Saratoga Springs – A Gem in Upstate New York

May 17, 2016 | Updated: May 18, 2016 | By Elizabeth | Reply More

The Saratoga Arms, a beautiful boutique hotel, is one of my favorite things about Saratoga Springs.

The Saratoga Arms, a charming boutique hotel, is one of my favorite things about Saratoga Springs.

Saratoga Springs made me want to travel more – and better. And by “better,” I mean it made me want to take time to explore small towns and cities that are a bit off the beaten path. While I was enjoying Saratoga Springs, I kept wondering what I’d missed in other “flyover cities.”

Saratoga advice from a sage

I was already in the foothills of the Adirondacks to see an art exhibit, and had planned to fly out of the Albany airport as soon as I’d accomplished my mission. However, my former college roommate interceded. “You absolutely must spend a couple of days in Saratoga Springs,” Jacque implored. “It’s just so wonderful. We drive over from Rochester a couple of times a year. I promise. You’ll love it.”

I might have ignored this suggestion, but this is the same person who saved my skin (literally) many years ago when she recommended I use sunscreen during spring break in Florida. Ever since then I’ve regarded her as somewhat of a sage.

Saratoga Springs and Del Mar (near San Diego) are the two great summer tracks in the U.S.

Saratoga Springs – “the other great summer racetrack”

Saratoga (pop. 27,000) is located 30 miles north of Albany and is best known as the home of the Saratoga Race Course – America’s oldest horse racing track. I’m not a huge racing fan, but I live very near the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and often hear the two famed courses compared. Like Del Mar, the Saratoga racing season means party time and fancy hats for about six weeks in the summer. Unlike Del Mar, many fans walk to the track past beautiful 19^th-century homes facing leafy tree-lined streets.

Ready to race at Saratoga Springs – the oldest track in the U.S.

The races weren’t on when I was there, but I was so taken with Saratoga’s charm that I hardly minded. I did, however, spend some time at the National Museum of Racing across the street from the track. Their racing simulator, a mechanical horse synchronized to move with jockey-cam videos, gave me a taste of the heart-pounding thrill experienced by pro riders.

Therapeutic mineral water drew the first travelers to Saratoga Springs.

Therapeutic water drew the first travelers to Saratoga Springs. The Bathhouse is named for President Roosevelt.

The healing waters of Saratoga

It was water, not horses that attracted Saratoga’s first summer visitors. The healing powers of the natural mineral springs were established in the early 19^th-century, making this America’s first authentic spa. In 1935, Governor Franklin Roosevelt presided over the dedication of the Roosevelt Bath House.

Today the Roosevelt Baths & Spa retains its historic appearance and continues to provide natural mineral water for drinking and soaking. They also offer state-of-the-art treatments and therapies, and I wasn’t surprised to learn that up to 200 people a day enjoy services and soaks in the spa’s 42 treatment rooms.

Saratoga Performing Arts

The Saratoga Performing Arts Center is the cultural hub of upstate New York and surrounding area. SPAC presents chamber music, opera, jazz, rock, and pop concerts and is the summer home of the Philadelphia Orchestra and the New York City Ballet. Coming up: a major jazz festival, performances by the Dixie Chicks, Mumford & Sons, and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.

The National Museum of Racing is a treasure trove of memorabilia.

Best place to stay in Saratoga Springs

What else did I love about this destination? The Saratoga Arms, a boutique hotel where I lingered over breakfast and chatted with owner Kathleen Smith. Her immaculate red brick inn with a picturesque veranda dates from 1870 and includes elegant parlors as well as 31 spacious guest rooms. I coveted the adorable teapots she purchased at a flea market in New Hampshire and appreciated the period furnishings, downtown location, and friendliness of the staff.

The Saratoga Arms is the perfect combination of historic ambiance and modern amenities.

The Saratoga Arms also impressed me with the “mod cons” that have been tastefully added to the historic property, including an elevator, lots of electrical outlets in the rooms, easy-to-operate in-room safes, and high quality bed and bath linens. The hotels also offers two treatment rooms for massage and facials, a fitness room, and off-street parking.