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Discover the Hidden Gems
Tours of saratoga springs, ny.
The Saratoga Springs Heritage Area Visitor Center offers unique tours of beautiful Saratoga Springs throughout the year:
Ghosts of Saratoga Guided Trolley Tours - Every October
Join us every fall for unique 90-minute guided trolley tours of numerous ghostly locations in Saratoga, including the second floor of the famed Canfield Casino. Pursue the stories that make the city a portal of paranormal activity. Led by local historian Charlie Kuenzel, the stories are derived from research by noted ghost hunter David Pitkin and other paranormal investigators. Get on board for a fun-filled evening of eerie entertainment! (SOLD OUT FOR THE 2024 SEASON! Stay in touch for next year's tours.)
Grand, Gilded and Glorious: A Saratoga Stroll - July - October
Explore the legends and lore of Saratoga's splendor! This 90-minute guided walking tour entertains and enlightens with famed stories of our fascinating city. The playground of the rich and famous during the 1800s, Saratoga is filled with stories of the wonderful, gilded period. This unique and engaging tour will guide participants from the Saratoga Heritage Area Visitor Center to Congress Park and will conclude with a complete tour of the elegant Canfield Casino. Tours take place Tuesday-Saturday at 10:30 a.m. Cost is $20 per person.
Historic Guided Trolley Tours of Saratoga Springs - Every August
This informative and entertaining 90-minute guided tour includes historic sights and points of interest along Broadway, North Broadway, Skidmore, the High Rock area, Saratoga Race Course, Union Avenue, and more! Upstate Transit has captured the charm of yesteryear and the comfort of today by designing trolleys with an authentic wooden interior, decorative etched glass windows, and air-conditioning. Trolleys also feature a wheelchair lift. Tours take place Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10:00 a.m. August 1 - August 31. The pick-up and drop-off location is the Saratoga Heritage Area Visitor Center located at 297 Broadway, Saratoga Springs . Tickets are $25.00 per person. Recommended for children 12 and over. Day-of tickets can be purchased at the Visitor Center.
Other popular Saratoga Springs tours include:
BOAT AND TRAIN TOURS:
Adirondack Cruise & Charter Company Founded in 2016, Hal and Erin Raven began offering lake tours with their pontoon boat “Kaydeross." Lake tours quickly proved to be a success! In 2017 a fantail launch was purchased to handle larger groups. This small family business soon became a welcomed attraction at Saratoga Lake. Narrated boat cruises on beautiful Saratoga Lake are offered at a variety of dates and times, please visit www.adkcruise.com .
Daleys Adventure Boat Tours
Servicing both Saratoga Lake and Lake George, Daleys adventure provides private boat tours catered to your party’s needs! From history tours to tubing and snorkeling and everything in between, there is a boat tour for everyone. Daleys offers a variety of pick-up locations, boat types and guides, with up to twelve passengers per tour. For more information or to schedule a tour visit: www.daleysboattours.com or call (518)-469-8745.
Lake George Steamboat Company Choose from three beautiful boats and spend an hour or a day on this beautiful waterway known as the “Queen of American Lakes." Embark on an hour-long cruise aboard the Minne-Ha-Ha, one of the last steam paddlewheel ships in America. Or for a longer cruise, board the Mohican for a lovely scenic experience that will take you on a 28-mile tour. The Lac du Saint Sacrement is the largest ship on New York State’s Inland waterways and offers sightseeing, lunch, and dinner cruises. Book your cruise online at www.lakegeorgesteamboat.com or call the ticket office at (518) 668-5777.
Lake George Waterfront Cruises Enjoy narrated cruises on beautiful Lake George aboard either the Horicon or the Adirondac. Various cruise options are available for dinner tours as well as sunset, fireworks, and history cruises. For more information, visit lgwaterfront.com/cruises/ or call (518) 668-4644.
Saratoga Corinth & Hudson Railway Hop on board the Saratoga Corinth and Hudson Railway and enjoy the scenic views of the Southern Adirondacks on our 90-minute vintage train ride. Located just 20 minutes north of Saratoga Springs, we offer the perfect adventure for families and train lovers of all ages.
- Tickets start at $10.00 per child and $25.00 per adult.
- Choose from first class, coach, or open-air seating.
- Ride with the Engineer!
- Book a private event!
For more information, visit www.corinthtrain.com or call (518) 222-9590.
HAUNTED TOURS:
Saratoga Springs History Museum Ghost Tours As investigated by GHOST HUNTERS, come and experience the original Ghost Tours of Saratoga Springs at the Canfield Casino! Tours begin at 11:00 a.m. Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in July and August. Cost is $15.00 adults, $12.00 children 6-17, children under 5 free (cost includes Museum admission). Reservations not required. Meet at the History Museum in Canfield Casino in Congress Park. For more information, visit www.saratogahistory.org or call (518) 584-6920.
HISTORY TOURS:
Derby Tours of Saratoga Led by local historian, Hollis Palmer, this walking tour features the unique history and architecture of Saratoga Springs. Visit www.derbytours.com or call (518) 495-7012 for reservations.
History Center at Brookside Museum: Historian’s Tours
The history center at Brookside Museum will be hosting a series of history tours this summer. Each tour lasts about 90 minutes and is led by an experienced historian that is knowledgeable about their community. Registration required, and there is a $10 suggested donation per registration. To see the tour schedule or register for a tour go to: brooksidemuseum.org/events/
Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation Sunday Strolls Sunday morning 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., rain or shine. Various historic Saratoga locations. Cost is $20.00 non-members, $15.00 members. Reservations required, contact Preservation Foundation at (518) 587-5030 or visit www.saratogapreservation.org .
