The 2025 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival in Saratoga is almost here! We know you've booked your hotel, made your reservations, and hopefully have your tickets, but what about those local secrets? We're here to help you have the best experience possible with info on hidden gems, tips around the track, and grabbing that perfect souvenir.
The Race Track
Let's start with some tips for the Saratoga Race Course. Make sure you have your tickets, which can be purchased at belmontstakes.com. General Admission tickets to the Belmont Stakes provide standing room access to the Clubhouse, Grandstand, and Backyard. Various reserved seating, premium hospitality and box seats are also available.
As is the case during the 40-day summer meet, the vast majority of Saratoga’s backyard picnic tables – approximately 700 – will be available on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival. Be prepared to race against the crowd for a picnic table and set up camp.
Saratoga Race Course taken by Whalen Productions
If you're staying close enough to the track, walking is highly encouraged. Traffic does get heavy on race days, but there are multiple parking lots near the track that you can pay to park in for the day. Whether you've gotten settled at a table, a reserved seat, or just plan to walk around, make sure to grab a program sold at one of the many booths placed throughout the track. This will be your guide to the races, including the schedule, jockeys, horses, odds, and more. Want to be right up in the action? Make your way to the railing before post time to get a front row view of the horses!
Looking to bet? Grab a voucher from a machine or a teller and use that to place bets throughout the day. When you're ready to leave, make sure to cash out your winnings at a teller and go celebrate. ATM's are available throughout the race track. Post track vibes carry on at Siro's or The Horseshoe Inn Bar & Grill before heading downtown Saratoga Springs to Caroline Street for the real party!
What to wear to the track
Good news is if you're in the grandstand (general admission) you can wear whatever you want! Shirts and shoes are required but you can be as casual or as fancy as you'd like. Here are some quick points on dress code from Saratoga.com.
- Grandstand: Informal attire. Shirts and shoes required.
- Clubhouse: No short shorts, cut-offs, tank tops or abbreviated wear.
- Box Seats: No jeans, shorts, rompers, or abbreviated wear permitted. Gentlemen: suits or sports jackets required (ties are not required). Ladies: dresses, skirts or slack outfits.
- The Porch, Club Terrace & The Easy Goer: Neat Casual Attire. Gentlemen: No tank tops; no short shorts, cut-offs or abbreviated wear. Proper attire at management's discretion.
- Turf Terrace: Gentlemen: collared shirts required. Ladies: dresses, skirts, or slack outfits. No shorts, t-shirts, jeans, sneakers, or flip-flops. Children ages 3-12: neat casual. Management at the racetrack reserves the right to determine "neat casual" attire.
- The Rail (1863 Club): Jackets and blazers are optional. Cargo shorts, halter tops, midriff tops, athletic wear, t-shirts, frayed or torn denim or shorts, and tennis shoes are not permitted. Vests, shirts with collars, polo shirts, dresses, sweaters, pantsuits, dress jeans, dress shorts, and slacks are appropriate. The dress code does not apply to children under the age of 12, but is encouraged.
- Legends Hall & Suites (1863 Club): Neat casual attire. No short shorts, cut-offs, or abbreviated wear. Gentlemen: no tank tops. Collared shirts required. Suits or sports jackets are optional.
- The Cutwater Stretch: Jackets and ties are not required. Stylish casual attire encouraged.
photo courtesy of Rob Spring Photography
Dining
You might already have your reservations, but if not, maybe one of these places can squeeze you in! Saratoga Race Course is about a mile from the beautiful downtown Saratoga Springs. Make your way there and you'll find tons of restaurants, shops, and unique businesses at the ready. All dining in Saratoga is truly fantastic, but there are a couple underrated players that'll have you swooning over dishes, cocktails, and atmosphere.
Hamlet & Ghost is set in a former feed & grain store turned trendy restaurant with modern fixtures and a warm ambiance. Nosh on fresh, seasonal fare and expertly crafted cocktails with friends or grab a seat to yourself at the bar. The welcoming establishment involves inspiration from around the world keeping the menu ever evolving and oh so delicious.
The Coat Room, hidden at the former site of the famed United States Hotel in the heart of downtown Saratoga Springs, gives off luxury speakeasy vibes perfect for an unforgettable dining experience. From a scratch kitchen to your plate, the menu dazzles each guest with items from fresh charcuterie to chicken au Riesling to unique, seasonal cocktails that keep the flavors flirting.
The Coat Room
The Mouzon House, located on York Street in downtown, features farm-to-table Creole dishes in a romantic 1800s Victorian house with garden seating. Experience fresh, local New Orleans cuisine with an Upstate New York twist served by a knowledgeable and charismatic waitstaff. Glance at the cocktail menu and see inspired drinks ready to dance on your taste buds as you're transported into what feels like a home you've known for years.
A longtime staple of Saratoga’s dining scene, Chianti Il Ristorante offers authentic Northern Italian cuisine in a warm, rustic setting. Known for its house-made pastas, rich sauces, and seasonal dishes crafted from fresh, local ingredients, Chianti blends old-world flavors with modern culinary techniques. The extensive wine list and cozy ambiance make it a perfect spot for romantic dinners, celebrations, or a refined night out in downtown Saratoga Springs.
The one of few ramen spots in Saratoga is nestled right on Broadway! Having opened in 2022, Rhea is a newer addition to the Saratoga scene but has definitely solidified its reputation as inviting, current and very tasty. Start with small plates like Nashville hot chicken bao buns or edamame hummus before getting to the entrees like the popular hangover noodles or pork belly ramen.
A full list of local restaurants can be found here.
Where to shop
As previously mentioned, the downtown area is packed with unique shops to explore. For your clothing needs stop by Violet's of Saratoga, Union Hall Supply Co., Lucia, Lifestyles, or Caroline & Main. Need some jewelry to accessorize? Check out Silverado, deJonghe Original Jewelry, or N. Fox Jewelers. Make sure to get your Saratoga Belmont merch from local businesses, including Impressions of Saratoga, The Dark Horse Mercantile, Clothes Horse, Saratoga Saddlery, and more! Other favorites include Lyrical Ballad Bookstore, Spa Fine Art Gallery, and Soave Faire for a peek into arts and literature.
Violet's of Saratoga decorated for Belmont
What to do if horse racing isn't your thing
Saratoga is historically known for its horse racing but there's a lot more to this upstate New York county than Saratoga Race Course. Visit our More Than a Race Course blog for a complete look into Saratoga County.
