10 ways to spend a summer weekend in Saratoga Springs (2024)

Whether you are heading to Saratoga Springs to watch horses compete in the upcoming Belmont Stakes or just for a weekend getaway, this small town has many things to do beyond the racetrack.

Known as the “Queen of Spas,” this Capital Region community is filled with reminders of their slogan “Health, History, and Horses,” with several experiences around town. Here are some ideas of how to spend your weekend in Saratoga Springs.

Sip or bathe in the healing waters of Saratoga Springs

Taste the waters that inspired the name of Saratoga Springs. First discovered by the Iroquois, the salty, naturally carbonated waters were thought to have healing powers. By the mid-1800s, bathing in Saratoga’s mineral waters was a popular health treatment.

Today there are 21 public springs you can drink from and try these naturally bubbly waters. These springs are the only naturally carbonated mineral springs east of the Rocky Mountains.

Take a portion of the Geyser Trail at Saratoga Spa State Park to sample several different springs. Bring your own drinking vessel or if you’ve forgotten, the Creekside Classroom will provide you with a paper cup and excellent geyser guidance from park rangers.

The waters can range from tasting pure and fresh to, as one ranger described it, “tastes like a nosebleed” with its strong iron and salty taste.

Also located inside Saratoga Spa State Park are the historic Roosevelt Baths where you can bathe in the famous Saratoga waters.

In downtown Saratoga, Congress Park boasts several springs you can taste from. Though not quite as carbonated as the collection in the state park, some will still offer the unique taste said to cure what ails you.

Go shopping and dining on Broadway

Headed to the races, but you need just the right outfit for the occasion? The shops along Broadway have everything you need from decorative hats to light summer dresses.

Grab a coffee and a bagel from popular cafe Uncommon Grounds to fuel up for a day of walking Broadway’s main street filled with local stores and eateries.

Catch a car show at the Saratoga Automobile Museum

Just inside the 2,500-acre Saratoga Spa State Park, you will also find the Saratoga Automobile Museum. Located in the former New York State Bottling Plant built in 1935, this museum is an homage to the automobile and its impact on history. With detailed rotating exhibits inside, there are also many events open to the public on the front lawn.

Stop by to take a look at meticulously cared for cars and grab a bite to eat from a local food truck.

Snack on a doughboy from Esperanto

There are several Saratoga delicacies, but a walkable meal are the doughboys created by Esperanto on Caroline Street. Shortened to “Oboys,” you’ll find a variety of fillings inside a pastry dough.

The original Oboy is filled with chicken, cheeses, green onions and their special spice blend. The proper way to eat one is dipped in Frank’s Red Hot sauce. The flavor, much like a Buffalo chicken wing dip, is a good treat to soak up some libations from the popular taverns along Caroline Street.

Get extraterrestrial at The X-Files Preservation Collection

The paranormal is preserved for avid science fiction fans at The X-Files Preservation Collection. Located just outside downtown Saratoga, this unassuming building is home to pieces of history from TV show “The X-Files” which ran from 1993-2002 on Fox.

According to owner Jim Thornton, it is the largest collection in the world of these items. From costumes to set pieces to props that seem almost alive, this is a must-see for fans of the show or pop culture fanatics.

Stream all 11 seasons of The X-Files with the Disney Bundle.

Stroll through Congress Park

Located right in the heart of downtown, Congress Park is filled with fountains, benches and lush lawns. Here you can take a ride on the historic wooden carousel or view the World War Memorial in Veterans Pond.

Take a tour through the stately Casino, which now houses the Saratoga Springs History Museum. The building tells the history of this Upstate New York town.

Swim with celebrities in Victoria Pool at Saratoga Spa State Park

This public pool inside Saratoga Spa State Park is like stepping back in time, surrounded by its stately historic brick buildings, built in 1935. The pool is a popular spot for locals and celebrities alike, having been visited by stars like Dave Matthews, Liza Minelli, Sheryl Crow and more, according to Saratoga Living. There is a cafe attached so you can spend a full day poolside without having to leave for a meal. Grab your favorite summer book and get there early to snag a chaise and umbrella.

Listen to a concert at Caffè Lena

Like many places in Saratoga, Caffè Lena is a live performance venue steeped in history. According to their website, it is the longest continuously operating folk music venue in the nation. Opening its doors in May 1960, Bob Dylan performed twice there early in his career and the same brown wooden shutters bracket the windows and the same exposed brick wall provides background for the corner where he sang and played acoustic guitar.

It continues to host a myriad of performances, including the likes of Grammy award winning artist and social activist, Dr. Bernice Johnson Reagon and Central New York native Martin Sexton.

Enjoy the view from Ulysses S. Grant’s cottage

If the hustle and bustle of Saratoga’s downtown has you wanting a serene escape, head north about 20 minutes to the Ulysses S. Grant Cottage National Historic Landmark. The Grant Cottage State Historic Site is the final home of the Civil War Commanding General of the U.S. Army, 18th U.S. President, and beloved American public figure.

Located at the top of what was then named Palmertown Mountain, the cottage has a superb view of the Capital Region. The home is still mostly in the same state as the Grant family left it and there are daily tours available of the home.

Eat Southern cooking at historic Hattie’s Restaurant

Imbued with southern charm, Hattie’s Restaurant, a Saratoga Springs staple, is a must-visit. Known for their famous fried chicken, they have appeared on multiple lists for the best fried chicken in America and they’ve bested Bobby Flay in a televised Throwdown.

Hattie’s original owner was from a plantation town in Louisiana, but took work with a family who spent summers in Saratoga Springs. She eventually decided to open her chicken shack in downtown Saratoga where her cooking appealed to families vacationing from the South in the summer and beloved by locals. Hattie’s fried chicken and southern cuisine has been carrying on for over 85 years.