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A new Hampton Inn & Suites is coming to Saratoga Springs in 2008. With 123 guest rooms, this upscale hotel will have a parking garage, indoor pool and fitness center and approximately 3000 square feet of meeting space. Located downtown and close to the City Center, great restaurants and shops, it’s the perfect new place for visitors to spend a weekend away or for a business meeting.

 

The first-ever themed private residence club, Saratoga Polo Retreat, is being built at one of the most historic Polo fields in the United States. Saratoga Polo Club is excited to be a pioneer in this idea of a residence club that will feature a grand event hall, conference and meeting facilities, restaurant, Saratoga Water Club Spa with fitness center and pool, along with a number of one-, two-, and three-bedroom living units. All of this will be located just footsteps from the fast paced action of world class polo.

 

Artists come from near and far to experience the inspiring sights and sounds of Saratoga. Whether the interest is music, dance, writing, fine arts, or the theater, visitors can find it celebrated in Saratoga. Saratoga is a host and home to the NYC Ballet, Philadelphia Orchestra, SaratogaArtsFest, Dance Flurry Festival, Spa Little Theater, Yaddo Retreat, Beekman Street Art District, summer concerts, vibrant nightlife, art galleries and exhibits and museums dedicated to the arts.

 

As early as 1767, Sir William Johnson, a British soldier, was brought to Saratoga by his native friends to treat those injured in war by the healing powers of a spring. High Rock Spring, which was believed to have medicinal purposes, can still be visited today, along with numerous other springs. From healing springs to a spa resort, from casino gambling to thoroughbred horse racing, from the turning point of the American Revolution to the great American Getaway, Saratoga Springs’ history is alive today.

 

In 2008, The Saratoga Springs History Museum is celebrating 125 years of serving the community and preserving history.   Located in an 1870s gambling casino, which is known as the Canfield Casino, it is designated as a National Historic Landmark. Situated in beautiful Congress Park, the museum features six exhibits on three floors, changing exhibitions, public program offerings and serves hundreds of researchers every year. To celebrate this milestone of 125 years, the museum will host a number of events throughout the year for visitors and locals, including an anniversary banquet in October.

Nestled in the Foothills of the Adirondack Mountains, Saratoga boasts outdoor fun and activities for the outdoor adventurer and enthusiast or the “just want to get some fresh air” type. Every season, all year long, there is something for all visitors to take part in and have a good time. With rolling hills and a number of lakes to choose from, one can go hiking, biking, golfing, walking, running, kayaking, canoeing, camping, or fishing.   

 

Saratoga Springs is a quaint, Victorian city that can offer all the advantages of a big city, with the charm of a small town. Visitors will find a main street lined with unique boutiques, shops and specialty stores, mixed in with mouth-watering, delectable fare at fine restaurants and cafes of all cuisines. Or admire the greens and flowers of beautifully landscaped parks and streets. Take in the culture of art galleries, museums, theater, opera, and lounges with jazz music to delight ones ears and the architecture of Victorian houses of a grand old time.  Visitors can choose a quintessential bed & breakfast, a historic inn or a modern hotel to spend their stay. Of course, the highlight of the summer season is the fast-paced, heart-pounding thoroughbred racing at America’s oldest running race track. 

 

 

Dreamed up in early 1961 and made a reality in 1966, this unique, 5,000 seated, outdoor amphitheater is ideally set in the Saratoga Spa State Park and known to the locals as SPAC. The recently completed major renovations and improvements, helps make for an unforgettable experience when visitors attend the New York City Ballet, Philadelphia Orchestra concert, a pop concert, the annual Freihofer’s Jazz Festival, or any special event. Whether it is a box seat in the amphitheater or a blanket picnic on the lawn, visitors will understand why this venue can be matched by none.

 

 

Nothing can compare to the heart pounding excitement of thoroughbred racing at the oldest running flat track in the country. It is a family place with grandstand seats, outdoor picnic areas with entertainment, playgrounds and restaurant, plus, food and souvenir vendors. Patrons enjoy watching the horses in the paddock before they hit the track for their race. Or visitors can come early, have breakfast in the dining room or bring their own and watch the horses’ morning workouts. Take the trolley around to the backstretch for the behind the scenes tour of the day in the life of a race horse. It is a place that everyone should experience in their lifetime.

 

 

Visitors can find horses, gaming, live entertainment and great food all in the one place, all year long. This newly renovated and expanded facility offers over 1700 state-of-the-art video gaming machines including 150 of the most popular titles. Saratoga Gaming and Raceway features live harness racing 11 months out of the year and simulcast races to wager on 365 days a year. Visitors won’t go hungry with Fortunes Restaurant overlooking the harness track, the Garden Buffet with all types of cuisine and a food court with everything from gourmet coffee to pizza. Vapor Night Club is the facility’s newest addition, which boasts a two-story layout with live entertainment or special events every night of the week. There is always something happening at Saratoga Gaming and Raceway.

 

 

Saratoga County is a golf lover's dream and a great golf getaway. With over a dozen courses to choose from, visitors can play a different set of links each day of their stay. From the challenging and impeccable fairways at Saratoga National Golf Club to the 9-hole, par 3 Executive Course in the Spa State Park, Saratoga has a course for everyone. Plus, there are excellent Golf Packages or the Ultimate Golf Package to help make trip planning easier. 

 

 

Saratoga is home to a number of historic districts named on the National Register of Historic places, representing almost as many periods of architecture. Visitors can embark on guided or self-guided tours of Saratoga’s historic streets and avenues, and marvel at the impressive and timeless structures. Whether it is a single dwelling, bed and breakfast, hotel or commercial property, most likely it has a rich past. Visitors will find an eclectic collection of architectural styles, including Late Victorian, Greek Revival, Classical Revival, Gothic and more, all of which define the unique character that is Saratoga.

 

 

Health, History and Horses…is what made and makes Saratoga, today. So, preserving history is an important part in Saratoga life. With a number of museums, including the Saratoga National Historical Park, National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame, Saratoga Springs History Museum, National Museum of Dance and Hall of Fame, and New York State Military Museum and Research Center, visitors will not only enjoy the shopping and restaurants downtown, but have fun while the entire family learns about local, state and national treasures. History is so important to Saratogians that an organization, The Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation, was established to ensure that the integrity of historical structures will be preserved for years to come. Saratoga visitors will see and feel the history as soon as they arrive.

 

 

Contact Greg Dixon for more information at gdixon@saratoga.org or 518-584-3255.