Saratoga Springs, New York
Saratoga Springs is located in Saratoga County in upstate New York. The city is well known as being home to the Saratoga Race Course. Saratoga Springs is also recognized for its active night life. Saratoga Lake is situated southeast of Saratoga Springs.
History
A British war hero of the French and Indian Wars named Sir William Johnson along with native companions traveled to the area in 1767. Their goal was to take advantage of the medicinal properties found in a local spring to treat wounds that occurred during battles. The spring now has the name "High Rock Spring." The area was settled in 1776 and became popular with tourists. Hotels were constructed in the area including a hotel built by Revolutionary War hero Gideon Putnam.
Saratoga Springs was established as a city in 1915, originally formed from part of the Town of Saratoga, which still exists today as a separate municipality. During the 19th century the area's fame as a city of spas significantly increased. In order to accommodate the substantial increase in tourists, more hotels were built including the huge Grand Union Hotel. The well known Battle of Saratoga which historians consider a major turning point during the Revolutionary War actually occurred on a battlefield approximately 15 miles away in a town named Stillwater.
Transportation
The major airport serving Saratoga Springs is the Albany International Airport. The Saratoga County Airport is located in neighboring Ballston Spa, but the nearest airport with common carrier service is Albany. Amtrak offers rail transport to the city.
Attractions
The Saratoga Race Course is recognized as the oldest continually operated thoroughbred horse racing course in the country and holds one of the most prestigious racing meets for six weeks from the end of July to Labor Day. The track hosts the prominent Travers Stakes also known as the Midsummer Derby. During the month of August, tens of thousands flock to the track and in the evening the streets of the city teem with restaurant and club goers.
The city is also home to Saratoga Raceway, a separate, smaller race track facility for harness racing which generally operates in the evenings for several months of the year. A casino (also known as the racino) has recently been added to the grounds and houses over 1000 video gaming machines.
Saratoga Spa State Park is situated on more than 2,000 acres. The park is very popular with tourists. The Saratoga Spa State Park includes mineral springs, a spa, automobile museum, reflecting pools,a golf course and other attractions. Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), located on the grounds of the park, is the summer home of the New York City Ballet and also hosts top tier symphony and popular music concerts.
Just thirty minutes north of Saratoga lies beautiful Lake George and the Adirondack Mountains.
A large collection of golf courses is located in the area which includes the prestigious Saratoga National Golf Club and Airway Meadows. There are numerous other attractions in the area including:
- More than ten museums including three national museums
- Numerous natural mineral springs
- Treatments at local spas
- Saratoga Springs History Museum
- Saratoga Performing Arts Center
- New York State Military Museum
- Yaddo Gardens
- Roosevelt Mineral Baths
- Saratoga Lake
- Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Higher Education
Saratoga Springs is home to Skidmore College. The college was established in 1903 and it's recognized as a liberal arts college. The college is known for emphasizing creativity and experimentation in the learning process.
