This Is The Friendliest Small Town in Upstate New York
Saratoga Springs in upstate New York has been welcoming visitors for over two centuries, when the area’s natural springs began attracting visitors seeking health, wellness, and cure-alls in the late 1700s. The expression “taking the waters” originated in historic European spa towns such as Bath, England; Baden-Baden, Germany; and Vichy, France, as well as eight other towns collectively designated a World Heritage Site known as the Great Spa Towns of Europe. Saratoga Springs adopted the phrase in the late 18th century when visitors were encouraged to drink the naturally sparkling waters to aid digestion or soak in them at luxurious spas.
As well as enjoying the overt health benefits of taking the waters in the town nicknamed “The Queen of the Spas,” there’s still plenty more to explore in the city of around 28,000 residents. Take horse racing, for example. Saratoga Springs is home to one of the oldest and most storied horse race tracks in the United States—the Saratoga Race Course. Not into horses? No problem, the small town’s vibrant and lively arts scene is alive throughout its pretty downtown core, filled with boutique shops, local galleries, unique restaurants, cozy cafés, and welcoming locals.
Relaxation and Wellness
Saratoga Springs is renowned worldwide for its mineral springs, so it’s no surprise that you can explore about 21 springs in various areas and parks around town where wellness enthusiasts can drink from a spring, each with different characteristics, distinct flavors, and purported health benefits. The welcoming and helpful team at the Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center is always available to answer questions or provide wayfinding assistance. They have put together a series of Self-Guided Walking Tour maps and brochures that you can pick up or download before setting off in search of the magical water. Don’t forget to bring a reusable water bottle or two.
Congress Spring
Discovered by a congressman from New Hampshire in 1792, Congress Spring is one of the most famous springs and the gem of Saratoga Springs. It is covered by a replica of an original 1826 Greek Revival-style pavilion located in the eponymous Congress Park. Its water is known for its light carbonation and mild flavor, and is thought to be beneficial for gout, dyspepsia, and skin ailments.
Polaris Spring
In the heart of Saratoga Spa State Park, you can “take the cure” from the Polaris Spring, which contains minute trace amounts of radon, whose therapeutic benefits may reduce inflammation, provide pain relief, and boost immunity (although many health practitioners are skeptical of these claims). The Polaris Spring also feeds into the Roosevelt Baths, the last remaining historic bathhouse in town. The baths were established in 1935, thanks to President Franklin Roosevelt’s visionary act to preserve the Saratoga Springs, and are located at the swanky Gideon Putnam Resort.
Geyser Island Spouter
Another spring to see in the state park is the Geyser Island Spouter, a spring that sends a narrow plume of water 10 to 15 feet in the air. The spouter first appeared in the early 1900s, and since then, an island of hardened minerals has surrounded the spring. It is a popular spot for photographs, so don’t be surprised to see a bride and groom posing in front of this one as friendly passersby cheer them on.
Hathorn No. 3
Stay in the park to see Hathorn Spring No. 3 tucked in a tranquil historical pavilion, surrounded by lush greenery and the sounds of nature, along with plaques that offer insight into the springs. Back in the heyday of the springs, you’d see long lines of water drinkers waiting every morning to start their day off with a glass or two of this highly mineralized, salty-tasting water.
Thoroughbred Horse Racing
First opened in 1864, the prestigious Saratoga Race Course quickly gained fame for its exciting thoroughbred races against the backdrop of the foothills of the Adirondacks. On the grounds of the course, you’ll find the iconic grandstand and clubhouse, the historic paddock where the horses are paraded around before the races, and scenic picnic grounds.
The starting gates open on July 3, 2025, and the season is off with the first-ever July 4th Racing Festival at the fabled Saratoga Race Course kicking off the season ahead of the regular meet. It’s a family-friendly event with concessions like Ben & Jerry’s, Shake Shack, Dunkin’, and more, as well as a Taste NY Pavilion featuring free samples of local food and spirits. Part of the experience of going to a racetrack is embracing your inner diva, so feel free to dress in your very best in a well-tailored suit, a floral summer dress, a wide-brimmed hat, a statement purse, you name it—everything goes for a day at the races.
The 2025 Saratoga Racing Season runs every day from July 10 until September 1, 2025, except on Mondays and Tuesdays, which are “Dark” (no racing).
Vibrant Arts, Culture, and Festival Scene
The friendly town of Saratoga Springs loves to throw a party, with numerous events taking place throughout the year that bring locals and tourists together. Festivals like the two-day 2025 Saratoga Jazz Festival, the Saratoga County Fair, the dog-friendly Bark, Brew, and Tattoo 2025 event at the Saratoga Springs City Center, and the 15th Annual Saratoga Arts Celebration in Saratoga Spa State Park are just a few of the annual events held in the welcoming town.
The cultural heart of this vibrant town is the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, situated in the 2,400-acre Saratoga Spa State Park, providing the perfect location for residents and visitors to come together to sing and dance under the stars. If you’re a music lover or dance enthusiast, attending a performance by the Philadelphia Orchestra or the New York City Ballet, which both make their summer homes at SPAC, is a not-to-be-missed event this summer.
SPAC’s eclectic lineup for the summer of 2025 promises to be memorable with music concerts by the Dave Matthews Band, Rod Stewart, Phish, Shania Twain, and many others. The SPAC also hosts the Saratoga Jazz Festival from June 28 to 29, 2025, and the Outlaw Music Festival featuring Willie Nelson & Family, Bob Dylan, and Lucinda Williams.
Shopping, Eating, and Drinking
Make time out of your busy schedule of things to do in Saratoga Springs to spend some downtime in the walkable and dog-friendly downtown. If you love shopping, head to Broadway, full of coffee hubs and one-of-a-kind shops, like pet boutique Bella and Lindy, yarn shop Common Thread, Saratoga Tea & Honey, and the Saratoga Chocolate Company.
When you get hungry, reserve a table at trendy Druthers Brewing Company, whose brewpub includes lots of tacos, hand-helds, and shareable plates. Pair it with one of the brewery’s signature sours, like a Passionfruit Double Dare or a Strawberry Dare. If you prefer award-winning local wine produced on the shores of Cayuga Lake, head over to the Thirsty Owl for a glass of Pinot Gris and a charcuterie board.
Discover Saratoga Springs: Upstate New York’s Friendliest Small Town
Since its early days as a retreat for health seekers looking to rejuvenate and feel good by “taking the cure” from its magical healing waters, spending any time at all in the friendliest small town in upstate New York continues to be good for you. Saratoga Springs is where wellness, excitement, and a friendly, vibrant community come together to create an unforgettable experience. Whether you’re enjoying a luxurious pampering session at a historic bathhouse, cheering on a horse at the track in your Sunday best, or dancing in the park to Shania Twain, Saratoga Springs has your back.
