Saratoga Springs, NY: Racing, Dining & Local Gems

Saratoga Race Course is synonymous with Thoroughbred Racing in New York and is one of the top attractions in Saratoga Springs. More than a million people attend one of the live race meets held there each racing season, and many more tour the grounds. It is the third oldest track in the US and can hold up to 50,000 people, making for an electric atmosphere.

Why not take in a race and feel the ground move under your feet and hear the thunder of hooves as the horses gallop past the finishing line? Next, take a forty-five minute tour to learn about the history of the track. The tour will highlight a number of the property's unique architecture and landscapes.

267 Union Ave, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, 718-641-4700

Saratoga Spa State Park is listed as a National Historic Landmark and offers many recreational activities to its visitors. Take a walk through the romantic grounds and admire the abundant classical architecture.

Next, take a trip down to the Performing Arts Center or the National Museum of Dance. On a hot day, no trip would be complete without a visit to either the Peerless Pool Complex or the Victoria Pool, which is characterized by arched promenades. Take a walk along the streamside trails in spring and summer, and in winter you can take part in several winter sports.

19 Roosevelt Drive, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866

Take a trip along to Congress Park and Congress Spring , which has become the center point for an entire park and village. Congress Spring attained international fame for its mineral water, and to date it is the most famous spring in Saratoga. Visit the great pavilion, which is decorated in the Greek Revival style and sit beside the healing waters and enjoy the beautiful nature.

Wander down to the Columbian Spring, Deer Park Spring, and Hathorn Springs to see the individual art pieces that adorn each site. Beautiful flowers and plants line the walkways and paths, creating an overall feeling of peace and serenity.

E Congress Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

For those with a passion for racing, no trip to Saratoga would be complete without a visit to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame . The museum documents the changing political, social, economic, and cultural views of racing from the eighteenth century to today. Wander amongs the exhibitions that showcase the history of racing through a variety of mediums, including paintings, photography, sculpture, and trophies.

Visit the hall of fame, where you will recognize names such as Seattle Slew and Northern Dancer. With frequent special exhibits on display, make sure you check out the website before visiting so you don't miss out.

191 Union Ave, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866, 518-584-0400

Recommended Activities for Families

Yaddo is an artist community based on a 400-acre estate in Saratoga Springs. Founded in 1990, it has become a haven for aspiring artists to work without having to worry about the interruption of day-to-day life. While Yaddo is off limits to the general public, Yaddo Gardens are available for visits all year around.

The gardens are simply beautiful, and from mid-June to late August you can see the rose gardens in full bloom. From mid-June through mid-September, on the other hand, the rock garden is in full flower. Take a stroll around the beautiful grounds and walk in the footsteps of some of Yaddo’s most famous guests, some of which include Truman Capote and Sylvia Plath.

312 Union Ave, Saratoga Springs, New York 12866, 518-584-0746

It is called The Children's Museum at Saratoga , but kids call it a giant playground. It does not matter that the museum’s goal is to teach, it teaches in a way kids know best – by letting them touch, move, use, and explore everything. Even more fun is the idea that they do it with their parents. While the museum exhibits and programs are designed for kids under 7, they are interactive and engaging so that older siblings can also enjoy themselves. If you are wondering what to do in Saratoga Springs with kids, this is a great place to visit. Exhibits range from a giant Treehouse with habitats for various animals and Silly Science Center to the Little Theatre and Fire Station. The museum is a fabulous venue for unforgettable birthday parties.

65 S Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, Phone: 518-584-5540

Attractions for Couples

The Saratoga Casino Hotel boasts attractive architectural features which draw inspiration from the grandeur of the Old Saratoga Springs. The concept is continued inside the hotel and guests can expect to be shown to luxurious rooms which bear witness to the timeless elegance of the town’s heyday. Guests can spend their time enjoying all the facilities of the casino where conventional slots, electronic table games and video poker vie for your attention. When you need a break from the bright lights you can relax around the heated indoor pool or enjoy some of the varied drinking and dining options. To add a little romance to your getaway you can book a special Suite Romance Package.

Saratoga Casino Hotel, 342 Jefferson Street, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, 518-682-8888

With guests such as the New York City Ballet and The Philadelphia Orchestra, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) is internationally recognized for supporting diversity within art. With a myriad of weekly events from chamber music, jazz, rock, and pop concerts to opera and the yearly Saratoga Wine and Food Festival, SPAC offers something for everyone.

Dedicated to encouraging the next generation’s interest in art, SPAC admits children under twelve to the lawn free of charge for some classical events. The location itself is exquisite, a 25,000 seat amphitheatre surrounded by hiking trails, geysers, and natural mineral springs. Make a visit to SPAC, a high priority on your trip to Saratoga.

108 Avenue of the Pines, Saratoga Springs, New York, Phone: 518-584-9330

A stunning celebration of the human experience via art, the Tang Teaching Museum & Art Gallery encourages curiosity via interactive experiences. The art is vivid and contemporary, and the Tang Museum is host to twelve exhibits each year. Affinity Atlas is a beautiful exhibit that displays African pottery and Southwest textiles as well as contemporary ceramics, painting, photographs, and videos.

The art pushes boundaries between mediums such as the visual and performing arts as well as natural science. Spend an hour or two wandering the hallways with its bright vivid color and imagination on full display.

815 N Broadway, Saratoga Springs, New York, Phone: 518-580-8080

The Saratoga Springs History Museum is dedicated to celebrating the history and lives of Saratoga Springs. Here you will discover over 15,000 artifacts and a photographic archive that holds over 325,000 photographs of Saratoga dating from 1855 until 1980. Make sure to visit the exhibit Vice: The Darker Side of Saratoga Springs, which forays into the underground world of gambling and rum smuggling during the prohibition era.

Take a step back in time and visit the Canfield High Stakes Gambling Room, which still houses much of the original décor and furniture.

1 E Congress St, Saratoga Springs, New York, Phone: 518-584-6920