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Explore an Upstate New York hamlet of historic homes, heavyweight horses, and high-class hospitality.
In this article:
🐎 Dispensaries
🐎 Where to stay
🐎 Where to eat
🐎 Where to shop
🐎 The great outdoors
🐎 The equally great indoors
🐎 Live music
🐎 Saratoga Springs nightlife
🐎 Cannabis in New York State
Located in Saratoga County about three hours north of Manhattan and 45 minutes north of Albany, this easy-to-navigate enclave boasts the perfect mix for a weekend away. Picturesque natural scenery seamlessly contrasts with a downtown bustling with shops, restaurants, music venues, and hotels all within walking distance. Must-visit attractions like SPAC (Saratoga Performing Arts Center), Saratoga Race Course, and Skidmore College are all a short drive or Uber ride away.
Embracing the old-style appeal of Norman Rockwell’s America, Saratoga Springs offers experiences for every season. In the summer, visitors from around the world come to watch the thoroughbreds race under sunny, blue skies. In the winter, the snowy weather makes for a wonderland of cross-country skiing, sledding, and skating. The shoulder seasons are more affordable yet just as magical, with leaf-peeping, apple picking, and pumpkin patches in the fall, and hiking, boating, and cycling in the spring.
Where to Buy Cannabis in Saratoga Springs, NY
Owned and operated by a Certified Nurse Practitioner who’s also a former US Navy combat veteran, Sashie’s Dispensary feels like an extension of Saratoga’s approachably luxurious vibe. This welcoming space sits on the edge of Saratoga Spa State Park, so it’s exactly where to go for anything from a pre-spa preroll to a vape pen for vibing at SPAC.
High Peaks Canna is located steps off of Saratoga’s main drag.
A 10-minute drive from town, Silver Cannabis Company sells a solid mix of local brands and bigger names you’ll recognize from other states, along with lots of fun extras like clothing, cookbooks, and smoking accessories. The Silver brand was founded by a doctor, and budtenders receive special training on the therapeutic effects of cannabis.
Where to Stay in Saratoga Springs
In addition to well-known brands like Hilton Garden Inn, Embassy Suites, and Courtyard by Marriott, all of which operate locations downtown, Saratoga Springs is home to unique properties that offer all levels of luxury.
Located in a prized position on Broadway, The Adelphi Hotel has been hosting guests for more than 140 years. With an upscale bistro and a farm-to-table steakhouse, this ornate property is still the definitive place to see and be seen during racing season.
Bluebird Spa City Motor Lodge is a reimagined roadside motel with fun furnishings, friendly vibes, and fair prices. Saratoga Springs also boasts loads of short-term rentals for groups of all sizes and budgets.
Where to Eat in Saratoga Springs
For the perfect wake-and-bake brunch, make a reservation at Hattie’s, a southern-style eatery with award-winning fried chicken and waffles, sumptuous shrimp and grits, and piping-hot, fresh biscuits and cornbread. This cozy joint has been serving the community since 1938, and all profits go to organizations that fight hunger and food insecurity in the local area.
During the day, Walt Cafe is a laid-back lounge to plug in with your laptop and a latte, while at night the venue transforms into Whitman Brewing Company, with an expansive beer list and pub-food menu.
We also love Country Corner Cafe, a classic greasy spoon diner, and Uncommon Grounds, which serves coffee, bagels, pastries, sandwiches, and salads.
For dinner, you won’t go wrong at Cantina, Boca Bistro, or any of the other popular restaurants that line Broadway, but the town’s true standout is Hamlet & Ghost. This New American eatery shines with an approachable, delectable menu that will make you wish it were socially acceptable to lick the plate in public, along with a matching list of equally impressive cocktails.
Where to Shop in Saratoga Springs, NY
Broadway, aka Saratoga’s main strip, features a mix of upscale, antique, specialty, and souvenir shops where you can pick up everything from gourmet olive oil at Saratoga Olive Oil Co. to chic fashion at Caroline & Main to locally made beauty products at Menges & Curtis Apothecary.
In the Beekman Street Arts District, pop into more than a dozen galleries, studios, and shops to pick up one-of-a-kind pieces made by local artists and artisans.
