Saratoga Springs is a small, yet historically rich city renowned for its many mineral springs and various outdoor attractions.

Located 30 miles north of Albany, off the Adirondack Northway, it is a city built on history and thoroughbred racing. However, it is the area's natural mineral springs that originally claimed the fame for Saratoga.

The majority of these springs are located on the 2200-acre expanse of the Saratoga State Spa Park.

According to Programs Assistant of the Saratoga Springs Visitor Center Mike Peters, a fault that starts up in the Adirondacks and runs southward, is at its widest point underneath the park.

Underneath, it's like a huge river. If there is a crack or a hole, the pressure brings water up through the crack, bringing gas and minerals along. There are 20 functioning springs to drink from, and two operating bathhouses: the Crystal and Lincoln Baths.

Denise McDonald from the Saratoga Springs Visitor Center says, "Tasting tours of the springs are done all year round. We have sixteen springs, places where people can go sample the springs among Saratoga Spa State Park, Congress Park and High Rock."

Peruse the park...

Photo by Adam Szot Mineral water flows freely outside of the Spa State Park, as well. The spring featured here is located in Congress Park, in downtown Saratoga Springs.

Saratoga Performing Arts Center is the summer home of the Philadelphia Orchestra and has hosted the New York City Ballet since 1966. It has been a stop for top rock and jazz musicians and has grown as a cultural center over the past two decades.

For the ultimate in leisure and luxury, the park also offers the historic Gideon Putnam Hotel and Lincoln Bath house.

The Peerless Pool Complex consists of a main pool, separate slide pool with a 19 foot double slide, and a children's mushroom fountain wading pool. The Victoria Pool is smaller and surrounded by arched promenades. Both pool areas include showers, locker rooms and restrooms.

There are also two beautiful golf courses in the park. Its terrain offers picnic areas, shady streamside trails, suitable for the nature-lover or the casual walker, as well as joggers and high school and college athletes.

During the cold months, Winter Fest takes place at the state park. Events will include ice sculpting, sledding and snowshoeing. Some other winter activities include both ice-skating, ice hockey and cross-country skiing.

There is a Chowder Fest at the beginning of February, with twenty-three participating restaurants. People taste various chowders and vote on the best for a T-shirt prize.

Healing Benefits

In 1771, the Mohawk Indians brought Sir William Johnson to Saratoga's Medicine Spring with an infected leg injury.

After four days of exposing the wound to the Medicine Spring water, his infection went away and the leg was spared.

During the Battle of Saratoga in 1777, Dr. Samuel Tenney sent his patients to the spring where they found relief for their illnesses. After the battle, many people came back to Saratoga because word got around the spring was good for healing.

"It's the high mineral and salt content that kills bacteria," Peters says.

 

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Contact Info: Saratoga Springs Visitor Center. Denise McDonald, Executive Director 297 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518) 587-3241