40 Things to Do in Saratoga During Racing Season

Here are my favorite things to do during racing season (in no particular order)….

1. Spend a morning on the backside AND on the frontside watching morning training

2. Walk down Broadway when the bands are playing

3. Have a beer with Tom Bellhouse at the paddock bar: win, lose, or draw

4. Watch the races from the backside one afternoon

5. Try the chicken parm at Pennell’s near the track

6. Book a trip to go white water rafting (there are a bunch of places within an hour of Saratoga)

7. Have dinner at Hattie’s (I think the jerk chicken is better than the fried chicken myself)

8. Rent a boat and spend the day on Saratoga lake (I recommend Boatworks)

9. Put your cowboy boots on and go to the Painted Pony Rodeo

10. Stop by Chipotle near the mall for lunch

11. Visit Lake George and go on a dinner cruise

12. Hike Buck Mountain (view of Lake George is absolutely amazing)

13. Spend a night at the beautiful Sagamore Resort in Lake George (splurge)

14. Visit Six Flags amusement and water parks near Lake George

15. Shop at the Lake George outlets for some great deals.

16. Take the scenic drive to Manchester, Vermont (outlet shopping, hiking, etc)

17. Take a fly fishing lesson at the Orvis Store in Manchester

18. Attend a concert at SPAC (there’s still a great view even from the lawn)

19. Attend the major yearling sales held at the Fasig-Tipton pavilion in August (August 10-11 this year, a huge social event)

20. Visit the National Racing Museum & Hall of Fame

21. Take a walk through Saratoga State Park or Congress Park downtown

22. Hit the slots at the Saratoga Casino

23. Watch some harness races while at the Casino

24. Have an after dinner drink on the patio at Sperry’s

25. Play a round of golf at Saratoga National

26. Run into some trainers at the Spring Street Deli after morning training

27. Order a milkshake and french fries from Shake Shack (at the racetrack)

28. Take a trip to Cooperstown to visit the Baseball Hall of Fame (about two hours from the Spa)

29. Brush up on your state capitol history and spend the day in Albany

30. Eat ice cream after dinner at Ben & Jerry’s downtown

31. Or….visit the Dairy Haus for ice cream after dinner (I think it’s the best icecream place in town)

32. Get a massage at Complexions Spa

33. Catch a polo match one night

34. Get your heart pounding and watch the first race on most Thursday cards…steeplechase

35. Attend the jockeys vs. trainers charity basketball game

36. Have a drink after the races at Siro’s

37. Ladies…if you need a hat to spruce up your track outfit, head to Hat Sational on Broadway.

38. Head to Duo Japanese Restaurant on Broadway. The crab rangoons are out of this world.

39. Go to the races on giveaway days. Click here for the schedule

40. Head to the Parting Glass at 8:00 pm on Thursday nights to see a great band play.