# Albany (Georgia)

Albany is a city of 72,000 people (2019) in Dougherty County in Georgia's Plantation Midlands region. It is part of the Black Belt, the extensive area in the Deep South of cotton plantations. During 1961–1962, African Americans in Albany played a prominent role in the Civil Rights Movement, founding the Albany Movement, a desegregation and voters' rights coalition formed in 1961. Ray Charles, the singer, songwriter, pianist, and composer, was born here, and is remembered in a park with a statue.

## Understand

Health care, education and the Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany are the largest employers. Manufacturing, transportation, and retail trade are also important foundations of Albany's economy, and the city acts as a hub for commerce in southwest Georgia.
The intersection of Lonesome and Hardup was ranked as the fourth wackiest street intersection name, according to a 2006 poll by the Car Connection website.

## Get in
### By car

U.S. Route 19 and U.S. Route 82 provide thoroughfares through the city. The two join together north of the city for a short freeway known as the Liberty Expressway. Other major highways that run through the city include Georgia State Route 91, Georgia State Route 133, Georgia State Route 234, and Georgia State Route 520.
Albany is located on Georgia State Route 300 (Georgia-Florida Parkway), which provides easy access to Cordele, and Interstate 75 to the northeast and south to Camilla, and Thomasville. The Liberty Expressway spans 10 miles (16 km) serves as a bypass on Albany's north and east sides.

### By plane

Southwest Georgia Regional Airport (ABY ) is a non-hub commercial service airport with service from Atlanta by Endeavor Air, a regional carrier for Delta.

### By bus

There is a Greyhound bus station in downtown Albany, with connections to interstate service.

## Get around

Albany Transit System (ATS) provides fixed-route and para-transit services in Albany and Dougherty County, including service to the airport. All buses are wheelchair accessible and are equipped with bicycle racks. The main transfer station is in downtown Albany, at the corner of Oglethorpe and Jackson.

## See

* Ray Charles Plaza (Front street between Oglethrope Blvd. & Broad Ave.). This downtown park memorializes Albany's most famous musician with a revolving, illuminated, bronze, statue of Ray Charles that also plays his music.
* 31.571826-84.1555071 Albany Civil Rights Institute, 326 Whitney Ave, ☏ +1 229-432-1698. Tu–Sa 10AM–4PM. Civil rights museum on African Americans in Georgia. Adults $6, seniors and students $5 (2020). (updated Feb 2020)
* 31.585605-84.2081092 Albany Museum of Art, 311 Meadowlark Drive, ☏ +1 229-439-8400, info@albanymuseum.com. Tu–Sa 10AM-5PM. Free. (updated Aug 2015)
* Radium Springs Gardens, 2501 Radium Springs Road, ☏ +1 229-317-4760, toll-free: +1-866-750-0840. Tu–Sa 9AM–5PM, Su 1–5PM. Free. (updated Aug 2015)
* 31.579083-84.1490563 Flint RiverQuarium, 117 Pine Avenue, ☏ +1 229-639-2650, bscott@flintriverquarium.com. Tu–Sa 10AM-5PM, Su 1-5PM. (updated Aug 2015)
* 31.6176-84.13814 Chehaw Park & Zoo, 105 Chehaw Park Road, ☏ +1 229-430-5275. Park: daily 8AM- 6PM; zoo: daily 9:30AM-4:30PM. (updated Aug 2015)
* Thronateeska Heritage Center, 100 West Roosevelt Avenue, ☏ +1 229-432-6955. Th–Sa 10AM-4PM. (updated Aug 2015)

## Do

* Riverfront Trail is a 3.1-mile (5-km) paved trail along the Flint River that connects Riverfront Park in downtown Albany to the Cox Landing Boat Ramp in northeast Albany, near Chehaw Park. The Oxford Environmental Park Nature Trail is an offshoot of the trail, which provides information about the ecological features of the area.
* Craft Axe Throwing (Axe, Hatchet or Tomahawk Throwing), 2302 N Slappey Blvd, ☏ +1 229 461-4090, albany@craftaxethrowing.com. A destination for axe-throwing, tomahawk, and hatchet enthusiasts. Craft beverages are available. Groups and parties welcome. Experts will guide you through axe-throwing, ensuring a safe and entertaining experience for all skill levels. (updated Oct 2023)

## Buy

* 31.6192-84.2171 Albany Mall. Belk, JCPenney, Dillard's, Old Navy, and Books-A-Million. (updated Oct 2020)

## Eat

* 31.571459-84.1004361 Flossie's Soul Food, 2004 E Oglethorpe Blvd, ☏ +1 229 435-9532. 10AM-9PM. (updated May 2023)

## Sleep

* Hilton Garden Inn Albany/Hotel, 101 S Front Street (next to the James H. Gray Sr. Civic Center in downtown Albany), ☏ +1 229 888-1590, fax: +1 229 518-5055. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Has 122 deluxe guestrooms and 13,000 square feet of diverse meeting and banquet space.
* Red Roof Inn & Suites, 1400 Dawson Rd, ☏ +1 229-888-3939. A Red Roof that even has a free breakfast. $59.
* Park Inn by Radisson Albany, GA, 2729 Pointe N Blvd, ☏ +1 229-446-2001. Outdoor pool. $67.