and the Berkshires of western Massachusetts. 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday (LAST CHECK-IN AT 3:45 p.m.). Hours subject to change without notice. Closed Saturday and Sunday and holidays. To gain access to the Observation Deck, all persons 16 and older must check in by presenting photo identification at the Observation Deck Check-In, Concourse Level, Corning Tower. Persons under 16 must be accompanied by an adult with photo identification.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
133 reviews
Excellent
66
Very good
46
Average
15
Poor
3
Terrible
3
caz and ian
Whitley Bay, UK608 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
We actually went to the observation deck twice in 2 days. The first day was wet and cloudy, the next glorious sunshine. Both days gave a different feel to the area and were both equally as interesting to see nice to see the clouds and the rain approach as well.
It's free to enter, quick to get up there in the express lift and we'll worth a visit
It's free to enter, quick to get up there in the express lift and we'll worth a visit
Written May 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mags B
St. Augustine, FL351 contributions
Jan 2016 • Family
Being able to see Albany from @42 stories is a real treat. This is a free experience, with plenty of viewing area, and also a help assistant who can answer questions. The designated elevator goes directly to the observation deck, and is very convenient. There are also bathrooms, and water fountains if required.
Written January 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael C
Albany, NY44 contributions
Apr 2015 • Family
When you visit the capitol and the museum, be sure to take the elevator to the observation deck of the Corning Tower. What a view you get! We were there on a damp and cloudy day, and we could still find all the important landmarks in the capital.
Written April 9, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lisa S
Cohocton, NY4 contributions
Jun 2014 • Friends
The tower was closed every time we went there & had no hours posted on when it was open.. Very disappointed...
Written June 25, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RegePG
Washington DC, DC71 contributions
Apr 2014 • Solo
This building is connected to the Egg, Convention Center, and State Museum. Check out the Observation Deck. It's free and has a great view of Albany!
Written April 18, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cab1002
Albany412 contributions
Nov 2011 • Business
Sure the Corning Tower is worth visiting, but don't expect anything other than the observation deck and some interesting, but limited works of art. You must have a picture ID to gain access to the observation deck (go to the security desk located on the "concourse level"to show ID). You then have to head up the escalator to the Plaza Level to another security desk and they will direct you to an elevator that shoots straight up to the 42nd floor. Nothing special up on the observation deck, but you can see for miles on a clear day. It is purely an observation deck. No cafe, no gift shop, etc. If you are looking for a bite to eat head down on the concourse level where there is a mcdonalds, several cafeterias (real cafeteria type food) and there is a subway that is tucked away - just ask someone for directions. I highly recommend visiting the Corning Tower in the nice weather so you can visit the beautiful Empire State Plaza (which is closed during the winter).
Written November 1, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Keydawn
Washington DC, DC753 contributions
Aug 2017
Being an architect, and fond of all styles of architecture (that's good), let me say that the Corning Tower itself is worthless as a specimen of modern architecture, just like the rest of the Empire State Plaza. Everything about the whole complex is wrong, misguided and reflect the erroneous thinking of modern planning and the international style. I greatly lament how the much more organic, historic neighborhoods and their old architecture were torn down for the vanity of a really dumb man, Nelson Rockefeller. I am surprised that no director has shot an alien film right here. He won't need to pay for the expensive CGI.
But you do get a free viewing perch up at the top, though much osbtructed by the elements of architecture of the tower. The least the idiot designer could have done was allow access onto the roof top, from there, sweeping panoramic view of the river, Berkshire mountains, the city below can be enjoyed. Or better yet, imagine if provisions for a lounge, restaurant, cafe, bar were made for such a destination! That would have been too logical and sensible, so the NY State government couldn't possibly see the value in that.
Everything about this complex and towers is just so foolish, stupid, ugly, wasteful, that I was angry the whole time I toured the place with my family. The empire state had an emperor and he was naked.
But you do get a free viewing perch up at the top, though much osbtructed by the elements of architecture of the tower. The least the idiot designer could have done was allow access onto the roof top, from there, sweeping panoramic view of the river, Berkshire mountains, the city below can be enjoyed. Or better yet, imagine if provisions for a lounge, restaurant, cafe, bar were made for such a destination! That would have been too logical and sensible, so the NY State government couldn't possibly see the value in that.
Everything about this complex and towers is just so foolish, stupid, ugly, wasteful, that I was angry the whole time I toured the place with my family. The empire state had an emperor and he was naked.
Written February 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AlbanyGuy
Albany, NY3 contributions
Sept 2017 • Family
Leave it to NYS to design a tower with only a 270 degree view; most of Albany cannot be seen from the so-called "observation deck." To add to the insult, it's closed on weekends and evenings. For real. I can picture the design meetings back in 1968: "Let's see, how can NYS humiliate and degrade Albany with maximum effect? I know: we'll take a huge chunk of the city by eminent domain, build a Plaza that doesn't pay any property tax and put in no amenities that might help build tourism or the surrounding neighborhood!"
Written February 1, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fiona B
Christchurch, New Zealand25 contributions
Dec 2017 • Business
I enjoyed looking around at this venue and the lift ride to the top of the building was fast and it was great to walk around and see the great vierws of the city. I was fortunate to have a reasonable fine day so I could experience the whole landscape. My only gripe was that I wouldve like to have taken some photos that were not surrounded by glass but otherwise I found it ok and to make it better there was no charge to view this either
Written December 20, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
VacationTony
Albany, NY482 contributions
Mar 2017 • Family
My father-in-law came into town and depending on the time of year whenever we're looking to do something with our guests we tend to take them to the observation deck of the Corning tower so they can get a grand view of our city. Followed by a visit to the NYS museum
Written October 28, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NYSCapitolVisit
Albany, New York
The only way to access the Corning Tower Observation Deck is by elevator. The stairs are only meant for emergency purposes. The Observation Deck is open M-F from 10AM - 3:45PM. Visit ogs.ny.gov for more info or contact the Plaza Visitor Center at 518-474-2418. Thank you.
Written October 27, 2015
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