City in New York, United States
Photo: Daniel Case, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Saratoga Springs is just south of the Adirondacks in upstate New York. Long a vacation destination for New Yorkers, Saratoga Springs is a pleasant town filled with swanky shops, spas and horse racing. A key battle in the Revolutionary War happened nearby. The city is also home to Skidmore College and Empire State College (SUNY).
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Dubbed "The Public's Resort", this park has mineral baths, eighteen-hole and nine-hole golf courses, free hardtop and clay tennis courts, and several pool areas with showers, locker rooms, rest rooms and food concessions. Hiking (and cross country/snowshoe) trails and picnic areas complete with grills are available as well. The park encompasses and protects the mineral springs in use at least as far back as the 14th century. This "Queen of Spas" was a 19th-century vacation retreat for the rich and famous.
Despite the plethora of day spas around the city, this is the only place where you can relax in a natural mineral bath using water drawn straight from the ground. (It's mixed with hot tap water to bring it up to a comfortable temperature, though.) This facility was built in 1935 as part of the development of the park. While the mineral baths are their signature service, they also offer the standard menu of modern spa services: massages, facials, etc. The decor, with its aged porcelain fixtures and linoleum floors, may look a little institutional, but keep in mind any oxidation you see is natural, a result of iron in the spring water. And it's certainly the most authentic Saratoga spa experience you can get.
A place to experience the history of one of Saratoga's most popular attractions, thoroughbred racing. Something for everyone with interactive exhibits, rare memorabilia, and equine art.
This museum is housed in an 1870 casino. It's not a must see for everyone, but if you are a history buff, and especially if you are from New York State or elsewhere in the region, it is very interesting to visit and a good value. A guided tour of the ground floor is included in your admission and adds a lot of context and value to your visit. Allow 2 hours or so to see the rooms; the artifacts from the casino and the grand hotels that served visitors to this town in its 19th-to-early 20th-century heyday before being torn down in the 1950s; information about some very notable citizens of Saratoga including the remarkable woman who founded the Daughters of the American Revolution, replete with documentation and their personal effects; and an exhibit about the Native tribes who inhabited the area. The staff are very happy to speak with visitors and share information, even at closing time.
Artist community on a 400-acre site.
Enjoy the gorgeous views of the Adirondack Region and the Green Mountains of Vermont from high in the sky with an experienced ballooning crew.
Acoustic music in a 110-seat coffeehouse that opened in 1960. The venue enjoys a world-wide reputation for preserving and furthering American musical traditions. Its archives are held at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. The schedule features a mix of established career musicians and nationally touring emerging artists. Emerging artists presented by Caffe Lena have included Bob Dylan, EmmyLou Harris, Don McLean, Arlo Guthrie, Ani DiFranco, G. Love and Sawyer Fredericks. A complete performer list dating back to May 21, 1960 can be viewed on the venue's website. Hospitality for concert-goers includes desserts, light fare, local craft beer, wine, coffees and teas. The venue is operated as a non-profit organization.
Summer home of the New York City Ballet, the Philadelphia Orchestra and various concerts such as the Dave Matthews Band.
formerly Saratoga Casino and Raceway
Harness racing and video gaming.
Thoroughbred horse racing from late July to early September.
Eighteen holes with lots of up/down.
Named 2005 "Golf Course of the Year" by National Golf Course Owners Association. Named "One of America's 100 Greatest Public Courses 2005-2006" by Golf Digest.
Towering pines surround this 7,100-yard course.
More than 5000 attendees flock to the city for the annual Flurry Festival, which features folk dance and music, including one of the largest contra dances in the U.S.
Check out the famous wood-fired pizza and homemade soups.
If you're in the mood for Chinese, look no further than this delicious spot downtown. Good price, great food, and also serves Thai.
Upscale French bistro located at The Saratoga.
Early morning breakfast. Opens when the bars close.
Pizza and a doughboy and you're ready for anything. Take them out for a stroll.
Though styled a "rustic, Tuscan-style" bistro on their website, it seems much more Italian-American, based on its menu and portions. Either way, the food is delicious, the wine list is excellent, the service is really helpful and considerate, and this big eating hall is so popular with locals that you should expect to wait 20-30 minutes for a table for two on any given Tuesday if you arrive without reservations. Don't be surprised if there are two receptions in different parts of the restaurant, and wait if you need to. There are two outdoor eating areas on patios, in addition to inside dining, and they are heated on chilly nights.
