WHY GO: Saratoga Springs NY is the country’s very first spa town. Health seekers have been coming here to seek personal wellness by “taking the cure” since the mid 1800’s. Thoroughbred horse racing soon followed. The Saratoga race course, mentioned in Carly Simon’s song, You’re So Vain, is so distinctive, it served as a film set for The Horse Whisperer and Seabiscuit among many other movies.
As a Victorian-era resort, Saratoga Springs NY attracted families of color to work in the resorts and casinos. It happened to be where Simon Northup, author of the memoir, Twelve Years A Slave, was living when he was kidnapped and sold into slavery down south.
Home to Skidmore College, Saratoga Spring’s downtown has a youthful upbeat vibe, with dozens of restaurants, a funky newly renovated motel, a historic luxury hotel and yep, “the waters.” Here’s the inside scoop.
Saratoga Springs is one of the Getaway Maven’s recommended Best Places to Propose in New York State.
Things to Do in Saratoga Springs NY
START: Saratoga Visitor’s Center
Even if you don’t need any information, step into this historic Saratoga Springs Visitors Center to soak in the ambiance. It was built as a Hudson Valley Railway Trolley station in 1915, and then as a mineral water “Drink Hall” in the ‘40s, and there are remnants from each era. A trolley ticket window, chandelier and mahogany benches are all original to the station. The prominent refrigerated cooler, with multiple doors, harks back to the Drink Hall. Open Tues-Sat. 9-5, free.
SEE: Saratoga Race Track
This is the nation’s oldest thoroughbred racetrack, and even if you don’t follow horse racing, you’ve heard about it. That’s because Carly Simon sang, “I hear you went up to Saratoga, and your horse naturally won….” in her hit song, You’re So Vain.
Racing season runs six weeks from the last week of July through the first week of September. Come then, and you’ll pay dearly for tickets and lodging. Visit off-season, though, and you can still get a feel for the ponies as they train. Enter Gate 15 and ask for the Whitney Viewing Stand – a solitary Adirondack-style elevated platform that can hold about a dozen viewers. Open only Saturdays and Sundays, 7am-11am, free.
DRIVE/PROCURE WATER: Saratoga Spa State Park
Conceived by FDR for his New Deal, the Saratoga Spa State Park encompasses 2,300 acres containing bathhouses, two golf courses, two museums (Dance and Auto), pools, tennis courts, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, and the Gideon Putnam Hotel.
It’s also where several springs are located with faucets oh so convenient for filling up one and five-gallon jugs with clear Saratoga Spring Water. You can’t miss these special fountains. There are generally lines of people waiting with empty containers. Join the crowd, even if all you want is a splash from yours hands for a cool, refreshing taste.
SPA: Roosevelt Baths in Saratoga Spa SP
Indulge in the strange but pleasant sensation of a warm and tingly effervescent soak in the mineral water that gave Saratoga Spa its name. You can settle into a deep bathtub in a private room for 40 minutes for only $35. This includes the use of a robe, sauna, and a wait in the stunning “relaxation room.” “It’s like bathing in warm champagne,” says a repeat customer.
Before or after your soak, take a taste of the famous restorative mineral water from one of two water fountains in the bathhouse. (The other is clean spring water). Not to all tastes, but certainly worth a sip. Open daily 9am to 7pm, 40 minute soak for only $35, check website for other treatments.
HIKE: Saratoga State Park
There are miles of woodland trails within this massive park, so join the local dog-walkers in the woods either before or after a spa treatment or soak.
VISIT: National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame
Walk past the statue of Triple-Crown winner, Secretariat, through an actual starting gate, into the main part of this cool museum. Discover, among many other things, that in 1863, before the end of the Civil War, Irish immigrant, John Morrissey, brought thoroughbred racing to Saratoga NY.
Horse racing was nothing new. It came to our shores in the 1660’s from Europe with the colonists, and was a regular event from Virginia to New York. After WWI, the racing world expanded, and remains one of the only sports where women and men race together under equal conditions
Museumgoers might be surprised to learn that there were only 13 Triple Crown Winners (horses and riders who swept the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and Belmont Stakes) between 1899 and 2022.
These three races within five weeks test the mettle of any horse. It’s nearly impossible for one thoroughbred to win all three.
The 1970’s seemed to be Golden Years for the Triple Crown. Secretariat won in ’73, Seattle Slew in ’77, and Affirmed in ’78.
Until June 6, 2015, there had not been a Triple-Crown winner since 1978. But both American Pharaoh (2015) and Justify (2018) had the heart, physique and determination to sweep all three competitions. Open Wed-Sun 10-4, Racing Season daily 9-5, $20 adults, $10 kids.
