40 Things to Do in Saratoga During Racing Season
Here are my favorite things to do during racing season (in no particular order)….
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Spend a morning on the backside AND on the frontside watching morning training
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Walk down Broadway when the bands are playing
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Have a beer with Tom Bellhouse at the paddock bar: win, lose, or draw
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Watch the races from the backside one afternoon
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Try the chicken parm at Pennell’s near the track
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Book a trip to go white water rafting (there are a bunch of places within an hour of Saratoga)
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Have dinner at Hattie’s (I think the jerk chicken is better than the fried chicken myself)
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Rent a boat and spend the day on Saratoga lake (I recommend Boatworks)
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Put your cowboy boots on and go to the Painted Pony Rodeo
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Stop by Chipotle near the mall for lunch
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Visit Lake George and go on a dinner cruise
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Hike Buck Mountain (view of Lake George is absolutely amazing)
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Spend a night at the beautiful Sagamore Resort in Lake George (splurge)
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Visit Six Flags amusement and water parks near Lake George
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Shop at the Lake George outlets for some great deals.
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Take the scenic drive to Manchester, Vermont (outlet shopping, hiking, etc)
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Take a fly fishing lesson at the Orvis Store in Manchester
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Attend a concert at SPAC (there’s still a great view even from the lawn)
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Attend the major yearling sales held at the Fasig-Tipton pavilion in August (August 10-11 this year, a huge social event)
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Visit the National Racing Museum & Hall of Fame
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Take a walk through Saratoga State Park or Congress Park downtown
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Hit the slots at the Saratoga Casino
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Watch some harness races while at the Casino
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Have an after dinner drink on the patio at Sperry’s
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Play a round of golf at Saratoga National
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Run into some trainers at the Spring Street Deli after morning training
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Order a milkshake and french fries from Shake Shack (at the racetrack)
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Take a trip to Cooperstown to visit the Baseball Hall of Fame (about two hours from the Spa)
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Brush up on your state capitol history and spend the day in Albany
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Eat ice cream after dinner at Ben & Jerry’s downtown
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Or….visit the Dairy Haus for ice cream after dinner (I think it’s the best icecream place in town)
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Get a massage at Complexions Spa
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Catch a polo match one night
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Get your heart pounding and watch the first race on most Thursday cards…steeplechase
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Attend the jockeys vs. trainers charity basketball game
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Have a drink after the races at Siro’s
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Ladies…if you need a hat to spruce up your track outfit, head to Hat Sational on Broadway.
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Head to Duo Japanese Restaurant on Broadway. The crab rangoons are out of this world.
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Go to the races on giveaway days. Click here for the schedule
- Head to the Parting Glass at 8:00 pm on Thursday nights to see a great band play.