Saratoga Springs NY travel guide, things to do, weekend getaway, restaurants, spas, getaways, family friendly
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The Paris House, Sunday Guides, Saratoga Springs Edition, October 2023
Cover Letter
Family Fun
Outfits for the Kids
Apple Orchards
Lakeside Sunsets
Candy Stores, Recipes
Childrens Museum & More
Editor’s Letter
Michele Rosenthal. Follow me on Instagram @theparishouse
This week’s Sunday Guides, Saratoga Springs Edition highlights our favorite things to do with the entire family! Autumn Splendor in the Northeast is a beautiful time to visit the area. From the yummiest places to eat, our favorite shops, apple picking and exploring. There is Fall Fun for everyone! Stop by a delicious café, get a pumpkin spice latte & lunch with the kids. Plan a spa day, stroll through beautiful parks surrounded by colorful fall leaves, ride the historic wooden carousel and enjoy the beauty of Autumn in Upstate NY.
We curated our favorite kids Fall Fashion & Christmas outfits to help you get a memorable holiday card & pack a suitcase with ease for all your Autumn & Holiday adventures. We shared the recipe for our favorite witch cake, it’s adorable & crafty! Grab a cup of coffee, relax and enjoy Sunday Guides! We would like to thank this week’s advertisers, sponsors, graphic designer & contributing writer. To advertise in Sunday Guides please email michele@theparishouse.com.
Sunday Guide: Saratoga Springs, with Kids!
By Jennifer Taber VanDerwerken
Beautiful Saratoga Springs, New York is often called “The Summer Place to Be”, when major tourist attractions like the Saratoga Race Course, the New York City Ballet summer residency, and Saratoga Performing Arts Center are in full swing, and beckoning to tourists from across the globe.
But Saratoga is just as vibrant and gorgeous in the fall, with bright bursts of foliage, temperate weather, and the always bustling downtown attractions ready to be enjoyed. Saratoga is also a wonderful place to call home for locals, and as such, offers plenty of recreation for families.
Here’s a family-friendly guide to one of the prettiest little cities you’ll ever see, for the special time of year when New York puts on her golden colors, and shines in all her autumnal glory.
Where to Stay:
The Adelphi Hotel (365 Broadway)
This historic, boutique hotel isn't short on swank, but their welcoming attitude to kids (and pets!) and their premium location right on Broadway makes it a great place to stay for families. There are multiple suites available to accommodate families, and two great eateries located right inside the hotel.
The Gideon Putnam (24 Gideon Putnam Road)
Another historic gem, this hotel is located right inside Saratoga Spa State Park, which makes it perfect for the family who wants to walk out of the hotel and stroll right to geysers, creeks, natural spring water fountains, or The Automobile Museum.
Where to Eat:
For breakfast, you have a plethora of options at your disposal. You can sit down for scrumptious cinnamon roll pancakes at local favorite, Sweet Mimis (47 Phila Street), or grab a delicious bagel and coffee at Uncommon Grounds (402 Broadway) and take it to go. Triangle Diner (400 Maple Avenue) is also a perennial favorite, offering inventive, elevated takes on classic dishes, like eggs benedict, and BLTs. All of these spots are also open for lunch, and make great options for even the pickiest eater.
Any parent traveling with young kids knows that when the energy starts flagging, a little sweet treat can save the day. Saratoga has got you covered with Mrs. London’s (464 Broadway), a charming bakery offering patisseries, breads, cookies, and delicious coffees.
Kilwin’s (420 Broadway) candy shop, which you can scout just by the delicious smell of their caramel apples, has gleaming cases filled with every kind of chocolate treat you can imagine, and wonderful ice cream too.
For dinner, Druthers (381 Broadway) is always fun, with an accessible menu, outdoor seating, and a fun, casual vibe. Their macaroni and cheese is perhaps their signature dish, and what kid doesn’t love that?
Forno (541 Broadway) is a great spot for delicious Italian food, and if the weather is with you, their porch is a perfect spot to people-watch while you dine.
The Wishing Well, open since 1936, is a favorite of locals and a great spot to make special family memories on your visit.
The Brook Tavern is a warm and charming restaurant, just a quick stroll from the bustle of downtown and located in a picturesque neighborhood of sprawling Victorian homes.
Where to Shop:
Because Saratoga is such a family-friendly community, there is no shortage of children’s stores to browse or pick up that special souvenir.
Lex and Cleo (454 Broadway, unit 2) is a charming shop with a high-end selection of beautiful clothes, stuffed animals, and toys.
G. Wiliker’s (461 Broadway) is a consummate old-fashioned toy store, with incredible year-round window displays and everything from the most classic games to trendy toys.
And Northshire Bookstore (424 Broadway), one of the most popular independent bookstores in the northeast, has an entire second floor dedicated to the wonderful world of children’s books. The staff is knowledgeable and kind, and they often host children’s reading events and activities.
Things to Do:
Upstate New York is apple country, and if you’d like to head to an orchard to pick your own while visiting, you’ll find plenty of options in Saratoga County and beyond.
Saratoga Apple (1174 Route 29, Schuylerville) is a favorite among locals.
The Children’s Museum at Saratoga (65 S. Broadway) is a lovely little museum design for children aged 7 and younger, and houses excellent hands-on exhibits to delight your child’s imagination.
