As the Summer season approaches, Saratoga becomes a bustling town filled with visitors and locals appreciating the beauty of a small city in Upstate NY. Many visitors come for the Saratoga Race Course, one of the biggest attractions Saratoga has to offer and the country’s oldest active sporting venue. But we understand not everyone is interested in horse racing, that's where the rest of Saratoga County comes into play. Marked as a premiere destination, Saratoga County, NY is a place that welcomes all to enjoy its infamous mineral springs, its robust culinary scene, its history of arts and culture, its outdoor adventures and its undeniable sense of community. Let us take you on a perfect weekend in Saratoga outside of the Race Course.
Your Friday Game Plan
It's important to note that during Track season in Saratoga, the downtown area isn't as busy as people think. Visitors and many locals are enjoying themselves at the race course so it's still a great time to visit the downtown area. The days that are busier are the dark days, Monday and Tuesday, when the race course is closed. But if we were coming to Saratoga County for the first time, we'd start with breakfast or coffee in downtown Saratoga Springs. Sweet Mimi's Cafe and Bakery is an award winning local favorite that draws you in with its decadent bakery smells and quaint cafe atmosphere. The Merc, located on Broadway, is also known for its brunch and delicious breakfast items.
After breakfast, we'd take a walk to digest and take in the sights of downtown for the first time. With various shopping options, we'd be in and out of stores like Caroline & Main, Impressions, and Life Is Good. When we're shopped out, we'd walk towards Congress Park just in time for our tour of the Saratoga Springs History Museum. Filled with Saratoga artifacts and reportedly haunted, the museum offers endless information on Saratoga's history within the Canfield Casino, one of Saratoga Springs' most treasured landmarks.
Columbian Spring in Congress Park
As we finish up the tour, we'd leave the museum wanting to try the famous Mineral Springs located in Congress Park. There are many throughout Saratoga but 4 are located in and around Congress Park for anyone to try. Fair warning: although the water from the Springs offer a wide range of health benefits, some might not taste the best!
At this point a mid day snack is needed to hold us over until dinner. We'd stop by Putnam Market or Uncommon Grounds for a sandwich, bagel or snack to prevent getting hangry. We'd then head back to our hotel for down time to go through what we've bought, and reflect on the history we've learned before getting ready for dinner and a show. Saratoga has many hotels to choose from, learn more about each property on our Places to Stay page.
Caffe Lena
Feeling refreshed and ready to take on the night, we journey to Hamlet & Ghost for our dinner reservation. The welcoming establishment is set in a former feed & grain store turned trendy restaurant with modern fixtures and a warm ambiance, not the mention the food and drink are 10/10. After our bellies are full, our seats at Caffe Lena call our name. We walk 2 blocks to Phila Street and find ourselves in an intimate music venue where the people are unique, the staff is friendly and the music is remarkable.
When the instruments are packed away and people are ruminating outside the venue doors, it might be time for a night cap at a nearby bar or, time to go home and rest up for a busy Saturday.
Seize the Saturday
Saturday, the best day to get going and get active. We know we'd want to get our adventure on today so we're heading out to breakfast at Nook Cafe for a hearty breakfast burrito or sandwich to go before riding out to do some hiking. Reach the peak and overlook Moreau Lake State Park, walk or ride among history at Saratoga National Historical Park or take in the greenery on the Zim Smith Trail. Hiking and walking trails can be found throughout the County, explore them all on our Hiking & Trails page.
Lago by Druthers
After we've hiked to our hearts content, we know we'd need a dip in the lake. We head to the Kayak Shak for kayaking or paddle boarding on Fish Creek, part of Saratoga Lake. Almost as if the lake knows we'd get hungry, we'd dock our kayak or paddle board at Lago by Druthers on the lake for hearty eats needed to refuel us for the night ahead.
Ok we've had an adventure filled day! Time to go back to our hotel, take a shower, and get ready for a big night of fun. We double check our dinner reservation at Henry Street Taproom, home to one of the best burgers in Saratoga, and we're on our way. Upon entering the taproom, the easiness of the air and the aroma of good food fill our senses. The dishes hit hard after a long day outside and we're living the life but we're not done yet, it's time to check out the bar hopping hub people have been telling us about, Caroline Street.
Bourbon Room on Caroline Street
Caroline Street and its surroundings, is the place to be if you want to experience the electric bar hopping night life in Saratoga. With bars lining both sides of the street, you have your chose of a club like atmosphere, dive bar feels or more jazzy chill vibes. We decide to start at The Misfit at the top of Caroline Street for banging music, delicious cocktails and dancing. We stop into Spa City Tap and Barrel next to play some pool, enjoy live music and meet new friends along the way. We admire the 4 story Saratoga City Tavern on the corner of Caroline Street but walk past to enter through the doors of 9 Maple, home to one of the best espresso martinis in Saratoga complete with live jazz music.
If the bar scene isn't for you, chances are there's a concert at Saratoga Performing Arts Center. Grab a lawn ticket and enjoy some music at one of America’s most prestigious outdoor amphitheaters. Outside of the summer season, settle into Universal Preservation Hall, a restored church turn music venue suitable for all ages or Putnam Place, a music venue and bar ready for bands to rock and roll.
It's your choice to stop there or keep it going, there are plenty of other bars and venues filled with party goers having fun all night long. We decide to call it a night so we can have a solid nights rest heading into our last day in Saratoga.
Easy like a Sunday Morning
We'd spend our last morning at the Whistling Kettle nestled in the small village of Ballston Spa, 10 minutes outside downtown Saratoga Springs. Sip on some tea while spilling the tea from the weekend. Afterwards, bop around local antique shops before heading to Roosevelt Baths and Spa in Saratoga Spa State Park. Roosevelt Baths and Spa offers a tranquil atmosphere for guests to relax and unwind in natural waters from the springs of Saratoga.
Roosevelt Baths and Spa
With a clear mind, we'd peruse around the park, taking in the sights of historic bath houses and classic architecture, maybe even play some tennis on the hard or clay courts available, or spontaneously book a round of 9 or 18 at the Saratoga Spa Golf Course. The park offers so much it'd be hard to leave after only one activity!
Family walking in Saratoga Spa State Park
At this point it might be time to say goodbye but not before a farewell meal. Lunch at Cantina, Morrissey's or Druthers Brewing Co. would be the tastiest ending to the sweetest weekend trip in Upstate NY. And that's it, that's the perfect weekend. As always you can substitute per your preferences by checking out our Things To Do page and seeing what really speaks to you in Saratoga, we promise there's something for everyone.
