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The Egg Center for the Performing Arts

Wallace Harrison's 1978 concrete egg on stilts — Albany's most photographed building, and free to walk into and look up at any weekday.

Where
Downtown Albany
Time needed
45 min visit
Tickets
Free
Free entry
Free lobby access — ticketed for performances
The Egg concrete performance venue at Empire State Plaza The Egg concrete performance venue at Empire State Plaza

What to expect at The Egg Center for the Performing Arts

The Egg is Albany's most photographed and most photographed-poorly building — an ellipsoidal concrete performance venue that appears to hover on a stem above Empire State Plaza. Designed by Wallace Harrison and completed in 1978, it's part of Rockefeller's original Plaza master plan and holds two theaters inside: the 450-seat Swyer Theatre and the 982-seat Hart Theatre. The lobby is free to enter and worth 20 minutes just to look at, and the performance calendar covers jazz, dance, comedy, indie music, and family programming.

Free access is limited to the lobby — but the lobby is genuinely striking, all curved concrete, red carpet and dramatic sight lines up into the shell of the egg itself. Guided tours of both theaters run occasionally, usually first Wednesdays of the month at 12:00, and are announced on the website. If you can time a visit to a performance, both theaters have excellent sightlines and the Hart in particular has warm acoustics for jazz and folk acts. Ticket prices range wildly — $15 for local acts up to $75 for national touring artists.

Directly connected to the Empire State Plaza concourse — you never have to go outside. Best combined with the Plaza art collection and the State Museum in a single Downtown day. If you're staying at one of the downtown family hotels, the family programming (puppet shows, children's concerts) on weekend afternoons is very reasonably priced and a genuine local pick for a rainy day with kids.

Plan your visit TicketsFree Free entryFree lobby access — ticketed for performances Time needed45 min visit WhereDowntown Albany Opening hours Lobby Mon-Fri 10:00-18:00 Box office Mon-Fri 10:00-18:00 Performances varying evenings Hotels near The Egg Center for the Performing Arts

Questions about The Egg Center for the Performing Arts

How much does it cost to visit The Egg?

Free to enter the lobby. Performance tickets range $15-$75 depending on the artist.

When is it free?

The lobby is always free during operating hours. Building tours (occasional first Wednesdays) are also free.

How long should I plan?

20-30 minutes for the lobby alone. Two to three hours for a performance.

When is The Egg closed?

Lobby closed weekends unless a performance is on. Closed state holidays. Box office weekdays 10:00-18:00.

Do I need to book?

No booking for the lobby. Performances book through the box office at (518) 473-1845 or theegg.org.

How do I get there?

Empire State Plaza, directly on the concourse. Multiple CDTA routes stop at the Plaza. Weekend and evening parking free in the Plaza garage.

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