VISIT: National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame
Even if “dance” is not your thing, visit the dynamic museum that celebrates the art of movement in all of its forms. You might just be entranced. The Dance HOF opened in 1986 in the 1918 Washington Bath House, and features fantastic multi-media exhibits. Watch household names – Gene Kelly, Tommy Tune, Bob Fossee, Jerome Robbins, Fred Astair, Martha Graham, Michael Jackson, and even John Travolta – hoofing it up on stage and in movies.
All involved in dance get due respect here – from choreographers, costume designers to critics, and yes, dancers. Open Tues-Sat 10-4, Sun 12-4, $6.50 adults, $3 kids.
VISIT: Saratoga Automobile Museum
You’ll see vehicles both poignant and cheeky in this intriguing, bite-size, and very accessible antique auto museum. It’s located in the former Saratoga Natural Mineral Waters Bottling Plant within the greater Saratoga State Park. Make a point to spend at least half an hour here to see cars and trucks in two floors of galleries.
The ground floor hosts a changing exhibit of historic cars and trucks. A 1925 Model T Ford truck chassis – kited out as a popcorn/peanut wagon – takes center stage. Bid on and lost by Jay Leno, a friend of the Museum, the Popcorn Wagon is one of SAM’s prized possessions.
Several permanent exhibits are upstairs including Racing in New York and East of Detroit. The latter showcases the profusion of “custom coach builders” in New York during the dawn of the automobile (e.g Pierce Arrow in Buffalo).
The Auto Museum, however, is proudest of its Safe-Driving Initiative for school groups and teens. Instructors utilize state of the art simulators that show real consequences of distracted driving – principally, of texting while at the wheel. (75% of teen drivers admit that texting while driving is “common among their friends”).
The “Distracted Driving” program is so crucial to first responders these days, the Saratoga Sheriff’s Department trains here as well. Open Tues-Sun 10-5, $8.50 adults, $6 seniors.
VISIT: New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center
Whether you’re interested in Military History, Women’s history, African-American History or even graphic art from 100 years ago, this impactful museum has something for everyone.
Starting with the Revolutionary War’s Battle of Saratoga through the war in Iraq, the NYSMM focuses on and pays tribute to New York State’s contribution to the country’s military history.
The museum is housed in a former National Guard Armory (until 1989), initially built for the 105th Infantry Regiment. Well-planned and fascinating exhibits begin with “A Call Not Unheeded” – telling the story of NY’s Militia and National Guard from 1792-1916. Glass cases are jammed with artifacts and documents, like a 1825 Muster Notice, and swords, uniforms, cannons, fancy helmets, weaponry, statues, trophies and newspaper clippings.
In the Civil War exhibit, there’s more on Dr. Mary Walker, born in Oswego NY, who graduated from Syracuse Medical School in 1855, attempted to enlist as a surgeon for the Union side, and was rejected.
Her story is further told at the National Museum of Health and Medicine in Silver Spring MD. In a nutshell, Walker saved lives as a volunteer, was captured by Confederate forces after crossing enemy lines to treat wounded, and was imprisoned as a spy. However, by war’s end, she was only woman ever to be awarded the Medal of Honor.
WWI Firsts
The WWI exhibit, which begins in a makeshift sandbag trench, is particularly engrossing. During WWI, gas masks were used for the first time. “Trench foot” was a concern. And Liberty Bonds – which became War Bonds by WWII – were issued to raise money for the military.
Posters served as Facebook or Twitter of their day. One, titled “Lest We Perish,” showcases a $30 million 1918 fundraising campaign by the American Committee for Relief in the Near East to help rebuild war torn Armenia, Persia, Greece and Syria. American sentiments have sure changed in 100 years.
The 2,000 strong 15th NY Infantry – an all-Black National Guard Division assembled in 1916 – fought so bravely in France during WWI, they came to be known as the Harlem Hellfighters. The 77th out of NYC, made up of immigrants from all over the globe, was called the “Melting Pot Division.”
The WWII exhibit features a whole section on WACS (Women’s Army Corps) and WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service). These often forgotten branches of the military get their due here. You can spend several hours here reading everything, but plan on at least an hour, even if military history is not your thing. Open Tues-Sat. 10-4, free.
EXPLORE: Beekman Street Arts District
Find a slew of galleries, artist studios, and restaurants on several blocks of leafy Beekman Street a half-mile walk from Broadway.
VISIT: National Bottle Museum, Ballston Spa
Ballston Spa is just about 7 miles from downtown Saratoga, but devotees of the offbeat will want to check out this collection of hand-made glass bottles from the early 1700’s to 1903, when mass production took over.
Why here?
