For centuries, fashionable New Yorkers flocked to the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains seeking relief from sweltering Manhattan summers. Best-known for hot springs and horse racing, Saratoga Springs erupted each season as a Gilded Age party town. Today, the hottest months are still the most popular time to visit, but we’ve found 10 amazing reasons to kick off autumn in this summertime haven.
Fresh off a five-year, $30-million renovation, the historic Adelphi Hotel reopened its doors over the first weekend of October. The property meticulously restored its original Victorian-era décor and added modern luxuries like heated bathroom floors and personal iPads to each room.
To get into the Halloween spirit, sip a craft cocktail (or two) for courage at the Adelphi’s speakeasy-style lobby bar before hunting for its namesake ghost. John Morrissey, the man who built the racetrack and casino, died at the hotel and is said to haunt its halls.
The best flavors from the harvest can be enjoyed next door to the hotel at Salt & Char, where the chef combines locally sourced ingredients with innovative culinary style learned during his tenure in New York City.
Racing season ends in early September, but you can get an up-close encounter with thoroughbreds by visiting or volunteering at Old Friends at Cabin Creek, a sanctuary for retired racehorses.
Sample a variety of wines produced at the family-run Saratoga Winery by scheduling a tasting during crush season.
Leave your passport at home and celebrate Oktoberfest at Sinclair, downtown’s newest bar and beer garden. A menu of German-inspired snacks is paired with draft cocktails, canned cider and nostalgic arcade games.
Take home a taste of upstate by stocking up on freshly picked apples, pumpkins and gourds at the Saratoga Farmers Market.
Detox at Roosevelt Baths, the last remaining bathhouse where guests have soaked in the rust-colored mineral waters since 1935.
Located in Saratoga Spa State Park, the baths are within walking distance of the complex’s museum, performing arts center and nature trails, where visitors can bike and hike.
Named to Travel + Leisure’s list of America’s Best Main Streets, Broadway Avenue is lined with 200-year-old buildings occupied by sidewalk cafes and designer boutiques — the ideal setting for an autumn afternoon stroll.
The post Escape the City: Spend a Weekend in Saratoga Springs appeared first on Travelzoo.