Just so this thread has some content...
We ended up going on Thursday night to avoid driving both ways on Friday. I got a hotel room on priceline (Name your own price - $50 ($65 after tax) for a Clarion Inn) in the outskirts.
We started with Cohoes Falls as it was close to our hotel. IIRC, it's the largest waterfall in the NY area after Niagra. We couldn't find a good viewpoint so we only spent a few minutes there.
Then we drove about 15 minutes to Empire State Plaza where most of the attractions are located. There's parking available as you enter the plaza for $2 per hour.
There's an underground concourse leading to all buildings in the plaza so you don't have to go outdoors. We started with the observation deck on the corning tower. It's a 40 + story building - probably tallest building in the area - with views of Albany and the Hudson River.
We continued to the NYS museum. And then to the NYS Capitol, where we had a tour of approximately an hour. I was really impressed with the Capitol, as it's a really magnificent building.
Best of all, they're all free admission.