Those who believe that Boomers and Gen-Xer’s started the artisanal sparkling water craze (Perrier, anyone?), think again. Between 1823 and 1889, mineral waters from about 30 springs in Saratoga County were bottled and distributed around the world.
These special bottles were designed to withstand internal gas pressure and rough handling during shipment. Their distinctive design came to be known as the Saratoga-bottle.
Floor to ceiling shelves in this 1901 hardware store are resplendent with colorful glass from all over the world. Snag the museum director, Gary Moeller, for a tutorial on the intricacies of glass, including its natural, unadulterated color, and how sunlight can effects that.
Though most of the bottles in the museum are from the 1800’s, the oldest in the collection are the aptly named “Dutch Squats” made around 1710-1725. There are bottles of all sorts: ink bottles, flasks (mostly whiskey), beer, soda, and mineral water bottles from the Philly area – all in the same shape.
Bottle “Stolen from Wm. S. Cheyney”
One is emblazoned with the accusation, “Stolen from Wm. S. Cheyney” dating from the days your money bought the contents and not the bottle itself. There’s a whole exhibit of Bitters from the “medicinal” era – when the tonic was marketed as a remedy for all that ailed you. Including alcoholism.
Most blends were a combination of alcohol, morphine, opium, and cocaine, which of course in the short run made people feel better. Each category of bottles is a fascinating jaunt through history – and an engaging way to spend an hour or so. Open 10-4, Oct 1-Dec 31, Tues-Sat, Jan & Feb, Thurs, Fr, Sat, March 1-May 31, Tues-Sat, June 1-Sept 30, Fr-Tues.
GOLF: Saratoga National Golf Club
Designed by a Robert Trent Jones affiliate, this challenging 18 hole course is not for beginners. Opened originally as a private club, the course and clubhouse (including a Golf Shop and Prime Restaurant) are now open to the public.
Daily fees range from $70 (Spring and Late fall, after 3pm) to $220 during peak time Racing Season, and includes golf cart with GPS yardage system, all day use of practice facility and use of clubhouse amenities. $60 to rent a premier set of clubs, bag and two sleeves of balls.
DRIVE: Saratoga Lake
Yep, Saratoga Springs has a body of water. Saratoga Lake is 4.5 miles long and 1.5 miles wide with two beaches and several marinas. Stop for a bite to eat at Nest, on Brown’s Beach, overlooking the lake.
DRIVE/WALK: Around Saratoga Springs
Fans of architecture and design will find nirvana just by walking Saratoga Springs’s residential neighborhoods. Union Avenue is lined with grand homes in Greek Revival, Second Empire, and Queen Anne styles.
VISIT: Yaddo
Though the mansion itself is off-limits to all but lucky writers-in-residence, the grounds of this beautiful estate are open to the public for free.
Katrina and Spencer Trask’s lives were consumed by tragedy and sorrow (their four children died in infancy and childhood). After her husband was killed in a train accident, Katrina persevered, creating this magical retreat for artists. Visitors can wander the expansive gardens. They’re based on Italian Classical layout, with statues, fountains, and a unique 1901 sundial etched with hopeful poetry.
TOUR: Saratoga Springs History Museum at the Canfield Casino in Congress Park
Naturally, the beautifully bottled Saratoga Water comes from here. But did you know that the Christmas-favorite confection – the Peppermint Pig, as well as the potato chip were also invented in Saratoga Springs?
Wander through three floors of this 1870’s gambling casino. You’ll discover the reasons that Saratoga Springs was called “American’s Baden-Baden,” and learn the rules and regulations of mid-1800’s lake house casinos in upstate NY.
The 3rd floor consists of rooms from the Walworth Mansion, formerly located nearby and demolished in 1955. The prominent Walworths entertained the likes of Washington Irving and Ralph Waldo Emerson. These recreated rooms provide a peek into the mid 1800’s grandeur these writers would have enjoyed.
The 3rd floor is also apparently a hotbed of paranormal activities. Ghosthunters investigated some pretty strange incidents, including the appearance of ghostly figures in Victorian dress, weird fluctuations in temperature, and even invisible slapping. $5, Open Wed-Sun 9-4, and daily in July and August during racing season.
VISIT: Tang Art Center on Skidmore College Campus
This small, contemporary museum makes for a perfect respite on a hot or rainy day. Most exhibits are temporary, borrowed, and based on student art.
Restaurants in Saratoga Springs NY
EAT: 15 Church
Though small, the cozy upscale 15 Church has stayed at or near the top of list for Saratoga dining. No surprise, as the chef caters to foodies with dishes ranging from Filet Mignon to Mushroom Ramen, and other, innovative dishes. The service is stellar, as befits a pricey establishment (although, if coming from New York City, the meal is a comparative bargain).
