Dozen Distinctive Destinations
Saratoga Springs, NY
Year Listed: 2002
"Society, sport and sin," in the words of one writer, made Saratoga Springs, N.Y. one of America's most popular resorts in the 19th century. While visitors were initially drawn by the supposed curative powers of the waters that bubbled from the town's springs, champagne soon replaced the foul-tasting elixir as the beverage of choice. Beginning in 1802, when the first hotel was erected, Saratoga Springs became the premier see-and-be-seen destination for the socially elite from New York City, Boston and Montreal.
The Adelphi Hotel in Saratoga Springs, New York.
Credit: Julia Stokes
In its heyday, the resort attracted a "who's who" of glamorous vacationers such as Diamond Jim Brady, who caused quite a stir when he arrived in a silver-plated railroad car. During the Civil War, three millionaires built the Saratoga Race Track and sponsored the first running of the Travers Cup, America's oldest racing event. More than a century later, the track - where the original Victorian grandstand is still in use - remains one of the town's most popular attractions. The National Museum of Racing, which contains artwork and racing memorabilia, is conveniently located just across the street. A showplace of Gilded Age architecture, the town includes 900 buildings listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
A member of the National Trust's National Main Street Program, Saratoga Springs has worked successfully for many years to revitalize its downtown and preserve its Greek Revival, Gothic Revival and Queen Anne buildings. The Georgian-style Gideon Putnam Hotel & Conference Center, a member of the National Trust's Historic Hotels of America program, has welcomed guests since 1935. Just minutes from the hotel, visitors can still taste the waters that made Saratoga famous in Congress Park, which also houses Canfield Casino, one of the town's original gaming establishments. The casino includes a museum devoted to the history of the town. A wide variety of activities and attractions make Saratoga Springs a unique four-seasons destination. Visitors enjoy polo, walking tours, golf, and more than 85 restaurants and boutiques. The Saratoga Children's Museum offers hands-on exhibits for youngsters two to ten.
At the Saratoga Spa State Park, the Saratoga Performing Arts Center serves as the summer home of the New York City Ballet, the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Lake George Opera. During the winter months, crosscountry skiing and snowshoeing beckon enthusiasts to woodland trails. The six-million-acre Adirondack Park, almost half of which is wilderness, is practically at the town's doorstep. And just a few miles to the east, the Saratoga National Battlefield Park looks much as it did in 1777, when American forces clashed with the British in one of the most decisive battles of the Revolutionary War.
