Make some history this weekend.
Saratoga National Historical Park resides in the heart of an area known for 鈥淗ealth, History, and Horses.鈥 At the foothills of the Adirondacks, the Saratoga area showcases the best of all seasons.
From maple tapping to apple picking, and heritage tied to both the American Revolution and the Gilded Age, the region takes pride in its history and natural beauty. With a central train station connected to New York City, and an international airport, the New York state capital of Albany makes getting to Upstate New York easy. Whether you come to enjoy the peaceful winter or the pleasant temperatures of summer, any time of year is perfect for a visit to Saratoga.
Whether you seek homes central to the lives of two Presidents or transportation history on the Erie Canal, this day plan is built for those who want to jump into the past.
- Print or download your .
- You鈥檝e got a lot to see, so start your day at , the home of Death Wish Coffee, the strongest coffee ever made!
- is a must see for anyone who appreciates American history. The 10-stop driving tour of the battlefield takes about 90 minutes, but you鈥檒l also want to make time to explore the visitor center, the Schuler House and Victory Woods. If you鈥檙e up for it, you can also climb to the top of the Saratoga Monument! Private tours with Official Saratoga Battlefield Guides are also available.
- Grab a delicious lunch at . Saratoga NHP superintendent Amy Bracewell鈥檚 sandwich of choice is "the Philip Schuyler" 鈥 roast turkey and bacon with Cajun mayo.
- Get to know Old Kinderhook with a visit to or finishing his iconic memoirs.
- If you鈥檙e still feeling martial, the 鈥 based at the historic armory building in Saratoga Springs 鈥 has more than 10,000 artifacts, including the uniform of Union martyr Colonel Elmer Ellsworth. Items cover famous New York units from the Civil War鈥檚 69th New York of the Irish Brigade to the 369th Infantry, the Harlem Hellfighters of WWI.
- If you have more than a day and are still hungry for museums, consider:
- , with exhibits covering everything from the Erie Canal to 9/11. There鈥檚 even a working carousel for the kids!
- is a groundbreaking interactive way of telling the story of life in this region full of mountains and lakes across time.
- Enjoy dinner at , established in 1773 and still serving great food in its historic building!
Enhance your historical experience with fun and family-friendly activities all weekend long!
- Print or download your .
- Grab a delicious breakfast 鈥 check out the pancake options, including bacon, lemon-ricotta and cinnamon roll! 鈥 at . You can also pick up cookies and other treats for later in the day.
- If you鈥檝e got a junior slugger in the family, make the hour-long drive to the in Cooperstown.
- Kids will have a ball with seasonal produce in the region, including in the fall or 鈥渟ugaring鈥 in the early spring. During , many local maple houses open up their doors for pancake breakfasts, maple sugar house tours, wagon rides and more.
- Even if the name conjures images of a girls鈥 weekend, the whole family will love the hikes, pools, playgrounds and mineral springs at .
- Other kid-friendly museums include the , and the .
- Cool off with award-winning .
- For dinner, check out , known across the region for its great fried chicken.
From boutique bakeries to clothing and cocktails, we鈥檝e pulled together a plan for historical fun and lasting memories.
- Print or download your .
- will fuel you up to explore the cute downtown of Saratoga Springs.
- offers designer women鈥檚 clothes and accessories.
- focuses on fashion-forward, West-coast style.
- has been selling new and used wares since 1971.
- For those in search of a bargain, check out the . And if that鈥檚 not enough, main street in has tons more options!
- For lunch or an afternoon caffeine jolt, stop in at .
- Check the schedule of the and see if you can enjoy live music at a historic outdoor amphitheater.
- End the day with a local brew and some pub grub or wood-fired pizza at .
Spend some time with your better half in the Saratoga area 鈥 a perfect place to relax and enjoy one another.
- Print or download your .
- In a region known for spas, enjoy some couples therapy, including cozy mineral baths and massages at a historic venue like the !
- Get your blood flowing watching the ponies at the . Even outside the racing season, you can tour this historic facility, which opened in 1863.
- Enjoy delicious cocktails at the newly restored .
- Follow the melodies to , a cozy concert venue.
- Treat your sweetie to delicious steak at .
Before you go
We鈥檝e got some tips and advice for prepping for a visit to Saratoga and surrounding areas, including hours, weather, accommodations, and directions -- everything you need to make your visit a comfortable and memorable one!
- Check the weather so you know how to pack and what to wear.
- Learn more about the Battle of Saratoga, Newtown, Oriskany and Fort Ann.
- Consider basing your stay at
- For a more modern venue, there鈥檚 also the .
- is a great resource to help you plan the details of your trip.
