Saratoga Springs Travel Guide: Things to Do, Best Time to Visit & Itinerary

Day 1: The Thrill of the Track

• Morning: Start your day early at 7:00 AM at the Saratoga Race Course to watch the morning workouts for free while enjoying a breakfast sandwich for about $10 USD. Secure a picnic table in the backyard area early if you plan to stay all day, as these spots are claimed immediately upon gate opening.
• Afternoon: Spend the afternoon betting on the ponies and enjoying the electric atmosphere of the grandstand, where admission is roughly $7 USD per person. Grab lunch from the on-site vendors like Shake Shack or Hattie’s Chicken Stand, budgeting around $25 USD per person for food and drinks.
• Evening: Head to Broadway for a lively dinner at Druthers Brewing Company, where you can enjoy mac and cheese and craft beer for approximately $60 USD for two. End the night strolling past the street musicians and grabbing a nightcap at the historic Caroline Street bars.

Day 2: Recovery and Refinement

• Morning: Sleep in slightly before grabbing a late brunch at Mrs. London’s Boutique Bakery, famous for their almond croissants, costing about $35 USD for two. Walk off the pastries with a stroll through Congress Park to see the historic Spit and Spat fountain and ride the carousel for $1 USD.
• Afternoon: Drive 2 miles south to Saratoga Spa State Park for a relaxing afternoon tour of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, with tickets costing $20 USD per adult. Afterward, walk through the Hall of Springs to admire the architecture and taste the mineral waters from the public spigots.
• Evening: Conclude your trip with an upscale dinner at 15 Church on their beautiful patio, budgeting roughly $150 USD for a memorable meal with wine. If the schedule aligns, catch a performance by the Philadelphia Orchestra or New York City Ballet at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) nearby.

Day 1: Taking the Waters

• Morning: Begin with a scheduled 40-minute mineral bath soak at the historic Roosevelt Baths & Spa, costing approximately $45 USD per person. Arrive early to use the relaxation room and steam room before your treatment to fully decompress.
• Afternoon: Enjoy a light lunch at the Gideon Putnam hotel restaurant adjacent to the spa for around $50 USD. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the Saratoga Automobile Museum located within the park, which features vintage cars and racing history for $12 USD admission.
• Evening: Drive into town for a cozy dinner at The Olde Bryan Inn, a stone building dating back to 1773, where a hearty meal costs around $70 USD. After dinner, walk to the legendary Caffe Lena, the oldest continuously operating folk coffeehouse in the US, for live music and dessert.

Day 2: Gardens and Gilded Age Glory

• Morning: Drive to the Yaddo Gardens, a 400-acre artist retreat, and wander the rose gardens and rockery for free (donations accepted). Afterward, head to the Beekman Street Arts District for coffee and a browse through local artist galleries and pottery studios.
• Afternoon: Visit the Saratoga Springs History Museum inside the Canfield Casino in Congress Park to learn about the city’s gambling past for $10 USD. Take a self-guided walking tour of North Broadway to photograph the massive Victorian mansions that line the street.
• Evening: Enjoy a farewell dinner at Hattie’s Restaurant, ordering their world-famous fried chicken and ribs for about $60 USD total. Finish your trip with a cocktail at the bar of The Adelphi Hotel, soaking in the opulence of the restored lobby for around $18 USD per drink.