The Great Outdoors in Saratoga Springs, NY
Saratoga Spa State Park celebrates the powerful, healing mineral springs that give the town its name. In addition to public facilities like tennis courts, picnic areas, and playgrounds, the park highlights several named springs that each offer unique healing qualities and unusual (often unappealing) tastes. Grab a map from the park office, and follow the route to see (and sample) them all.
Saratoga Springs hosted its first thoroughbred horse race in 1863 and has been a destination for world-class racing ever since. The entire town transforms during the 40-day summer racing season at the Saratoga Race Course, which draws spectators and equine enthusiasts from around the country. (Highways Tip: Oklahoma Racetrack across the street is open to the public and features a viewing platform where you can watch the horses and jockeys train.)
If you’re looking for outdoor adventure, Saratoga Springs delivers all year long. When it’s warm, head to Kayak Shak to rent a kayak or paddleboard and spend a few hours on the water. In the winter, Saratoga Spa State Park is the place to go for skating, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and more.
The Equally Great Indoors in Saratoga Springs, NY
Ask your budtender for CBD-heavy strain and head to the Roosevelt Baths & Spa for a euphoric soak in Saratoga’s healing, mineral-rich water. This sanctuary within Saratoga Spa State Park was founded by President Franklin Roosevelt as a haven for soldiers returning from war, and today visitors can partake in mineral baths, massages, and other wellness rituals designed to help you feel your best.
On the way out of the park, stop into the Saratoga Automobile Museum to learn about the fascinating local history of the other kind of racing. Or stick to equines and stop by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame for a deep dive into Saratoga’s rich history with horse racing.
If you’re looking for something a bit more offbeat, Saratoga’s quirkiest attraction is definitely The X-Files Preservation Collection. Owner Jim Thornton has been collecting memorabilia from the show for more than 15 years, and this mini-museum is jam-packed with original props, posters, and set pieces.
Live Music in Saratoga Springs, NY
Saratoga Springs is a well-known destination for outstanding live music. Set within Saratoga Spa State Park, SPAC is one of the most iconic outdoor amphitheaters in the country and hosts concerts and festivals with top-level talent.
In town, catch a performance at Caffe Lena, an intimate 110-seat venue where legends like Bob Dylan, Arlo Guthrie, and Don Mclean have performed since the storied spot opened in 1960. You can also see a show at Arthur Zankel Music Center at Skidmore College, which hosts a mix of students, faculty, and visiting musicians.
Saratoga Springs Nightlife
You don’t have to stray from town for a taste of Saratoga’s fun nightlife. Bars and restaurants along Caroline Street, a narrow alley off the main drag downtown, entertain guests into the wee hours. Patrons spill out from establishments on either side of the street as music beckons passersby to come inside, making this street a surefire place to get a feel for Saratoga after dark.
Steps away, Phila Street also offers a lively late-night scene, with an eclectic selection of spots to grab a bite and a beverage while you take in the local social scene.
What to Know about Cannabis in New York State
Before you partake, familiarize yourself with what is and isn’t legal in New York State.
- Recreational cannabis is legal for adults 21 and older in New York.
- You must show a valid government-issued photo ID to make a purchase.
- Adults may possess up to 3 ounces of cannabis flower or 24 grams of concentrated cannabis in public.
- Cannabis consumption is generally allowed anywhere tobacco smoking is permitted and prohibited in places where smoking is banned, such as most indoor public spaces, public transportation, and schools.
- Hotels and vacation rentals set their own policies. Many prohibit smoking or vaping cannabis indoors, so check in with the staff before consuming.
- Avoid illicit smoke shops — their products are not regulated or tested. Instead, patronize state-licensed dispensaries, which must legally display retail licenses, hours of operation, and safety notifications, among other information.)
- Dispensaries typically accept debit cards (for an added fee) or cash. Many have ATMs on site or nearby.
- Cannabis is still illegal under federal law. You cannot bring recreational cannabis onto a commercial flight or transport it across state lines, even if you’re traveling between two states where cannabis is legal.
- Driving under the influence of cannabis is illegal. If you plan to consume, use public transportation, rideshare services, or designate a sober driver.
What are your favorite things to do in Saratoga Springs, NY? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Great start! Hope to get to Saratoga Springs this summer