Swap the big apple for a small spa town – Saratoga Springs. This chic city has long been an elegant escape for New York’s well heeled, where visitors have come to ‘take the waters’ since the Victorian era. Nowadays, you can enjoy a day out at the races or an evening watching the NYC Ballet – with grand hotels as your boutique base.
SPORTS
Golfers rejoice – Saratoga Springs has a number of fine fairways. You could tee off amid the natural beauty of Saratoga State Park or around the trees and waters of Saratoga Lake Golf Club. Place your bets on thoroughbreds at the local racecourse. Or marvel at racing memorabilia – including the Seabiscuit exhibits – at the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame.
CULTURE
If the weather doesn’t play ball, duck into one of the many Saratoga Springs museums. Some, such as the National Museum of Dance, warrant a whole morning. Others are a little more unusual – take the National Bottle Museum, for example. The Saratoga National Historical Park and Battlefield, a major American Revolution site, is a must-visit, whether you cycle through or come to watch a re-enactment.
NATURE
The vast Saratoga Spa State Park is the key to Saratoga Springs’ name. As well as mineral springs, there are acres of walking trails and championship golf courses, picnic spots and classical architecture – there’s even skiing in winter. It’s also where you’ll find the Saratoga Performing Arts Center – home to The NYC Ballet, The Philadelphia Orchestra and a whole host of rock concerts.
Although you can’t go in the mansion itself, literature lovers can make a pilgrimage to the Yaddo gardens. This artist’s retreat has welcomed everyone from Truman Capote to Patricia Highsmith.
