Complete Tourist Guide to Saratoga Springs, New York

Saratoga Springs, New York, is a historic town that has worked to keep much of the historic architectural style while keeping up with modern culture and ways of doing things. You'll find lots of parking, though there are lots of others looking to park, too. There are lots of great things to do, but the main attraction is, of course, Saratoga Racetrack. More on that in a minute. In this article, I'm going to tell you some fun things to do in Saratoga Springs that don't cost much, give you some information about the Saratoga Racetrack, give you some hints about getting around in Saratoga Springs, and then list a couple of web links where you can find more specific information on some of the attractions I've listed.

Fun Things to do in Saratoga Springs

Friday and Saturday nights, and every night during the summer, make a nice time to stroll up and down Saratoga's main street, called Broadway. There are sidewalk musicians and horse carriages, you can window shop, people watch or buy fresh kettle corn after you watch them pop it under a little awning on the main drag. Don't forget to head one street over to the Ben & Jerry's ice cream shop, where there's always a long line on warm summer evenings.

Congress Park is another great place to take a stroll. This historic park has been a part of Saratoga Springs for a long time. The old fountains and gardens are being restored, so every time you go, you see something old brought back to life. The Merry-go-round is a wonderful new treat with that old fashioned flavor - 50 cents per person. There are free concerts in Congress Park on Tuesday evenings in August.

Just a few blocks from Broadway, Beekman Street Art District is an artistic village inside the city. Take a stroll and visit the art galleries. Or check out See You on Saturday, cultural events in the Beekman Street area on the first Saturday of every month from 5 to 8 p.m. Free of charge. Free trolley rides are available to take you from the Broadway area to Beekman Street and back again.

While you're walking around Saratoga Springs, watch out for the horses - no, I'm not talking about the live ones at the Track. There are statues of horses decorated by local artists sprinkled throughout the town. Keep an eye out for them. Each one is different and practically life-sized. A fun game for the kids is to see who can spot the most.

Saratoga Springs is best known for its springs. Mineral springs. You can even still go to a bath house where you can have an old fashioned mineral bath. Located throughout the town are old fashioned spring house structures and you can go right up to them and drink the famous spring water. Don't bring your gallon jug, thinking to take some home, because you probably won't like the very salty taste. Still, this is something you won't see every day (or taste, for that matter).

When you're tired of walking, Saratoga has a wide variety of places to eat and drink. You can sit on a small patio and have dinner while watching people walk up and down Broadway, or find a nice dark tavern to have a cold beer. There are so many restaurants and bars that you're sure to find one that suits your tastes.

Saratoga Racetrack

Don't confuse Saratoga Gaming and Raceway (known to the locals as the harness track) with Saratoga Racetrack. They are 2 different places that both happen to be located in Saratoga. The famous one, the one that draws the crowds, the money and the famous rich people, is Saratoga Racetrack, known to the locals simply as "the Track." It's open for a 6-week meet each summer (all of August, overlapping into the end of July and sometimes the first couple days of September). That is the track where the thoroughbreds race, races similar to the Triple Crown races - in fact, it's common that a horse who won at least one of the triple crown races will race in the Travers race at Saratoga. The harness track is open for a much longer time period and is not such a famous draw for the town.

One of the lesser-publicized things to do during August in Saratoga is have breakfast at the Track. There is free admission, so if you don't buy food you actually don't have to pay. It takes place every day the Track is open, 7:30 - 9:00 a.m., except on Travers day. You can watch the Paddock Show and Starting Gate Demonstration and take a tram tour of the Backstretch Area - great fun for the kids who love horses or those who want to get a clue which horse to bet on later in the day. If you leave before 10 a.m. they refund your parking fee, and you will have to exit the Track area and re-enter, paying admission, if you plan to spend the day at the Track.

Just A Short Drive from Downtown Saratoga

Saratoga Spa State Park is a great place to spend a hot summer day. See the geysers, swim in the swimming pool, share a picnic or take a nature walk. There is also a great golf course if you are a golfer. There are lots of picnic tables and built-in charcoal grills, but if you have some time, look for a secluded table further from the parking areas for a nice private meal. A nice stream runs through the area, you can see an actual geyser that shoots water into the air - you don't have to go to Yellowstone to see such things! There is also a nice playground for the kids, and public bathrooms are available. There is a small fee per car to enter, as with all New York State parks.

Saratoga Battlefield is a fun way to experience some history in an outdoors setting. Take a self-guided driving tour of this large battlefield area any day from April to November. Visit the visitor's center to see some real artifacts from the Revolutionary War, or purchase a souvenir. Watch for special events that add more excitement, including battle re-enactments and other events that keep history alive. The nearby Saratoga Monument (actually in a town called Schuylerville) is something you can see, and climb, Wednesdays through Sundays in the summer.

Other things you might want to check out include the New York State Military Museum and the Saratoga Harness Racing Museum. And Saratoga Performing Arts Center is a big attraction, hosting everything from rock concerts to the New York City Ballet to the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Hints on Getting Around

If you're visiting Saratoga Springs in August and not attending the Track event, plan your route around the traffic that is associated with the Track. The Track will be open from July 23 to September 1 in 2008. The Track is closed on Tuesdays, but on all other days, expect traffic to be heaviest on roads leading to the track, and on the Northway (I-87), starting around 10 a.m till noon or after, and then again after the Track lets out for the day, between 6 and 7 p.m. Study the map and know where the Track is, and avoid that area during the busy times of day.

Don't park in the library's parking lot unless you're really visiting the library. They really do ticket and tow. It's a really nice library and worth a visit. You can sit and read a magazine, or use the computer to surf the web. But if you're wanting to stroll through Congress Park, find a parking spot elsewhere.

For More Information

Use the following websites to find out more. Get more information about spending the day at the Track -- this unofficial site has lots of good tips and information on giveaway days and admission fees. Read more information on Saratoga Spa State Park. You can get all the particulars about Saratoga Battlefield, also known as Saratoga Historic Park, including an event calendar. Learn more about the NYS Military Heritage Museum.