Overview
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.
7 sights · 1 things to do · 1 places to eat · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Albany
Albany Civil Rights Institute
Civil rights museum on African Americans in Georgia.
Albany Museum of Art
Flint RiverQuarium
Chehaw Park & Zoo
Ray Charles Plaza
This downtown park memorializes Albany's most famous musician with a revolving, illuminated, bronze, statue of Ray Charles that also plays his music.
Radium Springs Gardens
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Oct–May. Summer highs reach about 92°F; winter lows dip to about 39°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jun and Jul. (climate data from nearby Valdosta)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- ABY Southwest Georgia Regional Airport, Albany — 4 mi away. Directions
- VLD Valdosta Regional Airport, Valdosta — 76 mi away. Directions
- ATL Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Atlanta — 143 mi away (major hub). Directions
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.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
- Places to stay listed here: about $59–$59 a night (typical $63), from 2 listed prices.
- Estimated daily budget per person (room, two meals, local transport and an activity): budget ~$100, mid-range ~$140, comfortable ~$220.
See the Sleep guide ↓ for places to stay.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Albany Civil Rights Institute, Albany Museum of Art
- Lunch Flossie's Soul Food
- Afternoon Ray Charles Plaza, Thronateeska Heritage Center
Day 2
- Morning Flint RiverQuarium, Chehaw Park & Zoo
- Afternoon Radium Springs Gardens, Craft Axe Throwing
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
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
See Ray Charles Plaza
This downtown park memorializes Albany's most famous musician with a revolving, illuminated, bronze, statue of Ray Charles that also plays his music.
See Radium Springs Gardens
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.
Do Craft Axe Throwing (Axe, Hatchet or Tomahawk Throwing)
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.
Buy
Eat
Sleep
Nearby
Americus
City / town · 5 listings · 34 mi away
Cordele
City / town · 4 listings · 35 mi away
Moultrie
City / town · 8 listings · 37 mi away
Tifton
City / town · 11 listings · 39 mi away
Lumpkin
City / town · 2 listings · 49 mi away
Bainbridge
City / town · 1 listings · 53 mi away
Thomasville
City / town · 11 listings · 53 mi away
Fitzgerald
City / town · 6 listings · 54 mi away
My experience
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