Times Union Center
Times Union Center
4
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This multipurpose civic center hosts musical performances, ice shows, trade shows and is home to the AHL River Rats, NLP Attack and the Siena Saints MAAC basketball team.
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66 within 6 miles
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
256 reviews
Excellent
75
Very good
104
Average
51
Poor
16
Terrible
10
RoadtripCowboy
Burlington, CT774 contributions
Oct 2022
A recent concert at the MVP arena was a pretty good experience. As is typical, parking is a concern but we arrived early. The nearby garage was our only choice close by for a steep $40. It’s easy to get through the arena and security was good with screening. The event was perfect and there were no safety issues. It was our second event here (formerly the Times Union Center) and is a more affordable option as compared to other more well known venues in the Northeast.
Written October 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sarsprdoc
Saratoga Springs, NY1,137 contributions
Mar 2022 • Couples
Smaller arena with pretty good seats. We had floor seating for comic in round which was hard to see him on stage but they have large 4 sided Jumbotron. Show was a half hour late getting started. Lots of confusion to finding floor sections as marked with chalk but staffing was good. Biggest complaint was only one entrance onto floor and one exit off floor until they opened up ground floor doors. Wonder how they would clear arena in an emergency. Show was great but need better traffic flow
Written March 31, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
rockintrixi
Gansevoort, NY264 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
They have a new “bag policy”. They will make you put your small purse back, but don’t worry you can bring very large backpacks in with no issues. I guess if you were going to cause problems you will only put things in small purses .
Also, a person in my party set the alarms off in the metal detectors you walk through. No one did anything.
If they are going to enforce the bag policy then ban all bags. Makes people think there is some kind of discrimination on who can bring bags in.
I do enjoy thé shows here. I am just mad over the unfair treatment of their new bag policy.
Also, a person in my party set the alarms off in the metal detectors you walk through. No one did anything.
If they are going to enforce the bag policy then ban all bags. Makes people think there is some kind of discrimination on who can bring bags in.
I do enjoy thé shows here. I am just mad over the unfair treatment of their new bag policy.
Written January 15, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Renee
Taftville, CT5 contributions
Apr 2022
My son and I attended the Albany Firewolves game over the weekend. We had a great time! The game was great!! The concessions were great too....lines moved quick and plenty of options. Bathrooms were clean, as well as the whole facility. Only issue we had was one of our seats was broken, and completely leaned forward and was wobbly, also the view from that seat was obstructed by one of the platforms that hold the lighting for the show (this was not stated as an obstructed seat, as some other seats are stated). The cupholder is a nice convenience, but it had a broken bottom and unusable so your drink would fall right through. We moved down as our whole row was empty, and there was another broken cupholder which my son accidentally fell against and got bruised.
Written May 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Michael B
Manlius, NY415 contributions
Dec 2019
We went to the celine dion concert and it was great. My wife can not walk long distances as she is recovering from foot surgery. She tried to wait for me from inside the door while I waiting for traffic to move on the 6th floor of parking garage... at 11 degrees with the wind blowing she was told she would have to wait outside.
Written December 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
charlie19690
New York City, New York29 contributions
Apr 2018 • Couples
We went to see Joel Osteen. I bought tickets for ground floor because walking stairs is painful. We were directed up the first level because "that is where security is checking people," then had to walk down about 40 stairs to the floor. They even made a person in a wheelchair get out of his chair, take the escalator up, and then told him to go to the stairwell. Huh???
Written May 4, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Charles C
East Middlebury, VT44 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
Fourth time at Times-Union for a concert. Venue is nice size. Have always been on the floor and love being up close to see performers. Easy in and out of the city and lots of parking.
Written May 29, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
traveler567J
Becket22 contributions
Dec 2013 • Friends
Thought we had good seats (Balcony 1, Row A section 104 seats 6 & 7) but neglected to find out about barriers used to rearrange seating. Call the venue to ask. You really don't want to be sitting with a concrete ledge where your feet are supposed to be. There was no notation about this on the Ticket Master site (only place to get tickets). While we understand the seating morphs to fit different events, it seems patrons should be made aware of limitations.
