I just read about this today and thought it sounded interesting. So, the state is offering 30 minute tours to highlight the history and design of the Empire State Plaza through October.

The tours will be done at 11:15 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. daily Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. The tours will begin on the concourse level of the plaza by the Egg Center marquee.

This sounds like it has potential.

(View from the Corning Tower Observation Deck)

Another tour I highly recommend is the tour of the state Capitol. It's been ranked #1 out of 34 Albany sites by Tripadvisor and for good reason. The Capitol tour hours have been extended this summer as well.

It can be hard to get out of work during the day, but if you do, you might as well make a trifecta out of it with a tour of the Empire State Plaza, the Capital and a stop at the observation deck of the Corning Tower.

Here's a bit more about the Empire State Plaza tours and the Capitol tours hours being extended.