Situated in Georgia’s beautiful Plantation Trace region, Albany is the hub of Southwest Georgia for healthcare, retail, cultural activities, manufacturing and higher education.

The primary trade center for the region, Albany is defined by the free-flowing rapids of the Flint River, named such by Creek Indians for its rich mineral flint or quartz naturally found there and used to make weapons and tools. The centerpiece of redevelopment in downtown Albany, the river serves as a natural backdrop to the Flint RiverQuarium, a 175,000-gallon, 22-foot deep Blue Hole aquarium that opened in 2004 highlighting the journey of the river and the natural ecosystems of the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee and Flint River basins.

Albany boasts several quality-of-life amenities within walking distance of the aquarium, including Riverfront Park, Turtle Grove Play Park, the Thronateeska Heritage Center, Wetherbee Planetarium and the Albany Civil Rights Institute. Families and visitors with a passion for wildlife can visit the only AZA-accredited zoo outside of Atlanta – Chehaw Animal Park, featuring Creekside Education Center, Children’s Play Park and a nationally sanctioned BMX bike track. Albany also has the region’s only permanent installation of traditional African art as well as exhibitions of American Impressionism at the Albany Museum of Art.

There is not another city that can offer big city amenities while providing the comforts of a small town like the City of Albany. Albany is beautifully positioned on the banks of the Flint River. Incorporated in 1838, Nelson Tift founded the city and named it after the capital of New York. It is the hub of Southwest Georgia for culture, shopping, education, healthcare, and recreation. Albany is a great place to live, work and play.

For those seeking higher education, Albany State University (ASU) offers full range of graduate and undergraduate programs.  ASU’s recent merger with Darton State College offers both two-year and four-year degrees. Post-secondary vocational and occupational training opportunities are available at Albany Technical College.

Albany has developed a diversified industrial economy, which includes Proctor & Gamble, MillerCoors, and Mars Chocolate North America.  In fact since 1994, over $800 million has been invested into the community by local industries.  The healthcare and education systems along with the Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany are the largest employers.  Manufacturing, transportation, tourism and retail trade are also important foundations of Albany's economy.  The city acts as a center for commerce in Southwest Georgia.

Exceptional healthcare is available on two campuses of Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, which was included on Georgia Trend’s 2014 list of top teaching hospitals.  Both full-service facilities have served residents in Albany and Southwest Georgia for more than a century.

When it comes to entertainment, there is something for everyone.  Popular attractions include the Riverfront Walk which features the Ray Charles Plaza - a tribute to the Albany native and musical genius, the historic Bridge House, the Municipal  Auditorium, Flint RiverQuarium and Turtle Grove Park.

History buffs enjoy the Thronateeska Heritage Center which includes a planetarium, rail car display, science museum, and history museum, the Albany Museum of Art and the Albany Civil Rights Institute, where Martin Luther King Jr. spoke in 1961.  With a plethora of buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, architecture lovers flock to Albany to see buildings including the Carnegie Library of Albany and the Albany Municipal Auditorium, a restored 1915 brick concert hall which is the site of live performances by the Albany Symphony Orchestra, Albany Ballet and the Grammy Signature Award winning Albany Chorale.

Outdoor attractions in Albany are varied and plentiful.  Chehaw Park is a nature preserve and wild-animal park spanning 800 acres where visitors can spot an American bald eagle or observe cheetahs and zebras from an elevated boardwalk.  Camping, disc golf, a children’s play park and a nationally sanctioned BMX racing/mountain bike trail add to the offerings of this outdoor adventure.  Radium Springs Gardens preserves Georgia's largest natural spring.  An adjacent botanical garden, with walkways among plants and flowers, is a fitting enhancement to the area’s charm.

Whatever your heart desires, we have it – right here in Albany, Georgia!

*Tops state average