Written December 8, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Inspiration14294
Ravena, NY6 contributions
The Pepsi Area is the only place to go for concerts, shows, etc. in the Albany region. I've been there about 6 times for concerts, football games and the circus. It is a large arena with many seats. Sound and lighting are usually good. The concerts were always different because the stage can be set up either in the middle or to the left or the right, depending on the tour. I've enjoyed my experience every time I've been there.
Written August 23, 2005
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
carribbeanmic
Milford, CT378 contributions
Aug 2019
Went to a concert last night, doors open at 6:30, they did not. Not sure of the exact time they let us in, at least 15 minutes late if not more. The doors open and you were herded into a huge room, where we all waited for quite a long time, no room to take a deep breath. I was afraid no one screened us at the door. With the crazies in the world today, I felt this was very poor practice. They did have you walk through a metal detector when you got closer to the circular entrance. The concert started about a half hour late. The seating was OK but the sections were difficult to read, I was sitting in the wrong section went to the restroom came back to find someone in my seat, ooops my mistake. Speaking of restrooms, I was told by an employee there was only one in the whole place. I find that hard to believe
Written August 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
tmreed79
Rutland, VT
Can you still park in Empire State Plaza for the Times Union Center?
Barretomjj
Wooster, OH160 contributions
I’m not sure, there’s plenty of parking garages and lots close to Times Union. Reasonably priced for events starting from $10 per vehicle and up. Hope this helps.
Cindy M
Nashville, TN1 contribution
How early can you get into the TU parking garage?
Barretomjj
Wooster, OH160 contributions
I would say no less than hour before the show begins
Christa B
Loch Sheldrake
What is the closest hotel with walking distance?
srss96
Macungie, PA135 contributions
We stayed at Hampton Inn which was a few blocks away. There might be hotel closer but we always stay at a Hampton. Once we parked at hotel, we walked to get something to eat & have some drinks & walked right to arena. It was very convenient & easy!!
What seats have the best view for children. Closest seats
nasarman6
Albany, NY38 contributions
In all honesty, I must defer to previous answers...Depends on the event. I've attended hundreds of events , way back when it was called, "The Knick"! There's not a bad seat in the house, again, depending on the age(s) of attendees, and nature of the event.
Skiauntlee
Stamford, CT
What food options are available in the center.? Iwill be attending this weekends womens basketball tournament and I am on weight watchers so I want to plan ahead.
Wagman224
49 contributions
There are food stands at Times Union. Some have Diwt conscious selections
T L
Albany, NY39 contributions
Best free place to park free near albany time Union areana
Moomus
Lockport, NY161 contributions
The garages near the Times Union Center all have parking fees. Near the Empire State Plaza, there is some free parking after 6 p.m. in various locations-check the web site for the Empire State Plaza for locations. There is a covered passageway to the Times Union Center from the Empire State Plaza Concourse. Hope that this helps.
Times Union Center (Albany) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go
Frequently Asked Questions about Times Union Center
- Hotels near Times Union Center:
- (0.15 mi) Renaissance Albany Hotel
- (0.14 mi) Fairfield Inn & Suites Albany Downtown
- (0.18 mi) Hilton Albany
- (0.29 mi) Holiday Inn Express Albany - Downtown, an IHG Hotel
- (0.21 mi) Angel's Cafe
- Restaurants near Times Union Center:
- (0.00 mi) Pizzeria Sapienza
- (0.00 mi) Lam's Kitchen
- (0.10 mi) The City Beer Hall
- (0.11 mi) Cafe Capriccio
- (0.09 mi) Speakeasy 518
- Attractions near Times Union Center:
- (0.10 mi) The City Beer Hall
- (0.11 mi) Erie Canal System
- (0.22 mi) The Egg
- (0.32 mi) New York State Capitol
- (0.34 mi) New York State Museum