Saratoga Springs, the resort for all seasons! Saratoga Springs came into being as the site of the health-giving springs, before the founding of the country. It has continued to flourish as a place of rejuvenation to this day with the Lincoln Baths and Crystal Spa. Many visitors come for the history – from the Saratoga Battlefield, the turning point of the Revolutionary War, through the flamboyant era of Diamond Jim Brady and Lillian Russell, to the continuing tradition of Café Lena, oldest continuously operating coffee house in the US where the famous and undiscovered still share the stage. Finally, many think of Saratoga as the best thoroughbred horse racing in the US at the oldest track in the country. These traditions have contributed to a wealth of fine dining opportunities, outstanding boutique, antique and gallery shopping – all within an easy walk.

Saratoga Springs was developed because of the healing qualities of the waters, which have developed along the geological fault running through the city. One can still walk to many springs to taste the diverse flavors and perhaps reap the benefits so many have found here in the past. You can even soak in the effervescent spring waters of the Lincoln or Crystal Spas and indulge in a massage as visitors did 100 years ago.

Culture has found a home in Saratoga for decades. Today it flourishes at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, the summer home of the New York City Ballet, Philadelphia Orchestra plus many diverse performers. Home Made Theater is a local theater company in its 17th season performing a variety of plays each year in a 500-seat theater. The National Museum of Dance, the only museum in the US devoted exclusively to dance, is a marvelous resource as well as a draw for other local dance companies. Lake George Opera Company has made Saratoga Springs home since 1998 and will continue in 2003 with performances in the Spa Little Theater. Several clubs feature live jazz, blues and folk music throughout the week. Skidmore College, offers an extensive program of music, dance, lectures and readings throughout the year.

No mention of Saratoga Springs would be complete without note of horses – thoroughbreds from around the world, champions, and the glamour of families who have been involved in racing for generations who come to socialize as well as compete for prize money and publicity. But Saratoga also has world class polo for six weeks and medium goal polo most of the rest of the year. The Equine Sports Center has harness racing almost ten months. In the Spring and Fall some of the best of Northeast Dressage and ‘hunter-jumper’ competitions take place in ‘the city in the country'.

Saratoga Battlefield is a few miles East of town. It is the site of one of the ten most important battles in world history, and regularly hosts reenactments of Revolutionary War encampments. The rolling countryside of the National Park overlooks the Hudson River and Green Mountains of Vermont. For history buffs it is a ‘not to be missed’; for others it’s simply a wonderful picnic site, spot for hiking or cross-country skiing.

In the past three years Saratoga Springs has been honored with the first American Heritage magazine “Great American Place” award; the National Trust for Historic Preservation “Great American Main Street”; and Walking Magazine cited it as “One of America’s Most Walkable Cities”. Most of the city has been designated as historic areas because of the wealth of historic and architectural treasures found here. Many homes are used only a few weeks each year by families associated with horse racing but they continue to be immaculately maintained. The ‘Casino’, home of the area's Historical Society and a casino which rivaled Monte Carlo in its day, houses turn of the century gambling devises and captures a sense of our past. In October of every year there is a tour of homes, and in early December another, candlelight house tour, offers a glimpse at interiors.

Sports enthusiasts can find their fill at nearby recreational facilities. There are over a dozen golf courses within 20 miles of Saratoga Springs, including the Spa State Park championship course. Saratoga has hosted two major bicycle rallies within the past ten years, more than two dozen rides ranging from easy jaunts around the city to over 100 miles through the countryside are available (along with bike rentals if you forgot yours), and the city maintains an extensive recreational/commuter bike path system. Tennis courts can be found throughout the community and there is almost always a court available for your use. If hiking or running in nature is an interest there are miles of paths in the state park, the city, and nearby for all levels of ability. Saratoga Lake is the site of an annual bass tourney as well as the Head of the Fish regatta in the fall. Several stables offer horseback riding through the countryside.

Saratoga Springs is a destination for all seasons, to be enjoyed for innumerable reasons.