HORSE TOURS:
National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame Saratoga County farm tour series:
The National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame is partnering with six Saratoga County farms for exclusive behind-the-scenes tours. The Museum’s farm tour series begins Saturday, May 27 at the Bond family’s Song Hill Thoroughbreds in Mechanicville. There will be one farm featured per month through October.
Guests will enjoy a 90-minute tour through each thoroughbred farm, where a knowledgeable guide will provide a comprehensive look at the day-to-day operations and what makes each farm unique. Guests will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with real thoroughbreds. Finally, at the close of the tour, guests will have the opportunity to ask their guide any questions they may have about the care and keeping of these beautiful animals and aspects of life on the farm. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended on this tour.
Each tour is $30 for Museum members and $40 for non-members. All tour purchases include a complimentary Museum admission. To book a farm tour, click on your preferred date and farm below:
- May 27, Song Hill Thoroughbreds
- June 24, Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga
- July 29, Old Friends at Cabin Creek
- Aug. 26, McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds
- Sept. 30, Old Tavern Farm
- Oct. 14, Sugar Plum Farm
NYRA Saratoga Racecourse Backstretch Tours This tour is available every race day except Travers Day and Labor Day (there are no races or tours on Mondays and Tuesdays). This is a guided walking tour of the famous and historic stable area (weather permitting), available during breakfast at the track. The first tram to the stable area leaves the main Clubhouse entrance at 7:30 a.m., with additional trams leaving approximately every 15 minutes. The last tour departs at approximately 9:00 a.m. No reservations accepted – trams are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The tour lasts approximately 45 minutes. For more information, visit https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/visit/breakfast-at-saratoga .
NYRA Saratoga Racecourse Breakfast and Breeding Farm Tour s Offered by NYRA on Fridays during the racing season (July 14-Sept. 4). The tour will feature a buffet breakfast at the racetrack, time to watch the thoroughbred horses exercise, and a round-trip open-air trolley ride and tour of Old Tavern Farm. $55 for adults and $25 for children 12 and under. Purchase tickets at www.NYRA.com .
NYRA Saratoga Racecourse Walking Tours History, highlights, unique architecture, and landscapes at Saratoga Race Course! These daily walking tours bring more than 150 years of history within Saratoga Race Course to life. Ever wonder why we ring a bell at 17 minutes to post or why there is a canoe in the lake in the infield? Take a guided tour to get to know The Spa! Tours are scheduled at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. each racing day and costs $5 per person or $15 for a group of 4 or more. Binocular rentals available at first floor Grandstand Guest Services Center only. Please note: No morning tours on Runhappy Travers Day and Labor Day. For more information, visit https://www.nyra.com/saratoga/visit/walking-tours or call (518) 584-6200 x 4433.
Old Friends at Cabin Creek A wonderful farm for retired thoroughbred horses! Old Friends at Cabin Creek, the Bobby Frankel Division, is Saratoga County’s only thoroughbred retirement farm and one of the few that will take thoroughbred stallions. Starting on July 5 – September 3, tours will be offered on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. No reservations needed. Private and group tours available by prior arrangement. Admission is FREE; however, donations are greatly appreciated. For more information, visit https://oldfriendsatcabincreek.com or call (518) 698-2377.
Oklahoma Training Track Tours Tours of the Oklahoma Training Track are offered by the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame. Walking tours at 9:00 a.m. daily through racing season. Tour lasts approx. 90 mins. and covers roughly 1 mile. Adults $15.00, Seniors/students $10.00; no children or strollers. (Fee includes $5.00 off museum admission.) Reservations required. Sturdy footwear recommended. For more information, visit https://www.racingmuseum.org or call (518) 584-0400.
FREE SELF-GUIDED WALKING TOURS:
We produce several self-guided walking tours. Brochures for these walking tours can be found at the Saratoga Heritage Area Visitor Center or can be downloaded here .
- Historic Congress Park
- Mineral Waters
- North Broadway
- East Side Neighborhood
- West Side Neighborhood
- A Strolling Tour of the Gut
Saratoga National Historical Park The tour road is open to vehicles April 1 through November 30, weather permitting – inclement weather can result in delayed opening or early road closure. The Visitor Center is open daily 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Use your own smart device for a cell phone-activated walking/driving tour to explore the many look-outs and historical sites within the park. The tour road is open daily, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. for vehicles and dawn to dusk for pedestrians and bikers through 9/4/22. For more information, visit https://www.nps.gov/sara/index.htm or call (518) 670-2985.
Scavenger Hunt: “On the Hunt for Saratoga History” Gather your family and friends and travel through time as you stroll Broadway, Saratoga’s award-winning main street. Explore and discover the meaning behind our city’s well-known slogan “Health, History, Horses." Learn about the beverage that put Saratoga Springs on the map! Uncover the truth behind the history of the city. Test your knowledge about thoroughbreds and the Saratoga Race Course. Most importantly – have FUN! Scavenger hunt forms can be found at the Saratoga Heritage Area Visitor Center located at 297 Broadway or the Saratoga Springs History Museum in the Canfield Casino in Congress Park. A completed form with answers can be found at the Visitor Center or the History Museum. If you score 40 questions or more correct on the scavenger hunt, you will receive a packet of free admissions and coupons for businesses and museums in Saratoga Springs. For more information, call the Saratoga Heritage Area Visitor Center at (518) 587-3241.
FREE GUIDED TOURS:
Saratoga Spa State Park There are approximately a dozen mineral springs located within the beautiful Saratoga Spa State Park. Free guided tours will be offered Friday – Sunday at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Meet at the Creekside Classroom, Geyser Loop Road, in the Saratoga Spa State Park. For more information, visit https://www.parks.ny.gov/parks/saratogaspa or call (518) 584-2535.
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