Saratoga Springs, New York is a historic Victorian city that lies just outside of the Adirondack Mountains. For two centuries, it has been known as a spa town with natural hot springs (as its name implies) as well as a place with world-renowned horse racing. Being close to the Adirondacks, with luxury accommodations all around, it is the ideal place to take a vacation.
Fly into the Albany International Airport, about 45 miles south of Saratoga Springs, New York.
Take a shuttle to Saratoga Springs.
Rent a car at the airport for a week (this is cheaper than renting it by the day). This will cost $179 or more, but it will give you greater freedom to travel around the area. If you return the car early, your days of use will be pro-rated, making this a better deal than daily rental.
To book accommodations, contact Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau at (518) 584-1531 or visit their Web site (see Resources, below). You can book luxury accommodations at the oldest hotel in Saratoga Springs, the Inn. This large and modernized Victorian is a crowd-pleaser because of its location on Broadway and its elegant charm.
Stay at a colonial-era mansion that's been converted into a Bed & Breakfast. With lush period decor, these luxury accommodations will have you feeling like royalty. Some B&Bs offer package deals that come with tickets to local music events or discounts on spa treatments.
Check for luxury boutique hotels housed in historic buildings.
Seek out luxury accommodations near the racetrack, Congress Park. Many elegant hotels are positioned nearby with the sole purpose of providing easy access to the races, museums, restaurants, shopping and nightlife in the area.
Look for resorts and hotels just outside of Saratoga Springs; when outside the city limits, compounds have more room to build large facilities that include golf courses, spas and more. Try Ballston Spa, Wilton or Corinth.
Take a balloon ride and get a bird's eye view of the magnificent Adirondack Mountains and the surrounding lakes.
See the Philadelphia Orchestra, the New York City Ballet and the Boys Choir of Harlem each summer at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) in the Saratoga State Park.
Spend some time in the Adirondacks, which are only a few minutes away. There, you'll find activities like boat cruises, scuba-diving, para-sailing and more.
