Famous for therapeutic waters and summer horse racing events, this attractive New York city also charms with its cultural activities and outdoor pursuits.
Art, history, sport, nature and relaxation make Saratoga Springs a must-visit vacation destination. Enjoy its ancient mineral springs, historic battleground, art district and one of the country’s most important horse races.
The mineral waters of Saratoga Springs have been soothing travelers for more than 200 years. Spread across the city, each has a slightly different chemical composition. Fill your water bottle with the iron-rich water of the Old Red Spring. Go to Saratoga Spa State Park to bathe in the waters of Roosevelt Baths and Spa, built over an underground spring.
The park features many other recreational activities. Hurl your body down water slides at the Peerless Pool Complex, improve your swing on the 18-hole golf course and walk or cycle along the trails. During spring and fall, see migratory birds in the park’s wetlands. When the snow falls, ski across 12 miles (19 kilometers) of cross-country trails.
Saratoga Springs’ many cultural institutions add to its charm. Learn about the city’s past at the Saratoga History Museum. Tour the Saratoga Springs National Historic Park, where the 1777 Battle of Saratoga took place. Here, the Americans won a decisive victory against the British in the American Revolutionary War.
Stroll around Beekman Street Art District. This three-block area is a mix of art galleries, artists’ studios, trendy bistros and restaurants. Treat the kids to an afternoon of hands-on fun at the Children’s Museum at Saratoga. Catch a show at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center where the New York City Ballet and the Philadelphia Orchestra perform.
Every summer thousands of race fans descend on the Saratoga Race Course for horse racing season. Before the main races start, enjoy a breakfast buffet at the track and watch horses working out. Across from the race track, visit the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.
The varied outdoor and indoor attractions of Saratoga Springs make it a popular vacation spot for New Yorkers. The Big Apple is less than four hours away.