Brainard is a city located in Rensselaer County, New York. It is considered to be part of the Albany metro area. The city was named after one of it's first settlers, David Brainard. Students living here attend the New Lebanon School District. Because Brainard is a small city, it depends on the bigger city of Albany to provide jobs, shopping and recreation. Recreational activities located in Albany include the Albany Institute of History and Art, Henry Hudson Planetarium, the Historical Cherry Hill, and the Albany Muni Golf Links. Some of the businesses located in Albany include Blue Wasp Computers, Alpha Electronics, I Love NY Pizza, Funiture Liquidators,Inc., and Cusatos Deli Market.