I was in Saratoga last week. There is a bustling restaurant scene and we had good dinners at Max London’s (attached to Mrs. London’s) and 15 Church. We wanted to check out Farmer’s Hardware, Hattie’s, and Ravenous for lunches/brunches, but didn’t have the time.
We had breakfast twice at the Triangle Diner which served what was probably the best corned beef hash I’ve ever had. They have some pretty interesting specials later in the morning (maybe 8:30ish) like Bailey’s bread pudding. Both times we went, the place was filled with locals.
If you do nothing else there, make sure to have a mineral bath at the Roosevelt Baths and Spa. The tub rooms are the same as the were 100 years ago. It looks as if the tub was filled with Coca-Cola (or water from a cleared sewer line with an Alka Seltzer dropped in), but the bath itself is transformative and magical. We should have done it every day. There are other spa services if you are so inclined, but the bath is a must. The building is in the State Park and for an additional fee (which we didn’t pay), you can go to several of the still-flowing springs and sample the different waters.
We stayed at the casino hotel and were able to watch harness racing up close, in the first row right by the track fence. I’ve never been to Empire Casino/Yonkers Raceway, but imagine that the setup is pretty similar.
We saw some stunning Victorian homes in the area and even a brownstone on Broadway. There are a few really quaint bed-and-breakfasts if you want a more unique place to stay. Broadway has lots of shops from larger clothing retailers to curated boutiques to tchochke-filled dumps, but all are fun to check out.
If you’re looking for bars and nightlife, we were directed to Caroline Street, but we were too pooped to party.
Corned beef hash, poached eggs, and side Hollandaise from Triangle Diner.
Arugula salad with local peaches, Serrano ham, Manchego, Marcona almonds, and added shrimp, from Max London’s.
But I do recall a very good eating/drinking/shopping experience.
