FRIDAY
3pm: Get Settled
For a swanky stay right in the heart of Broadway, the Adelphi Hotel is the place to be. Upscale amenities, like a spa, sauna, game room, and library, complement world-class fare, igloo dining, and a lavish bar and lounge. And even if you’re not staying at the Adelphi, its bar is well worth a visit for a cocktail or mocktail and the atmosphere alone.
For an equally convenient but more affordable option, the 1843 Inn at Saratoga offers modern amenities, cozy comforts including working fireplaces and a tavern, all housed in a beautifully updated Victorian venue.
5pm: Dine at Hattie’s
Credit: @hattiesrestaurant on Instagram
In the winter chill, the Southern home cooking at Hattie’s is sure to warm you up. For more than 80 years, this local legend has been serving up Louisiana-style soul food with charm. Their award-winning fried chicken (featured on Bobby Flay’s Throwdown) is a must-try, but the menu also features fried green tomatoes, savory prawns, red beans and rice, slow-cooked BBQ spare ribs, jambalaya, and chicken and waffles. Be sure to save room for a slice of key lime or pecan pie.
7pm: Enjoy Entertainment at Caffè Lena
Right next door to Hattie’s, step into Caffè Lena, the oldest continuously operating folk music venue in the United States. Since opening in 1960 in a former woodworking shop, this legendary stage has seen some of America’s greatest songwriters, from Bob Dylan to Anaïs Mitchell. Recognized by The GRAMMY Foundation for its important contributions to the development of American music, the venue hosts a full lineup of live performances in an intimate, history-filled setting.
SATURDAY
9am: Breakfast at Sweet Mimi’s
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There’s almost always a line out the door at Sweet Mimi’s, but don’t let that stop you, it’s absolutely worth the wait. This beloved café may be small in size, but it’s big on flavor and national accolades. Featured on the Food Network for its pancakes that went head-to-head with Bobby Flay, Sweet Mimi’s is a must-stop breakfast spot for both sweet and savory bites. Just inside the door, the bakery case tempts with an ever-changing lineup of made-from-scratch treats, while the menu features favorites like lemon ricotta pancakes, cinnamon roll pancakes, and savory specialties like the cornmeal, cheddar, and scallion waffle, truffled home fries, seasonal scramble, and the Mexican burrito platter.
11am: Explore Saratoga Spa State Park
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The nearly 2,400-acre Saratoga Spa State Park transforms into a winter wonderland when the snow falls. Well-known for its mineral springs, the park is home to 11 public springs, each safe to drink from (bring a bottle) and offering its own distinct flavor and mineral profile. The park offers ample opportunities to embrace the season! Lace up your skates for hockey or ice skating on two outdoor ice rinks near the historic Victoria Pool, or traverse 12 miles of scenic trails surrounded by towering snow-capped pines, perfect for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, or fat biking. Warm up afterward inside the Creekside Classroom Environmental Education Center, where you can learn more about the region’s flora and fauna.
2pm: Explore the Automobile Museum
Also found in the expansive Saratoga Spa State Park is the Saratoga Automobile Museum, nestled in a repurposed bottling plant. Marvel at some of the greatest cars from around the world as you learn about the innovation and impact of the automobile in New York State and beyond. Permanent exhibits include Racing in New York State, Evolution of the Race Helmer, and East of Detroit, while the featured rotating exhibit showcases Pontiac: The Dawn of Muscle (through April 26, 2026).
3:30pm: Browse around Broadway
Credit: @susan.kimble.photography
Lined with one-of-a-kind boutiques, renowned restaurants, and cozy coffee shops, Broadway is Saratoga’s bustling “Main Street.” Delight in seasonal décor, horse-themed sculptures, stunning fountains, and natural beauty as you stroll through Congress Park between shops. Stop by Impressions for all things Saratoga, from collectibles and souvenirs to apparel, home goods, and equestrian-inspired treasures.
Discover your new favorite premium olive oils and balsamics at Saratoga Olive Oil Co. Families and the young at heart will delight in the playful aisles of G. Willikers specializes in unique and classic toys, games and gifts for all ages. And book lovers can lose themselves in the shelves of Northshire Bookstore, one of the largest independent bookstores in the region.
6pm: Dine and Drink at 15 Church
You’ll want to make a reservation for 15 Church, where fresh seafood is flown in daily and the finest USDA prime aged beef will have your mouth watering the moment you step inside. Start with fried oysters or house-made olive oil focaccia, then savor entrees like Falkland Islands sea bass, prime filet mignon, or cappelletti with butter-poached lobster. Vegans can indulge in their own dedicated menu featuring Lion’s mane mushroom with potato puree and black truffle, or pea protein “lamb” kebabs. Make sure to save room for desserts like the vanilla custard trifle or chocolate layer cake.
8pm: Catch a Show
Cap off your night with some live, local entertainment. Comedy Works, upstate New York’s longest-running comedy club, has been bringing belly laughs for over 40 years. All that jazz and more can be found at 9 Maple Ave., an intimate 40-seat jazz bar boasting the largest selection of single malt scotches between Manhattan and Montreal, plus a martini menu with over 250 options. Or get tickets to a headline performance at Universal Preservation Hall, once a 19th-century High Victorian Gothic church that has been transformed into a state-of-the-art performance space.
SUNDAY
10am: Brunch at The Merc
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The Merc offers a casual yet trendy atmosphere with top-notch American fare and inventive beverages. Start your brunch with a peach Bellini or a spicy Bloody Mary alongside the carnitas benedict, vegan “No Huevos Rancheros”, custard-soaked brioche French toast, or biscuits and gravy.
12pm: Afternoon Tea at Saratoga Tea & Honey
Credit: @saratoga_teaandhoneyco on Instagram
Tea and honey enthusiasts will easily find paradise at Saratoga Tea & Honey Company, where shelves are stocked with a wide array of loose-leaf teas, locally and globally-sourced honeys, and curated teaware. Sample dozens of infused honeys and fine teas before settling in at the tea bar for a freshly-brewed cup.
2pm: Book a Spa Service at Roosevelt Baths & Spa
Indulge in a spa service at The Roosevelt Baths & Spa at the Gideon Putnam, a historic wellness oasis that has been soothing guests since 1935. With 42 treatment rooms, the spa offers a range of rejuvenating services, from signature mineral baths and restorative facials to therapeutic massages and holistic body treatments.
GETTING THERE:
By car:
From NYC: 3 hours, 30 minutes
From Boston: 3 hours, 30 minutes
From Philadelphia: 4 hours, 25 minutes
From Montreal: 3 hours
Closest airport: Albany International Airport, 33-minute drive
By train: Amtrak to Saratoga Springs Train Station.
By bus: Trailways Bus to Saratoga Bus Station.
