This weekend, Skidmore College and Saratoga Springs will welcome families of our fellow Skidmore students to this amazing city. Known as Celebration Weekend, these few days are all about the families of students experiencing what Skidmore College is—minus the sleeping in twin beds and the late-night studying—and also a great excuse to roam around downtown Saratoga for some delicious eats and boutique shopping.
So, for all the Skidmore families unsure of what to do this weekend–don’t fret. Here are some highlights and events happening on Skidmore campus, along with things to do and see in Saratoga Springs!
Hattie's Restaurant
Friday, October 20th
Celebration weekend events start as early as 8:30 a.m. on Friday. When you arrive on campus, be sure to stop by the welcome desk located inside the Case Center to pick up a hard copy of the program. Give your kids a hug and a kiss, then go get some lunch! Here are some of our favorite lunch spots:
- A great option for lunch is Hattie’s Restaurant, which serves southern comfort food on Phila Street. You won’t be disappointed with their award-winning fried chicken, or other great dishes like chicken and waffles, mac and cheese, and jambalaya.
- 9 Miles East on Excelsior Ave offers farm-to-table ingredients on sourdough pizza, all locally sourced. Need I say more?
- Harvey’s Restaurant on Phila Street serves classic pub food; burgers, wings, nachos, all the works.
Skidmore has a packed schedule with all kinds of events this weekend, but here are a few that we highly recommend attending on Friday:
- At 2:30 p.m., head over to The Tang Teaching Museum for a tour of the Paula Wilson: Towards the Sky’s Backdoor exhibition, guided by associate curator Rebecca McNamara.
- At 3:30 p.m., you can catch the Skidmore women’s field hockey game against William Smith at Wagner Park by the Williamson Sports Center.
And then, of course, you’ll need to get some dinner. These are some places you can’t miss.:
- For a more casual dining experience, check out Druthers Brewing Company. They serve delicious comfort food, like buffalo chicken dip, loaded grilled cheese, chicken pot pie, and more. Oh, and it’s a brewery, so should order from their selection of house craft beers.
- If you're looking for a burst of flavor, Karavalli Regional Cuisine is an Indian restaurant on Caroline Street that serves a large variety of amazing dishes. You will be spoiled with choices, and at Karavalli you never can go wrong.
- For an upscale culinary experience, Salt & Char is a farm-to-table steakhouse with an inviting and stylish atmosphere.
If you're looking for a spooky Friday night activity, it is Halloween season after all, consider going on the Haunted Saratoga Ghost Tour starting at 7:00 p.m., where you’ll walk the streets of Saratoga Springs and meet the spirits that still roam the city. Don’t worry, the walk is less than a mile, and the tour is only an hour and a half. If Friday doesn’t work for you, tours also take place on Saturdays!
Not into Ghosts? Well, you can always see some live music at the historical Caffe Lena. This Friday, the Lonesome Ace Stringband (a Toronto-based group bringing old-time bluegrass and folk into their music) is performing. Click here for tickets.
Arthur Zankel Music Center
Saturday, October 21st
Start the day off strong with some exceptional breakfast!
- Sweet Mimi's is a cute, little cafe and bakery on Phila Street. They’re known for their award-winning lemon ricotta pancakes, challah french toast, and waffles.
- Country Corner Cafe, located on Church Street, a cozy breakfast corner serving hearty breakfast dishes like huevos rancheros, egg benedicts, and flapjacks.
- If you're looking for a quick bite, Uncommon Grounds is known for their famous bagels or stop by Thorn & Roots for a smoothie bowl and some avocado toast.
Here are some highlights of Skidmore’s Saturday itinerary:
- The Flora and Fauna Walking Tour of North Woods: From 2:00-3:30 p.m., go on a walking tour with the stewards of North Woods and basque in the beauty of North Woods. It’s the perfect time to see some beautiful fall foliage before the season ends.
- Murray-Aikans Dining Hall is hosting a farm-to-table dinner from 5:00-7:00 p.m., sourced by Saratoga and Washington County farms along with the Saratoga Farmers Market. Enjoy a delicious meal on campus!
- At 7:00 p.m. the Arthur Zankel Music Center is hosting a concert for the Schenectady-Saratoga Symphony Orchestra – “American Legends”. The Zankel is absolutely beautiful, and any concert hosted there will sound incredible (yes, the acoustics are great).
If you’re itching to explore outside of Skidmore campus, you're in luck because there is plenty to do in Saratoga Springs!
- The Downtown Business Association is hosting a Fall Festival in downtown Saratoga this Saturday from 12:00-3:00 p.m. Join the DBA for some fall fun with activities like pumpkin rolling, petting zoos, pumpkin hunts, live music, and more!
- The Witch Walk & Dance will take place on Saturday from 2:00 - 10:00 p.m. Join the witches for a night filled with cackles, dancing, and fun all as a fundraiser for local animal organizations.
Saratoga Springs has some great options for shopping, but if it’s your first time visiting, you’ll have to bring home some gifts from these stores:
- The Dark Horse Mercantile, a lovely shop selling items about “The Dark Horse” of Saratoga. Think racing souvenirs, Saratoga memorabilia, gift items, and souvenirs.
- If you are a tea lover, check out Saratoga Tea and Honey Company. They carry a huge selection of loose teas, you can grab a bag to take home, or sip on some while walking around! But let’s not forget about the honey. They also carry a wide selection of honeys and many are locally sourced.
- Looking for something elegant? Stop by Silverado, a jewelry gallery and store filled with beautiful pieces you can’t leave Saratoga without!
Saratoga Spa State Park
Sunday, October 22nd
As celebration weekend comes to a close, what better way to end your weekend than with a fabulous brunch?
- Max London’s Restaurant & Bar serves brunch with a “napa chic” vibe and delicious food. Call ahead to make your brunch reservation this Sunday.
- Located in a historic building on Broadway, The Merc is known for hearty brunch (their adult grilled cheeses are a must) and craft cocktails. Your brunch experience at The Merc will leave you satisfied on your last day in Toga.
- The Local Pub & Teahouse is a cute neighborhood pub, known for its wide selection of teas and beers. If you want anything Irish, this is the place to go for your brunch!
Before you go, try and squeeze in a visit to Saratoga Spa State Park. It’s a national historic landmark known for its old architecture and geysers! The park is also home to the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, The Children's Museum at Saratoga, Saratoga Automobile Museum, and Roosevelt Baths and Spa. You won’t regret stopping by.
Say goodbye to your loved ones and go beat that Sunday traffic! We hope that your weekend is filled with laughter, good scenery, good food, and some secondhand embarrassment from your kids. It’s a perfect time to celebrate your kids being in a city as great as Saratoga Springs. Safe travels!