This vegetarian spot has a variety of soups, salads, and hot en trees. While you are there, check out the retail store which offers a selection of natural foods, teas, supplements, and personal care and organic produce.
Premiere dining and wine list.
Great courtyard dining during track season, indoor and pub dining available.
"Hattie" may have long since passed, but her Cajun tastes are still reflected on the menu, which includes her signature fired chicken.
Warm rustic steak and seafood place right on the strip. Private parties and banquets upstairs in Diamond Jim's.
Good location for weddings, businesses meetings or private gatherings.
Trendy Italian restaurant, amazing lounge, seafood pasta and vino.
formerly Tiznow
Classic bistro decor makes this a great spot for cocktails or dinner. Ask for a corner banquette table to enjoy a cozy meal for two and listen to the funky world beat soundtrack.
Viva De Mexico, best mex going! Away from downtown but near the track.
Located in a renovated Victorian house, this sister restaurant to One Caroline Street Bistro specializes in locally-sourced cuisine with a Cajun flair. Try the Crawfish Beignets!
18th-century inn.
Jazz with dinner, reservations or wait required but worth it.
Enduring Italian restaurant serving classics such as parmigiana, pasta & steaks.
Family-owned Italian restaurant.
Pizzaworks is a family pizzeria. Their hand-tossed New York-style, thin-crust pizza is based on a traditional Italian family recipe. They also serve a variety of subs, wings, calzones, stromboli, wraps, salads and appetizers including bread sticks and garlic knots.
South Broadway (US Route 9). Barbecue chicken and ribs; includes two 20-foot barbecue pits out in the back. Located about one mile from the Northway, open year-round.
Specialty food store and deli.
Light eating.
Pub fare.
Neighborhood delicatessen, featuring sandwiches named for famous thoroughbred race horses.
Serves coffee, bagels, bagel sandwiches and such. A local favorite.
Pasta, steak, etc.
A Caroline Street institution since who-knows-when.
Classic bistro decor makes this a great spot for cocktails or dinner.
This local favorite had tons to offer, live music and great food add to the appeal of this one of a kind bar.
A 1930s-era saloon.
A great place to watch football on Sundays, or start out your night. Inexpensive and the best specials in town.
A historical bed and breakfast.
Free Wi-Fi, indoor pool, pet-friendly, free hot breakfast.
31 rooms.
7 rooms.
Open daily, shipping available. A large selection of Saratoga related paintings and prints, as well as thoroughbred photos. This local favorite is a great place for gifts.
This gallery and workshop is where designer and goldsmith Dennis deJonghe creates his one of a kind jewelry out of fine gems and precious metals. It features his equestrian collection, as well as sample wedding bands and other original designs.
A family-owned, independent bookstore committed to the future of the book
Find the hottest fashions for women and teens. Find trend driven clothing perfect for your style. Designs by Ed Hardy, Sky, Sweetees, Blue Cult, David Kahn, Unyx, Steve Madden and more.
V/M accepted. This "shop with a heart" has 24 lines of dolls to choose from. Play dolls as well as porcelain and vinyl collectibles are available in a variety of price ranges.
By car
5 hours south of the Canadian border. Enjoy this tree-lined drive along I-87, also called the Adirondack Northway.
By train
The Ethan Allen Express (3 hours 35 minutes from New York's Penn Station, 1 train daily) is much faster than the Adirondack (5 hours 18 minutes, does not run every day) or a mixed service option…
By bus
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Albany · International · ALB
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Saratoga Springs and United States.
Find the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
Find the best time to visit Hawaii in 2026. Compare whale seasons, big-wave surf, dry shoulder months, hotel rates, and island microclimates.
8 min read
Discover the best places to visit in April. Compare Dutch tulip fields, Thailand's Songkran water festival, Roman spring gardens, and cherry blossoms.
6 min read
A practical guide to travelling with medication and refrigerated drugs like insulin and GLP-1s. Learn airline rules, customs papers, and cooling tips.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.