Serenity awaits at Roosevelt Mineral Baths. One of many offbeat things to do in Saratoga Springs during the Belmont.
The Belmont Festival is back in Saratoga Springs for a second year, with five days of racing from Wednesday June 4 through Sunday June 8. We worked as a host at a private picnic area last year and the attendees were notably more focused than the usual crowd at our own summer meet. But you can’t handicap 24/7 so here are some offbeat suggestions for things to do in Saratoga Springs.
Take the waters: reserve a mineral bath in Spa State Park. The Roosevelt Bath House operates very much as it did in the time of FDR when the park was created, offering a soothing and therapeutic soak in murky waters. Make a reservation here; you can choose from a 40 minute soak as a “singular treatment” or a 20 minute bath to be combined with massage or another therapy.
Taste the waters: tour our many mineral springs. Here’s a guided tour that starts in Congress Park, right across the street from the Visitor Center where you can pick up a printed brochure with history and location of springs in town and in Spa State Park. (You can also download the brochure here.) If you’re short on time, head for the Geyser Loop Trail where you can experience a variety of springs (including one that’s mildly radioactive) on a short loop hike.
Take a rolling feast to the track (Wednesday and Sunday only). This year NYRA is relaxing its Belmont policies to allow rolling coolers and outside alcohol (no glass bottles) on those two days only. So follow a favorite Saratoga tradition and pack your chest with beer from Treehouse Brewing (skip the crowds by using the efficient take out ordering process) or canned wine from the big selection at Purdy’s. Add an Italian mix sub (here they call it the “Big D” and it’s delicious) or other sandwich from Cardona’s (order in advance because they will be swamped) and, of course, a bag of Saratoga Chips.
Hang out with the locals at Mittler’s Market. There’s plenty of strolling and people watching to be had on Broadway and in Congress Park, but don’t overlook this bodega which is a short block down Phila at the corner of Putnam St. It’s a new place which has quickly caught on with a full bar, light meals and snacks, music and creative events like a Saturday Morning Dads Club where fathers gather to share activities with their kids.
Akazumi Marinated Tuna from the lunch menu at Omakazi Sushi.
Take in a show at Caffé Lena. The longest continually operating folk music venue in America offers legendary and local performers in an intimate setting with shared tables and great acoustics. At 47 Phila St, right in the heart of the action. Daily schedule is here.
Check out our Farmers Market. It’s a good one, with scores of farm stands, live music and plenty of snacking. Under and around the pavilion at 112 High Rock Blvd in High Rock Park, 9:00 am – 1:00 pm Saturday (so you can visit and still make the first post time). Don’t miss two world class bakeries, sourdough creations from Night Works Bread and laminated pastries from Bakery Suzanne. If you are up for a quirky adventure, Bakery Suzanne has a retail location at 4282 Rte 50 east of Wilton Mall. They’re open 8:00 am – 2:00 pm Friday-Sunday and are next door to the X-Files Museum which is open 11:00 am – 5:00 pm on the same days.
Get creative with your dining options. Saratoga Springs is packed with dining venues, most of which are likely to be fully booked during the Belmont Festival. Familiar Creature is a newish wine bar with inventive food from a former head chef at Hamlet & Ghost and they focus on walk-ins with only a limited number of reservations each night. Omakaze can set you back hundreds of dollars with add-on like wagyu beef sushi, but you can enjoy the same atmosphere and magnificent chef’s selections at lunch for just $35; specify Omakase Sushi Bar when you reserve here.
