Sunday Guides, Saratoga Springs Edition

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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, Druther’s (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 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.

The Wishing Well, open since 1936, is a favorite of locals and a great spot to make special family memories on your visit.

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 South 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.

Sunday Guides, Fall Foliage Edition

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We have a fabulous 20 minute Fall Foliage episode. It features hotels in the Adirondacks, Montreal Canada, Fun Fall things to do with the family ( best cider donuts ever! Candy witches, & cozy hayrides too & more) And to watch our fall foliage show in its entirety please visit via link & use code MICHELE10

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We have a gorgeous 20 minute exclusive Fall Foliage Show on Joie de Vivre Network

We love every season of the year. However, there is something poetic about Fall Foliage in the Adirondacks, New England and Canada. There is a reason people travel from around the World to visit during the Autumn months. Having grown up in Upstate New York, close to the Vermont border, was the most idyllic childhood. The scent of Cider Donuts, Apple orchards, Hot Cider and more perfumed the air. I still can’t believe how lucky I was to be surrounded by this beauty my entire life, and it never ever gets old.  The mild sunny days enhance the brilliant colors of the Foliage, shimmering onto lakes, rivers and ocean. Evenings are cozy, bundled up in chunky sweaters, wrapped in plaid Pendleton blankets and Fall Fashions on moonlit hay rides.  Sitting by the outdoor fireplace, sipping hot mulled cider spiked with a little Bourbon remains one of my favorite things to do.

To watch our Fall Foliage Video please link here & use coupon michele10

Homemade Apple Cider Glazed Dumplings

Our apple dumplings are one of my family and friends favorite Autumn dessert I make!

We use Dufour puff pastry, local apples & local apple cider. I live in the countryside of New Jersey with several wonderful farms & cider mills.

If you have questions on any of our recipes please feel free to email us.

Recipe:

Core apples ( we typically make 6 dumplings)

Add a small Pat of salted butter & 1 heaping tablespoon of light brown sugar

Add a very small pinch of ground cinnamon

Roll out thawed Dufour puff pastry

Wrap each apple

We typically can make 4 dumplings per one sheet of puff pastry

Bake in pre heated oven check around 20 minutes so they don’t over brown

cool and add icing

Apple cider icing:

Combine

2 tablespoons apple cider

1 cup confectionery sugar

1 tablespoon of heavy cream

(You can easily double the icing- add more apple cider or more powdered sugar to get the consistency you want)

Serve with scope vanilla ice ream

Preheat oven to 400 degrees (all ovens are different so be careful not to burn or overcook your dumplings. We used an ovenproof ceramic casserole dish to bake in. We only put 4 dumplings per baking dish as to NOT overcrowd them and allow them for o puff up into a beautifully delicious buttery dessert.

*** please note the buttery brown sugar filling will not make your puff pastry soggy & will be incredible while warm melting into the side of vanilla ice cream. you can certainly omit that but it’s what makes these delicate pastries more unique, mouthwatering & irresistible!