Beautiful Congress Park (320 Broadway), located right on Broadway with all of the shops and restaurants, is home to a historic wooden carousel, which you can ride for just $1.00. Go for a spin on weekends in the fall, from 11 AM to 6 PM. And don’t miss the Congress Park ducks who’ll likely approach you looking for a treat!
Yaddo (312 Union Avenue) is a world-famous artist’s retreat, and their gorgeous manicured gardens are open to the public. This past summer, they installed the Yaddo Reads Lending Library for young readers where you can take or leave a book. Take a stroll through the garden and a peek at the koi fish in the multiple fountains. It’s also the perfect place for a picnic.
Saratoga is famed for its mineral springs, which the Victorians believed could cure almost any ailment. There are active springs and drinking fountains throughout the city, some flowing with crystal clear water, others with slightly fizzy, highly mineralized waters. Children will love getting to taste test the assorted fountains for those that are fresh and appetizing, and those that you can smell from a few feet away. Here’s a great guide to finding them: https://www.saratoga.com/things-to-do/springs.
Jennifer Taber VanDerwerken is a freelance writer based in Upstate New York. Her work has appeared in the The Beekman 1802 Almanac, Scary Mommy, Motherly, Design Mom, Grown and Flown, and Mini City Magazine. Jennifer loves writing about parenting, food, travel, books, and the people and places that make upstate home. You can reach her on Instagram @wecangohomeagain or at her website: jennifertabervanderwerken.com.
Saratoga Mineral Springs (MAP)
Jennifer Taber VanDerwerken (instagram)
Jennifer Taber VanDerwerken (website)
Saratoga Springs Tour ~ Video ~
We filmed this fun Saratoga video with my sons many years ago, & although it might need a bit of editing by todays standards, it remains very informative, especially with the iconic beautiful spots in Saratoga. We hope you enjoy it & our attempt at “Special Effects.”
Saratoga Springs Blogpost (2018)
Sponsors:
We would like to thank ShopRite for the generous gift card. We have donated it to The Community FoodBank of New Jersey in Hillside.
“The Community FoodBank of New Jersey, a member of Feeding America® and the state’s largest anti-hunger organization, has been delivering food, help, and hope across the Garden State for nearly 50 years. Last year, CFBNJ provided nutritious food for over 90 million meals through its network of more than 800 community partners, including food pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, child and senior nutrition programs, and more, serving 11 New Jersey counties directly and four in partnership with affiliate food banks. It also addresses the root causes of food insecurity with supportive services like nutrition education, job training, SNAP outreach, and hygiene product distribution. By deliverying neighbor centered solutions and collaborating with all sectors of society, CFBNJ believes that food insecurity is a solvable problem.”
Community FoodBank of New Jersey
The Wishing Well
Since 1936, The Wishing Well has been Saratoga’s home for live lobsters, award winning wines and prime cuts of beef.
The Brook Tavern
A short stroll from the Saratoga Race Course, The Brook Tavern
is a local favorite in a historic Victorian neighborhood.
Dufour Pastry Kitchens
Dufour’s CLASSIC ALL-BUTTER PUFF PASTRY DOUGH
“The most buttery, airy and flaky puff pastry on the market. It's no surprise this multiple award winner is recommended by celebrity chefs, Bon Appetit and foodies nationwide. Frozen, all-natural & GMO free, with butter from an upstate NY dairy. Bronx based, and women owned!
RESTAURANT VILLAGE HOSPITALITY GROUP
RVHG consists of 5 independent restaurants and a boutique hotel, each with a unique theme operating under the umbrella of our management team.
Long Valley Brew Pub, 1 Fairmount Road, Long Valley, NJ
Grand Avenue Tavern, 109 Grand Avenue, Hackettstown, NJ
PH Steakhouse, 111 Main Street, Chester, NJ
OMG Burger & Brew, 141 Schooley’s Mountain Road, Long Valley, NJ
https://www.restaurantvillagehospitalitygroup.com/
Shop This Look:
Buried Witch Cake
About The Paris House
The Paris House, Luxury Lifestyle Brand
The Paris House is your one-stop-shop for travel destinations, unforgettable events, and editorial and personal fashion styling. Their floral arrangements are sourced from New York City’s Flower District and elevate the beauty of your events and hotel rooms. Michele’s international travel show, “The Paris House, Luxury Travel and Lifestyle Show”, is featured in the Paris based “Joie de Vivre Network”.
Whether designing in Rome, Reykjavik, NYC or beyond, Michele is always creating gorgeous moments for her clients and partners. The Paris House’s locations range from elaborate sets at its rooftop studio near NYC, events of all scales across the Northeast, and Michele’s historic New Jersey country home and gardens which has hosted parties, music videos, and photo shoots.
Company founder, Michele Rosenthal, has 30 years of experience and studied at the Fashion Institute of Technology, Travel and Tourism at Endicott College and holds degrees in Interior Design and Business Marketing. She helped launch a multi million dollar division of Saint Clare’s hospital in the early ‘90s.
Whatever your needs are, our company will make your vision come to life. We are content creators, portfolio builders and memory makers.
Michele is the Editor of Sunday Guides, Luxury Lifestyle & Travel media. https://theparishouse.com/
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