Horses

Many of our properties are a short walk to the Historic Saratoga Racecourse. Since 1863, when a former professional boxer by the name of John Morrissey organized the first meet, the Saratoga Race Course has been the summer home of thoroughbred racing in New York State. Racing fans would be envious of the short stroll you have to the track.

If you want to take in horse racing outside the summer season, there’s always harness racing at the Saratoga Casino Hotel.

But Saratoga is much more than a one horse town. Below are some other attractions that may interest you:

Performing Arts Centers

From the famous amphitheater of the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) to the charming stage of the renown Café Lena, there’s always a place to enjoy a show or concert. Beginning in 2020, Saratoga has a new exciting performance facility, the Universal Preservation Hall (UPH). Originally a Methodist church built in 1871, this structure has been newly renovated and repurposed as a performance center. It too is just a short walk from any of our properties. You should also check out the performances at Skidmore College’s Zankel Hall, many of which are open to the public. Our favorite Zankel performance is the annual Beatlemore-Skidmania concert put on every year just before Thanksgiving week.

Sport Activities

If golf is your thing, you need to check out the Saratoga Spa State Park or the Saratoga National Golf Club. Both are beautiful courses just a short ride away.

If you prefer boating, swimming or fishing checkout Saratoga Lake. At the public Waterfront Park on Crescent Avenue you can swim, kayak or canoe or just enjoy the beautiful scenery while you soak up the sun.

Love to ski? West Mountain in Glens Falls is less than a half hour away and has evening skiing throughout the season. There’s also Gore Mountain, less than an hour away and Whiteface Mountain near Lake Placid which is less than 2 hours away.

At the end of North Broadway, you’ll find Skidmore College’s North Woods, a wild preservation area that they allow the public to use for hiking, biking or cross-country skiing.

We also have two modern YMCA facilities a short distance away and both part of the Saratoga Regional YMCA. The Saratoga branch, which can be accessed from West Avenue (across from Pitney Meadow Farm) or New Street (next to Espey Manufacturing), has a pool. The Wilton branch, which is on Old Gick Road behind Walmart, has tennis and squash ball courts.

Museums

For a small city, Saratoga Springs is loaded with museums, most of which are just a short walk from many of our properties. We have two national museums: the National Museum of Racing and the National Museum of Dance. Other museums worth checking out are the State Military Museum on Lake Avenue and the Children’s Museum on Caroline Street. And, if you’re into cars, you need to stop by the Automobile Museum in the Saratoga Spa State Park.

Other Places

The Farmer’s Market’s summer home is at High Rock Park and features locally grown produce, hand-made crafts and occasionally live music. The best part - it’s walking distance to all our properties.

If you’re into fresh vegetables, check out the Pitney Meadows Community Farm on West Avenue. Not only can you help grow your own vegetables, but they have 30 acres set aside for hiking, biking or cross-country skiing.

The Saratoga Springs Public Library is located on Henry Street and is a short walk from all our properties. Enjoy a cup of coffee as you explore the collection of local artifacts and documents in the Saratoga Room.

Annual Events

There are really too many special events to list here. Below are some of our personal favorites. And just think if you live in one of our properties you don’t have to worry about finding parking or having that extra cocktail. These festivities are only steps from your front door!

First Night:

Spending New Year’s Eve in downtown Saratoga Springs is a great experience for the whole family. There are scores of performances and displays all along Broadway with the final culmination being a firework display at midnight. First Night in Saratoga Springs should be on everyone's bucket list.

Chowderfest:

Chowderfest, held in February, has become one of the cities most popular events. All the great restaurants from Saratoga and the surrounding area compete for the coveted best chowder award. Stroll through the many vendors sample stations and warm up with some delicious chowder. Then cast your vote for your favorite and take a short walk back home.

Saratoga Jazz Festival:

The Jazz Festival has been a June tradition at SPAC for decades. But there’s more to Jazz-Fest weekend than the great performances at SPAC. From Friday to Sunday the entire city is immersed in jazz. From the streets to places like Café Lena, you can catch some awesome live jazz performances.