EAT: Hattie’s
In 1938, Hattie Moseley Austin had a mere $33 in the bank and one of the best-fried chicken recipes on the planet. She opened her modest self named shack, Hattie’s, and it’s been a hit ever since. She preceded the Hot Nashville Chicken craze by over half a century.
BREWHOUSE: Druther’s
If you like your beer fresh, and are in the mood for pub grub – the mid-Broadway, set-back Druther’s is your kind of place.
EAT: 30 Lake
After a decade in Hawaii, Chef Jeff Rayno knows seafood. Ergo, 30 Lake is the go-to spot for Raw Bar fans. Dishes like Line Caught Halibut with Skillet Fried Potatoes hit the mark. But, I’d return any time, any day for the Ahi Tuna Nachos for two (holy-moly-amazing), and Truffle Sweet Soy Roasted Brussels Sprouts. Sharing those two dishes with a glass of wine is my idea of the perfect light dinner.
EAT: Prime at Saratoga National
The steak here is prime, no lie. Though a few miles out of town, this clubby, fine dining restaurant, located in a top public Golf Club, is always included in the Best Of Saratoga’s Restaurants list.
EAT/LUNCH: Mrs. London’s Bakery
The pastries are immense at this long-standing Saratoga favorite. They’re the perfect ending to a meal of soup, salad, and/or sandwich.
EAT: Locals Recommend
As a college, racing, spa town, Saratoga Springs isn’t at a loss for decent restaurants – in fact, there are over 100 of them. Locals recommend Max London’s for pizza and “not overly expensive” fare. Mouzon House for funky artsy New Orleans ambience. Hamlet & Ghost for true farm-and-sea-to-table surf and turf. And Seneca for an eclectic menu and great drinks.
Where to Stay in Saratoga Springs
STAY: Spa City Motor Lodge
In Saratoga Springs NY, the big whoop is location, location, location. And, parking. Especially during racing season. With The Spa City Motor Lodge you get both.
The Spa City Motor Lodge was gussied up within the bones of the former, famously going downhill, Downtowner Motel. The Downtowner occupied one of the most coveted places in town: right on Broadway, in the midst of shops, restaurants, and steps from Congress Park.
In 2018, the Lark Hotel Group took over, and, as it does, created something cool, fun, and industrial-chic, lacking, thankfully, any frivolous froufrou.
First Impressions
The lobby is small, as you’d expect in a re-imaged motel. But, as a Lark Bluebird Hotel, it’s got boutique-y elements, like shelves of art and books.
While not luxurious in the posh-lush sense, high-end bedding, lovely tiled bathrooms, flat-screen TV’s, and contemporary furnishings place this hotel squarely in upscale territory. Think poured concrete floors in redone rooms, on-demand coffee and tea from beer taps, and an enclosed courtyard that nods to the indoor pool that once was.
Guest Rooms at Spa City Motor Lodge
Guest rooms have gone from shaggy to modern furniture, white duvets with grey throws, pinstripe decorative pillows, and tiled rain showers in immaculate bathrooms.
Enclosed Courtyard
The Downtowner’s enclosed courtyard once housed a swimming pool. While that amenity is long gone, the memory of it is not. A large tinted rectangle on the concrete floor – a simulacrum – evokes the blue basin that used to be there. “Deep End” is inscribed on one short side, and “Shallow End” on the other.
Now, the space is a large sunlit lounge area with nitro coffee available from taps 24/7. The cavernous room promotes mingling, with abundant seating – perfect for friendly gatherings and family reunions. Rooms from $150 off season run to over $500 during “Racing Season, includes parking, and nitro coffee 24/7.
(Spa City Motor Lodge was included on Getaway Mavens Best Romantic Hotels in the Northeast US 2022 list.)
STAY: Adelphi Hotel
Good things come to those who wait. The much-anticipated Adelphi Hotel, meticulously reborn after nearly 5 years, is a brighter, lighter, more splendiferous version of it’s former Victorian self. As the highest-end luxury hotel in Saratoga Spring, the Adelphi Hotel is a clear MAVEN FAVORITE, with it’s own write up HERE.
STAY: Saratoga Arms
If your idea of a romantic inn is one with a wraparound porch and four-poster beds, then the Saratoga Arms delivers. Right in the center of town, all 21 rooms have been refreshed.
STAY: Gideon Putnam Hotel
If you prefer traditional and iconic, book a room here. Built in 1935 within the Saratoga Spa State Park, this Grand Dame hotel has gone through several renovations. It remains a lasting part of Saratoga Springs hospitality.
STAY: Batcheller Mansion
This ornate, baronial home is the first choice for travelers who seek out luxury B&B’s. It’s a nice alternative to full-service hotels.
