Every summer as a child, my husband would visit his grandparents who lived near Saratoga Springs. Going to Saratoga Race Course has always been a family tradition for him and one that we have continued since we started dating. In fact, we have spent a weekend in Saratoga for every year that we have been together and our daughter loves it as well!
Saratoga Springs is known as “the Queen of the Spas” and “Health, History, Horses” is a well-known slogan for the area.
Health
There are 17 public mineral springs which offer naturally carbonated water rich in minerals. The famed health benefits of the springs is what led to the growth of tourism in Saratoga Springs during the mid-1800s. Today, you can enjoy mineral baths at the Roosevelt Baths at the Gideon Putnam Resort and the Crystal Spa on South Broadway in Downtown Saratoga Springs. There are plenty of day spas around town too.
History
Saratoga Springs has a rich history. It was a popular health resort and gambling center for much of the 19th and 20th centuries. Victorian homes, Canfield Casino, National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, National Museum of Dance, The Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga National Historical Park, and Skidmore College are some of the sites you can enjoy. One of our favorites places to visit is Congress Park.
Congress Park
Located along Broadway, Circular, and Spring Streets is beautiful Congress Park. The park is great for strolling or picnicking and there are many special events held there throughout the year. This summer, the Saratoga Shakespeare Company is performing As You Like It and Henry IV. Enjoy the statues, memorials, and duck pond or visit the Canfield Casino (now a museum). You can also sample the mineral water from the following springs located inside the park:
- Congress Spring
- Columbian Spring
- Deer Park Spring
- Hathorn #1
There is even a historic, wooden carousel that both children and adults can ride for $1 per ride! We have ridden this carousel countless times!
Horses
In 1863, John Morrissey organized Saratoga’s first thoroughbred meet a month after the Battle of Gettysburg, which marked the beginning of “the oldest race track in America.” The Travers Stakes is the oldest major thoroughbred race in the United States and is also the most popular day of the racing season.
Saratoga Race Course
The summer meet at Saratoga Race Course is 40 days long and there is no racing on Tuesdays. You can watch the horses train at their morning workouts or marvel at the beautiful horses as they walk down the horse path before the next race. There are plenty of tents on the grounds filled with vendors, food, and drinks. Stop at the Big Red Spring where you can sample even more mineral water. Listen to the live music, learn about the famous jockeys and trainers, have a picnic, or learn how to wager. Betting on horses and cheering them to the finish line is very exciting!
Saratoga Polo
This is the first year we attended a polo tournament. It was such a fun event! We purchased tickets for the Veuve Clicquot Challenge Tournament and enjoyed the sport while sitting outside, sipping champagne, and watching the ceremonial sabrage (sabrage is the art of opening a bottle of Champagne by using a small traditional sword called a sabre). During the break, there is a tradition of divot stomping where everyone goes onto the field to mingle and press down on the holes (divots) created by the horses’ hooves.
Shopping
There are so many unique and interesting shops as you walk down Broadway. One of our favorite stops is the Saratoga Tea And Honey Company. Here you can sample many teas and flavored honey and even sit at the counter for a perfectly brewed cup of tea. I fell in love with the cute bee stirrers that they served along with my cup of “Fountain of Youth” tea! Other favorites my daughter and I like to visit each year are Lucia for clothing and accessories and Lola for great handbags and jewelry.
A visit to Impressions of Saratoga is another must for souvenirs, horse collectibles, and gifts. They even have a Pressed Penny Machine so that you can take home your own lucky Saratoga coin. We now have quite the collection over the years!
This year we met a vendor outside Saratoga Olive Oil Co. selling their local, hand-crafted cutting boards. I was really taken by the craftsmanship and quality so I purchased one for my home.
Finally, no visit to Saratoga is complete for the Pardee family without a stop at G. Willikers for toys and games. Their window displays are always fun and whimsical and they carry some unique toys. My daughter’s fascination with Fashion Angels began with a visit to this store!
Dining
There are so many great food options in Saratoga Springs and it seems like new places are opening every year. While I have many recommendations, we always look forward to eating an Italian dinner at Chianti II Ristorante and picking up bakery items at Mrs. London’s, a gorgeous patisserie. Really, there are plenty of bars and events to keep you entertained all night long.
Every time we visit Saratoga Springs, we find something new or we revisit an old favorite that makes us appreciate it even more! Plan a visit to Saratoga Springs this summer and let me know how you liked it!
