Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, New York

The Adirondack Mountains have a lot to offer. Olympic level skiing, beautiful hiking trails, first class camping, amusement parks, museums, sporting events and more. For five weeks every summer, thoroughbred horse racing fans flock to Saratoga Springs, New York to visit the oldest organized sporting venue in the United States. Saratoga is, in the world of horse racing, one of the most storied tracks on the planet. All of the legendary jockeys - Angel Cordero, Jr., Mike Smith, Jose Santos, and Willie Shoemaker, to name a few - are honored at the National Racing Hall of Fame, as are horses with iconic names such as Secretariat and Man O' War. These are names you've seen on the television show "Jockeys" and also appearing in races such as the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness.

Back at the track, you can bring a picnic lunch, claim a picnic table, and enjoy your lunch behind the grandstand in the picnic area. From there, you can watch the races on closed circuit television, or walk out trackside, and see the action in person, just feet from your face as the massive horses race by.

An interesting point of trivia about the Saratoga Race Course is that some scenes from the hit motion picture "Seabiscuit" starring Tobey Maguire, were filmed here. The track is also mentioned briefly in the film "Ocean's Eleven" starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and many others.

Wagering at Saratoga is another way many people have a fun experience at the track. Adults can wager just a few dollars and dream of big rewards if their horse wins the race! Every year, millions and millions of dollars are spent during this brief, five week racing season at Saratoga.

Of course, this much money changing hands often means there are famous people in the crowd. Even if you're not interested in watching the races at Saratoga Race Course, sometimes it can be fun to go watch for celebrities. Celebrities from actors to athletes, musicians to journalists, are frequently seen at the track, enjoying a beautiful afternoon at this fabled oval.

For those of you who are early risers, breakfast at the track is also available. Come early and enjoy breakfast while watching the sunrise behind the horses as their run their morning paces in preparation for the day's races.

Whatever your motivation, a visit to the Adirondacks is not complete without a stop at the Saratoga Race Course. With free parking and an extremely low admission charge (just $3 as of the time of this writing), it is in anyone's budget, and guarantees an exciting afternoon you'll never forget.

For more information, visit the Saratoga Race Course official website at www.saratogaracetrack.com