Saratoga Springs

Saratoga Springs is located just south of the Adirondacks in upstate New York. Long a vacation destination for New Yorkers, Saratoga Springs is a pleasant town filled with swanky shops, spas and horse racing. A key battle in the Revolutionary War happened nearby. The city is home to Skidmore College and Empire State College (SUNY).

Understand
Saratoga is most known for its great horse racing track (oldest in the country) and harness racing track. Victorian visitors came to take the waters at springs. The spring waters are located at different pavilions around the city and surrounds. They vary tremendously in flavor from a light mineral water to frosty and hard. This city of 28,000 people (2020) is a major tourist destination during its summer horse racing season. Yaddo, the famous writers retreat is located near the "flat track" on Union avenue. If you call ahead, you may be able to tour.

By plane
Albany International Airport  in Albany.

By car
Saratoga Springs is just off Interstate 87 about 45 min north of Albany and 4 hours from New York City and 3.5 hr south of the Canadian border. Enjoy this tree lined drive along I-87, also called the Adirondack Northway.

By train

 * Routes stopping at Saratoga Springs:
 * Adirondack operating daily between Montreal and New York City including stops along the way in Saint-Lambert, Rouses Point, Plattsburgh, Westport, Ticonderoga, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, Albany (Rensselaer), Hudson, Rhinecliff, Poughkeepsie, Croton-on-Hudson, and Yonkers.
 * Ethan Allen Express operating daily between Burlington and New York City including in Middlebury, Rutland, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, Albany (Rensselaer), Hudson, Rhinecliff, Poughkeepsie, Croton-on-Hudson, and Yonkers.
 * Ethan Allen Express operating daily between Burlington and New York City including in Middlebury, Rutland, Saratoga Springs, Schenectady, Albany (Rensselaer), Hudson, Rhinecliff, Poughkeepsie, Croton-on-Hudson, and Yonkers.

By bus

 * Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) operates local buses in the Albany area. Several routes operate to and within Saratoga Springs, including a Saratoga Visitors Trolley.
 * Greyhound, in conjunction with other bus carriers, offers service to Saratoga from both the north and south. Buses that originate in New York City, Albany, and Montreal stop here several times a day.
 * Megabus has a service from New York City and Burlington. The bus stops at the Saratoga Raceway Casino, near the Nelson Avenue entrance and CDTA bus stop. Fares from $1.

Get around
The downtown walking area is centered on Broadway, but you will need to use public transport or a car to reach the world famous Saratoga Race Track, Saratoga Casino, Natural Museum of Dance, Roosevelt Spa, Saratoga SPA State Parkor SPAC. However, there is a lot to see and do in the downtown area of Saratoga Springs.

Visitor center

 *  Saratoga Springs Urban Cultural Park Visitor Center, 297 Broadway, Phone: +1 518 587-3241. Daily 9AM-4PM (closed Su Dec-Mar).

Do

 *  Saratoga Lake lies 4 miles southeast of Saratoga Springs. This 8½-mile-long lake has a public boat launch at the north end, and several private marinas. Popular activities include bass fishing, sailing, boating, water skiing, and ice fishing.
 *  Saratoga Lake lies 4 miles southeast of Saratoga Springs. This 8½-mile-long lake has a public boat launch at the north end, and several private marinas. Popular activities include bass fishing, sailing, boating, water skiing, and ice fishing.
 *  Saratoga Lake lies 4 miles southeast of Saratoga Springs. This 8½-mile-long lake has a public boat launch at the north end, and several private marinas. Popular activities include bass fishing, sailing, boating, water skiing, and ice fishing.

Horse-racing
The time to come to Saratoga is during the Thoroughbred season, which is five or so weeks in July, August and September. The premier race here is the Travers, but every day in the season thousands flock from around New York and points behind to the see the ponies. That said, if you find yourself in town during other times of the year, check out some of the smaller tracks. Indoor gambling places are available for those who have a gambling urge during the winter months.


 * Oklahoma Training Track

Walking
Aside from walking on park trails, one really fun thing to do in good weather is to simply walk up and down Broadway in Downtown. There are lots of beautiful 19th- and early 20th-century buildings lining the street.

