Trifter

Saratoga Springs is on the verge of exploding…with people and horses.  Every year around mid-July, the population of this small upstate New York town more than triples, and the horse population increases even more.  It’s a busy, bustling time, and it can be very difficult to find a peaceful spot in the eye of the horse-racing storm.  It can also be a very expensive town, if you don’t know the places where entertainment can be had for free.

Take a picnic breakfast to the track

Horses training at the Oklahoma Track.  Photo Courtesy of Author.

This is a favorite of mine, because I live within walking distance of the track.  I don’t really enjoy the track during the day.  It’s too crowded and loud, but in the morning, it’s peaceful.  Just grab some donuts or bagels, coffee, juice or whatever makes a breakfast picnic for you.  There will be quite a few people enjoying the expensive breakfast buffet, but there will also be quite a few others that are just there to hear the announcer introduce the different horses and discuss their past performances as they exercise on the track.  There’s no fee to get in at this time of the morning—before 10:30—and they don’t mind if you bring in your own food.  You can stand right next to the fence and get an uncrowded, up-close view of each magnificent beast as it rounds the track.  You can even sit in the private boxes at this time of the day, so find a spot and just enjoy the horses. 

Explore Congress Park

Spit and Spat.  Photo Courtesy of Author.

Well, if your kids aren’t into the horses, maybe they’re into baby ducks.  Taking a stroll through Congress Park never gets old for me.  There’s Spit and Spat, the fish pond, the Italian Gardens, the war memorial, the Night and Day vases, the Spirit of Life fountain, Deer Spring, Columbian Spring, Congress Spring, the ducks and the carousel.  Again, if you want, take a picnic.  There’s plenty of open ground to spread out a blanket, but watch out for the ducks; they tend to beg.  Don’t feed them.  There are signs posted, and it’s better for the ducks if they eat the food they’re supposed to be eating.  There are a couple of stone checker/chess tables that some people use as picnic tables.  If they’re not occupied, that may be a good option.  Bring along a Frisbee or some bubbles too.  If you get thirsty, take a drink from Columbian Spring.  Its source has been lost, and it now dispenses municipal water, which if you try the other springs, you’ll see that it’s much tastier than the other two.  Riding the carousel is not free, but it is only fifty cents, so if you feel like splurging, take a few spins.  This carousel is the only two-row Illions carousel still intact and operating.  Your fifty cents goes toward its maintenance.

Go window shopping in G. Willikers

Storefront of G. Willikers on Broadway.  Photo Courtesy of Author.

This is only fun if you know your kids won’t throw a fit when you don’t buy something.  Overall, it is a bit pricey.  You can find some reasonable items, and you can definitely find items that you wouldn’t see in Wal-Mart or Toys-R-Us.  My kids and I just like to go in and see what’s new.  They have a train set and a building set in the back that the kids can play with.  When they were smaller, they could stay there for hours.  G.Willikers is located right on Broadway.

Go to the sprinkler at the East Side Recreation Field

Sprinkler at East Side Recreation Field.  Photo Courtesy of Author.

On a hot day, the East Side Recreation Field is the place to be.  In the northeast corner there’s a wonderful sprinkler, and on the southeast end there’s a playground, so you can cool off for a while and then go swing for a while.  There are benches around the sprinkler for adults who just want to read or watch, but there’s no law saying the grown ups can’t cool off too.  One of the main attractions at the sprinkler—for the kids—is that it goes off about every twenty minutes.  Every kid there then races for the button that turns it back on.  It’s half the fun.  The East Side Recreation Field is located on Lake Avenue.

Taste the Waters

Hathorn Spring, corner of Spring and Putnam.  Photo Courtesy of Author.

You have to be pretty adventurous for this one, because some of the springs are pretty gross, but they’re supposed to be good for you.  The springs are what first attracted people to Saratoga Springs, and the water from several of the springs has been bottled and sold around the world.  Even today, there are people who fill up milk jugs every week from their favorite spring.  There are 17 public springs in the city.  Just bring your own cup or water bottle for tasting.  There’s a guide to the springs at this link: http://www.saratoga.com/Waters-of-Saratoga/springs_list.cfm.  Each spring has a list of ailments that it is supposed to cure, which include gastro-intestinal disorders, gout, rheumatism, arthritis, anemia, obesity, kidney disorders, skin diseases and the overall flushing of toxins from the body, so drink up.