Saratoga Springs is a small city in upstate New York best known for its thoroughbred horse racing — the Saratoga Race Course, open each August, is one of the oldest and most prestigious tracks in the country. But the city has far more going on than horse racing, and it rewards a visit year-round.
The town grew up around its natural mineral springs, which still bubble up in several public springs in Congress Park and the Saratoga Spa State Park. The park also houses the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC), a major outdoor venue for the New York City Ballet and Philadelphia Orchestra in summer. Yaddo, the famous artists' retreat, occupies a grand estate on the edge of town.
Downtown Broadway is walkable and lively, with Victorian architecture, independent shops, restaurants, and cafes. The folk music club Caffè Lena has been operating since 1960. The Saratoga National Historical Park, 12 miles south, preserves the site of the 1777 Battle of Saratoga — the turning point of the American Revolution. The Adirondack Park begins just to the north, and the city sits at exits 13–15 of Interstate 87 (Adirondack Northway).