Events




Learn

 * Adirondack Community College, 6 Mountain Ledge Drive, Gansevoort 12831, +1 518 584-3959.
 * Empire State College, 111 West Avenue, +1 518 587-2100 ext. 2297.
 * Skidmore College, 815 North Broadway, +1 518 580-5000. Offering bachelors and/or graduate degrees in over 30 areas of study, as well as the "University Without Walls" degree completion program.

Buy
Saratoga isn't Manhattan, but it does have plenty of boutiques and shops that cater to that particular crowd. No matter what your style is, Saratoga Springs is full of chic boutiques, trendy antique stores and a wide variety of eclectic shops to satisfy any style. Start on Broadway and find local crafts, haute fashion and other merchandise for that platinum card.


 * Celtic Treasures 456 Broadway +1 518 583-9452. Open Daily. This Irish gift shop has only the best from Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Pottery, china, jewelry, music, books, posters and prints, sweaters and caps are all available at this charming establishment.
 * Lifestyles 436 Broadway, +1 518 584-4665. Open Daily. V/MC/AE accepted. This specialty boutique in downtown is known for elegant fine fashions and accessories. Designers include Eileen Fisher, Singrid Olsenand, and Michael Stars.
 * Saratoga Farmers Market High Rock Park. +1 518 893-2669 Open W 3-6PM, Sa 9AM-1PM. This open air market is home to a variety of homemade goods, crafts, and foods. The market is a must and has been serving the locals for over 25 years.
 * Lifestyles 436 Broadway, +1 518 584-4665. Open Daily. V/MC/AE accepted. This specialty boutique in downtown is known for elegant fine fashions and accessories. Designers include Eileen Fisher, Singrid Olsenand, and Michael Stars.
 * Saratoga Farmers Market High Rock Park. +1 518 893-2669 Open W 3-6PM, Sa 9AM-1PM. This open air market is home to a variety of homemade goods, crafts, and foods. The market is a must and has been serving the locals for over 25 years.
 * Saratoga Farmers Market High Rock Park. +1 518 893-2669 Open W 3-6PM, Sa 9AM-1PM. This open air market is home to a variety of homemade goods, crafts, and foods. The market is a must and has been serving the locals for over 25 years.
 * Saratoga Farmers Market High Rock Park. +1 518 893-2669 Open W 3-6PM, Sa 9AM-1PM. This open air market is home to a variety of homemade goods, crafts, and foods. The market is a must and has been serving the locals for over 25 years.

Eat
Saratoga has some of the best dining in upstate New York. Chefs from New York City have emigrated northward to ensure that there's food for every palette. Most of the finest restaurants can be found on or near Broadway. Keep in mind that some places aren't open outside of the tourist season.

There's also plenty of choice for those less discriminating taste buds or smaller budgets. Pub grub, American specials and small diners abound. And if you're hungry at 2AM, be sure to ask a local where you can get a doughboy. They're great.



Drink
Saratoga has no lack of choices if what you desire is a hop-or-two. Fine Irish Pubs to trendy ultra-light-serving watering holes abound. If wine is what makes you feel fine, you will. Mare, 43 Phila, Doc's and, of course, The Wine Bar will be more than happy to help you. Even if they have to run across town to get exactly what you want, literally!

The wineries from New York's Fingerlakes region have been maturing very well and can be found on most lists. The pages of more established varieties from California, Australia, France and Italy sometimes make your head spin before you sip. If you get the chance attend one of the many wine tastings. They are available both for the novice and the Guru of the Grape.



Sleep
Saratoga Springs has a number of different accommodation options ranging from budget chain motels to quaint (and often historic) bed and breakfasts.



Connect
Saratoga Springs is in the 518 area code. The ZIP code is 12866.

Publications

 * Albany Times-Union
 * Glens Falls Post-Star
 * Saratoga Living, quarterly magazine; also covers nearby Warren and Washington Counties
 * The Saratogian, Saratoga Springs and Saratoga County's daily newspaper

Religious services

 * Church of Saint Peter , +1 518 584-2375
 * St. Clement's Church, +1 518 584-6122
 * St. Paul's Lutheran Church, +1 518 584-0904

Stay safe
Saratoga Springs is relatively safe for a city its size. However, the bars along Caroline Street can get a bit rowdy late in the week and on weekends.

Go next

 * Lake George and the Adirondacks