Fun Fall Activities in Saratoga Springs, NY

If you were under the impression that Saratoga Springs was strictly a summertime destination you’ve underestimated the appeal of the Spa City and its surrounding areas. Fall is one of the best times to visit Saratoga! Step outside and enjoy the cool, crisp air as the leaves change vibrant colors. Visit a local apple orchard or pumpkin patch, take a scenic cruise on Saratoga Lake, and discover other traditions that make Saratoga a great fall stop.

Family-Friendly

Plan a family trip to Ellms Family Farm! Located in Ballston Spa, Ellms Family Farm opens for the Fall Season each year from mid-September through October. Pick your own pumpkins, corn mazes, cider donuts, and more! Visit www.ellmsfarms.com for more information.

Saratoga Corinth & Hudson Railway is offering various fall-themed train rides. From the Autumn Explorer to the Pumpkin Picker, there's sure to be fun for the whole family! For more information, visit https://corinthtrain.com.

Join the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation for eight exciting Autumn Sunday Strolls of historic Saratoga Springs. These tours will take place every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. For tickets and more information, visit www.saratogapreservation.org.

In addition to Autumn Sunday Strolls, the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation will offer a Bike Tour of the Saratoga Spa State Park on Saturday, October 7 at 10:00 a.m. This bike tour will last approximately three hours. Attendees must bring or rent their bike, and space is limited. Tickets are $20 each for SSPF members and $25 each for non-members.

If you’re looking to hang on to that summer vibe while enjoying the cooler fall temps, Tiki Tours on Saratoga Lake will be running tours through September. The boat can hold up to 12 people comfortably, so grab family and friends, and enjoy a leisurely cruise on this floating, motorized tiki boat. Enjoy a pontoon rental with friends with Salvi Aquatic through October 8 (renting by phone only, 866-538-9370).

Fall Foliage

Check your weather app and I LOVE NY's fall foliage report to pinpoint the perfect fall day and immerse yourself in some scenery!

Adirondack Cruise and Charter will be running fall foliage cruises every weekend through October! Enjoy the scenery on the fifty-foot classic 1900’s Fantail Launch or 22-foot Pontoon. Choose a public ride or rent out the whole boat for you, your friends, and family! Book a tour with Daleys Adventure Boat Tours for a unique way to experience the most colorful time of year...leaf peeping by boat!

Visit Lake George Steamboat Company and Lake George Waterfront Cruises for additional fall experiences on the water. Enjoy a variety of fall foliage sightseeing cruises on beautiful Lake George. Please see their websites for current schedules.

It doesn't get any more scenic than the Saratoga Spa State Park in autumn. There are approximately 20 naturally carbonated mineral springs in Saratoga, 11 of which are located within the park, each slightly different in chemical makeup and flavor. These waters flow from the earth heavily charged with carbon dioxide gas and many vital minerals in solution.

Explore Saratoga’s historic past at the Saratoga Battlefield in Stillwater. Visit the year-round battlefield visitor center with film, light map, museum exhibits, and gift shop. Open 7 days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tour the scenic 10-mile auto and bike road, open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The park walking trail is open from sunrise to sunset. The Schuyler House, located on Broad Street in Schuylerville, is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for tours from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. until October 15. Tours are free and limited to 12 people. For more information, visit www.nps.gov/sara/index.htm.

Spooky Fun

Come walk with Fun in Saratoga Tours and discover the ghosts of Saratoga. Hear the stories that have lived on in our city for hundreds of years. They will enchant, entertain, and perhaps, even scare you. This 90-minute walking tour takes place every Friday and Saturday at 7:00 p.m. Total walking distance is less than a mile, covered at a very leisurely pace, so you can enjoy Saratoga’s many infamous ghosts and haunted locations. To purchase tickets, visit hauntedsaratogatours.com.

Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation is hosting its popular Twilight Cemetery Tour “Madness, Murder, Untimely Deaths, and Strange Coincidences,” on Monday, October 30 at 5:00 p.m., which provides a rare opportunity to explore Greenridge Cemetery at dusk with tour leader Gloria May. Tickets for the Twilight Cemetery Tour are $25 each for SSPF Members and $30 each for non-members.

The Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor center is offering a unique experience -- Ghosts of Saratoga Trolley Tours! Join them for a 90-minute guided trolley tour of numerous ghostly locations in Saratoga, including the second floor of the famed Canfield Casino. Pursue the stories of Saratoga that make the city a portal of paranormal activity. Led by local historian Charlie Kuenzel, the stories are derived from research by noted ghost hunter David Pitkin and other paranormal investigators. Get on board for a fun filled evening of eerie entertainment! Tours will take place Thursdays in October (5, 12, 19, 26) from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and cost $35 per person. Advanced reservations only. Click here to purchase tickets or call the Heritage Area Visitor Center at (518) 587-3241 for reservations.

Food & Drink

If you have an appreciation for local craft beverages like beer and wine, you've come to the right place! Fan favorites like Druthers Brewing Company, Artisanal Brew Works, Whitman Brewing, and Hank Hudson Brewing offer a variety of locally brewed IPAs, ales, stouts, and sours. Before your beverage tour, make sure to stop by the Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center, across from Congress Park, to pick up a Capital Craft Beverage Trail passport to redeem prizes and more!

Don't worry, Saratoga has plenty of wine too! Find a variety of locally sourced red and whites from Saratoga Winery and Thirsty Owl Outlet and Wine Garden, or head 17 miles north to Adirondack Winery for a variety of award-winning wines. Another cozy spot, The Wine Bar located on Broadway, offers superb wines, gourmet cheeses, and light entrées.

Football season is here! Hit up these great Buffalo Bill’s Backer Bars (PJ's BAR-B-QSA and Harvey's Restaurant) or catch the other games at Saratoga Strike Zone, Horseshoe Inn Bar & Grill, West Side Sports Bar & Grill, Saratoga City Tavern, Caroline Street Pub, Bentley’s Tavern, Ice house, Spa City Tap & Barrel, The Barrelhouse, Diamond Club Restaurant, Kings Tavern, BWP, Rusty Nail, 30 Park, Fitzgerald's Irish Sports Bar, Nashville of Saratoga, and The Brick at 2 West for beer, wings and all the action!

Discover Saratoga’s Annual Restaurant Week is always a great event to look forward to! From November 6-12 participating restaurants will offer three-course dinners including an appetizer, entrée, and dessert for either $25 or $35 (plus tax & tip). Some participating restaurants will also offer a $15 lunch special. Restaurant week is the perfect opportunity to test your taste buds and give some new restaurants a try!