Attractions in and around Saratoga Springs
Horses aren't the only reason people gather to Saratoga Springs. Saratoga's Broadway is crowded with boutiques and bistros, an attractive walk-through, and for the night-time groove, the Springs has nightclubs. Yadoo and Skidmore College hosts writers' conferences and retreats and you can watch the New York Ballet at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center.
Museums: A regional museum of history and art. 22 exhibits, historic buildings, extensive collections, exquisite gardens and magnificent views tell stories of life, work, and play in the Adirondack Park. New in 2009: A "Wild Unsettled Country":Early Reflections of the Adirondacks and Common Threads:150 Years of Adirondack Quilts and Comforters. Explore the exhibits, watch a craftsman at work, or take in one of the lively family programs scheduled throughout the summer. The Adirondack Museum plans a full schedule of special events, lectures, demonstrations, field trips, and activities to delight and engage people of all ages.
Children's Museum at Saratoga: The Children's Museum at Saratoga provides positive opportunities for learning in an interactive setting. Learn about science, history, community living and the arts by exploring the museum's hands-on exhibits. The museum also offers membership, special events, educational workshops and birthday party packages.
Fort William Henry Museum & Restoration: See history relived before your eyes! Live cannon firing, Grenadier's bomb toss and guided tours. Take a trip back in time to the French and Indian War. Fort William Henry was the sight of James Fenimore Cooper's action classic "The Last of the Mohicans".
Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery: The innovative exhibitions and programs serve as cultural experiences and educational exchange between Skidmore College campus and community. The museum's director and curator work to address and deconstruct the conventional barriers within museums, displaying and combining all kinds of media and artifacts from different eras.
National Bottle Museum: The history of 18th and 19th century bottles made with hand tools and lung power. Exhibits, videos and library. Instruction available at Museum Glassworks, a modern Hot Glass studio.
National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame: The National Museum of Dance is a living museum which houses dance studios, American Dance Hall of Fame and a gift shop. It is the only museum in the United States devoted exclusively to American Professional Dance. Exhibits, classes and educational programs have attracted thousands of visitors since 1986. The museum may also be rented for private functions and business meetings. Group tours are available.
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame: Admission to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is always a winning ticket. Interactive programs, the Horse Play! Children's Gallery, rare memorabilia, a fine equine art collection, a behind-the-scenes tour of Saratoga's "Oklahoma" training track, and more tell the colorful story of three centuries of Thoroughbred racing.
Saratoga Automobile Museum: The mission of the Saratoga Automobile Museum is to display significant cars, trucks, and vehicles that not only represent the automotive heritage of New York State but the entire world of motorized transportation. The Museum is chartered by the Board of Regents of the State of New York Department of Education and in addition to organizing permanent and temporary exhibits, the Museum hosts a variety of workshops, interactive displays, lectures and outdoor shows.
Saratoga Springs History Museum: The Saratoga Springs History Museum presents the long history of this intriguing city, from its beginnings as a rural village to its prominence as an internationally-known spa and resort. Changing exhibitions, permanent installations, and period rooms highlight Saratoga's fascinating people, great hotels and mineral springs. Open all year, group tours available by appointment.
But what about the springs? Surely Saratoga Springs must derive its name from something. It does, of course. The Saratoga Spa State Park is all winding paths and mineral springs and the London Bathhouse gives visitors a chance to actually relax in the water of those springs.
Horses, shopping, natural beauty, and the creative arts and also architecture. Over 400 historic homes line the streets between Lake and Union Avenue. You’ll see mansions of Gothic and Victorian splendor as well as far more modest homes, a kind of cross-section of the past.
Flora and Fauna
Spectacular Fall Foliage: Stunning fall colors blanket the Spa City and the nearby Adirondack mountains. The pace of life is a bit slower - strolling the streets of downtown Saratoga is a leisurely activity. The Beekman Street Arts District is awash in the colors of the season, and you may find yourself lingering over dinner at any of the many fine Saratoga Springs restaurants, and savoring that last cup of gourmet coffee or glass of fine wine. Must-see Saratoga attractions include the amazing National Museum of Racing and the National Museum of Dance, or treat yourself to a tour of the Tang Museum at Skidmore College. The Balloon Festival in nearby Glens Falls is an unforgettable sight and a photographer's dream!
Activities in Saratoga Springs
Golf: The Saratoga Spa Golf Course is set in a pine forest, surrounded by the nature and historic beauty of the Saratoga Spa State Park.
Racino: The Saratoga Gaming and Raceway is New York State's first gaming property featuring more than 1,300 of the most exciting state-of-the-art video gaming machines.
Horse Racing: The Saratoga Race Track is located just minutes away from the Gideon Putnam Resort. The races kick-off in late July and runs through Labor Day. The Gideon Putnam Resort offers complimentary shuttle service to and from the track to our hotel guests.
Festivals and Events in and around Saratoga Springs
College Day/Party at the Park (Saratoga Race Track) (Fri, Sep 4, 2009): College students get free grandstand admission for the day with valid college ID. Plus, they will have the chance to win prizes all day long, including scholarships, i-Pods, digital cameras and more!
Saratoga Wine & Food Festival (Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC)) (Thu, Sep 10 - 12, 2009): Taste wines from over 250 wineries and food samplings from over 25 restaurants at the 9th Annual Saratoga Wine & Food Festival!
Honor Our Troops- Golf Tournament (Windy Hills Golf Course) (Sat, Sep 12, 2009): Operation Adopt a Soldier/ Project Yellow Ribbon Saturday-September 12, 2009 9 am shot gun start at Windy Hills Golf Course in Greenwich, NY $80 per person 18 holes of golf with cart hot dogs and beverage on the turn buffet upon completion Monetary 1st Prize Trophies and prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place tee shirt participation goodie bags 5 Great hole in one prizes Closest to the pin contest Longest Drive contest AND MORE A great day of fun for an extremely worthy cause.
Irish 2000 Music & Arts Festival (Saratoga County Fairgrounds) (Fri, Sep 18 - 19, 2009): A visitor can enjoy two days of non-stop Irish music and more when the 13th Annual Irish 2000 Music and Arts Festival takes over the Saratoga County Fairgrounds on September 18 and 19, 2009 with over 30 music acts and performances.
Museum Day (Sat, Sep 26, 2009): Enjoy free general admission for you at the Children's Museum and a guest to hundreds of museums and cultural venues nationwide. Present the Museum Day admission card to receive free general admission at participating Museum Day locations.
Fall Festival: Enjoy the annual Saratoga Fall Festival in downtown Saratoga. Typically the last week in October, this is a real fun family event, complete with pony rides, arts and crafts, storytelling, games and an opportunity for kids to ride the carousel in Congress Park free! You will find food, fun and entertainment for all.
